If you've always lived in a place where there is peace, meaning not a war going on, then you really don't value peace as highly as someone who has lived or does live in an area where there is not much peace.
Like Mexico right now. If you live in Mexico right now like we did for 6 years you know that peace is precious and something you pray for and seek everyday. When you wake up at 5am to gunshots near your home like a pal of mine did a couple weeks ago you want peace and you pray for it. When you have to hit the floor in your own home at times because you hear gunfire on the next street over or better yet, on your street, then you desire peace and pray for it.
When you live in a world that you don't experience these fun events, you really don't get how valuable peace is. If you do live in a peaceful area, would you do one thing for my friends in Mexico and others around the world, like Cairo, Egypt? Pray for peace. Thanks, peace out dude.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
We moved!
There's all kinds of reasons why you move to a new place---new job, new baby, new home, change in health of a family member, loss of job, etc. I remember the first little one room apartment my wife and I rented back in East Point, GA. It was very tiny. The bathroom was so small you almost had to step out of it into the bedroom from the shower to towel off, or else you would smack your hands on the wall. You could almost turn the stove off from the living room or bedroom, maybe take one step. We have good memories from that tiny little apartment because it was our first place as a couple.
Then there was the 2nd apartment, or roach motel. Yikes! I don't know how so many roaches could survive and multiply in one space. We didn't stay there long.
This month we moved again to a small 2 bedroom duplex. It is not as small as the first place we had, actually it has 2 bathrooms and a garage, oh, and a place to play guitar out on the back patio.
We moved this time because of a reason you don't normally move for, gunbattles. Over the past 6 plus years we had heard our fair share of gunbattles within a block or less of our home in Mexico. It was time to either move or pick up a gun, and since I'm not so into automatics, we moved.
If you're thinking,"Wow, that's bad," that's fine with me. But if you have pity for us, don't. Rather, we would ask you have compassion and love for others all over the world who live in warzones like Mexico. Outside of the USA there are quite a few warzones, more than you know. If you decide to have compassion and love for others who live in warzones, show it, display it, do something. Prayer is a good start, but there are other ways too. It may include sacrifice of some sort, you can decide that for yourself.
Please don't do the one thing that most folks do. Don't go, "Wow, that's bad," and do nothing at all but eat another bite of your supper. If you must eat the rest of your supper, then pause a moment to call on the Lord's compassionate hand for those who move because of bullets. I have it on record that the Lord's hand does act in response to the prayers of His children, says so in this wonderful book I pick up regularly. Seems He shows great power through the simple act of prayers of faith in the Bible.
Blessed beyond compare by the watchful eye of the Lord and compassionate hand of Him who loves the Whole world.
Then there was the 2nd apartment, or roach motel. Yikes! I don't know how so many roaches could survive and multiply in one space. We didn't stay there long.
This month we moved again to a small 2 bedroom duplex. It is not as small as the first place we had, actually it has 2 bathrooms and a garage, oh, and a place to play guitar out on the back patio.
We moved this time because of a reason you don't normally move for, gunbattles. Over the past 6 plus years we had heard our fair share of gunbattles within a block or less of our home in Mexico. It was time to either move or pick up a gun, and since I'm not so into automatics, we moved.
If you're thinking,"Wow, that's bad," that's fine with me. But if you have pity for us, don't. Rather, we would ask you have compassion and love for others all over the world who live in warzones like Mexico. Outside of the USA there are quite a few warzones, more than you know. If you decide to have compassion and love for others who live in warzones, show it, display it, do something. Prayer is a good start, but there are other ways too. It may include sacrifice of some sort, you can decide that for yourself.
Please don't do the one thing that most folks do. Don't go, "Wow, that's bad," and do nothing at all but eat another bite of your supper. If you must eat the rest of your supper, then pause a moment to call on the Lord's compassionate hand for those who move because of bullets. I have it on record that the Lord's hand does act in response to the prayers of His children, says so in this wonderful book I pick up regularly. Seems He shows great power through the simple act of prayers of faith in the Bible.
Blessed beyond compare by the watchful eye of the Lord and compassionate hand of Him who loves the Whole world.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Hello Mr. Prez and America! Can you hear the noise?
It would be fairly easy for me to trash the president of our current government in Washington, DC, but there's enough folks doing that. Instead I'd rather say, "Hello, Mr. President. Can you hear the noise of the gunbattles in Mexico?" I'd like to follow that up with a similar question, "Hello, fellow Americans. Can you hear the noise of the gunbattles in Mexico?"
I really want to blame the Prez and the government right now, but that does nothing, except use up words. I'd rather ask Americans first, just the normal folk, and then the government second to listen for what is going on south of your border in Mexico. Do you hear the helicopters passing over homes so closely it shakes the windows at times? Do you hear the 'blam! blam! blam! blam!' of automatic weapons at almost anytime of day, not just night? Do you hear the ear piercing sound of a grenade tossed into City Hall at 9am in the morning?
I really would rather go somewhere else right now, besides here. I kind of like quiet and peace, but for now there's work to do.
What could the average American do about the noise of the guns that roar in Mexico? What would it matter if Americans did act in some way? Well, it would depend on what you do.
You could protest and picket. You could write letters to the President and your congressman for them to do something. You could do any number of things, but what would they matter?
Hum, what if Americans who are Christians began praying for their next door neighbors in Mexico and that God's Hand would stop the violence and murder? What if Americans became close friends with Mexican immigrants who are in the USA now and served them in the name of Christ? Would that matter in the least?
What if Americans cut back on their illegal drug usage, you know, just the ones that come out of Mexico? Or what if automatic weapons in the USA were only sold to people who were nice, clean cut citizens, and not drug runners? Wait, I'm talking out of my mind now. I'll stop here.
If you've heard the noise, what's next? I've heard the noise, more than once and perhaps the most chilling was one day about 10:30am this past November. It changed everything for me. It nearly did me in, but somehow by the power of a mighty God, I didn't quit, lose my mind and throw in the towel. I tried, but somehow I couldn't quit. Some unseen power direct from the throne of grace would not allow me to quit.
