Image Bearer

Back to the Air!

2010-07-10T21:40:00.015-04:00

What has God called you to do? What are your dreams, hopes, desires for your life? These are all questions that I have struggled with throughout the different seasons of my life—sometimes I have struggled well and sometimes not so well. But I can honestly say now that I am in a place where I am just thankful. I have found the place and position that makes much of my work feel like playtime. Where my passion for God and communicating what God is doing around the world, and the desire to take part in his mighty works, catapults me forward even into the unknown and sometimes uncomfortable situations that arise. God is taking me to another level at this stage in my life, and I am thankful.

I am now working at SIM International in Fort Mill, SC. I write and edit web content for www.sim.org, I send out our monthly newsletter, assist with putting together our international magazine, manage our social media platforms, etc.—I love my job. I have largely kept my feet on the ground for the last two years since I finished my stint—two years (2006-2008)—traveling with the Jesus Film Project, but now I have an increasing desire to get back in the air. To once again fly to places unknown and share experiences with believers who bravely live for God and with those who do not know him yet.

One of the things that SIM does really well is that they understand that excellence happens when they provide opportunities for people to work in the areas that they are both gifted for and passionate about, and when their people experience and understand the fullness and extent of the global mission to which God has called us. SIM is a faith mission, which means that the entire organization ultimately runs on the donations of God’s generous people around the world. To make travel possible for me, SIM has allowed me to open an ongoing ministry account so that I can invite you to participate with me in the adventures of this next phase.

My first trip …

In a few short weeks, I will be traveling to SIM’s Wetheringsett, UK office in England for a week of meetings with the SIM UK communications group. This is a crucial trip for me, not only to meet our UK office staff that I communicate with regularly, but also because I will be able to meet face-to-face with Suzanne Green, with whom I work very closely, via email and Skype, to create each issue of our international magazine, Serving In Mission Together. Meeting face to face will take us far beyond what modern technology is able to accomplish and allow us to establish a more personal working relationship, which we have been looking forward to for quite some time.

I am asking you to join me in partnership once again. I can’t begin to tell you of the great impact that your prayers and financial gifts make to the overall mission of Christ and how honored I am that you choose to give toward what God has called me to, and in effect he has called you too! Thank you for participating in mission with me once again.

Please pray for: (Trip dates: Aug 7-14)
1) Good relationships to be established through this trip.
2) Suzanne and I as we get to know one another and plan together.
3) Wisdom and creativity as we plan for effective communication initiatives.

Giving:
It's not the size of your gift that matters, but the heart behind it. God loves a cheerful giver, so keep that in mind as you decide whether to participate in this way.

You can give online at: https://usanet.sim.org/SIMGift/detail.aspx, designating your gift to Michelle Pack’s ministry account #014905-058.

Prayer ... and Doubt

2010-06-12T14:43:00.000-04:00

Repost of my guest post over at Steel Grapes.com.

Recently a friend of mine shared a story with me. It was about a couple who had been through a nasty divorce a few years back. She generally described how bad it was, how much this couple had hurt each other, and some of the things that were said in the midst of the struggle. The good news is, they are apparently now back together, which is an incredible work of God! I mean how many times have you heard of that happening? If you are like me, not many. So why, in the midst of right rejoicing, do I use the word apparently? Because that was the sense, if not the exact word, my friend used to describe the situation.

As I sat there listening to her, I found myself thinking, Why is she doubting it? Wait a minute, why do we do that, why do I do that?? Bad things happen to good people, good people do dumb things, I do dumb things! Like real Christ-followers will, family, friends, and colleagues pray. God answers. We doubt.

Unfortunately, often times it takes someone else's doubt for me to recognize it, but if I am honest, it is so, so there in the deepest place (and sometimes not so deep) in my heart as well. The easiest explanation I can give is to simply blame it on a fallen world, and there is truth in that, but is it the whole truth?

There is an ongoing situation within my own family that brings me back to the same conflict. I pray, we pray. God seems to answer (that's how I always describe it). I doubt the God of the universe who asks me to pray. How silly is that?! When I go to thank him, do I thank him for possibly answering prayer?? I don't think so.

I know that I can't answer the why, not really anyway, not in any way that I can sit back and feel good about myself. But the last time I was confronted with this tension, God showed me what I can do. I can praise him in the midst of my doubt. I can embrace him in his perfect sovereignty and rejoice over renewed unity in my family!! So that is now what I choose to do!! And I have to tell you—it is incredibly freeing! Do I know for sure that it will last? No, I don't. But what do I really know about the future anyway, aside from what God's word says? Not a whole heck of alot. :)

I was able to share a little bit of what God has shown me with my friend. Will she take it to heart? Again, I don't know. But I am thankful. I am thankful for God's grace in the midst of my doubt. I am thankful for authentic community where we can share with each other what God is doing! I am thankful that God does answer prayer and is worth believing!! Who's with me?

