Archive for the ‘God at Work’ Category
Back in the States: Culture Shock
July 26th, 2010 | 1 Comment | Posted in » God at Work, My Life / Family
So… I’ve been back in the United States following our mission trip to the Dominican Republic for four days now, and have been experiencing something wholly unexpected rather frequently since our return: culture shock.
Yes, culture shock. In my native culture. Following a trip to a culture that can probably best be described as “other” in comparison.
Who’d have thought?
It seems to stem from the fact that we are such a privileged people here in the United States… we have our every desire right at our fingertips. For food, there’s a supermarket. If you need clothing, there’s a mall. If you need a car, credit’s not that hard to find… for just 60 easy payments or so, you can have that brand new [insert model here]. Shelter? We rarely give it a second thought. Clean water? Not a moment’s.
It’s so odd. When we arrived home early Friday morning, we pulled in the drive and I just sat there, staring at the comparative mansion I’m privileged to own. A far cry from the dirt floored, tin-walled shacks I saw in the Dominican, I felt shame to have so much for myself, Nancy, and my three kids.
As I drive down the highway, I can’t help but be amazed at what I see. Bright shiny new vehicles, left and right… all cruising down the road in an orderly fashion (well, for the most part). If we see a motorcycle, it’s usually a big Harley or a Honda Goldwing… with at most two riders. I can’t help but envision the highways in the Dominican, full of 150cc Honda knock-offs, weaving every which way with as many as six people riding (yes, six!). I can’t help but recall the bumping and lurching of the bus we rode in the Dominican (to think, we complain of potholes).
When I entered Wal-Mart to pick up a couple items we needed, I couldn’t help but envision the Dominican market, with all its small vendors, each peddling their own unique wares. And I remember the smell of the meat market, the “fresh” fish, and the live chickens waiting for slaughter. I’m amazed at how we have everything available at our fingertips.
And when I flew from Dallas to Kansas City at night, I was utterly amazed at the millions of points of light shining up at me from the ground. We light our highways, even entirely vacant parking lots. There, light is a privilege, available only if you’re lucky enough to be the recipient of a few hours of electricity in the middle of a rolling blackout.
As I witness all these things, and continue to be reminded of the gap between us “haves” and the Dominican “have-nots”, I struggle mightily with one main question:
Why?
Why are we so blessed to have so much, while the Dominicans have so little?
Why was I blessed to be born in the United States?
I have a feeling I’ll be struggling with these for a LONG time.
Dominican Republic: Kids
July 20th, 2010 | No Comments | Posted in » God at Work, My Life / Family, Pictures
As I’m reflecting on my first couple of days here in the Dominican, I can’t help but be amazed by how many kids we’ve seen running around everywhere we go. When our bus pulls up anywhere, we’re practically mobbed by them.
They want to hug us, hold our hands, tug at our shirts… anything to be close to us. They want to be held, played with… loved. And, amazingly, they all seem to be filled with joy.
Yes, joy. Though so many of them live in conditions most of us here in America wouldn’t subject our pets to, these kids are filled with joy.
It’s simply amazing. I’ve been almost completely overcome by emotion by seeing the poverty in this nation, particularly as it pertains to children. Yet these kids shine with joy unlike that I’ve seen almost anywhere. It lifts my heart.
And to see them play, particularly with Jeffrey? Wow. They can’t speak a single word to communicate with each other, yet they connect with each other so well as they play. They speak the universal language of fun. It’s just awesome.
I wish I had more eloquent words to describe what I’ve seen and how I’ve felt. However, like so many things I’ve seen down here, it’s just not possible to communicate the thoughts, feelings, images, and experiences through words, or even through photos. You’ve got to see it to understand.
Poverty
July 18th, 2010 | No Comments | Posted in » God at Work, My Life / Family, Pictures
As I’m processing what I’ve witnessed here in the Dominican, it’s pretty clear what jumps out about this nation and these people at first glance: this is a place of immense poverty.
It’s difficult to witness, let alone process.
