Back in Uganda part 1

So it is our first morning in Entebbe, Uganda.  Flights as usual are long and tiring but the highlight for our traveling was Kristen Cason's idea of us receiving a letter each day from someone back home.  Jmac (aka Jason) wrote me an awesome letter. It was so encouraging, supporting and reminded me how special I am to have a bro-like that. "Iron sharpens iron!" Our first flight went from Atlanta to London (Lhr).  Everyone was scattered through our section of the plane so it was difficult to communicate and the addition of the multitude of babies cry made it even more trying.  We ended up a little bit late for our transfer and had to run through Lhr. Thanks God for the little mum who helped us with express connections getting us through lines and security. Also a local called me "mate." This was probably the highlight of Lhr for me! The second flight from Lhr to Entebbe seemed better (perhaps it lacked the babies crying)  in my opinion except for the fact i missed the ending of Moneyball.  We had some baggage issues but I really see this as a plus because last time we lost all of our checked bags only to have them returned a couple days later.  This time it was only 6 of the 15.  We got settled in our rooms around 145am and I woke up around 4:20 because I wasn't tired and I had sermon ideas spinning around in my head. (I found out earlier that Isaac wants me to preach some on Sunday...surprise) Maybe I should start take John Wesley more seriously and be able to "preach, pray, and die" at any given moment. I am excited to see what God has in store here. Keep us in your prayers and I love you guys.

I am from...

This is a product of one of my school assignments where we reflect on where we are "from" to try to understand and reflect on our contextual education site, which is working with refugees and immigrants.

I AM FROM

I am from below the gnat line and I-16, where we grow corn, peanuts, and collard greens.

From Jacksonville, Claxton, and Metter I’ve roamed 

but a small town in Vidalia is where I call home. 

Its a quaint little town where its sweet onions are renown, 

where Friday nights mean football lights, 

And respect for the elderly is always shown.

From my Grandparents I learned to persevere through difficulty,

From Mom I learned to joke and save,

And Dad I learned the meaning of integrity.

At night I could gaze at the stars and enjoy the handiwork of our Creator,

I would fish, plant, and play music praising my Savior.

Where raising livestock was common 
and you'll see goats, pigs, chickens, and cattle quite of’en,

I am from place where pine trees where king, 

and exploring in the woods was my adventurin'.

I lived in a home, which meant unlocked doors, 

sweet tea, fish frys and nightly chores.

I lived in the country where barefoot was an option

And in the neighbors fields lay southern snow, aka cotton.

From joy, sorrow, and curiosity, growing up here made me, me.

the finale of my not book review

So in my last blog I talked about what God was teaching me and I mentioned a few things I had gathered from The Next Christians: The Good News About the End of Christian America.  I tried really hard to not go overboard and do a full book review but alas I most continue on my conclusions of my "not book review. " Gabe Lyons did an excellent job putting a bow on the whole thing.  I wanted to verbally shout "YES!" but remembered that I was in the coffeeshop before the excitement passed my gums.  Lyons did his homework and read up on C.S. Lewis' essay "First and Second Things." He quoted the beloved apologists' word saying, "You can't get second thing by putting them first; you can get second things only putting first things first."  In expounding on his point he totally Jesus jukes the most modern church thinking. (Fyi in this particular case it is not performed in a negative way but if you are unfamiliar with this term Jesus juke please see http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2010/11/the-jesus-juke/) Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Too often we fall into the trap of putting our priorities in the wrong order.  When focus on who God is and on living the countercultural life He has called us to (see Matthew 5-7, Matt. 22:36-40) second things will fall in place.

     So maybe the question I want to ask my readers (as few as there maybe) what are the second things the church makes a big priority that would probably fall in place if we in fact sought first His kingdom?

