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
Monday, April 20, 2009
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?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
New house
Okay, so we moved into a new house, although it's not new, just not so old as the one we used to live in, and not falling apart. It was kind of exciting to change houses because the old one was in bad shape and we had to do all the repair work. The landlord repaid us, most of the time, but little stuff we just took care of. It was exciting too because the new area we live is much calmer and quieter. The old area had a lot of drinking going on late at night. Our one set of neighbors would have a party in the street, yes, in the street, at least once a week. Sometimes it was just a few guys and a few beers, and loud music. Sometimes it was a few guys a lot of beers and louder than loud music, with lots of bass.
The new place is smaller too and that means less to clean up and less stuff to hoard away. That's good too.
And our new neighbors actually speak to each other and smile and wave at you. The old ones, not so much. Maybe one family was sort of nice, but the teenagers were a little snooty and.....
The new house feels like a home to us too. Honestly, we have never had that feeling in the almost 5 years we have lived here. We have always felt like we were just visiting, not really at home here. Maybe because of the places we lived maybe the people around us, not sure.
The new house is also close to places, like the Oxxo convenience store, the ice cream shop, the sandwich shop, two taco stands, and the internet cafe. I don't have to drive anywhere except to the preschool. It's great! Walking to stuff makes me fell more like I belong too, like it's my neighborhood.
This may seem all trivial to you, but if you've never lived in another country, spoken a foreign language, and been away from everyone you know, then it's not so trivial. It's huge.
Well, I think I'll go back to the new house. It's a nice sunny day and I need to walk, because of the tacos, and ice cream.
The new place is smaller too and that means less to clean up and less stuff to hoard away. That's good too.
And our new neighbors actually speak to each other and smile and wave at you. The old ones, not so much. Maybe one family was sort of nice, but the teenagers were a little snooty and.....
The new house feels like a home to us too. Honestly, we have never had that feeling in the almost 5 years we have lived here. We have always felt like we were just visiting, not really at home here. Maybe because of the places we lived maybe the people around us, not sure.
The new house is also close to places, like the Oxxo convenience store, the ice cream shop, the sandwich shop, two taco stands, and the internet cafe. I don't have to drive anywhere except to the preschool. It's great! Walking to stuff makes me fell more like I belong too, like it's my neighborhood.
This may seem all trivial to you, but if you've never lived in another country, spoken a foreign language, and been away from everyone you know, then it's not so trivial. It's huge.
Well, I think I'll go back to the new house. It's a nice sunny day and I need to walk, because of the tacos, and ice cream.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Of living and dying well
Everything seems to change when we hear some really sad news. One moment we are lost in our own lives, what we are going to do that day, what we are going to eat for lunch, what clothes we will wear that day, and then BOOM! We receive some tragic news, like the loss of a life of a young person. Then all of a sudden our preoccupation with our daily stuff seems to fade away quickly.
Sometimes I know I put too much emphasis on stuff that doesn't matter so much. Like just recently, as we prepared to move into a different house we uncovered tons of stuff we had no use for and had not seen for quiet some time. Things, stuff....junk. I cannot tell you how many pieces of junk that I threw away, gave away, placed out in front of our house so that the early morning collectors of stuff would pick it up. At one point I got a little angry at myself for having so much stuff that I did not need. So I got rid of even more, and I'm not finished yet.
The young person who died in an accident this past Sunday was serving as a short term missionary in South Africa. She was described by those who served alongside her as a person who lived a life of love. She loved her team members, her family back home, and especially the people of South Africa. She was giving up a year of her life to serve and love people in Africa. She never knew that she would give up her life on this earth to serve there.
This Sunday our youth pastor Rusty shared a powerful illustration of how we should give over all our stuff and all of our relationships to the Lord and let him do as he pleases with them. At one point Rusty began tossing his stuff onto the ground in front of the stage. He chunked his wallet, watch, cell phone, and even shoes and belt. I was scared the shirt was coming off too.
In the end the Lord doesn't really want our stuff, He wants us, our very lives, plans, dreams, everything.
