Much to Learn

I am on the verge of heading off to Uganda - my first visit to Africa - and I realize that I have much to learn about international travel. I have been on long flights before - but this one will be the longest yet - 12 hours. I have the privilege of spending Friday evening in Dubai, and seeing one of the wealthiest places on the earth, followed by our trip to Uganda, one of the poorer places in the world. From amazement and wonder to depression and concern, I am getting ready to experience some huge sways in my emotions (assuming of course I have some).

I am praying that God would do an amazing work in my heart and life. I have much to learn about this world, but even more to learn about our amazing God.

I look forward to reporting what God has done upon my return.

Make a Difference...

I would like to introduce you to Harol - he is the young boy that my family sponsors. He lives in Lima, Peru and attends the AMG childcare center in Saul Cantoral. He will be 10 on October 10th (2 days after Harrison turns 10). He has 2 sisters (sounds familiar) and a best friend that he does everything with (like philison and Harrilip our joined at the hip son and his friend). He likes soccer and just hanging around with his friend.

I had the opportunity to see him while in Peru, and I was amazed at the similarities that he had with Harrison. Even to the expressions he gave to me as I interacted with him. I was moved by this young man, and was encouraged to pray for him (and his family), and motivated to help him as he moves through his school years.

Maybe you too can be a sponsor of a child, and maybe God would give you a connection that is beyond our understanding. AMG child sponsorship helps you to impact the lives of a family for only $28/month. The neat thing about AMG is that 95% of your gift goes directly to your child's care. Clothing, food, education and bible training are what your child will receive as a result of your financial gift. Encouragement, hope, love and another family are what your child will receive as a result of your personal involvement.

Make a difference in the life of a child - and who knows, maybe they will make a difference in your life as well.

Even the Rocks Cry Out...

"The grass is always greener...

I know you have heard this expression - it finishes normally with... "on the other side of the fence."

I like to say, "but you still have to mow it!" And with the fact that I really do not enjoy mowing my grass, the disdain in my voice emphasizes this fact.

The other day I heard a different response though, and I thought I would jot down a few notes about it. The statement started, "The grass is always greener..." but was finished with, "on the side that you water and fertilize the most." (I added the italicized words).

What a powerful and true statement. It is amazing to watch as people (including myself) look across the proverbial fence, see green grass, and then proceed to "take care" of that grass - to the demise of the grass you are standing on. The same amount of work and effort are needed on either side of the fence to keep the grass green and healthy, but for some reason, people work harder at the grass that is not theirs. Why do you suppose that is?

1. I think often the reward does not seem as profitable. "This relationship I am in now is dying, and there is just too much baggage. If I start working on a new one, it will produce what I want." Back to the facts, it may take more work in the beginning to "revive" the current relationship, but ultimately the work will be more satisfying, because it has a more "solid" foundation - the root structure is already in tact. It may be flawed, but it is there.

2. I think the work does not seem to be equal. If I am looking at a relationship that I am just beginning, especially when hormones are involved, "loving" the other person is so much easy. The problem is, real love is work. New relationships are filled with wonder, speculation, false assumptions... Real relationships are based on truth, knowledge, sacrifice... Which one seems like more work? However, ultimately new relationships become old relationships, and if they are to become "real" the work will need to be done!

Why do you think people chase the grass that looks greener?

What do I need God for?

Ever have one of those thoughts that you just can't get out of your head? Not long ago I was thinking about wealthy people who are well balanced. You know, not the ones that are not satisfied with what they have, but rather the ones that have much and are willing to share with others.

I was thinking, if I were talking with a moral, unselfish, others minded person of means, what would I use to help them see their need for Christ? I mean really, can Christ make their present life any better.

I found this chart and realized that apparently, that is thoughts of most "wealthy" people. "I have all that I want, I don't need God". It seems that the poorer a person is, the more they recognize their need for "religion".

Very briefly, here are some of my thoughts...

1. Spiritual poverty is a much greater problem than people know - we are not poor without Christ, we are completely, utterly destitute spiritually. It is imperative that we share the truth about our condition with all people - even those with money.

2. Asking this question is like asking an investor if they need their advisor when the markets are doing well. The real test of the financial advisor is what he provides when the markets are failing. Physical wealth can be lost in an instant, and if you are relying on your own financial status for joy, satisfaction, value in life, your foundation is very unstable.

3. The physical life of this world is only temporary - we need to keep an eternal mind when speaking of the value of Christ in a persons life. Yes, temporary pleasure, satisfaction and wealth are nice, but what of your soul?

So, how would you answer the question, "What do I need God for?"

