BudapestAlive

Taking Yourself Seriously…in the Right Ways.

As people we can be a complex set of walking contradictions. One of those contradictions that struck me today was how it’s culturally ‘right’ to not take ourselves too seriously (i.e., be able to poke fun at yourself etc). Yet, it’s also culturally ‘right’ to place ourselves at the center of the universe (i.e., it’s good to pursue fulfilling our desires at the expense of everyone else). So, according to our culture, we should both devalue ourselves and at the same time be supreme.

One way I struggle with this is taking rest. Not just being blessed by practicing the Sabbath rest, but giving myself appropriate rest throughout the weeks, months, and years. I once worked for five years straight without taking a vacation. I’m not boasting…I was foolish and short sighted. I’m a driven person and love to work hard, but the downside is that it’s easy for me to skip meaningful rest. Christina is the same way. On one hand we take ourselves so serious we’ll work like crazy…and on the other hand we devalue ourselves so much that we fail to take care of the one body we get in this life.

When we were in training with WorldVenture, one of the things they emphasized was our need to rest. These folks know better than we do the pressure of preparing for, and serving in long-term missions (almost everyone we met had at least 10 years overseas missions experience). So we’re taking to heart something we gathered from Wayne Cordeiro – schedule your rest first. Before anything else gets on your calendar, put down when, how, and where you will rest (individually or as a couple if married). As we’re doing this I’m finding it really reduces the anxiety caused by the task before us. Knowing that we have a plan to rest makes the diligent, hard work more joyful.

What is God up to? (part 2)

There are many things that we Christians might say to the question of what God is up to in this world. We might say, “He’s saving people.” Or perhaps, “He’s magnifying his glory.” Something along those lines. Those things are true, but they don’t sufficiently answer the question, “What is God up to?”

It seems to me the answer lies further back, seen better from a high vantage point. There is a purpose behind God’s working in this world. It’s one that he not only makes plain to all, but one that he has desired for all people everywhere, of all times, to know intimately. He first spoke it to Adam and Eve. He promised it to (and through) the patriarchs. His prophets yearned for it and chided Israel for their blindness to it. His Son came and established it. The church is now tasked with the glorious work of proclaiming it.

Is it salvation? No. Life through Jesus, being renewed spiritually and adopted by God, is a huge part of it, but it is not completely it. I believe that what God is up to in this world is the same thing he’s been up to since our inaugural forebears.

Yahweh is wholeheartedly about the business of giving his grace to all peoples. He has always desired that his boundless, joy-filled, grace would be known by all of his creation, and by all humans in particular. The patriarchs and Israel were supposed to be a means to deliver that grace to the world. They failed in that role. The church (all-Jew or not-who by faith trust Jesus for redemption) now carry that mantle. We, according to Scripture, are the last instrument of God’s favor to this world. He has, with infathomable glory, blessed we, Christians, to be a blessing to all nations as preachers of the greatest news broken humans have ever heard.

He is, and has been, sending his grace to the nations.

What is God up to?

One’s view of what God is doing, what he’s “up to” in this world has an enormous impact on every aspect of life.

Imagine you believed that there was a god of some sort, and he/she/it, after making this world had long since lost interest and moved on. I suppose you would view yourself has having little to do with the one who made you. Something like parental abandonment, you might become ambivalent or embittered at such a god and take matters of life into your own hands, according to what you deem best in this universe.

Such a belief would also effect your relationships with people in profound ways. If this god was out of the picture, then life is ultimately a sort of no-holds-barred contest. To each their own. You have no ties to maker or man. Your choices about how to treat people are ultimately as valid as any other, no matter the outcome.

That’s not a very far fetched example. It’s how many people live life. I know it’s how I lived life from the time I was 18 until about age 24. Those were dark and desperate years filled with revelry, song, and despair.

Lately I’ve been thinking again through how the Bible most clearly answers the question:

What is is that God is really up to in this world?

One for the Snow

“God, please let us get snow up to my waist.” That was part of Grace’s prayers during the weeks leading up to our trip. Ah…the faith of a child!

Base Camp: End of Week One

Today we wrapped up the first week of Base Camp at WorldVenture. It’s been an amazing time. It seems that every day Christina and I are more assured that we made the right choice in partnering with this organization. They are truly the long-term missions specialists.

We have also felt the genuine care of everyone in the organization. From our training and prayer time, to the living space, food, van to drive around, exercise facility, gobs of games and toys (plus a play space) for the kids, and of course….LOTS of coffee It really has been wonderful so far…definitely stressful and challenging at times…but wonderful.

It reminds me of our trip to Budapest in May because pretty much every day at some point I stress about the hugeness of what we’re about to do. But then I settle into the peaceful truth of remember our calling, and knowing that no matter where I am, or where my wife or girls are, we are in the hands of God, and He has chosen to have those hands around us in Hungary.

Base Camp Day 2

Well, yesterday the whole crew made it to WorldVenture’s headquarters in Colorado in one piece. ‘The littles’, (Emma and Joy) did great on their first flight, and Grace was acting like an old pro.

Today a group of us went to fellowship together and then dove into some introductory activities. Tomorrow morning we will have our candidate interview which is essentially the deciding factor for whether or not we continue with WorldVenture or work with another mission. Based on our experience so far I expect things to go great, but we’d love folks to join with us in praying for clarity and wisdom among everyone involved.

Here’s a few shots from the trip so far.

Fear of my Lord

A new Budapest update is coming in about a week…until then here’s a song I recorded a little over a year ago.

Title: “Fear of my LORD”
Location: My bedroom closet.
Instruments: Godin A6.
Gear: Macbook w/Garageband. Ambient mic only.
Mastering: None. Two takes. One with rhythm guitar and vocals, the second for another guitar line (effected).

You may have to turn it up. But given my rudimentary vocals…that may be dangerous