The young person who died in Africa gave her all. Tragically she died when a tire blew out and a car rolled over. She died doing what she loved to do, serving people and loving them. She very well could have died in the United States just merely existing in life like so many do. Praise God she lived and died with purpose.
Sometimes I know I put too much emphasis on stuff that doesn't matter so much. Like just recently, as we prepared to move into a different house we uncovered tons of stuff we had no use for and had not seen for quiet some time. Things, stuff....junk. I cannot tell you how many pieces of junk that I threw away, gave away, placed out in front of our house so that the early morning collectors of stuff would pick it up. At one point I got a little angry at myself for having so much stuff that I did not need. So I got rid of even more, and I'm not finished yet.
The young person who died in an accident this past Sunday was serving as a short term missionary in South Africa. She was described by those who served alongside her as a person who lived a life of love. She loved her team members, her family back home, and especially the people of South Africa. She was giving up a year of her life to serve and love people in Africa. She never knew that she would give up her life on this earth to serve there.
This Sunday our youth pastor Rusty shared a powerful illustration of how we should give over all our stuff and all of our relationships to the Lord and let him do as he pleases with them. At one point Rusty began tossing his stuff onto the ground in front of the stage. He chunked his wallet, watch, cell phone, and even shoes and belt. I was scared the shirt was coming off too.
In the end the Lord doesn't really want our stuff, He wants us, our very lives, plans, dreams, everything.
The young person who died in Africa gave her all. Tragically she died when a tire blew out and a car rolled over. She died doing what she loved to do, serving people and loving them. She very well could have died in the United States just merely existing in life like so many do. Praise God she lived and died with purpose.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Inside church or Outside church???
My mind comes up with these strange ideas at times. Today is one of those days. I was reflecting on meeting yet another homeless man in the park yesterday when I decided I needed to clarify which church I would be attending today, inside church or outside church.
Inside church normally is held on Sundays, sometimes in the morning, sometimes at night, depends. Inside church is also held on Wednesdays in some areas, and even Saturdays in others, like those fancy dancy high powered praise services. (Sometimes I like them, when I need a worship buzz or high. Not too often, gives me a headache.) There are other times inside church is held, but mainly those are the times, Sunday being the numero uno tiempo.
So then, when is outside church held and where???
I almost forgot to mention that inside church is most specifically reserved inside four walls and a roof, sometimes AC is in working order, heating in the colder months, and sometimes there is free coffee and donuts, yum. There are other places to find inside church as well, home bible studies work well and schools are sometimes rented for inside church and even a workout gym or theatre too.
Outside church, so where is it held and when? Okay, this is a tough question. Anywhere outside the four walls and anytime. Wherever a Christian or two or three are, that could be called outside church. In fact, you don't really need that many Christians to have it. You can have some people who are not Christians, maybe you can call them pre Christians. (I heard that word the other day, kind of cute.)
You can hold outside church just about anywhere or anytime. Not many restrictions. Just go and do church whenever or wherever.
Not sure about you, but outside church can be pretty exciting and challenging. If you haven't heard about it, you should try it. If you have no clue what I'm writing about, drop me a line. Better yet, come by and we'll go out for church.
Inside church normally is held on Sundays, sometimes in the morning, sometimes at night, depends. Inside church is also held on Wednesdays in some areas, and even Saturdays in others, like those fancy dancy high powered praise services. (Sometimes I like them, when I need a worship buzz or high. Not too often, gives me a headache.) There are other times inside church is held, but mainly those are the times, Sunday being the numero uno tiempo.
So then, when is outside church held and where???
I almost forgot to mention that inside church is most specifically reserved inside four walls and a roof, sometimes AC is in working order, heating in the colder months, and sometimes there is free coffee and donuts, yum. There are other places to find inside church as well, home bible studies work well and schools are sometimes rented for inside church and even a workout gym or theatre too.
Outside church, so where is it held and when? Okay, this is a tough question. Anywhere outside the four walls and anytime. Wherever a Christian or two or three are, that could be called outside church. In fact, you don't really need that many Christians to have it. You can have some people who are not Christians, maybe you can call them pre Christians. (I heard that word the other day, kind of cute.)