What if we ask the Lord God to send that unseen power from His throne to conquer this noise issue in Mexico? What if in praying, He asks us to do something about it as well? Hum...
I really want to blame the Prez and the government right now, but that does nothing, except use up words. I'd rather ask Americans first, just the normal folk, and then the government second to listen for what is going on south of your border in Mexico. Do you hear the helicopters passing over homes so closely it shakes the windows at times? Do you hear the 'blam! blam! blam! blam!' of automatic weapons at almost anytime of day, not just night? Do you hear the ear piercing sound of a grenade tossed into City Hall at 9am in the morning?
I really would rather go somewhere else right now, besides here. I kind of like quiet and peace, but for now there's work to do.
What could the average American do about the noise of the guns that roar in Mexico? What would it matter if Americans did act in some way? Well, it would depend on what you do.
You could protest and picket. You could write letters to the President and your congressman for them to do something. You could do any number of things, but what would they matter?
Hum, what if Americans who are Christians began praying for their next door neighbors in Mexico and that God's Hand would stop the violence and murder? What if Americans became close friends with Mexican immigrants who are in the USA now and served them in the name of Christ? Would that matter in the least?
What if Americans cut back on their illegal drug usage, you know, just the ones that come out of Mexico? Or what if automatic weapons in the USA were only sold to people who were nice, clean cut citizens, and not drug runners? Wait, I'm talking out of my mind now. I'll stop here.
If you've heard the noise, what's next? I've heard the noise, more than once and perhaps the most chilling was one day about 10:30am this past November. It changed everything for me. It nearly did me in, but somehow by the power of a mighty God, I didn't quit, lose my mind and throw in the towel. I tried, but somehow I couldn't quit. Some unseen power direct from the throne of grace would not allow me to quit.
What if we ask the Lord God to send that unseen power from His throne to conquer this noise issue in Mexico? What if in praying, He asks us to do something about it as well? Hum...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Call it like it is-Ethics in leadership
There might be a need for more boldness in the church today in leadership. For many years leadership in the church has spiralled further and further downward, meaning, the ethics and morals of leaders. Now if we check out the New Testament we´re going to find that it was a problem back then too. Look at Corinth. Gee whiz!
What I mean by boldness is accountability in areas of ethics. I´m talking about holding each other to a higher standard, that of Christ. No way we can be perfect, not gonna happen. However, we can set our sights higher than those in the world or in the business world. If we as leaders look no different than men and women in the corporate world today, maybe something's gone terribly wrong. If we do the same things, use the same sleazy methods, and follow the same unethical principles as Mr. Madoff, then can we even call ourselves the church?
Now this all has to happen in relationship, close relationship. You sure don´t need some dude from Arizona who you don´t know coming into your office or home and saying, 'Man, you are a messed up guy.' We need brothers and sisters who know us well and call us friend and spend regular time with us to call us on the carpet. Spending regular time with one another in itself might straighten out many ethical issues rather quickly. When we know we are going to be sitting across the table eating lunch with a friend or shooting hoops we just might think twice about some things, you think? Having someone ask you face to face specific questions and the big word 'why' makes it much tougher to allow some of the things into our lives that have come in.
Mentors is the word some use for this. Discipleship is what some would call it. Accountability is another word. use what ever word you want but please let´s hold each other to a standard higher than Tiger Woods, David Letterman, and former President...what was his name? We simply cannot continue down this road that we have drifted. Christ called us to a higher standard, he called us to live a holy life, not perfect, not legalisic, holy. Set apart, called out.
Let´s give it a shot guys and gals. What have we got to lose? The world outside the church is full of people who are broken and hurting and they need to see a different model of lifestyle. Leaders, that´s what they need. Holy leaders who live authentic lives, who mess up, get forgiven, but live a higher calling. Set apart, that´s it.
What I mean by boldness is accountability in areas of ethics. I´m talking about holding each other to a higher standard, that of Christ. No way we can be perfect, not gonna happen. However, we can set our sights higher than those in the world or in the business world. If we as leaders look no different than men and women in the corporate world today, maybe something's gone terribly wrong. If we do the same things, use the same sleazy methods, and follow the same unethical principles as Mr. Madoff, then can we even call ourselves the church?
Now this all has to happen in relationship, close relationship. You sure don´t need some dude from Arizona who you don´t know coming into your office or home and saying, 'Man, you are a messed up guy.' We need brothers and sisters who know us well and call us friend and spend regular time with us to call us on the carpet. Spending regular time with one another in itself might straighten out many ethical issues rather quickly. When we know we are going to be sitting across the table eating lunch with a friend or shooting hoops we just might think twice about some things, you think? Having someone ask you face to face specific questions and the big word 'why' makes it much tougher to allow some of the things into our lives that have come in.
Mentors is the word some use for this. Discipleship is what some would call it. Accountability is another word. use what ever word you want but please let´s hold each other to a standard higher than Tiger Woods, David Letterman, and former President...what was his name? We simply cannot continue down this road that we have drifted. Christ called us to a higher standard, he called us to live a holy life, not perfect, not legalisic, holy. Set apart, called out.
Let´s give it a shot guys and gals. What have we got to lose? The world outside the church is full of people who are broken and hurting and they need to see a different model of lifestyle. Leaders, that´s what they need. Holy leaders who live authentic lives, who mess up, get forgiven, but live a higher calling. Set apart, that´s it.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Stick around/long and short term missions
In 1990 when I first went to Mexico for a 10 day mission trip I thought I was in heaven, except for the room temperature cantaloupe juice I drank. It was one of the highlights and turning points in my life. That trip changed where I was going in life to a whole new direction I would have never figured. I'm thankful my old pal Dwayne Hicks came up with the dream to take a bunch of kids down to Mexico to do a choir/work trip. I'm thankful Cris Garcia put up with all 29 of us.