My First Guest Post

2010-05-21T20:29:00.004-04:00

Last week someone responded to a tweet that I posted for SIM. Her name is Catherine and she has been involved with SIM in the past for short-term missions work. We had a little conversation, "convo," as the cool people call it, on Twitter and she asked me if I would be interested in guest posting over on her blog.

So today I got an email from her that she posted my article. I was kind of nervous about what I might write for her, but when I sat down to do it, God came through and put a message on my heart that I think will encourage anyone who is following Christ. Seeing how God is at work in your life and the lives of others can be confusing sometimes, but he is there and he is at work. It would be great if you all would show her some love and jump over to SteelGrapes.com and give the article and the rest of her site a read. Thanks for doing that! I hope you are encouraged by what you find there.

On many of the blogs that I follow there has been a recurring theme—ragging on social media in general and Facebook in particular. Not because of the security issues which have many people up in arms (although that is a theme as well), but because they think that somehow social media is discouraging people from real relationships. I don't agree. It seems to me that if people want to avoid relationships, they will, regardless of access to social media. For me, it has been a great platform to get to know people that I am either not in close proximity to, or to get to know those that are nearby that I didn't know before. I plan to have my first "tweetup" next week with my new acquaintance. But I know a number of people who have been doing that regularly for a while, hence the new term. :)

Anyway, just a little plug for using social media to connect and share with people as you carry on with the good works that God prepared in advance for you to do! (Ephesians 2:10)

Fighting through the fear ... the snake story.

2010-05-14T19:27:00.000-04:00

I wrote recently about having to unexpectedly stand up in front of a room full of people that I didn't know and say a few words. That is a very real fear. I have heard that it's actually the #1 fear that people have—I am sure you have heard that too. But I think I had an experience a few days later that makes that look like Donald Trump in a dress ... you know, funny.

The Saturday after my awkward Christian Chamber Meeting speech, I decided it was a perfect day to do some yard work. I have a very gracious aunt and uncle who bought me four very beautiful knock-out roses for my yard on Thursday evening, and I needed to get them in the ground. So Saturday morning I set out to plant. It went great, they looked great, and I set about doing a few other yard chores that caught my eye.

I decided I needed to cut a dead limb off of a tree in my front yard. I finally decided that "yep, it's really dead" so I walked around to the back of my house with a plan to reach underneath the house to grab a saw. There were a bunch of leaves gathered at the crawl space door, so I grabbed a rake and raked them away from the door for easy access. I hadn't gone under the house for anything in "a-while" so I cautiously opened the door and approached the opening. There are always plenty of spiders, and I kind of get the heeeby-jeeebies going under there anyway, so I took my time to make sure one wasn't going to drop down on me as I went in.

I sprayed some Home Defense around the area to kill the spiders, knelt down at the door, and had a look around. It's kind of a small space, so I couldn't see much. I crept forward and put my knee up on the board that runs across the ground that the door closes up against. I peeked my head in a little further and had another look. I scanned the area for my reciprocating saw—it wasn't there. But I did see a red bow saw that I had stored under there and out of the corner of my eye, to the left, I saw a round object. "What is that? It could be a snake. No, surely it's not a snake. I have heard of snakes getting under houses before but I have never seen it actually happen. Maybe I'll go get my camera and take a flash photo, light it up and make sure. If it's a snake, it could be a Copperhead."

I got up and went inside the house to get my camera. I took it outside and stuck my hand inside the crawl space door a bit, pointed the camera to the left and took the shot. I looked at it on the camera but I couldn't see it well enough out in the sunlight. I went into the house again so I could see, but it was still a small photo (and my hands were more than a little shaky), and I wanted to be sure. I quickly uploaded the photo to my computer where I could get a better look. "Yep, it is a snake, and it is a Copperhead! Wait a minute, what's that behind him?!? Oh man, there's another one. Wait! Do I see two heads in the background??" I zoomed the image in closer. "Oh God! There are three of them!! There are three Copperheads underneath my house!!! What do I do? What am I going to do??" That is when the panic started.

The first shot helped me identify what I was dealing with.

I don't typically get riled up easily, but this was way too much for my brain to process!! That's when I got a serious case of the "what ifs" running around my head. "What if I try to remove them myself? What if I get one, but the others hide and I can't find them? What if they go further underneath and I can't see them anymore? What if no one is available to come out and get them OUT??"

Not knowing what to do, I did what anyone who is a socialmedialite would do—I uploaded the picture to Facebook and asked my Friends, "What do I do now??" Then I realized how silly that was ... and I grabbed the phone book! A real person answered the second number I called and the conversation went something like this:

"A1 Wild Life Control." (With a name like that how could I go wrong??)
"Hi how are you?"
"I'm good, how are you."
"I'm alright. Are you working today?" (This is apparently my best attempt at being casual in a stressful situation—WHAT??)
"Yep, I'm working."
"Well I have this problem."
"Oh-K."
"I have three Copperheads underneath my house and I need to get them out."
(Pause)
"Three Copperheads you say ... are you sure that they're Copperheads?"
"Yes, I'm positive. I have a photo of them."
"Ok, I was on my way somewhere else, but I am going to come to your place first."
"I would appreciate that very much."