From UnXian to Next Xian

I have been so encouraged lately with everything G-d has been teaching me through His Word and His people. After finishing studying Luke with the local college small group, teaching my students about the importance of doing the work Christ has set out and created us for, writing commentary on James, and reading a new book, I am just overwhelmed with a call to action.  A call that that isn't passive but active. A reminder that God's Spirit is within me and that makes my body a temple which in turn calls me to a lifestyle of worship 24/7. Something that most of us "know and believe" but I'm not sure I let that reality be reality.   I can flap my gums sharing my belief that orthodoxy and orthopraxy are both equally important sides of a scale that demands balance but until I ask G-d for more of Him and less of me, it is an unfeasible task.
Throughout Luke, I see Jesus Christ humbly put on humanity, dealing with the low of society, the reprobate, the unclean, and what the world would say is the "scum" of the earth.  Despite how the world would label and ostracize,  JC, having been there at Creation, sees these "outcasts" as Image Bearers and begins His restoration process in their life, meets their physical and emotional needs. In doing so, these people can let their wall down and more willing to accept the Radical God-Man's spiritual restoration. I lament over the times I have judged and been so afraid to create relationships and love others because I expected them to already live a holy life w/o knowing about a Holy G-d.
I just picked up Gabe Lyons' book The Next Christians: The Good News About the End of Christian America and it has been so rewarding.  Through Gabe's research and familiarity with culture I am excited to see the findings of a more biblical wave of Christians being unearthed in America.  Christian's who cannot be labeled as Seperatist: Insiders, Culture Warriors, and mere Evangelizers or Cultural: Blenders and Philanthropists but a new as Restorers.
These Next Christians have a fuller and more vivid understanding of the Gospel. The Good News which does not begin in the middle with the separation of sin but starts with a Mighty Creator G-d who creates very good, beautiful things, and forms humanity in Imago Dei. A vital and foundational step which should not be skipped lest we cause confusion and paint a less than vibrant picture. After this step can we articulate the fall in its completeness showing the need Christ redemptive work. Again we cannot stop there.  We must remember Christ's redemptive work was to restore all things to Him. These "Next Christians" see that God is not only in the business of restoring for the afterlife, but also about the here and now.  Through the Holy Spirit, the body of Christ is to be about restoration.
To be about "responding to the brokenness of culture with an eye of the Creator's intent."
I am not trying to give a book review but one last thing. Next Christians are the following:
Provoked not offended,
Creators not critics,
Called not employed,
Grounded not distracted,
In community, not alone,
Countercultural, not "relevant"

This is what I think God is teaching me. The love for others, the call to be more Christ-like, embrace a bigger picture of the Gospel, and to be about restoration in as many ways as possible.

two blogs in a row, i'm on a role

Okay maybe I am not on a role but my Liberating King has been revealing Himself and I cannot taste and see His goodness without sharing the huge portions He provides.  I listened to sermon this morning (which was really like 10:30/11 am) and it was about courage.  The pastor started with an epic story of how a man physically stood up for the weak and despite my hunger for peace my soul rejoiced for the saving of the helpless.  You could hear the excitement and enjoyment of justice being done from the church members and the people.  So eloquently pastor led a transition from physical courage to spiritual courage, an area which I have been lacking for sometime (it's funny as a child I was bold and didn't care how people viewed me but i guess that is the whole faith like a child thing).  I am ashamed of the fact I rejoice in physical courage of people or myself but do not have the fortitude to share who I claim is the foundation of my life.  Part of me wants to "make a New Year's Resolution" and the other part of me says, "How well has that worked out in the past?"

The pastor took a part of the Scriptures we normally just glance over and made it come of the page for me.  The passage was Phillipians 1:11.  It's just an opening of a letter to the Phillipians and within the first few verses God delivers a hugemongous (so what if I make up words) message.  Paul says in my paraphrase "You guys have been with me since day one. I love you, and I can see God continually to redeem you.  It is because of our work for the Gospel which draws us together not that our kids go to the same daycare or we hang out at the coffee shop or pub together  but because we have same focus.  We have courage to fight spiritual injustices."

The next part of the message brought me to me knees and made me weep for the desire God wants me to desire.  It was a story to of the South Korean missionaries in Afghanistan back in 2007.  The missionaries were captured by the Taliban (sp?) The group was separated in groups of three and secretly passed torn pages of the Bible back and forth.  The terrorist group started executing missionaries one at a time.  Two of the S.K. men started arguing who would be the next martyr and trying to one up one another.  Later the remaining missionaries were released.  The American pastor went to visit Seoul and some of the missionaries.  In his visit the missionaries told one another he wished they were back in imprisonment because it was there they had experience courage and faith in God and the bonding together as the body of Christ.  Just like Paul and the Phillipians.  Not in the counterfeit peace and comfort of materialism of what we think is safety.  Oh how I desire to use a phrase I learned from friends, to follow God with "reckless abandon," I want to be in community with those of the same mindset.