From that point forward I traveled on many mission trips as a leader, co leader, or just flunkie. We went to more places in Southern Mexico with CIY, sent two groups to Juarez which I planned but did not go on, lead groups to Wash. DC, New Orleans, Atlanta, and who knows where else, LA. Each time I went on a trip I felt the need to go back to the same place and work with the same missionaries and see the same kids. I began to tell the people,'I'll be back', and I meant it. I did go back to most of the sites. For some reason each time the Lord made connections between me and the missionaries, workers, and kids in each of the places I traveled. For me it was more than a nice spiritual adventure, it was something more. It was about relationships.
I can honestly say I still keep in touch with many from those past trips. I wish I could have more contact, go back and visit all of them. I have been able to pop in on a few of them, like my friend Teri Mullens in DC. The thing that I loved most about each of those trips was the people, the relationships. Hearing the story of what God is doing in the lives of people did something to me. It made me hungry to know more of what God is doing all over the world.
I have to say that short term mission trips are a good idea if certain things are done well.
Number one, building of relationships by spending time with the missionaries and workers and kids while on a mission trip. Time, it takes time to get to know someone and talk with them and listen to them. Time equals love, because in spending time with these folks they can sense that someone really cares about them and loves them. I think possibly the most glaring weakness in short term mission work these days is the mentality of 'go, go, go' and 'do, do, do'. Get as much done as humanly possible and then leave.
The first trip I took to southern Mexico we worked with this incredible man of God named Gil Contreras. Now Gil knew how to take a mission trip, cause there was plenty of people time during this trip. We got to know him and his family and hear stories of what God had done in their lives. We got to laugh and tell jokes with him, his kids, and his crazy grandson, Adrian Sanchez. Time, lots of it, was what we had to be with them and enjoy them and get to know them.
The next trip I took to Southern Mexico was very similar and the next and the next. In fact, I went down to Mexico in 2002 after I finished up at a ministry in GA just so I could hang out with Gil and his family. What did we do? We wound up driving up to the border of Texas for a car. We had lots of time on that trip.
Relationship building is still a priority in missions, long term and short term. If you want to stick around on the mission field long term then you better plan on doing this one thing. The others are important too, but this is numero uno. Is it easy? Nope. Is it clean and tidy? No, it gets messy most times. Is it worth it? Definitely!
From that point forward I traveled on many mission trips as a leader, co leader, or just flunkie. We went to more places in Southern Mexico with CIY, sent two groups to Juarez which I planned but did not go on, lead groups to Wash. DC, New Orleans, Atlanta, and who knows where else, LA. Each time I went on a trip I felt the need to go back to the same place and work with the same missionaries and see the same kids. I began to tell the people,'I'll be back', and I meant it. I did go back to most of the sites. For some reason each time the Lord made connections between me and the missionaries, workers, and kids in each of the places I traveled. For me it was more than a nice spiritual adventure, it was something more. It was about relationships.
I can honestly say I still keep in touch with many from those past trips. I wish I could have more contact, go back and visit all of them. I have been able to pop in on a few of them, like my friend Teri Mullens in DC. The thing that I loved most about each of those trips was the people, the relationships. Hearing the story of what God is doing in the lives of people did something to me. It made me hungry to know more of what God is doing all over the world.
I have to say that short term mission trips are a good idea if certain things are done well.
Number one, building of relationships by spending time with the missionaries and workers and kids while on a mission trip. Time, it takes time to get to know someone and talk with them and listen to them. Time equals love, because in spending time with these folks they can sense that someone really cares about them and loves them. I think possibly the most glaring weakness in short term mission work these days is the mentality of 'go, go, go' and 'do, do, do'. Get as much done as humanly possible and then leave.
The first trip I took to southern Mexico we worked with this incredible man of God named Gil Contreras. Now Gil knew how to take a mission trip, cause there was plenty of people time during this trip. We got to know him and his family and hear stories of what God had done in their lives. We got to laugh and tell jokes with him, his kids, and his crazy grandson, Adrian Sanchez. Time, lots of it, was what we had to be with them and enjoy them and get to know them.
The next trip I took to Southern Mexico was very similar and the next and the next. In fact, I went down to Mexico in 2002 after I finished up at a ministry in GA just so I could hang out with Gil and his family. What did we do? We wound up driving up to the border of Texas for a car. We had lots of time on that trip.
Relationship building is still a priority in missions, long term and short term. If you want to stick around on the mission field long term then you better plan on doing this one thing. The others are important too, but this is numero uno. Is it easy? Nope. Is it clean and tidy? No, it gets messy most times. Is it worth it? Definitely!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
I'm back! I think...
If anyone actually reads this blog, sorry, I have slipped over to the darkside. I have been writing a wee bit on facebook. Like I said, the darkside.
I am going to make a feeble effort to blog once again and see where it goes. I encourage and am open to comments and ideas for blog subjects. I am also open to anyone copying anything I write, just tell me or whatever. If I write something that makes you think about writing something along the same line, do it and tell me about it.
I really write this for two or three reasons. I like to write and it gives me a vehicle to do so. I like to challenge others to think, or try to do so. I like to share struggles and glories of the mission field so others can pray, can get interested in missions, or can get ideas of ways to serve in the kingdom.
So, I'm back....watch out!
I am going to make a feeble effort to blog once again and see where it goes. I encourage and am open to comments and ideas for blog subjects. I am also open to anyone copying anything I write, just tell me or whatever. If I write something that makes you think about writing something along the same line, do it and tell me about it.
I really write this for two or three reasons. I like to write and it gives me a vehicle to do so. I like to challenge others to think, or try to do so. I like to share struggles and glories of the mission field so others can pray, can get interested in missions, or can get ideas of ways to serve in the kingdom.