The guy showed up with a friend about 30 minutes later and, to make a long-enough story shorter, they removed the snakes with some kind of sticky "Catch Master" paper, put them in a bucket and took them away. You can check out all of the photos here.

I have to be honest, it has taken me all week to really "come down" from the weirdness of the whole event. I am not generally afraid of snakes in their own habitat, but there is something about them being in my space that freaked me out. I have been able to laugh about some aspects of it, but though the imminent danger is gone, my brain still wants to play the "what if" game. I get in bed at night and I think about it. I step outside the house, and I think about it—every single day since.

I don't know about you, but being afraid of things makes me angry—not the "I have a healthy respect for" kind of fear, but the kind that wants to take over. I refuse to live in fear. After all, God says over and over in his word, "Do not fear, I am with you." But I admit sometimes events occur and I need time to process through them. I pray every night that I won't have "snakes chasing me" in my dreams. God has been gracious and I have had sweet dreams. I am thankful for that, and I am thankful that none of us were bitten.

Now to get back out there and finish "snake proofing" my crawl space.

*shudder*

Always be prepared ...

2010-05-06T22:05:00.021-04:00

Last week was really interesting, but last Thursday was particularly notable. My supervisor at SIM, Leslie Nease, asked me a few weeks back if I would like to accompany her to a luncheon that is put on by the Charlotte Christian Chamber (CCC). It's a networking gathering that gives Christian business people and non-profit workers a chance to interact and help each other out. Although I am not one to jump at these kinds of things, I thought it would be a good experience and well, I will try almost anything at least once, so I said "Sure, I'll go with you and see what it's like."

So the day came and I went to my first CCC luncheon—alone. Leslie told me Wednesday that something important had come up and she wouldn't be able to make it, but would I still go? "Ummm, yeah," I said. "I can do that." So Thursday came around and off I went. How bad could it be? I, the introvert, just had to go, eat, and socialize with 100 people that I didn't know. No problem!

I arrived a few minutes late. When I walked in, people were seated. I was directed to a table in the corner ... a very empty table. All of the chairs were propped up on their front legs and leaning against the table ... you know the universal sign that tells you, "Don't sit here." "Oh," I thought, "just my luck." The only thing worse than hanging with a bunch of people I don't know is having to sit all ALONE in the midst of a bunch of people that I don't know! I spied an empty seat at another table, but when I tapped the guy in the adjacent seat on the arm and asked if that seat was taken, he told me it was. "Oh ok, I'll just sit over here then," I said. "With ALL my friends," I thought to myself.

Just as I sat down, a local pastor started praying. By the time I looked up again, I thankfully had some company. I was feeling pretty good. The MC started talking, I wasn't paying much attention though—I was still working though the nerves! But soon I hear, "I know Leslie isn't going to be here today, but is there anyone here to stand in for her?" My ears snapped to attention at the mention of a familiar name and I shyly raised my hand. "Oh great, yeah come on up here." Uh-oh. "Oh no, I am going to have to say something!!" Yes, they were introducing those who had recently decided to become "partners" of the CCC.

I went to the back of the room opposite the stage with a number of other new partners. We were asked to introduce ourselves and tell a little bit about what we do. The fact that I wasn't first gave me time to think and calm my nerves ... AGAIN! Then, way too soon, the mic was passed to me. "Hi," I said, "My name is NOT Leslie Nease and it looks like she really set me up!!" The laughter helped me get through the rest of my comments about working alongside Leslie in the SIM International Communication Department to share with the world what God is doing through SIM missionaries in the 50+ countries in which we work.

Leslie and I had a good laugh when I got back to the office. She tells me she had no idea they were going to do that ... but I'm not so sure. ;)

Just Sayin': Transparency Hijacked

2010-02-28T13:36:00.011-05:00

This is the first post in what I am planning to be a weekly series that I am calling "Just Sayin'"—if you have topics that you would like to see, let me know and I might write about them!

Transparency, transparency, transparency ... you know "they" say if you say a word over and over again it will lose it's meaning. Recently, the words "transparency" and "transparent" have lost their meaning for me, not because I am repeating them over and over, but because politicians have hijacked them and keep telling us over and over how they are conducting the country's business with "transparency."

Webster defines "transparent" as "clear enough to be seen through, readily understood, or easily detected." You may argue that "clear enough to be seen through" still has meaning ... if you are talking about an object like a piece of sheer cloth, but I have trouble these days with reconciling those meanings to the politicians that keep using the words like they're some "magic pill" that will make the public renew their trust in our government. It seems to me if one has to keep reminding people that one is being transparent, one might recognize the irony of it all—remember that pesky third definition: "easily detected"?? If one is so transparent, transparency by definition should be easy for others to detect—shouldn't it?