I’m sure you’ve seen the commercials on television for Haitian relief, or for save the children, or for some charitable relief organization trying to make a difference throughout the world in places like this. Most of the time, when we see these things, we have no sort of emotional response… we’re more likely to simply change the channel to check out what else we can find to fry our brains, or to wonder if the scenes shown are staged. If we do have an emotional response, it’s usually of irritation… how dare these organizations try to wind us up emotionally to extract money from us!
But witnessing poverty first-hand?
There simply isn’t much that will move you more.
You can’t help but be affected by seeing families living in 4′ x 8′ shacks constructed of whatever materials they happen to be able to find. You can’t help but shed tears as you see children with distended stomachs, running around naked and playing in mud puddles. You can’t help but want to do something… anything you can think of to help. You can’t help but be overwhelmed because the need is so great… where can you start?
You can’t help but question how and why God would allow this. In the United States, even the poorest of the poor have a roof over their heads and somewhat regular meals. They’ve probably even got a television to watch, clothes to wear, maybe even an old beat up car to drive.
The contrast between “our” impoverished and the impoverished here is so dramatic. Here, the impoverished don’t eat for days. They pick through trash dumps to find whatever supplies they can for subsistence. They cobble together shacks for shelter made of old vehicle hoods, cardboard, scraps of tin. They have parasites living in their stomachs. Bugs and lice living in their hair. Scabs and scars arising from all sorts of nasty things we can’t begin to imagine.
Even the “average” person here rarely works, for there simply aren’t jobs available. We complain about a 9% unemployment rate, how “awful” our economy has gotten, how horrible our 401K has performed, how “health care reform” will ruin our nation. Here, unemployment is 75-90%. Savings and retirement are foreign concepts. Health care is virtually non-existent.
I could go on and on, yet never adequately communicate what I’m seeing. Take a look at some of these photos, though, and allow these images to move you emotionally. Consider how God would have you personally respond to what you’re seeing.
Overwhelmed
July 17th, 2010 | No Comments | Posted in » God at Work, My Life / Family
Well, our first full day of ministry here in the Dominican is now in the books. It’s been an overwhelming experience, to say the least, but it’s definitely been good.
Here’s the deal… the overwhelming thought I’ve got right now. If you’re a follower of Jesus Christ, and you’ve never been on an international mission trip, you’ve got to go. The Great Commission is clear:
Matthew 28:19-20
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The first part of the Great Commission is to go. The last part is that Christ will be with you. We’ve gone, and we’ve DEFINITELY experienced Christ being with us so far.
It’s amazing to see the need here. And it’s utterly amazing to see how God is working. I’ll detail those ways in posts a bit later.
[Note: These are thoughts from Friday evening, July 16th.]
Big Ol’ Jet Airliner…
July 16th, 2010 | No Comments | Posted in » God at Work, My Life / Family
Remember the song? “Big ol’ jet airliner… don’t carry me too far away.”
That was the majority of our day, really (though certainly not the majority of our experience). We woke up bright and early at a time of day I’ve seen only once or twice (3:45 AM!) to hop on a plane to the Dominican. Well, not exactly… first we boarded a puddle jumper to Chicago, then a slightly larger plane to Miami, and finally that “big ol’ jet airliner” (a 767!) to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
We arrived slightly after dark, so it was awfully hard to get much of a handle on our surroundings here. Basically, we saw the inside of an airport and the inside of a bus. It was rather clear though that “we’re not in Kansas anymore”. Customs presented a few rather anxious thoughts, though reality proved to be nothing like the various worries that ran through my mind. In fact, our entire team was rushed through without any question whatsoever.
The most welcome sight of the day, though, came as we exited the airport, as we came upon the sight of what seemed like an army of blue shirted D.R. missionaries welcoming us (there are about 8 in reality, but the welcome sight of them mobbing us with hugs, grabbing our bags and loading them up… made it seem like a lot more). These folks will be part of our family for the week, serving as our guides, hosts, and leaders here in the Dominican.