So, I'm back....watch out!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tanks, guns, and soldiers
So, last Saturday after running a few errands with Martin my friend we turned the bend down near our house and guess what we saw? An armored vehicle with a high caliber gun strapped on top manned by a guy that looked about 18 years old and on the other side of the road a military truck that carries troops half full of soldiers, the other half being in the road and on the side of the road. So we took a detour to my house that was only a couple blocks away.
Martin said,'You have a neighbor that is a very bad guy.' That was putting it mildly. Those soldiers were waiting on someone to come that way and then the hammer was going to fall.
Most of the day we kind of hung around the house, partly because we needed to rest a little, and partly because I didnt want to find that very bady guy who is a neighbor. Kind of weird to see armored vehicles, soldiers, and automatic weapons right around the corner, right? But it's life here in Mexico.
Then Monday I mailed some packages to Hungary for a missionary friend Rusty. I commented to the lady behind the counter that one day soon I hoped to go there, maybe this summer if God works it all out. She said, 'Why do you want to go there? Aren't you afraid of the terrorists?'
I didn't know they were there. I also commented to her that I lived in Matamoros, no big deal, right?
I guess one day I will get used to seeing tanks, weapons, big guns and soldiers. Maybe I should start learning their names?
Martin said,'You have a neighbor that is a very bad guy.' That was putting it mildly. Those soldiers were waiting on someone to come that way and then the hammer was going to fall.
Most of the day we kind of hung around the house, partly because we needed to rest a little, and partly because I didnt want to find that very bady guy who is a neighbor. Kind of weird to see armored vehicles, soldiers, and automatic weapons right around the corner, right? But it's life here in Mexico.
Then Monday I mailed some packages to Hungary for a missionary friend Rusty. I commented to the lady behind the counter that one day soon I hoped to go there, maybe this summer if God works it all out. She said, 'Why do you want to go there? Aren't you afraid of the terrorists?'
I didn't know they were there. I also commented to her that I lived in Matamoros, no big deal, right?
I guess one day I will get used to seeing tanks, weapons, big guns and soldiers. Maybe I should start learning their names?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Receive food from a prostitute?
Sometimes when you receive food from someone who has a checkered past, like a prostitute, you should just pray. And I don´t mean pray a blessing for the food, although that is a good idea. No, I mean you should pray for the woman who sells herself, who is holding out a plate to you. You should pray for her that God will show her a different way, a better way, a hope and a light. You should pray for her two children who you see playing in the street and the empty canal nearby with other kids. You should pray that any blessing you receive will be passed onto that lady who lives a life of pain.
Why would you ever be in a situation where a lady like this could even offer you food? Well, it´s simple, live in Matamoros, go visit a friend, sit outside on a bucket or old chair. Then when the fiesta for a birthday gets started, just wait and finally a plate of food will come your way. Sounds simple enough, right?
Isn't this like some of the situations Jesus found himself in while he lived on earth? Didn't he get in trouble by the religious right, I mean religious leaders of the day because of whom he associated with? But how else was he supposed to give away mercy, grace and love, compassion and forgiveness to those who needed it most? How else can a doctor heal the sick if he is not among the ill and infirmed?
I did not plan to be sitting right where I was at that moment last Saturday, but I was there. I think a lot of living for God is just being in the right place at the right time. Being, as opposed to doing, someone once told me. We can do and do and do, and go and go and go, but if we never 'be' where God wants us to be then we might miss out on some pretty incredible things in this life.
I could have turned the food down, but I didn't because here that is an offense, especially from someone whose family has so little. So I ate and I said a prayer and Martin did too. In fact, I am still praying for this lady and her family, her two boys, that they desire and seek after God. That they SEARCH for truth.
I am praying that her son who is 3 years old will come back to preschool again. The door is open....
Why would you ever be in a situation where a lady like this could even offer you food? Well, it´s simple, live in Matamoros, go visit a friend, sit outside on a bucket or old chair. Then when the fiesta for a birthday gets started, just wait and finally a plate of food will come your way. Sounds simple enough, right?
Isn't this like some of the situations Jesus found himself in while he lived on earth? Didn't he get in trouble by the religious right, I mean religious leaders of the day because of whom he associated with? But how else was he supposed to give away mercy, grace and love, compassion and forgiveness to those who needed it most? How else can a doctor heal the sick if he is not among the ill and infirmed?
I did not plan to be sitting right where I was at that moment last Saturday, but I was there. I think a lot of living for God is just being in the right place at the right time. Being, as opposed to doing, someone once told me. We can do and do and do, and go and go and go, but if we never 'be' where God wants us to be then we might miss out on some pretty incredible things in this life.
I could have turned the food down, but I didn't because here that is an offense, especially from someone whose family has so little. So I ate and I said a prayer and Martin did too. In fact, I am still praying for this lady and her family, her two boys, that they desire and seek after God. That they SEARCH for truth.
I am praying that her son who is 3 years old will come back to preschool again. The door is open....
Friday, May 15, 2009
Tired, but what do you do, part 2
I just received news from my friend that his family member who was at risk has decided to follow Christ's path of truth and light and not fall prey to the enemy. She has returned home and is choosing the way of God over the way of pain and lies.
This is why we do what we do and we keep making an effort to help those who seem to have no hope, live in poverty and desperation and will try anything to escape their situation. Simply put, we do what we do because of those who get God and His way and walk in it. The ones who don´t we give over to God regularly that some day, near or faroff, they will find His path.
Amen!
This is why we do what we do and we keep making an effort to help those who seem to have no hope, live in poverty and desperation and will try anything to escape their situation. Simply put, we do what we do because of those who get God and His way and walk in it. The ones who don´t we give over to God regularly that some day, near or faroff, they will find His path.
Amen!
Tired, but what do you do
If you are like me there are certain times when you just get tired of stuff piling up and up and up. Maybe it's the junk we hear over the news online, on tv, radio, does anyone still listen to a radio? Maybe it's the load of work in your job that keeps coming at you. Maybe it's the struggle to balance family, work, hobbies, rest, and life in general.