It's a shame really. I used to like the word "transparency." It used to mean something when you said someone is "transparent," but I'm afraid those days are gone ... at least for me. Lately I have stopped using any form of the word altogether, preferring instead to use words like authentic, honesty, integrity, genuine, or simply—real. I sure hope our politicians don't start substituting those!!

We need to take back the word and restore it's meaning, or we are going to have start to saying things like, "Oh yeah, I know her. She's really transparent ... no really!"

Am I right or wrong about this? What do you think?

Saturday Silliness

2009-11-21T15:32:00.014-05:00

Ok, ok, I know ... it was the cheesiest title that I could think of, but I've always been drawn to alliteration. *shrug*

A friend of mine shared this video on Facebook this week. It made me laugh so I thought I would share it with you. Those of you who remember Metallica's popular song "Enter Sandman" will enjoy the flashback.

P.S. Is anyone else wondering when spell check is going to start recognizing words like "Facebook," "Friending," "Tweeps," and "Twubs?" How long did it take to include blog and blogger?

(HT to DeNifty for the link)

On Blogging and Social Media ...

2009-11-01T15:53:00.004-05:00

I'm a shy person, an introvert. I typically prefer to listen to points of view, think about them for a looong time, hold them up to a Biblical worldview, and then respond.

Blogging helps me in that it forces me to take the time to process the flood of communication that comes at me like a freight train everyday. (Never mind that I haven't been writing very much, (ahem) I have been very busy:)

In case your curious, here are a handful of blogs that I follow with Google Reader:

Challies.com - in his words it's a "compendium of articles, information and book reviews. If the blog has a primary focus, it would likely be commentary on the contemporary church and its interaction with the culture around us." (I never would have come up with "compendium.")

Kevin DeYoung - Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, Kevin interacts with theology and culture as well. He is the coauthor of Why We're Not Emergent By Two Guys Who Should Be.

On a less serious note:

Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff - a satire blog that seeks to answer the question, "Does the stuff we like ever get in the way of the God we love?"

FlowerDust.net by author and speaker, Anne Jackson - a lot of good "food for thought."

Bryan Allain - he does alot of creative and funny stuff ... I haven't been following him long, so enter at your own risk :).
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I have been at my job with the SIM communications team for one year as of November 5, and although I am more used to the enormous amount of content (a couple hundred missionary newsletters each month, SIM project updates, a couple hundred blogs, and emails about a myriad of other things, to name a few ...) that comes my way, it is still a struggle to #1 keep up, #2 to filter it, and then #3 prioritize it all and publish what needs to be published.

Having said that, it is an exciting place to be also. It is a constant reminder to me of how big God is, and that he is constantly at work throughout the world ... that even amidst all of the pain and suffering, there is hope!

Facebooking and tweeting ...

Compared to Facebook and Twitter, and some blogs—not mine, a website is relatively static content. Facebooking and tweeting—two new verbs created by our social media generation (tweeting not so much created, but definitely redefined)—allow people to put out a constant stream of information. Some of it is useful and some not so much, but these interfaces can connect you with people that you don't even know who have the same interests or mission as you do.

For those of you who might be confused about Twitter, it is really more of a platform to network, connect with people that you don't know, unlike Facebook, which is set up to connect more with people that you do know. Twitter is like Facebook on steroids. As long as your account is setup as "public," anyone can "follow" your "tweets," 140 character statements that you place on your profile, and you can follow theirs.

But like I said, I am shy, so there is part of me that resists "putting my life out there" for all to see. What I am realizing though is that I do have a message that's worth putting out there—it is a message of hope. It's not about me at all. It's fundamentally about telling folks that God does love them, and secondarily it's telling them how they can get involved in bringing that hope to others. In a world where much of the news is bad news, there is GOOD news to share! If you're a Christ-follower, I especially encourage you to share it!

A word of caution ... be consistent

I have seen this happen on Facebook in particular. Someone will write an encouraging Biblical post one day, you know, a praise the Lord kind of thing, and a ridiculously sexual or sarcastic post or video the next day. I don't get that.

Be consistent in your message, whatever it is. Otherwise, it's kind of like blowing by someone on the road and maybe even giving them the finger ... the last thing they see is the "I love Jesus" bumper sticker on your car as you cruise by ... I'm just sayin'.

Seriously, our words are powerful and when you use social media, you aren't just talking to a friend or two, your talking to hundreds, if not thousands of people. It is Sunday, I have the right to a one point sermon don't I?