You can hold outside church just about anywhere or anytime. Not many restrictions. Just go and do church whenever or wherever.
Not sure about you, but outside church can be pretty exciting and challenging. If you haven't heard about it, you should try it. If you have no clue what I'm writing about, drop me a line. Better yet, come by and we'll go out for church.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Homeless, who cares?
Maybe you and I say we care about people who are homeless, especially women and children, but what's the real truth? Do we really care about them as individuals? If so, how do we specifically show that, how is it demonstrated in our lives?
I'm writing this because I am in San Antonio right now and they have a few homeless people, more than a few. And yes, they ask for money, some do. Isn't that annoying? You know, you are walking down the street with your wife or your son or your whole family and then this smelly guy with dirty clothes comes up to you and asks for 50 cents. Who has 50 cents? We all use debit cards right. You just want to tell him off and send him on his way, right?
Okay, maybe that is too brutally honest, but I am saying the truth. Many times we just look the other way. I ain't gonna lie, sometimes I do. Most times I don't and sometimes I get myself into trouble. Sometimes I meet the neatest people, like Chuy, who I met a few weeks ago in Matamoros. He came up asking for something to eat, I tried to blow him off and send him away, being the great Christian I am(sarcasm). But he kept talking and got my attention by sharing a scripture. I had to sit down with him and hear his story and I'm glad I did. We talked over a Big Mac at McD's and he shared what God was doing in his life. He, a beggar, encouraging me, the missionary. What a contrast. What a reality wake up call.
The truth is we do not know how to deal with homeless people or beggars. My dad had a habit when he worked in downtown Atlanta for over 30 years. If a guy asked him for money he would offer to buy him a burger instead or sandwich. Sure, maybe at times he had to get back to work and could not, but many times he did. That's my motto too. I've used it many times, sometimes we sit and talk, sometimes we get it to go. I don't force someone to sit down with me so I can bore them to death or freak them out.
So, what's your motto? Do you have one? Will you create one? Will you ignore the next beggar, homeless person, or child of God that is in need which you see on the street?
Make up a motto. Pray it over, talk about it with your kids. Maybe they have an idea. Maybe their idea might be pretty cool. Never know....
I'm writing this because I am in San Antonio right now and they have a few homeless people, more than a few. And yes, they ask for money, some do. Isn't that annoying? You know, you are walking down the street with your wife or your son or your whole family and then this smelly guy with dirty clothes comes up to you and asks for 50 cents. Who has 50 cents? We all use debit cards right. You just want to tell him off and send him on his way, right?
Okay, maybe that is too brutally honest, but I am saying the truth. Many times we just look the other way. I ain't gonna lie, sometimes I do. Most times I don't and sometimes I get myself into trouble. Sometimes I meet the neatest people, like Chuy, who I met a few weeks ago in Matamoros. He came up asking for something to eat, I tried to blow him off and send him away, being the great Christian I am(sarcasm). But he kept talking and got my attention by sharing a scripture. I had to sit down with him and hear his story and I'm glad I did. We talked over a Big Mac at McD's and he shared what God was doing in his life. He, a beggar, encouraging me, the missionary. What a contrast. What a reality wake up call.
The truth is we do not know how to deal with homeless people or beggars. My dad had a habit when he worked in downtown Atlanta for over 30 years. If a guy asked him for money he would offer to buy him a burger instead or sandwich. Sure, maybe at times he had to get back to work and could not, but many times he did. That's my motto too. I've used it many times, sometimes we sit and talk, sometimes we get it to go. I don't force someone to sit down with me so I can bore them to death or freak them out.
So, what's your motto? Do you have one? Will you create one? Will you ignore the next beggar, homeless person, or child of God that is in need which you see on the street?
Make up a motto. Pray it over, talk about it with your kids. Maybe they have an idea. Maybe their idea might be pretty cool. Never know....
Thursday, March 19, 2009
All Broke Up
Being broken is not something that is popular among Christians today. Instead we seem to have this hair brained idea that we must always appear strong and full of joy and happy to the world. It's like we are campaigning for Jesus like Pres Obama campaigned for office, all smiles and charming sayings.