I get tired of what I see or what I hear about the bad choices in people's lives here in Mexico. The past two weeks I have heard of three different situations where a young woman was making terrible decisions that could totally destroy any hope of a good life or future. Two of them I know, but one I have never seen or met. So, what do you do? Pray first. Well, at least it's a good idea to start there. Then what? Talk to them, support them, what????
Sometimes talking works in these situations. Some people actually listen to the counsel of others and make an attempt to salvage their life from the mess they have made. Some think it's just too hard, they've gone too far or messed up too badly. Some just don't care anymore, they are too far gone. So, what do you do?
Try. Do something. Don't quit. Pray again. Try. There are those few who do want more than a life of pain. They listen. Pray again.
I get tired of what I see or what I hear about the bad choices in people's lives here in Mexico. The past two weeks I have heard of three different situations where a young woman was making terrible decisions that could totally destroy any hope of a good life or future. Two of them I know, but one I have never seen or met. So, what do you do? Pray first. Well, at least it's a good idea to start there. Then what? Talk to them, support them, what????
Sometimes talking works in these situations. Some people actually listen to the counsel of others and make an attempt to salvage their life from the mess they have made. Some think it's just too hard, they've gone too far or messed up too badly. Some just don't care anymore, they are too far gone. So, what do you do?
Try. Do something. Don't quit. Pray again. Try. There are those few who do want more than a life of pain. They listen. Pray again.
Friday, May 8, 2009
When is enough, enough?
Sometimes it gets hard to live inside my head, because my brain goes places and thinks thoughts that make me struggle for answers to questions like, "Am I doing enough to help alleviate hunger, pain and suffering in this world? What else should I be doing? Am I doing enough to cry out for those who are oppressed or facing huge injustices? When is enough, enough?"
Some days, like one day this week I had a sense I was doing enough, because we took food boxes to families in need. Made me have a sense of accomplishing something significant. We fed kids and families.
Then some days I see a website, read a news article, watch a video of suffering children in Africa and I wonder, "Am I doing enough?" On those days I say, "no", there's so much more I could be doing. But what, where, how, and with whom? Like I said it's hard to live inside my head some days.
Some days, like one day this week I had a sense I was doing enough, because we took food boxes to families in need. Made me have a sense of accomplishing something significant. We fed kids and families.
Then some days I see a website, read a news article, watch a video of suffering children in Africa and I wonder, "Am I doing enough?" On those days I say, "no", there's so much more I could be doing. But what, where, how, and with whom? Like I said it's hard to live inside my head some days.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tired of the flu and government
Is it okay to be tired of hearing about the flu here in Mexico and school being closed and the government threatening to fine churches, restaurants and schools if they don´t abide by their rules? Is it okay when we don't agree with the way the powers that be? Are we supposed to always agree with what government tells us and do it like sheep following along blindly a shepherd?
If it is okay, then I say I am tired of how the Mexican media and government has threatened and bullied the people of Mexico. They get bullied and oppressed enough, why does their own government have to do this to them as well? Illegal immigrants get bullied and discriminated in the US on a regular basis by those who live in ignorance and fear. Many legal aliens from Mexico and other Latin American nations are treated poorly by many Americans, including some businesses who treat them as slave laborers and not creations of God.
Maybe I am tired of more than the flu, maybe I am tired of other things too, like racism and ignorance and hatred. Yes, I think I am tired of all of these and oppression too. What's oppression? When someone of a higher economic or political status places burdens and weights too heavy to carry on others who are less fortunate or have lower status. I better stop there, because I have other things I am tired of that the United States government does to its own people and to people in other lands. So, let's stop so that I don't get placed on someone's naughty list.
I do think it is okay to admit we don't agree with how something is done or how our governing bodies are doing their job. It seemed like the American people cried out for a change in government this past election, but somehow we got more of the same, but much worse. It appears we are going to be taxed into oblivion by the government that is in power, and mind you, it's not just one person, it is two houses, two parties, and many men and women in control. So we should spread the blame around, or credit.
I think I should stop here. Somes like I am complaining. Freedom of speech allows me to, I think...
If it is okay, then I say I am tired of how the Mexican media and government has threatened and bullied the people of Mexico. They get bullied and oppressed enough, why does their own government have to do this to them as well? Illegal immigrants get bullied and discriminated in the US on a regular basis by those who live in ignorance and fear. Many legal aliens from Mexico and other Latin American nations are treated poorly by many Americans, including some businesses who treat them as slave laborers and not creations of God.
Maybe I am tired of more than the flu, maybe I am tired of other things too, like racism and ignorance and hatred. Yes, I think I am tired of all of these and oppression too. What's oppression? When someone of a higher economic or political status places burdens and weights too heavy to carry on others who are less fortunate or have lower status. I better stop there, because I have other things I am tired of that the United States government does to its own people and to people in other lands. So, let's stop so that I don't get placed on someone's naughty list.
I do think it is okay to admit we don't agree with how something is done or how our governing bodies are doing their job. It seemed like the American people cried out for a change in government this past election, but somehow we got more of the same, but much worse. It appears we are going to be taxed into oblivion by the government that is in power, and mind you, it's not just one person, it is two houses, two parties, and many men and women in control. So we should spread the blame around, or credit.
I think I should stop here. Somes like I am complaining. Freedom of speech allows me to, I think...
Monday, May 4, 2009
Slow down
SLOW DOWN...I just wished someone had gotten this message through my thick skull when I was younger and my kids were small. If you are wanting to listen to me blubber all my regrets of life, not going to happen. But I do wish that I had learned how to slow down, breathe in every moment, make my family my first priority, and live a full life.
However, I am glad for the days when I let the kids stay out of school because they 'said' they were sick or skip preschool when they were little because they just didn't want to go. (I hope my wife doesn't read this.) I am glad that I coached their sports' teams. Well, I'm glad a coached most of their teams, there were a few of those kids....okay, you know what I mean. I am glad we took family vacations to the mountains and the beach. I am glad that we took our kids on all those youth retreats and CCF retreats. I think they had more fun on some of those trips than the students.