Kenyan Man Meets His Compassion Sponsor at Catalyst 2009

2009-10-15T13:44:00.003-04:00

This video was captured at the Catalyst 2009 Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, last week. Jimmy Wambua, now an MBI student, shares his story and meets the man who sponsored him through Compassion International when he was a small child living in a Kenyan slum. Very powerful. HT to Bryan Allain, who was there, and posted this on his blog.

It is a bit long, but Jimmy shares at 3:45 so if you don't watch it all, please watch from there. You won't be sorry!

Exercising by Osmosis

2009-09-25T18:26:00.004-04:00

Today was "Casual Friday" at the workplace, which means that we not only get to wear jeans and tennis shoes, but those who want to can chip in on a community lunch, and we all gather together on the big porch out back to eat and enjoy spending some time together.

After a nice meal of sub sandwiches and chips, and just before the brownie Sunday dessert was placed on the serving table, the ladies at my table began to talk—as invariably a group of women will do—about weight-loss and working out. So I shared my story.

So there's this thing that I do ... not every weekend, but it happens more than I would care to admit. I get up on Saturday mornings and putz around the house, checking my email and Facebook accounts to see what I have missed, and then often I will go in and turn on the TV and flip through the channels as I wake up for the day. That doesn't sound so bad, but the interesting part is ... I always seem to land on one of those infomercials for the latest workout program, which I will sit in my recliner and watch for a good 30 minutes—with no thought about how useless it is! I mean truly, it is like I think that if I sit and watch someone else work out, I can be proud that I started my day with "a workout" ... sure, not mine maybe, but it's a workout! Right?!

After the laughter died down, one of my coworkers confessed that she has done the same thing! She said when she lived in Ethiopia a few years ago, she would actually go and put in a video of Jane Fonda, and then proceed to do other things around the house. Why would she do that you ask? "Because," she said, "I liked to hear Jane tell me 'well done' at the end of the video!" Hilarious!

I don't know which confession is more pathetic, but I have to admit that it made me feel good that I am not the only one who does such things. What about you? Do you ever exercise by osmosis?

Hmmm ... tomorrow is Saturday again, what will I do? ;D

Wordless Wednesday ... Revelation Song - Phillips, Craig, & Dean

2009-08-26T09:42:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-19T20:04:00.002-04:00

This song always reminds me of Mizoram, India ...

Find out more about this "child prodigy," Sungha Jung

Is Legislation the Answer?

2009-08-18T20:12:00.008-04:00

I read an article today by a guy who almost got ran over by a driver who was texting while driving. Many states are now implementing laws against this, but as I read his story it seemed to beg the question: Do we really need lawmakers to tell us that this kind of thing is dangerous?

Just to be perfectly clear I am not saying that this is a bad law to adopt. My point is that any thinking person knows this is very risky—to allow yourself this kind of frivolous distraction while driving is asking for trouble. (Confession: I have done this too, knowing that it was a really stupid thing to do!) So, if we are "educated" and "common sensible" enough to know this, why do so many people still do it??

I see it everyday on my way to and from work. I'm beside of or just behind someone, traveling at around 70 miles per hour, and all of the sudden they begin to share my lane, or they brake because they realize that all of the sudden they are "on top of" the person in front of them. We've all seen it. You can tell when you pass them—they aren't looking at the road when you pass them ... they glance up and then back down, looking down for much longer than is advisable. They are distracted and they pose a huge threat to the safety of everyone traveling within a mile of them—atleast! You know that on the Interstate cars can pile up quickly. So is the answer to add another law to the books?

It seems that Americans put alot of faith in education and subsequent laws based on what we know to change people's behavior. Does it really work? If the above scenario weren't enough, we have the examples of education and laws on sex, drugs, cheating, steroids, and alcohol, just to name a few things that we are constantly trying to steer the next generation of kids to stay away from that don't seem to be working. In Africa right now, there is, and has been, a huge push to "educate" people about how HIV and AIDS is transmitted in hopes that they will stop some of the practices that have contributed to rapidly spreading the disease. For example, there are those in South Africa that believe if HIV infected men have sex with virgins they will be cured from the virus. (So you know I am not making this up, here is one example. You can Google search and find many more!)

Education and laws are not bad things. That is not what I am saying, but I think that education and subsequent legislation are not "the" answer. If you have read this blog at all, you won't be surprised that I think, correction—I know, that the only real hope that we have to "do the right thing" is a relationship with Jesus. Granted, even those of us who have one still mess things up, but without an understanding of God's love for us, we are particularly helpless to apply the truth that we already know.

I have heard the saying time and time again, "If they (he, she) only knew better, they would do better!" I suppose that is why we have so many laws. They are supposedly designed to educate people what is right and wrong, and penalize people who do "wrong" so they won't do it again. The problem is ... it doesn't work. Governments make laws and people like you and me figure out how we can "get around them," or more to the point—break them. We are arrogant ... we all think, at least at times, that "it (the accident, the addiction, the STD) won't happen to me."