Fear because He can't or fear because we'd have too?

So just to give everyone an update on what I'm reading it's Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan.  The book is super awesome and challenging.  I know this is something that God inspired me to read because it meets me where I am at.

If you don't know Francis Chan, he is one of my many spiritual heroes.  Chan was a former pastor of Cornerstone Community Church on the Left Coast. One reason I admire Chan is his willingness to act out his faith and obediently follow God's directions.  After his book Crazy Love blew up (and to be honest I haven't even read it yet) He decided to give up his salary, gives 90% of his income away, and donates all his book royalties to charity.  To me this shows trust and faith in God because I still struggle with given God back 10% of His resources.  Lately God told Chan it was time to move on from Cornerstone and follow Him to the unknown, just like when God called Abraham to pack up and move without a destination.  Let's be honest, I realize that Francis Chan is a mere mortal/sinful man but would like at strive to be faithful and trusting in God.

Back to the Future, oops, I mean book. (Sorry B2TF has been on tv like every night since Christmas) I just am halfway through the book and I have noticed many key things.  Just like many of us can admit oftentimes we neglect the Holy Spirit.  We often pick him last for the ultimate kickball team after God the Father and Jesus the Godman.  We forget the equalness of the personhood of the HS, often viewing Him as  some sort of force or mystical power.

Chan reminds us we find ourselves afraid of the HS. Not because that we are scared that He can't do it but that He may make us do something.  Upon following and being obedient to HS we are scared of becoming like "THOSE PEOPLE."  This term can relate to both sides of the spectrum b/c we were either raised in a Church that didn't put much emphasis on the HS or were raised in a church that put a hole heap of emphasis on the freedom of the Holy Spirit.  So "those people" could be becoming charismatic and seemingly unorthodox or stone cold people who appear to have no fever.  Both extremes  are not healthy.  Both extreme push the envelope in "quenching the Holy Spirit." Living as if there is no HS is denying a part of Triune God and being so "free" without following certain guidelines which are Biblical and/or putting Words into G-d's mouth is not good.  Both sides can quench the Holy Spirit.

As you can tell this book is making me excited.  When I finish I hope I will share more.

what to do when you can't sleep, i have the answer!

So yea I totally have the answer for those sleepless nights you have when your jacked up on coffee the boy scouts made.  You know that addiction is far to sneaky! It calls your name and says, "Hey (insert name) I really could use a friend. Think of all those farmers who toiled out there for those beans. are you willing to let that work go to waste?  The scouts won't drink it all go ahead it is only 8:30." So you indulged and think to yourself, "Ahh, what's a couple cups of coffee going to do?" Little did you know it would be five hours later and you can't seem to get drowsy.

Well I have discovered you might as well do something you are going to later. There is no time like the present some people say.  So I jump in the truck and head over to the nearest Wally-World (a super short trip from mi casa) Confirming my assumption (you have been warned) their weren't a lot of people there. It was kind of like Sunday night church on Super Bowl Sunday. Back to the story, I noticed something. It was peaceful but not in a "I'm a hermit and human interaction scares/ makes me uncomfortable," kind of way.  No it seemed as though the veil of busyness and rush, rush, rush was lifted.

The workers were polite, looked you in the eye, were doing their job yet enjoying the camaraderie of other coworkers.  To be honest I was taken aback and thought this doesn't seem like Buy-N-Large, I mean Wal-mart.  Things weren't so impersonal. It reminds me to be thankful for their service and more importantly reminds me that they too are His image-bearers.  That Yeshua took on flesh, died for their sins in order to provide redemption and become justified before their Creator.  I think God was teaching me to slow down; not to be lazy but to be observant. Life is too short to go a bizillion  miles an hour because going to fast lets you miss out on the scenery. Too often I overlook the cashier and complain to myself or others without reflecting on the grace that was given to me. So yea slow down and when you can't sleep go grocery shopping at 2:00 am.