IMPACT THE FUTURE

Have you seen the movie, "Push"? It is a sci-fi thriller that deals with psychic powers in people - it's an interesting movie, but I wouldn't give it rave reviews. HOWEVER, they make a statement in the beginning that I have to quote here. It goes like this.

"The good news is, the future is always changing, in the largest of ways, by the smallest of things."

They illustrate it visually with a marble, but the concept is constantly throughout the movie - small choices today make large impacts tomorrow.

Now I know this flies in the face of my theology - because I know all things are in God's hands and he orchestrates the future - but it also agrees with my theological anthropology in that man makes choices and those choices have consequences. ANYWAY...

Here is the thought for today. Your small choices - seemingly insignificant today - impact the future for yourself and others. Just like a drop in the pond causes ripples that grow, our choices (even private choices) affect the future.

The question is, how will your future be changed by your choices today. I remember a saying from years ago, "you will be who you are becoming".

Make wise choices, whether large or small, with a vision for the future, and change this world!

More Lessons from Peru

So I have a problem staying on the path...Yeah, I know, no surprise to you. I was warned by a friend before taking this job - the job description said "able to follow directions, does not blaze your own trail". He told me that I would have a problem with that.

Anyway, as we walked across the Andes Mountains, we followed many paths, climbed various rock formations, walked through muddy terrain, even trudged through some green goop - not exactly sure what it was, but I jumped from rock to rock to avoid having to stand in it. As this group of 14 individuals trekked through the mountains, we were constantly reminded to stay on the path. We might have been walking on other people's property, or through an area that would not be safe to walk through, so we each reminded the other to stay true to the path.

However... (you knew it was coming) we ran across this little stream, and I needed to know how cold the water was - it was run off from the snow on the mountain. Sure enough, I stepped on the first rock, it wiggled. So I moved to the next rock, and it turned completely over - yes, I was instantly soaked (my foot that is, I am not dumb enough to fall completely in the water). The water was cold, I mean COLD!! Felt good though, because we had been hiking for a couple of hours and it was about 70 degrees outside. It made for an interesting afternoon hike as my soggy shoe and I finished the hike for the day.

All of this to say, lesson learned - stay on the path and life will be easier (and drier). Stray from the path, and you never know what you might be stepping in.

Simple life lesson... you know I'll be learning this one again!!

Hoard or Hold... Which do you do?

I spent the weekend with a friend of mine that is very well off. This couple has a beautiful house here in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and a wonderful waterside house located in Flagler, Florida. They have a boat and a number of other toys that make visiting them in Florida a lot of fun. My kids, and my brother Dom, had a great time.

The coolest part about this couple is that they are very giving. No, I would not recommend that you stop by their house for a free handout, that is not what I am referring to. They hold their "wealth" very loosely. In other words, they control their money and their possessions, the money and possessions do not control them.

I do need you to know that my friend works very hard for his money (although again it is not the money he works for), even though if you ask him he will tell you it was just dumb luck. He works to give his family the things he wants them to have, and then shares what he has with others. For instance, that house I mentioned in Florida, we stayed for the weekend basically free of charge. And from what I understand, they have a large group coming down next weekend, and they just had people leave the weekend before we arrived.

Here is briefly what I learn from them...

1. Money/Wealth is not their god, so they are free to share with others.
2. Because they share, God has blessed them with plenty (not to say he doesn't work for it, but we all know just because you work hard doesn't mean you make the money).
3. They are very thrifty with what they do have because they understand the value of saving.

Many of us have seen the other side, and I just want to quickly address this because it is floating around in my head.

People that hoard money/possessions fall into 2 categories.

1. They have very little and they try to hold on to what they have, always wanting more.
2. They have means but cannot enjoy it because they are to busy protecting it/gaining more.

People that hold their money with open hands fall into 2 categories.

1. People that have very little and enjoy the simple things of life.
2. People that have means and enjoy helping other people, giving to others, making others happy.

Where do you fall in relation to your finances??

How far removed is humilty from arrogance?

A frisbee. That's all, a frisbee. What to most American kids is a toy that they are familiar with from youth the kids in Peru responded to as if it were a strange item. We pulled out two frisbees and started throwing them around. The kids would send them back, most of the time rolling on the ground. However, inevitably one of the kids would understand how it worked, and would be able to pass the frisbee with some semblance of accuracy.

It is at this point that I learn the distance between humility and pride... you see, I was able to watch as fairly "humble" kids became "skilled" in the throwing of a disc, and amazingly they were transformed into "proud" experts as they mocked the others, or laughed at others that could not pick up the skill quite so readily.