There were points in my life that I could have lived a little slower, worked a little less, taken another day off, but those days are past. We live in the present right? So today I enjoyed eating breakfast with my daughter and running errands with her and driving slowly not the opposite. Hey, one more thing....
Slow down.
You won't regret it.
However, I am glad for the days when I let the kids stay out of school because they 'said' they were sick or skip preschool when they were little because they just didn't want to go. (I hope my wife doesn't read this.) I am glad that I coached their sports' teams. Well, I'm glad a coached most of their teams, there were a few of those kids....okay, you know what I mean. I am glad we took family vacations to the mountains and the beach. I am glad that we took our kids on all those youth retreats and CCF retreats. I think they had more fun on some of those trips than the students.
There were points in my life that I could have lived a little slower, worked a little less, taken another day off, but those days are past. We live in the present right? So today I enjoyed eating breakfast with my daughter and running errands with her and driving slowly not the opposite. Hey, one more thing....
Slow down.
You won't regret it.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
doubt....part 2
You have to read 'doubt' first for this to make sense or not.
I just walked through some doubts, in case you wondered. Like going through a desert, dry and dusty with no roadsigns. I think I am out of this desert of doubt for awhile. I have learned a lot. Boy, do I need it.
Step by step.....
I just walked through some doubts, in case you wondered. Like going through a desert, dry and dusty with no roadsigns. I think I am out of this desert of doubt for awhile. I have learned a lot. Boy, do I need it.
Step by step.....
doubt
I watched the movie 'Doubt' late last night and it kind of blew my mind. I mean, there I was, contently watching some boring movie, a little bit sleepy cause it was after 10pm, and then BOOM! I got hit smackdab in the face with a look inside my own soul. If you´ve never seen the movie, maybe you should give it a try, but not really late at night, unless you are a night owl. Then, by all means stay up late.
In the final scene there are two Catholic sisters sitting outside in the snow on a cold day. The older sister, the principal who seems to have a tight grasp on everything is just sitting there trying to keep it all together when the young sister prods deeply into her soul. Finally she cracks. She admits she has doubts too.
Here she is, older Catholic sister who has lived a great deal, seen a lot in the Catholic school where she has been principal for decades, and then she makes the great confession, that she too has doubts sometimes.
This hit me so hard cause I have doubts and so often I live and exist like I dont. You know, I am a missionary, guy who's been serving all his adult life in ministry. I am not supposed to have doubts, right? I have it all together. If you think that sit down with my son, daugther or wife. If you sit down and talk to my wife I have to be in the room, she has too much dirt on me.
We all have doubts right? We wonder about what we've been taught as a child when we go off to college and hear so many new and crazy ideas and philosophies. We question God in the middle of trials as we sit by a hospital bed or a grave. We wonder,'Does He care? Why doesn't God do something? Why doesn't He answer me?'
We have doubts when our spouse walks out the door after years of faithfulness. We have doubts when our son or daughter does the unthinkable or falls into such a deep pit of darkness we can only pray. Doubts....they are there whether we acknowledge them or not. Dark clouds that hang like a thick smoke in the small space of our minds. Hey, my mind is small, dont know about you.
Doubts, what do we do with them? How do we live today with them? How do we go to work with them? How do we love God in the midst of doubts, in the middle of questioning times?
I read a book once that said this about doubt, or faith,
'Sometimes faith is walking in darkness and simply refusing to quit. Sometimes faith is just hanging on. The character of the faith that allows us to be transformed by suffering and darkness is not doubt free certainty, rather it is tenacious obedience.' John Ortberg
Sometimes I talk heresy and say I am not very gifted or dont have many talents. In these times I tell my friends something cheesy like,'I'm not the most gifted guy around. There's a lot of things I don't know how to do, but I do know how to keep going. I just get going, step by step.' Maybe that's what tenacious obedience is. It works for me, cause I have my doubts, more than once in awhile. But I walk, sometimes very small steps, barely picking up my feet. Step by step by step.
Doubt is not the enemy. The enemy is the enemy. Doubt is a companion that can draw us nearer to the bosom of God the Father, if we allow it to do just that. When we question and wonder if we seek, something will happen.....what? That's up to the Father and His creation, you.
In the final scene there are two Catholic sisters sitting outside in the snow on a cold day. The older sister, the principal who seems to have a tight grasp on everything is just sitting there trying to keep it all together when the young sister prods deeply into her soul. Finally she cracks. She admits she has doubts too.
Here she is, older Catholic sister who has lived a great deal, seen a lot in the Catholic school where she has been principal for decades, and then she makes the great confession, that she too has doubts sometimes.
This hit me so hard cause I have doubts and so often I live and exist like I dont. You know, I am a missionary, guy who's been serving all his adult life in ministry. I am not supposed to have doubts, right? I have it all together. If you think that sit down with my son, daugther or wife. If you sit down and talk to my wife I have to be in the room, she has too much dirt on me.
We all have doubts right? We wonder about what we've been taught as a child when we go off to college and hear so many new and crazy ideas and philosophies. We question God in the middle of trials as we sit by a hospital bed or a grave. We wonder,'Does He care? Why doesn't God do something? Why doesn't He answer me?'
We have doubts when our spouse walks out the door after years of faithfulness. We have doubts when our son or daughter does the unthinkable or falls into such a deep pit of darkness we can only pray. Doubts....they are there whether we acknowledge them or not. Dark clouds that hang like a thick smoke in the small space of our minds. Hey, my mind is small, dont know about you.
Doubts, what do we do with them? How do we live today with them? How do we go to work with them? How do we love God in the midst of doubts, in the middle of questioning times?
