My Lifesong

I am flabbergasted with the home we had to finish today. To put it bluntly, the team that built it didn’t care about their work. They were concerned with checking off the “Mission Trip” box on their checklist instead of doing the work that God has commanded to do. I won’t go into detail, but it’s suffice to say that I was embarrassed by the structure that we discovered. It couldn’t even be called a home since the windows and door were never installed. We did the best we could to give the family the home they expected. I hope it is enough.

I was called selfish because I referred to this trip as my mission. Maybe I am, but if I don’t have the passion for this trip, then what good am I? Without passion, my work would be crap. If I am to be effective, I need to be on fire for God. I want to do what God wants me to do. If that’s selfish, I’m ok with that.

Today was rough. We turned the keys over to the family, and my heart broke. I didn’t want it to end…I didn’t want to leave. I spent a lot of time with the family getting to know them, and it was hard to see our time together come to a close.

Our homeowner – Chela – was determined to get picture of the team. Her intent is to frame the picture, hang it in her living room, and tell people about the group that built her home.

Her son, José (great name, right??), even presented me with a bracelet today. I didn’t have my camera today, so I had someone take a picture of José and I. I’ll post it when I can.

It’s amazing that God could use us to make an impact like that. Simply amazing

We’re at Spanish Landing in San Diego. The large group is being picked up at the airport. I’m anxious. I love being back and reconnecting with family. It’s like the year never happened. We are back. But we aren’t home. We are aliens here. And we have work to do.

Allons-Y!!

We leave for Mexico on Saturday. I am excited. All these months of planning, praying, and preparing for this week are coming to fruition. God has been busy breaking me down in getting me ready for the trip, and I know He is going to rebuild and restore me.

We’ve faced obstacles. We’ve been told not to go. I’ve even received a few emails from people that were somewhat negative of my views.

The Enemy was on full assault…because he is scared. He knows that when we are the Body, we advance the Kingdom.

And he’s failed. This trip is important because it is what God calls us to do. It’s important because we learn a lot about ourselves, our friends, and most importantly, God.

We will be blogging during the trip. Please, follow along with us, as well as all the other Traders Point trips at http://servingtheworld.org.

As the good Doctor would say – Allons-Y!!

I received this month’s Amor enewsletter. This is the letter from Gayla Cooper Congdon, Founder and Chief Spiritual Officer of Amor ministries. Please read.

The Power of Our Words

“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and it is those things that make a person unclean.” Matthew 15:18

“The Church ought to live out love. Woe to her if she does not do that! Woe to her if by her silence and by all sorts of dubious excuses, she becomes jointly guilty of the world’s outbursts of hatred! Woe to her if she adopts words and slogans that originate in the sphere of hate.”

This is an excerpt from a letter by Pastor Walter Hochstadter, a German pastor and hospital chaplain in France during the Second World War. He secretly sent a letter with this in it to 1,000 German soldiers at the Russian Front.

We all have heard “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” And we all know that isn’t true. Words are powerful and when spoken with anger and a mean spirit they can leave an indelible print on someone long after a bone has healed.

Long before the shootings in Tucson and the discussion it created about our national rhetoric, I had been thinking about some of the most surprising things that have been said to me these past two years, especially in reference to Mexico. Rhetoric from fellow Christians that I have come in contact with while traveling and representing the Ministry.

Imagine how I felt when a couple of years ago I was sitting with a pastoral staff and church leaders discussing their church’s upcoming trip to Mexico when one gentlemen informed me that there were people in the church that just hated Mexico and Mexicans! In my most diplomatic voice – and those of you that know me know that I don’t really have a diplomatic voice – I spoke very softly and told him that given the words of Jesus to “love our neighbors” hating Mexico and Mexicans is just not an option for Christians.

I have honestly been appalled at how many folks have taken it upon themselves after I have spoken at their church to tell me what they think about Mexico, immigration issues, gun control and even our president. And the anger in their voices belies an attitude that borders on the hate that Pastor Hochstadter speaks of in his letter.

You can imagine my shock when once a complete stranger walked right up to me after the service and told me that they would never go to that “Godforsaken country of Mexico!” Why would someone feel a need to say that to me?

Last fall Chuck Colson and Jim Wallis came together to create a “covenant of civility” for those in the Church to express differences in a kind and thoughtful way that would reflect respect for one another. Many well known pastors signed it.

As bothered as I am about our national rhetoric, I am more concerned about what is being said in the Church. This passage in Matthew really speaks to the fact that what comes out of our mouths is a true reflection of what is in our hearts and I’m saying that some of it is just not good or acceptable.

In Proverbs this is an important topic. There are references to words, lips, mouths, tongues that appear about 150 times in the 31 chapters. Why? Because our tongue is moving all day long and it tells the story of what is going on in our hearts at the moment. And what we say is not always in harmony with the holiness of God. I also believe that this is a spiritual problem we all face, some more than others, in that we all have problems with our mouths!

Years ago when my friend Mike McClenahan was the youth pastor at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, he started making the yearly trip to Mexico each spring with his group. Our staff loved eating with them because they had become well known throughout our Ministry for their delicious meals. But what affected me most was how he and the other leaders created an intentional atmosphere of kind words and encouragement with over 100 students.

As the students lined up for their food you never heard, “ugh I don’t like that” or anything derogative about what was being served. Their thankfulness to the servers as well as for the food was so evident and it had such a positive impact on their group as well as those of us that came in contact with them. After eating you always walked away fed and with more than just food!