We don't necessarily need more legislation ... we need Jesus. We need to take responsibility for our actions, confess our sins, apologize, and repent—turn from being "law breakers" to living in a way that honors a holy God, and in a way that honors those with whom we interact. I believe the only way we can do that successfully is to acknowledge Jesus and walk the way that he walked.

Is education a bad thing? NO. Is legislation that is designed to protect us bad? Normally, no. But these things in and of themselves just deal with the symptoms of a sinful heart. Jesus is the only one who can cleanse the heart and give us a clear conscious that allows us to "do the right thing."

New blog: Michelle Pack Photography

2009-08-16T18:29:00.002-04:00

This new blog will be all about my favorite photos that I have taken as I have traveled "hither and yon," as well as the new images that I will capture with my new DSLR camera! I hope you will enjoy this new site. If you like what you see, leave some "comment love," as my friend Chris calls it! ;D

"Let the little children come to me ..."

2009-08-02T16:56:00.003-04:00

Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mark 10:14)

During the worship time this morning in church I had the privilege of sitting between two of my nephews. On my right, Christopher and on my left, Isaac—who was more eager to run off to his Sunday school class than he was about singing. ;D

As we were singing this little voice from my right drifted to my ear ... it was beautiful. It was the sound of Christopher, 10-years-old, worshiping God. Not just singing ... worshiping. As he sang along, he was moving his arms around and clapping, and his feet were moving ... and in that moment a part of me envied his freedom even as I rejoiced inside that he had it.

God calls us to have a child-like faith and I don't take that to mean that it's immature in any way, exactly the opposite actually—to trust him like small children trust that their parents know what is best for them, and long to protect them and give them only what is best for them.

When did I lose my child-like faith? I can hardly remember a time when I wasn't concerned about what other people thought of me ... oh to be so secure in God's love that I would be able to worship freely among the body of Christ, and even more that I would trust him fully as I live out each day that he gives me!

Thank you God for teaching me through a child today.

What does love look like?

2009-07-17T18:55:00.001-04:00

Do you have to compromise truth to really love the "unlovable"? Where does the concept of truth enter in?

We live in a society that is appalled when, as Christians, we dare to call certain lifestyles and activities sinful. And we live in a time when many Christians get angry, really angry, at people who give a hearing those living in less than desirable lifestyles. It seems to me that we are living in a world where truth and love are at odds with each other instead of working in harmony together as they do throughout the Bible.

I will admit that I have stood mostly in the second camp. I think it's mostly because of the way that our political parties have become polarized and discussed in the media. Both sides use the tone of fighting a war to make their points, and in war, you fight for one side or the other ... if you stand in the middle, you die (unless somehow you can embody the political genius of Switzerland!)

I know a guy, well, that is a homosexual. And anytime I spend time with him, I struggle with this issue. If he was on TV and I didn't know him, I would probably find myself using some less than godly language to express my opinion of his lifestyle. But I don't ... because I love him, and I am in relationship with him.

That is the odd thing about dealing with homosexuality, abortion, racism, etc. I have strong feelings and opinions, and I would argue, Biblical truth that shows us what is wrong about these issues. But when I am in relationships with people who are suffering from any of these issues—either by choice or whatever reason—it doesn't really matter, I don't tell them they are pathetic losers. I tend to see them instead with eyes of compassion ... like Jesus does. So it looks something like this for me: no relationship, no love, but all truth; if we have a relationship, it's love and empathy, with doses of truth as I feel that I have the opening to share.

It's like the political talking points these days have in some way robbed us of talking about love ... in order to be in the battle we must speak truth! Why should they be separate? The Bible says "God's word is truth", "God is love", and that we are to love in spirit and in truth—God doesn't see the need to separate the two concepts.

I read this great article today in Christianity Today online by Brandon O'Brien where he recounts his struggle to love a student that really annoyed him in the classroom. My blog is called "Image Bearer" taken from the Latin imago dei, and in his article, Brandon artfully discusses what that means and how his understanding of what an image bearer is helped him learn how to love this boy. It's worth the read for those of you who struggle with how to relate to the seemingly "unlovable."

Lastly, I just want to reflect a moment on God's love towards me. I love that verse in Romans 5:8 that states "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." As I continue to grapple with the complexities of sin and the rationalizations for it in our world today, I am mindful of the fact that, as Paul said, I am the worst of sinners. I don't deserve grace any more or any less than the people that I mentioned earlier. None of us do.

So do I think I have to compromise truth to really love people? No, I don't. Jesus never did that. I think it is easy to spout out the truth, but it is hard to really love people ... not impossible, but hard. As image bearers of God, we are to love as God loves ...

Girls Weekend

2009-06-29T13:00:00.001-04:00

This weekend I had the opportunity to go away with three of my closest friends. We went to Rutherfordton, NC to a place called Promise Land Farm. The couple who own the place decided to use their land to provide a free refuge for missionaries, pastors and others who serve in full-time ministry.