I read a book once that said this about doubt, or faith,
'Sometimes faith is walking in darkness and simply refusing to quit. Sometimes faith is just hanging on. The character of the faith that allows us to be transformed by suffering and darkness is not doubt free certainty, rather it is tenacious obedience.' John Ortberg
Sometimes I talk heresy and say I am not very gifted or dont have many talents. In these times I tell my friends something cheesy like,'I'm not the most gifted guy around. There's a lot of things I don't know how to do, but I do know how to keep going. I just get going, step by step.' Maybe that's what tenacious obedience is. It works for me, cause I have my doubts, more than once in awhile. But I walk, sometimes very small steps, barely picking up my feet. Step by step by step.
Doubt is not the enemy. The enemy is the enemy. Doubt is a companion that can draw us nearer to the bosom of God the Father, if we allow it to do just that. When we question and wonder if we seek, something will happen.....what? That's up to the Father and His creation, you.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Fear, drugs, and pigs...continued 3
Okay, I'm on a roll and since I have time here goes another one.
A few years ago when the SARS epidemic was going on in China there was a trip planned by a group to go there. One of the guys going was a friend of our son, Nick Neely. Nick had been before to China and was ready to go back for another dose. Well, because of the SARS deal the group decided to cancel the trip for safety's sake. You can't blame them for that because most likely several parents were worried and concerned. Maybe some of the college kids had already dropped out before the final decision. I´m not sure. Those in charge have to make decisions sometimes that are tough calls for the good of the group.
Well, Nick decided he was going to go anyway. He had a heart for the people there and felt this was something he must do. Even amidst the SARS deal and his whole group backing out, Nick made up his mind to go to China and serve there for several weeks.
What do you call that? Stupidity, loco, insanity, foolishness, careless, faith, stubborn, bull headed.....? Or what?
Call it what you want but it takes faith to do something you feel led, maybe called to do, when everyone else around you says 'no' or 'don't go'. It takes a bit of intestinal fortitude that is uncommon in the realm of Christianity today. It requires grit.
I think Nick may be going to Uguanda this summer. He's been there once for a term of 3 months or so, and now he says it´s time to go back. I wonder how life is in Uguanda these days?
Say a prayer for Nick and his adventure to Uguanda. While you're there see if God can send us a few more like him, we could use them.
Oh yeah, Nick said it was not nearly as bad in China as the media said it was. Overkill, is that the right word?
A few years ago when the SARS epidemic was going on in China there was a trip planned by a group to go there. One of the guys going was a friend of our son, Nick Neely. Nick had been before to China and was ready to go back for another dose. Well, because of the SARS deal the group decided to cancel the trip for safety's sake. You can't blame them for that because most likely several parents were worried and concerned. Maybe some of the college kids had already dropped out before the final decision. I´m not sure. Those in charge have to make decisions sometimes that are tough calls for the good of the group.
Well, Nick decided he was going to go anyway. He had a heart for the people there and felt this was something he must do. Even amidst the SARS deal and his whole group backing out, Nick made up his mind to go to China and serve there for several weeks.
What do you call that? Stupidity, loco, insanity, foolishness, careless, faith, stubborn, bull headed.....? Or what?
Call it what you want but it takes faith to do something you feel led, maybe called to do, when everyone else around you says 'no' or 'don't go'. It takes a bit of intestinal fortitude that is uncommon in the realm of Christianity today. It requires grit.
I think Nick may be going to Uguanda this summer. He's been there once for a term of 3 months or so, and now he says it´s time to go back. I wonder how life is in Uguanda these days?
Say a prayer for Nick and his adventure to Uguanda. While you're there see if God can send us a few more like him, we could use them.
Oh yeah, Nick said it was not nearly as bad in China as the media said it was. Overkill, is that the right word?
Fear, drugs and pigs...continued
If you have ever lived in Mexico you can appreciate the statement, ¨Only in Mexico´. Today amidst all the media superhype about the swine flu/H1N1 Kelley, Erin Brumit and I were treated to a random display of craziness. We were grabbing a bite to eat for lunch at a fast food chicken place and were done, just hanging out, catching up with each other´s lives, when along comes a teenage boy over towards the table and with great stealth he snatches up a slightly used chicken wing of mine, right off my plate.
I was a little shocked, Kelley almost laughed and Erin just sat there with an Erin grin on her face, halfway startled and about to burst out in laughter too. What did he just do? He grabbed a picked over piece of chicken off my plate and ate it right there. Did he ask? No, he just snagged it and gnawed on it. Normally people ask for food donations here, but this guy did not. What made it crazy was the fact that we are supposedly in the midst of this huge pandemic in Mexico and all the schools are closed for safety's sake. The people behind the counter all had on masks and gloves to protect them and here's this kid eating food from someone he doesn't know and without asking. Very odd, right?
Mexico is a place where you just might see about anything. If you think this story is crazy you should've seen the guy driving a truck one day down the city street holding a rope in his hand which was attached to a horse running along side him. And no, we don't live in the country, we live in a big city, over 1/2 million. Only in Mexico...
I was a little shocked, Kelley almost laughed and Erin just sat there with an Erin grin on her face, halfway startled and about to burst out in laughter too. What did he just do? He grabbed a picked over piece of chicken off my plate and ate it right there. Did he ask? No, he just snagged it and gnawed on it. Normally people ask for food donations here, but this guy did not. What made it crazy was the fact that we are supposedly in the midst of this huge pandemic in Mexico and all the schools are closed for safety's sake. The people behind the counter all had on masks and gloves to protect them and here's this kid eating food from someone he doesn't know and without asking. Very odd, right?
Mexico is a place where you just might see about anything. If you think this story is crazy you should've seen the guy driving a truck one day down the city street holding a rope in his hand which was attached to a horse running along side him. And no, we don't live in the country, we live in a big city, over 1/2 million. Only in Mexico...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Fear, drugs, and pigs
If you have a tv or computer you have heard more than your share of the flu that is wreaking havoc in Mexico City and is making an attempt to threaten more lives outside the borders of Mexico. So what? So what is your response? Does it affect you? Does it even make you think twice about washing your hands or covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze?