If you walk the streets of Matamoros, Mexico or the ghettos of Atlanta or New Orleans or even our nation's capital for very long, you will be broken. I've tried to walk each of these places and not let it get to me, but I always come away broken and without answers to life's pains. If you go to Africa in many of its war torn countries or travel down to Central America you will see pain and desperation on a level your heart simply cannot handle for long.
I really can't comprehend how Mother Teresa served so many years in the ghettos of India. It boggles my mind. She must have had a spiritual reserve unlike anything we have ever seen. It's one thing to work in a church and serve as a minister for years on end, it's a whole other level of struggle and sacrifice to do what she did for so many years. Brokenness must have been a close companion of hers.
It maybe that we are about to witness some severe pain and suffering by many in the United States in the coming years, only God knows. It maybe that it is avoided somehow. I cannot imagine that we could avoid it. Too many have lost too much and too much greed and corruption has destroyed so many lives and families. Sooner or later there will be a crying out by many for justice for gettting a fair deal in life. Many in our country are broken and many more will come to that same point of brokenness.
So, why write such a dreary article? I am in a place of brokenness, having seen so much pain and injustice and wrong doing by so many. The only way I can deal with it is prayer and sharing the struggle with others. Maybe just writing it down does something for my soul and heart. I don't know.
Am I depressed? No, I've been there once or twice before and this is not depression. My heart is strong, heavy, but strong. I am still working and serving and praying and giving. Depression would not allow me to do what I do and enjoy simple pleasures of life like I can with my friends Martin, Aaron, Rusty, K T, Erin, Panchito, Meg, Chris, and others.
Brokenness and depression are two different things. If you've been through both, you understand. If not, I can't help you see the difference except to say that depression is like a huge cloud that will not go away always over you, drowning you with its weight. Brokenness is a heavy weight that is almost too much to bear, but like a backpack on your back, somehow you keep walking and at times you even feel your strength and your spirit arises.
Well, I feel the fire in my legs and my heart's blood is pumping. I think it's time to ascend the mountain.......
If you walk the streets of Matamoros, Mexico or the ghettos of Atlanta or New Orleans or even our nation's capital for very long, you will be broken. I've tried to walk each of these places and not let it get to me, but I always come away broken and without answers to life's pains. If you go to Africa in many of its war torn countries or travel down to Central America you will see pain and desperation on a level your heart simply cannot handle for long.
I really can't comprehend how Mother Teresa served so many years in the ghettos of India. It boggles my mind. She must have had a spiritual reserve unlike anything we have ever seen. It's one thing to work in a church and serve as a minister for years on end, it's a whole other level of struggle and sacrifice to do what she did for so many years. Brokenness must have been a close companion of hers.
It maybe that we are about to witness some severe pain and suffering by many in the United States in the coming years, only God knows. It maybe that it is avoided somehow. I cannot imagine that we could avoid it. Too many have lost too much and too much greed and corruption has destroyed so many lives and families. Sooner or later there will be a crying out by many for justice for gettting a fair deal in life. Many in our country are broken and many more will come to that same point of brokenness.
So, why write such a dreary article? I am in a place of brokenness, having seen so much pain and injustice and wrong doing by so many. The only way I can deal with it is prayer and sharing the struggle with others. Maybe just writing it down does something for my soul and heart. I don't know.
Am I depressed? No, I've been there once or twice before and this is not depression. My heart is strong, heavy, but strong. I am still working and serving and praying and giving. Depression would not allow me to do what I do and enjoy simple pleasures of life like I can with my friends Martin, Aaron, Rusty, K T, Erin, Panchito, Meg, Chris, and others.
Brokenness and depression are two different things. If you've been through both, you understand. If not, I can't help you see the difference except to say that depression is like a huge cloud that will not go away always over you, drowning you with its weight. Brokenness is a heavy weight that is almost too much to bear, but like a backpack on your back, somehow you keep walking and at times you even feel your strength and your spirit arises.
Well, I feel the fire in my legs and my heart's blood is pumping. I think it's time to ascend the mountain.......
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