Listen in to this edition of White Horse Inn, where the author describes this new phenomenon of people “quitting church” in modern day America.
Click here for the quicktime podcast.
Let us know what you think.
Month: November 2008
ordinary vs. extraordinary
saints, humanitarians, martyrs, healers, preachers, prophets, me, kings, prodigies, celebrities
One of these things is not like the other things.
One of these things just doesn’t belong.
Can you guess which thing is not like the other thing
before I finish my song?
http://www.youtube.com/v/tZIvgQ9ik48&hl=en&fs=1
(Just thought I’d flash back to the old “Sesame Street” days)
Well, you probably guessed it by now… it’s me!
Awhile ago, I dove headfirst into a novel by the renowned Russian writer, Fyodor Dostoevsky. The dive was delicious. And, as I followed the main character Prince Myshkin across the Russian countryside, Dostoevsky often contrasted the lives of the ordinary with those of the extraordinary.
He made the point that we simply will not all be extraordinary. We cannot without altering the very definition of the word “extraordinary“. I know – roll it around in your mind a bit.
As Americans, we are really put off by the notion that we will not be extraordinary. It’s some kind of right we fellow Americans think we will always enjoy. Hm.
Well, as I think back on Dostoevsky’s assertions, it doesn’t take long to decide where I fit in. I wake up each morning and so far nothing in my life has set me apart in a way that will show up in history books. Believe it or not, no one is knocking down my door to ask to publish the words on this blog or hidden in my journals. Each day, I wake up and go about the life of breakfast and teeth-brushing and penciling lesson plans and struggling through parent conferences in Spanish.
All these things and nothing to distinguish me against millions and millions of others doing similar, seemingly insignificant tasks.
Could we make the argument that we are extraordinary as Christians? Sure. I’m sure someone will.
But, I really believe that after Adam and Eve sinned, their daily toil would really not make a catchy headline. Day-to-day life normally isn’t.
I am also encouraged by the people between the lines of history. Those people that didn’t make it into the pages of the Bible, save for a few lines where they were found in a crowd or village. Those people – they are ordinary.
I’m an ordinary soldier – an ordinary sojourner – who is learning to be satisfied with the gift of ordinary days. Our service to the Holy King makes Him no more or less great… for He is the extraordinary One and dependent on nothing.
I’m just purposing to do ‘ordinary’ excellently.
Being a Christian isn’t about being good and nice
http://www.youtube.com/v/CCHHxlxGfWM&hl=en&fs=1
I was thinking about this after doing a bible study with my girls group a few weeks ago. We had been talking about the tongue, and how to keep our tongues under control. It was a decent discussion, but some of the girls’ take-away thoughts left me thinking, “wow, they really don’t get it…”
That got me thinking… the worst thing that can happen from this Bible study is that these girls go away, not gossiping, not slandering, not complaining… but not KNOWING the God who created the universe. You know? Because although one less gossiper is better for the world, the girl is no better without Christ.
WHICH got me thinking… you know, being a Christian isn’t about being good. It really isn’t. And I think that the fact that people have gotten it all a little confused has messed up a lot for God’s Kingdom. The confusion between goodness and holiness, the confusion between being a good persona and being a sold-out soldier for Christ, this has not done good things for God’s cause.
For really, we should not be known for being boring and good.
We should be known for our mercy, our love, our sacrifice. We should be known for sold-out service for our great King. We should be not good, but a revolution of Christlikeness.
And my Christ? Well, he was definitely not just nice. He changed the world.
In the News…
Today is so full of joy (for many reasons)!
In his first season as head coach at South Haven, our brother Samuel, will be playing his third playoff game this week. His success (in my opinion) depends greatly on his dedication to his team and the sport as a ministry. For those of you skeptical of sports and the impact that can be made there, talk to my brother.
Ever since he first started taking on responsibilities at Holland Christian while still in college, his heart for reaching young men through the sport of football has impressed some of the most convincing skeptics. I remember sitting in the stands with Bethany at some of the early games (several losing seasons) and watching Samuel encourage and inspire his team. Many times after games he would be in tears.
Now, after taking his first head-coaching position, I know that his passion for the sport and the young men has only increased. I haven’t been able to talk to him much about it, but luckily the Holland Sentinel newspaper wrote a story on the upcoming game. Click here to read it!
If you still want to know more, you can click here to read another article, in the Kalamazoo Gazette. If you still want to know more, you can go over to his blog (which I’m sure he’s having a hard time updating with all this excitement!).
Basically, today is one of those days my pride could burst my buttons. Congratulations, bro!
Weekly Lineup
This week has been interesting. I’m late getting out the lineup because of a crazy weekend (and I’m excited to hear about Christina’s weekend too!). But, praise the Lord because there is blue sky and sunshine again in Honduras! Thank you for your prayers – things are drying out and the vitamin D is doing wonders.
This week should be great – here’s a sneak peek of what we think we’ll write about ;). Be blessed today!
Blitz Update
So, you heard the exciting news from Caroline’s busy week, but follow up Christina and her busy Friday. By the numbers looked exhausting, but I’m sure the Lord worked in marvelous ways!
Ordinary vs. Extraordinary
Read Caroline’s thoughts on how God calls us to live each ordinary day as unto Him. Not all of us are called to be Mother Theresas. Sometimes God ministers through the most ordinary of people in the most ordinary of ways. What should our lives look like if we’re not extraordinary?