We aren't able to get together much, the four of us, in fact I think the last time we got together for a weekend away was about ten years ago. Just for fun here are a couple of photos from that trip ...

One of the funnest things about getting together with these ladies, for me at least, is that we relive the memories of the past. We have some really funny memories that we revisit every time we get together! Rachel and Jennie are the planners and Christabel and I are the "fly by the seat of our pants" people—with the exception that I really like maps. I don't care where we are going, but I like to know how to get there!

Jennie by far is the most entertaining and gives us the most "material" which Christabel especially enjoys exploiting with her infectious laugh. Christabel is by far the most dramatic—this time it was a lizard running right at her as she was walking up a hill—I am sure that she caught air, and she screamed so loud that some passers-by stopped to laugh with us! I wish I had that on tape!! Rachel and I play the victim when we do something laughable ... "What?!? What I meant was ..." We try to explain it away, but the more we explain, the funnier it gets. Laughter ... it bonds us together in friendship.

These three ladies have been the most influential friends in my life. I am at a loss when I think about what life would have been like without them ... thankfully I don't have to know! I am an introvert, so I rejuvenate when I am alone usually ... but after 24 hours or so with this group I feel rejuvenated—like one of God's perfect blessings has been showered on me. It's so cool! I thank God for each one of them.

Here we are together on Sunday at Jennie's mom's house, wearing our new shirts on which Judi, Jen's mom and our friend, embroidered "Girls Out '09" with our name underneath.

Blast from the past ... Ethiopian style

2009-06-18T18:40:00.004-04:00

From Jan '06 until March '08, I had the amazing privilege to work as an audio recording technician with the Jesus Film Project. The Jesus Film, which is the most widely translated film in history at over 1,000 languages and counting, is still being used today to tell people about Jesus in their "heart language"—even in some of the most remote places on earth.

The following story is one that I wrote after my first recording trip, in southern Ethiopia, and it remains etched in my memory as one of the most significant and rewarding experiences that I have ever had. It was in this moment that I began to really, experientially understand what it means to be a part of God's mission. I thought you might enjoy reliving it with me ...

It was a chilly, overcast evening. The rains had come a few hours before ... leaving the dirt roads slippery and muddy, and the potholes filled with water. As we followed the Jesus film workers’ truck up and down the town road in our van, Ethiopian children began to chase us. Their faces filled with joy every time the camera flashed—yeah! Again! Again!

After announcing the film in the streets, we reached the field that would be our theater for the next two hours. We set up the screen and projector, the crowd gathered, and we waited.

As the darkness fell over us, the unmistakable sound of the reel to reel projector began, and the still growing crowd settled in to watch. Not understanding the dialogue on the screen (it was all in Sidamo), I sat facing the crowd—more interested in their reactions to the film than in the film itself.

As Jesus’ life was played out on screen, responses in the crowd suggested that they were amazed by his miracles, his healing touch and his teaching. When it came time for Jesus’ betrayal, trial and ultimately his crucifixion, people groaned, some cried, and most stared up at the screen with looks of disbelief on their faces.

The film worker stopped the projector and picked up the microphone ... the image of Jesus on the cross was still on the big double-sided screen as he explained to them in Sidamo why this righteous man chose to die for them. Then, he asked them to make a decision—would they accept Jesus’ gift of salvation and begin a relationship with Him?

At his invitation, people began to move out of the crowd to the other side of the screen—they knelt down and raised their hands in the air ... many bowed down laying their faces on the wet grass.

I witnessed it all through tears—a prayer of salvation over the loud-speaker, postures of complete submission and prayers of acceptance, and 100
new followers of Jesus Christ were born in that moment!

After a few quiet moments, the film began again and continued to Jesus’ resurrection—seeing Him alive again, they cheered, clapped, and danced with praise and thanks to God, and so did we!

Let's continue to build the kingdom of God together ...

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-05-27T18:12:00.002-04:00

I have to admit that I was skeptical at first when I saw the trailer for the movie Slumdog Millionaire. For whatever reason, I thought it was going to be shallow,"westernized" if you will, but after hearing from several friends that it was great, I decided it would be worth watching.

I was right, in fact, it may be too real for some. It's raw, it's heart-wrenching, and it's real. The "slumdogs" are real. I have seen them ... playing on burning heaps of trash, maimed and wandering in the streets, out working the streets to make a few rupees so they can eat that day.

There's a scene where Jamal, the main character, is caught for playing "tour guide" to an American couple. After they stop the cop from beating him, he shouts, "You wanted to see the real India, here it is!" and then they show him a bit of the "real America" and give him $100 bill. It's an interesting scene. When we, Westerners, encounter such a vast scene of poverty and suffering, we somehow think that we can help solve the problems, or at least stop the bleeding, by handing over some money. And it's not that giving money is a bad thing necessarily, but ultimately it is only a band-aid for a gun shot wound.