As for adjustment? I think we’re all dealing with a bit of shock that the reality of this trip is setting in. But we expected to be a bit overwhelmed. It’s a good thing. We’re so comfortable with our little world in the United States… we’re so locked into the thought that our culture and our way of life is the only way people live (we know better, but it’s true)… experiencing something completely “other” does come as a bit of a shock to the system. But it’s clearly a good thing. I fully expect to shed some tears in the near future (what can I say, I’m an emotional guy). I expect Jeffrey will have some issues with adjustment. And I expect Nancy to encounter something that makes this trip tough.
After all, it’s hot and humid here. We don’t have electricity and air conditioning all of the time as we do at home. We’ll be eating food that’s a bit different from what we’re used to. We’re going to see a lot of things that will be difficult to swallow. And we’ll be missing Jenna and Allison quite a bit.
But we’ll tackle these things together, and we’ll grow in our understanding of the world, and perhaps most of all, of God’s global purpose. We’ll be meeting people here that, in Christ, are our brothers and sisters already. Our family. And hopefully adding more members to it as we share the gospel with people that don’t yet know Him.
It’s going to be a good experience, even if not an easy one.
[Note: This post was written Thursday, July 15th. Posts from the Dominican Republic Mission Trip will be delayed a bit, due to time constraints while there and availability of internet and electricity.]
Compassion International… Up Close and Personal.
April 28th, 2009 | 3 Comments | Posted in » God at Work, Worth Reading
Right now, a group of bloggers are in India visiting with children whose lives are being changed by Compasssion International. The purpose, of course, is to give these bloggers the opportunity to share with the world the story of what this incredible organization is doing worldwide to rescue children from poverty… giving them both hope for tomorrow and hope for eternity through Jesus Christ.
Anne Jackson is one such blogger, and today she shared about her encounter with a beautiful little girl named Lakshmi.
You’ve gotta read it.
You see, Anne’s touching moment with Lakshmi today cuts straight to the heart of what Compassion International is all about. Beautiful kids that, without help from people like you and me, have little to no hope for tomorrow. Their hopes and dreams stand little chance against the ravages of poverty.
Won’t you change a child’s life today?
Sam and Esther
January 31st, 2009 | 2 Comments | Posted in » God at Work, Prayer Requests
This video is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it’s likely to break yours.
Watch it. Weep about it. And then DO something.
We have NO idea what hunger is. No idea whatsoever.
Pray for kids like Sam and Esther… their story is being repeated worldwide over and over and over again. And do something to help… there ARE many out there giving their lives to prevent things like this, but the needs FAR outstretch the resources available to meet them.
HT: Anne Jackson
Hope… at a Football Game
December 23rd, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in » God at Work, In the News..., Worth Reading
This is one of the most awesome sports stories I’ve ever read: “Outpouring of Faith” (chronicling this year’s Gainesville State / Grapevine Faith high school football matchup in Texas). God was clearly working in the middle of this game.
Check it out when you get a chance. It’s DEFINITELY worth the time to read.
Oh, and one other thing… you may need a kleenex.
Life Update…
November 25th, 2008 | 4 Comments | Posted in » Christian Living, Devotions / Bible Studies, God at Work, My Life / Family
Yeah, I know… I haven’t blogged in a while. And I know that some of you are curious what’s going on in my life, given the brief snippets you may have seen through Twitter.
Basically? Two words describe the circumstances: busy and trying.
Work has been busy, but it’s been among the least trying of my concerns. My schedule has been crazy recently, especially factoring in family and personal matters… I’m looking forward to a full day in the office, actually… it’s been almost a week now with everything else going on.
Family? Probably the most trying of concerns. My grandmother had a stroke last Wednesday, and is not doing well. So my family has struggled a bit with the thought that her life here on earth may end soon, after 92 full and fruitful years. While her health concerns have not come suddenly (she’s struggled for a while), the latest blow was much more severe, and did come as a bit of a shock. Prayers would be appreciated!