At first it didn't really bother me too much and then when I saw my friend wearing a mask at work one morning while he was outside, all by himself working I thought,"This is craziness, a bit of overkill."
I remembered the Sars semi epidemic in China a few years back and all the fear the media raised over it. I remembered the swine flu outbreak, very small, in the 70s. I remembered these because I began seeing people with masks on walking down the street or in places of business. Kind of weirded me out.
I will admit I have watched a ton of news coverage lately due to the pig flu. More than normal. I have read more than my share of internet articles too. Just curious.
But I am trying to not do the one thing that the media and the rest of the world wants, I am trying not to live by fear. I am trying to be wise and use common sense, but I am not going to resign to the fear that drives the media these days.
Anyone remember the year 2000 or what was it Y2K? Remember the overall fear and paranoia during that time? The powers that be had convinced us to be afraid and prepared, but mostly afraid. I never bought into it, maybe you didn't either. I actually did buy some extra drinking water though, about 4 gallons.
There's another crazy thing that is going on in Mexico and has for as long as we have been here, 5 years......the drug war. Many groups will not be coming to Mexico this summer because of the drug war. My guess is many more will not come because of the flu virus. Think about this, mission groups who are supposed to be on mission for God to spread the faith of the gospel, but are too afraid to go.
Maybe we should rewrite the great commission, "Go into all the world unless you git scared.."? Hum, we could rewrite some other verses as well.
At first it didn't really bother me too much and then when I saw my friend wearing a mask at work one morning while he was outside, all by himself working I thought,"This is craziness, a bit of overkill."
I remembered the Sars semi epidemic in China a few years back and all the fear the media raised over it. I remembered the swine flu outbreak, very small, in the 70s. I remembered these because I began seeing people with masks on walking down the street or in places of business. Kind of weirded me out.
I will admit I have watched a ton of news coverage lately due to the pig flu. More than normal. I have read more than my share of internet articles too. Just curious.
But I am trying to not do the one thing that the media and the rest of the world wants, I am trying not to live by fear. I am trying to be wise and use common sense, but I am not going to resign to the fear that drives the media these days.
Anyone remember the year 2000 or what was it Y2K? Remember the overall fear and paranoia during that time? The powers that be had convinced us to be afraid and prepared, but mostly afraid. I never bought into it, maybe you didn't either. I actually did buy some extra drinking water though, about 4 gallons.
There's another crazy thing that is going on in Mexico and has for as long as we have been here, 5 years......the drug war. Many groups will not be coming to Mexico this summer because of the drug war. My guess is many more will not come because of the flu virus. Think about this, mission groups who are supposed to be on mission for God to spread the faith of the gospel, but are too afraid to go.
Maybe we should rewrite the great commission, "Go into all the world unless you git scared.."? Hum, we could rewrite some other verses as well.
Monday, April 20, 2009
cHanGe
On Sunday after enjoying church service and a nice lunch with friends Kelley and I headed over to Edinburg, Texas to visit two of our girls from Matamoros who live there in the girls school/home. They had a piano recital with 28 different girls playing a song or two. It was incredible to see these young ladies from age 9 to 20 share their musical talent. One of the girls stood up to share her testimony after playing, her name is Diana. She choked back tears as she shared how God had totally changed her heart, her will, and her life for the good in the four years she had been in the school. She talked of rebellion and disobedience that she displayed towards her mom in years past, and how God had changed her to a child of God.
What was so moving for me was knowing that two of our girls were there in this same school, hearing this same message, but more than that, seeing this young lady live out her testimony. Olga and Paola both came from rough homes and both dealt with their share of rebellion, one very open, another not so open, but still there. Now they live a different way in a different home with love and God´s word to lead them. They see the change that has occured in Diana and so many other girls that live there in the school. They know that they have the opportunity to change as well, that they can do it through Christ who strengthens them.
Our testimony is not what we say, it is more what we do, how we live, who we are. I have learned more about Christ by seeing the testimony of people like Martin, Christy, Carolina, Ely, Brenda, Paola, and Olga here in Mexico. I have never met a preacher who could match the testimony in words of these faithful followers of Christ.
Praise God there is hope that Christ can change lives like Diana, Paola, Olga, Juanita, and perhaps me!
Fellow follower
What was so moving for me was knowing that two of our girls were there in this same school, hearing this same message, but more than that, seeing this young lady live out her testimony. Olga and Paola both came from rough homes and both dealt with their share of rebellion, one very open, another not so open, but still there. Now they live a different way in a different home with love and God´s word to lead them. They see the change that has occured in Diana and so many other girls that live there in the school. They know that they have the opportunity to change as well, that they can do it through Christ who strengthens them.
Our testimony is not what we say, it is more what we do, how we live, who we are. I have learned more about Christ by seeing the testimony of people like Martin, Christy, Carolina, Ely, Brenda, Paola, and Olga here in Mexico. I have never met a preacher who could match the testimony in words of these faithful followers of Christ.
Praise God there is hope that Christ can change lives like Diana, Paola, Olga, Juanita, and perhaps me!
Fellow follower
Friday, April 10, 2009
Resting and sacrilege
When is it okay to rest? I mean to really do nothing but chill out, read, mess around the house putting photos up, and just be not driven. Is it okay to let your body, mind, and soul lay back and catch up with all the world has been throwing your way? Does God ever rest? Well, Jesus did, I think. Seems like he did if you read the New Testament without an American work, work, work bent. I seem to remember him snoozing once in a boat as the disciples put out to sea on the lake. I wonder how many times he did that and it was not recorded. Other times he just went away from the crowd, just left them to be alone or with just 2 or 3 disciples. Sometimes he got up early to go off alone to pray. Maybe you don't think getting up early to pray is like rest, but it can be.
So, is it okay to rest and do nothing so you can get renewed and focused again on what's important and what's just sideline stuff? Or do we have to go, go, go all the time?
So, is it okay to rest and do nothing so you can get renewed and focused again on what's important and what's just sideline stuff? Or do we have to go, go, go all the time?
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