My challenge to all of us during this season of Lent and Easter is to use words that genuinely reflect Christ’s nature and his character of love. Let us remember the power of our words. And may those of us in the Church be unified in civility towards one another in spite of differences. It is my prayer that those who are marginalized in our world hear and see the love of God in the power of our words and deeds! That is why Amor Ministries exists.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Every year, we gear up for the mission trip to Mexico. And every year, the Enemy attacks. Lately, it’s been the same thing – we will be in danger because of the violence. “Have you seen the State Department’s warning?” The murders, the cartels, etc.

It’s frustrating. It’s disheartening. It’s an attack.

I know that we take a risk by leaving the country. I know that it’s a risk to go into a land that is having domestic issues. I get it. It’s dangerous.

It’s also dangerous here. We can get hit by a car as we cross the street. We can do to a rally to see a congresswomen speak and get shot. We can go on a road trip and be involved in a rollover accident.

This world isn’t safe. It won’t be until Jesus comes back and God sets things right.

Until then, we are called to be His hands and feet. We are called to love our neighbors – not just the ones next door, but the ones across the borders and oceans.

We are called to go out into the world.

Jesus promised us eternal salvation, not enduring safety.

I know some people are going to dislike this post. They will argue. They will say things to discourage those who want to go on a mission trip.

I’m ok with that.

What I’m not okay with that we can call out to God to save us, and we thank Him for blessings, but we don’t trust Him to provide for us as we share the Gospel.

I apologize in advance for offending you, but I will not apologize for wanting to do God’s will.

Not A Fan. James 2:17

This Sunday Nicole and I were stars at church. Before every sermon in this series there has been a video of couples competing in “Minute To Win It” events. The men and women had split the first two competitions, so we were the tiebreaker. When we filmed the challenge, it was to be a best 2 out of 3 endeavor, and I won the first two. Somehow I got guilted into making the 3rd match winner takes all, and I lost. Well, I gave my word, so that was that. On Sunday, Bob declared it a draw due to various things (I’d already won 2 of 3, he gave Nicole advice on how to do the headbob better, it probably suited the sermon series if it’s tied). Anyways, it was fun.

The sermon was focused towards single people and how they should prepare for relationships and marriage. I wish I could have heard this advice years ago – I could have been better prepared for Nicole and been a better husband from the beginning. Still, I can apply this to myself even now, so it’s all good.

The biggest takeaway I had this weekend was this – we can’t have the benefit of the relationship without putting the necessary work in to it.

Think about that.

A relationship takes work. Love – the feeling – will not sustain it. Love – the verb – is needed for it to work. Bob put it this way – Love is a commitment, not a feeling. There are times when I don’t feel loving towards Nicole, but I honor my commitment and love her. When I do feel loving towards her, I don’t let it change the way I honor my commitment towards her. I never let me feelings dictate how I love her. My commitment dictates that.

I am happy that we are relatively low-drama. Our discussions aren’t bad, and we usually solve our issues quickly. Still, we aren’t perfect, but we don’t fight much. That’s a testament to God more than anything else. He guides us and helps us stay focused on honoring each other. We work things out because He has made us better. Our spiritual maturity has grown over the years, and that will be the case every day of our lives. We will strive to honor God and each other.

With that being said, despite Bob calling it a draw, Nicole won. Much as I hate to say it, we agreed on winner takes all, and she beat me. Congratulations honey.

I love you.

I follow Dawn Carter on twitter, and she is an amazing lady. She recently tweeted this, and it struck a chord within me: “Our job as Christians is not to pretend darkness doesn’t exist; it is to bring light.” Pastor Matt Brown of Sandals Church.

Darkness exists everywhere. It surrounds us, taints us, and blinds us. It binds us and tries to keep us away from God. The Tempter does what he can to make us ignore this fact. DON’T LET HIM!!

Burn for Christ – do not hide your light from the world. Stand up and fight the darkness. I know it’s hard. I know it makes separates us from those around us, but what is more important – honoring Jesus or being comfortable in this world?

I will burn brightly for Christ. He is the reason I live.

Today at church we had part two of Man vs. Wife, and today’s message was directed to the men for about 98% of the time. Our text was Ephesians 5:25-30, and Bob brought it today. I was convicted by his message. Even though I tell myself that I am doing all I can to love Nicole like Christ loves the church, I know I am not. I can do better. I can always do better.

The three takeaways and my responses to todays message:

1) I will love Nicole no matter what she does – always. I will love her based on her position, not her performance.

I don’t ever want to take my wife for granted. I don’t ever want her to feel that she has to do anything to earn my love – I love her unconditionally. She is a gift from God that makes me whole. I promise to honor her with my words and actions, and to love her until my last breath.

2) I will love Nicole no matter what it takes.

This should go without saying. When we made our vows 5 years ago, I never intended to take them lightly. I promise that I will pursue Jesus. If I pursue Him, I can act like Him. I will love as He loved. I promise that we will be better stewards of His money and property. And I promise to lead my family to church. These commitments are what Bob recommended, but I do believe that they are ones that need to be made.

3) I will love Nicole no matter what she needs.

I will love her like the precious and valuable treasure that she is. God has moved us from Iowa to Indy for a reason. He has now moved us to the St. Louis metro area for a reason. Through every move, Nicole and I have stood by each other while following God’s lead. I have done and will continue to do what I can to provide the love and support that she needs.

So peeps….I expect you to hold me to these commitments. I am not perfect. I will stumble and fall. Please, help me back up and keep these vows. I will do the same for you.

If you are a single man, then use this post as a signpost. Get to know Christ, pursue Him, and let Him mold you. Then pursue a woman like she should be pursued – biblically and wholeheartedly.

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7

This song captures Bob’s message really well.

SM Lockridge’s sermon. Very powerful. When you let everything sink in…you realize just how wonderful Jesus is, and how much God loves us to have sent Him.