Enter the Spirit of God... As I pondered this "advancement" in the lives of these kids, I realized that the road from humility of service to arrogance of heart isn't much of a road at all. As a matter of fact, one could argue that they are neighbors sharing a similar front door.

I started out caring for kids, playing with kids, wishing I could share more with them verbally, and after a few accolades from my colleagues, I can easily become more interested in my influence on the kids, the "great" ability I have to work with kids, the talent that I have in relating to children... The origin of the activity very much the same, but the heart of humility is easily swayed to arrogance and pride.

How about you? Have you noticed your tendency to seek the glory that belongs to God - even when you are ministering to others on His behalf? I'd appreciate your prayers on this one, it is definitely a struggle for me.

Thermostat for a Healthy Prayer Life

On our second day in Peru, we discussed prayer. We found ourselves looking into the prayer life of Daniel, and thought about his patterns of prayer. We mentioned the similarities with Daniel's 3 times a day to the Muslims' 5 times a day, and the wheels of my mind began turning...

Is a prayer regiment essential or just recommended? What influence does prayer have on a person? on God? Why did Daniel need to pray 3 times a day? or did he pray more?

As we talked, I thought back to the book "Soul Revolution" that I had finished just a few weeks earlier. The premise of the book is that we need to focus on God more in order for our soul to be changed. The author recommended a 60/60 experiment which basically stopping every 60 minutes of every day for 60 days to refocus yourself on God. The idea is that if you begin to develop the pattern of keeping short tabs with God, that intimacy with Him will follow.

I find it interesting that the more self reliant I am, and the more independent of others (and God) I seek to be, the less I will find that I need to pray or talk with God. The amazing part is that self reliance and independence are illusions! When we realize the depth of our need for our Savior, and the frailty of our humanness apart from a God that is all powerful, we cannot help but run to Him regularly. WE NEED HIM. As Americans, and ultimately humans, this flies in the face of our own reliance on ourselves - it is okay to want God, but to need Him is going a little too far.

Well, back to the questions at hand... Structured prayer times are important, but constant prayer is essential. Prayer influences my desire to be self sufficient - reminding me that I am not, and it influences our God to "remind" Him that we need Him for every aspect of our lives. As to Daniel, I only know for certain what the Word records, but with the powerful way he lived his life, and with the amazing things God did on his behalf, I am sure that his prayer time was not limited to 3 times a day.

What about your prayer life???

Early Lessons... from Young People

Joshiama, Hosea, Kenji, Joel, David, and Oliver (imaged in this photo from left to right) were my buddies my first day, evening and next morning. We were not camped long before Joel (yellow shirt) made his way over to me, and before long we were tossing a tennis ball around. You can see Hosea looking like he is blowing something - I just gave them all peices of red licorice, and taught them to bite off both sides and blow air through it. (Minutes later I was swarmed by this group of boys blowing in my face through licorice straws). We played soccer, wiffleball, throwing a tennis ball, tag - even freeze tag (you should have seen me trying to teach them that one - since all I could do is mime the rules of playing). It is amazing what you can learn from a bunch of kids...

1. Communication does not always require speaking, but sometimes speaking helps. Facial expressions, body language, sounds, motions, etc. was basically the way we communicated. They spoke Quetchuan, I spoke English, and we all knew just enough spanish to be dangerous - but not enough to talk. However, they did teach me some basic words... Darchi (sit), Sharchi (stand), Alceesh (old), Gordo (fat), Consado (tired)... (I guess you can imagine why I learned those last three words - yes, I am getting to be an old, tired, fat guy). It was amazing what a few words did. We could communicate by talking - it was fun. God gave me his word, and I need to value it as much so that I can worship not only by emotion, music, or expression, but also by talking in the language of the Father. I am confident that will be much more "fun".

2. Selfishness is ingrained in the heart of a child. Of course we know that the scripture says this, but it is amazing when you go to another culture. The kids have very little, and are not taught by the television that there is so much more out there and they need to have it. Yet when the toys and "caramello" (candy) come out, they are concerned about 1 person. Themselves! It just reminded me that the truths of the Bible apply to all people - we are selfish by nature. Which leads me to the final thought for today...

3. Our pressing to get what we want may deter God from giving. I had a bunch of candy... a bunch of candy. We as a group had hundreds of pounds of toys. We had every desire to give the kids more than they could have wanted... yet we found ourselves withholding because they were not satisfied with what they had received - AND - were constantly asking for more. It made me think of the graciousness of our God, and the multitude of blessings He would love to bestow on us. However, our lack of thankfulness, our pursuit of more from Him might cause Him to withold the blessings he desires to shower us with.

Just a thought for the day... young people from another culture becoming my theological instructors... Interesting...