Being a Christian is not always about being good
Find out what Christina has to say about this… I’m interested to know (still!).
the stronghold of self-pity
The world loves it when we feel bad about ourselves. There are all sorts of antidotes – movies, chocolate, gossip – but none that satisfy.
After the Election
What to do now? What’s done is done and now we face again our responsibility as citizens to be active participants and keep our government accountable. Where do we go from here?
GraB bAg
As always, look for things out of the ordinary!
We love to hear from you, so keep those comments coming!
there’s a party going on right here
While Christina is serving the Lord and the students at the concert and lock-in, I am going to share a mini story about the amazing redemption the Lord is bringing here, to Pinares.
This week was spiritual emphasis week, as I wrote earlier, and the topic was spiritual warfare. I didn’t know this until today, but the students were expecting flashing lights and dramatic skits, because in the past teams from the US have come down for the week. Well, the week wasn’t flashy or elaborate, it was just plain old teachers standing up to testify to the spiritual, unseen battle.
Daniela is one of my 10th graders who has rolled her eyes at me more than once. Her attitude is unpredictable and she can be moody. But, tonight the Lord did an amazing work in her life that was even surprising to her. We had an outreach for the high school kids tonight and after worship the students had a chance to share a testimony. The very last one was Daniela, who shared that just minutes before during worship, she accepted Christ into her heart.
Through tears she told of how the Lord had been working in her life throughout the week, nudging and encouraging. By her own admission, she has a temper and is frustrated easily, but God persisted and she is the cause of a glorious celebration in heaven tonight.
Praise God for the work of redemption and restoration!
Tonight by the NUM3ERS
Tonight by the numbers.
1 Me.
450 Junior Highers.
15 Churches.
1 Major Band Concert here at the church.
4 Venues opened up around town, for our traveling lock-in.
1 speaker sharing the gospel with 450 kids.
12 hours of up-all-night fun.
5 cups of coffee I’ll try to find around town.
4 times my boss woke up last night thinking of things that needed to be done.
1 ipod shuffle donated for a prize (wow- parents are amazing!)
10 phone calls I need to make today, to find more volunteers
100 pizzas delivered throughout the night
1 girl who’s really excited to see what God’s going to do in these 12 big hours.
Race Relations
Here’s something I found over at the Boundless web-zine. Check out this article about race relations and let us know what you think.
whose side are you on, anyway?
This morning, I spoke in chapel to 7-12 graders about the spiritual battle we find ourselves in every single day.
Today the theme was, “whose side are you on, anyway?” and it really forced me to do some thinking. To be honest, I’m not sure why I spoke today and not someone else. I know there are teachers on staff much more capable. But, last night, as we were praying in the 212 room, I felt like I needed to just be obedient and trust the rest to Him.
The previous days focused emphasized that we are “in a battle,” we’ve been “called to fight,” and we are “equipped.”
Today, as I asked the question, “Whose side are you on, anyway?” I focused on these four points:
There’s no middle ground
The battle is BIGGER than you
God HAS WON the victory
You are redeemed for a purpose
I just want to share the final point with you today, as it is fresh on my mind and pressing on my heart.
redeemed for a purpose
“When Jesus redeemed sinners, he didn’t say, “Sit here and don’t sin.” NO! He said GO! and sin no more! (John 8:1-11) You are His ambassadors, as Paul writes to the Corinthians, as though Christ were making His appeal to the world THROUGH YOU. God is making His appeal through you – do you think his plan is for you to be silent? Is that why you’ve got all this armor?
What are you going to do with your redemption?
2 Timothy 2:3-4 says, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.”
When a soldier wakes up in the morning, he doesn’t ask “what do I feel like doing?” No, a soldier doesn’t meddle in civilian affairs – he is concerned only with pleasing his commander. Be ready, soldier, to endure hardships, be ready to pass on Truth and teach others. Be ready, soldier, to please your commander.
But, to please God you have to know God and what it is He requires.
Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you. But to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
If you claim to be in the Lord’s army – then your commander requires you to ACT.
do justice
love mercy
walk humbly with God.
Justice is bringing the fairness of God to the unfairness of the world.
Mercy is not getting what you deserve. We don’t deserve salvation, but God has offered it freely. How can we do the same?
To walk humbly we must truly believe that we are unworthy of this relationship with an Almighty God, but honored to be enlisted in His service.
This morning, some of you know that you have not placed your faith in Christ as your Savior. You know that you are walking around without any armor, unsure of your allegiances.
Some of you may have said the words of a sinner’s prayer hundreds of times, but your life bears no fruit.
Some of you have that personal relationship, but you not really sure what to do about it.
Wherever this morning finds you, know that there are only two choices – to fight for God or fall prey to Satan. Take your pick. This morning – whose side are you on, anyway?
I showed this short movie, featured on the 24-7 prayer website, shows an example of someone doing what our commander requires.
New Honduran Horizon!
One more month has passed – can you believe it?
I certainly cannot! I admit, this newsletter was more hastily finished than any of the previous, but I wanted to get it out in time for Spiritual Emphasis Week to encourage you to pray (if you’re not already!). Just click on this image below or go to my webpage: Adventures in Tegucigalpa.
Without giving too much away, this has been both a wonderful and a difficult month for me. The Lord is constantly refining me and reminding me that there are no promises of ease as His ambassador.
I am daily encouraged by Christians around me and also by the opportunity I see in students and the surrounding area. God is moving and I am learning to expect His presence… to believe that He is mightier than anything the devil brings to battle.
Praise God for the victory we find in Him alone.
MUSINGS IN THE MIDST 