As for me? My ear problem has been diagnosed… cholesteatoma. Basically, it’s a tumor that has spread all throughout the middle ear and into the porous mastoid bone (directly behind ear). It’s not cancerous by any means, but it has left me with around 50% of my normal hearing, and will require surgery pretty soon (Monday, December 8th). The procedure will clean out the tumor completely, but will not restore hearing… that occurs at a follow-up surgery about 9-12 months later, when they’ll reconstruct the bones of the middle ear. Pretty involved stuff, but all outpatient (barring complications). It’s good to know what this is, and I’m actually looking forward to getting the surgery done.
So… that’s life… busy and trying, at least at face value.
It’s interesting, though… since Friday, I’ve had a deep sense of peace about everything. I can’t explain it except to say that it’s something that can only come from God. I know that He’s in control, and I can trust that… I know that whatever the outcome of all of this, it’s all working to His glory, according to His plans.
Scripture is the only thing that can describe it clearly (it takes a whole chapter’s worth, but trust me, it’s worth reading and contemplating!):
Romans 8 (NIV)
Life Through the Spirit
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Future Glory
18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
More Than Conquerors
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
”For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You see, no matter what happens in this life, God is not surprised. He never loses control of events, and moreso, never allows anything to happen that He does not use for the good of those who love Him, who have been called for His purposes… those that have placed their faith and trust in Jesus.
I have done just that, so I know that I have a relationship with a Holy and perfect God. I know He accepts me as an adopted son… not because of anything I’ve done, but because of the faith in Christ that He has enabled in my life. He sees me, not as the sinful imperfect person I am, but as a perfect, spotless, righteous person, whose sins have been covered and forgiven by the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. So I have hope… hope that whatever comes my way, He is working. Hope that in all things… His purposes are accomplished. Hope that simply cannot and will not die. Hope that, oddly enough, grows stronger in times of trial and difficulty.
So, yes… these times are a bit trying. But my prayer is not so much that God removes the trials, but that God enables me to be true to Him in the middle of it all.
I pray that, should you be struggling with anything similar… that you’ll find the same hope in Christ that I have, and the same peace and strength that only He can enable and provide.
God bless!
YES! Moments…
November 3rd, 2008 | 1 Comment | Posted in » Christian Living, God at Work, My Life / Family
Ever had a “YES!” moment? You know… one of those moments where everything makes sense, or where something happens that makes everything worthwhile, or where something just incredibly awesome occurs?
Nancy and I did tonight.
As parents, we often wonder whether anything we’ve been trying to teach our kids is actually sticking. I mean, we know it does… but sometimes you just wonder, you know?
Well… we’ve been trying hard to teach our kids about our faith. We’ve taught from devotions on a wide variety of topics. We’ve helped our kids memorize Scripture. And we’ve taught the plan of salvation.
Tonight, I was quizzing Jeffrey on the meaning of a Scripture passage he is memorizing for Awanas:
James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
In elaborating on this passage, Jeffrey and I had a long exchange of questions and answers… just a great conversation about the basics of our faith. I asked him what laws are, what makes God’s laws special, what breaking God’s laws means, what the consequences for sin are, about what we should do when we sin, about what Jesus did for us, and about how we get saved.
Man, it seemed as though I was talking to a seminary student with a six year old’s voice. Jeffrey really gets it! YES! He KNOWS the basics of faith we’ve tried so hard to teach!
I’m SO proud of my son!
The humorous part of all of this?
I asked Jeffrey where he learned all of this. I quizzed him… from school? From church? From Awanas? His answer was priceless:
I just know. From getting in trouble so much!
Nancy said it was the first time she’s ever been glad he gets in trouble.
You see, when I punish Jeffrey, I’ve tried to make an effort to point out that disobedience to Dad is not the root reason he gets punished, but that his disobedience is sin, and that it’s God’s rules that he is breaking… that punishment is how we try to teach him to obey, not just for the sake of obeying us, but in the bigger scheme of things… to obey God. In doing so, we’ve had a great many opportunities to teach him about God’s ways and plans.
It’s obviously stuck… and I’m so proud of my son that I can hardly stand it.