I was really surprised and happy to read a recent BBC report that the director of the movie, Danny Boyle, has created a trust fund to benefit the child actors that starred in the movie. But, even more significant are the projects that organizations like SIM, OM International, and Samaritan's Purse (just to name a few) are involved in that help these kids in a holistic manner—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—providing a complete view of hope, and usable tools that will develop them for the future.

Impact

2009-05-25T10:31:00.002-04:00

One of the most significant lies that runs around my head is 'you really have little or no impact at all.' Self-talk can be a really immobilizing and devastating conversation ... especially if you don't know how to stop it.

My pastors just finished preaching through the book of Colossians—the key verse being "So then just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him ..."(2:6) "Walk it out" ... that was the title of the series of messages.

I think we all feel insignificant at one time or another, but I have been thinking about what a lie it is to actually believe that, when God tells us the exact opposite—"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared for us in advance to do."(Eph 2:10)

Pastor Derrick has placed a mantra in my head over the last several weeks ... "head, heart, hands" he likes to say, and it's true. I am realizing, yet again, the significance of knowing what God's word says. It is the only way that I can fend off the negative self-talk that invades my mind. I can't tell myself what a good person I am, because I know the truth. That doesn't work. But I find that when I take the time to read and contemplate all that my Maker says about me, those voices in my head grow faint and I can see more clearly. It's a freeing concept. Merely changing my behavior without changing the way I think has little or no impact for Christ, but by knowing God's truth and relinquishing control (or appropriating that truth), God will do more through me than I could ever ask or imagine—that is GOOD NEWS!

Yesterday, at the end of the service, this vision popped into my head of being "surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses"(Hebrews 12:1) and I thought about who those people really are for me on a personal level ... who have been witnesses for Christ in my life—my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, people I've worked with, church elders, etc—a lot of people have spoken truth into my life.

And I realize that everywhere I go, I have an opportunity to do the same. Sometimes I think about heaven, that God will have a video of my life (I am sure I heard that in a sermon) and what would it look like? Whose "cloud of witnesses" will I be a part of? I think it's probably bigger than I allow myself to believe on a daily basis.

I am sure that none of the "heroes of the faith" spoken about in Hebrews knew the impact that they would have for the kingdom as one man or one woman—but each one chose to "walk it out." The walked, they fell down, and they got back up and walked some more ... and by God's strength I can walk too.

If you haven't seen this video already, I encourage you to watch it now. It's called "God's Chisel" and it is done by "The Skit Guys."

"D&J" Friendships

2009-04-05T20:00:00.001-04:00

You might be asking yourself, "What in the world are D&J friendships?!" Well, read on my friend ...

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. (1 Samuel 18:1-4)

Wow! Do you have friends like that? Are you a friend like that?

I have a few friendships that embody the "David and Jonathan friendship" model ... not many, I can count them on one hand for sure, but those few that I have are surely a gift to me. I am writing this in part to honor them ... to thank God for them. I am not going to call them out because they know who they are ... this one is for you guys.

People who know me well, know that I like to take things slowly ... very, very slowly. (I may be cautious to a fault actually). These D&J friendships didn't happen overnight. They began in my early 20's ... and I think the reason that they have lasted until now is largely due to the fact that we have a common faith in Christ. The differences between us are glaringly bright at times—the words we use, our sense of humor, or lack thereof in certain situations:), where we were raised, where we are now, our marital status, kids, jobs, interests, hobbies, the list could go on and on. But God, in his grace, has bound us together like David and Jonathan.

I was talking to a D&J friend about this the other day and it made me think about practically how it works—because I am also hopelessly practical! But in the process of thinking this through, what was it about David that made Jonathan "love him as he loved himself"? Here is Jonathan, King Saul's son, rightful heir to the throne by his very birth, and he becomes fast friends with David, who was chosen, not by birthright but by God, to be the next King. That meant that Jonathan would not take his rightful place on the throne as the king of Israel ... and he was ok with that! And not only was he ok with it, he gave David his "soldier clothes"—his robe, tunic, sword, bow and belt. He was more than ok with it, he was going to be sure that he did his part to make it happen! (Some of this is revealed later in 1 Samuel 23). Wow! But why? I think Scripture is pretty clear as you read the whole account that Jonathan's deep, committed faith in God was the foundation that he needed to be a faithful friend to David and vice-versa.

As I reflect on my own D&J relationships, I see the same principles at work ... commitment—to God and his word, to serving rather than being served, to being honest even when it's difficult, to know and to be known even when it's scary, to confront, to encourage, and to forgive when things go bad ... this is what ultimately defines a true D&J friendship and it also defines Jesus and his friendship with us.

I am thankful for my D&J friends who walk out their faith in Christ and point me back to him when I need it the most. God has used them in immeasurable ways in my life ... and I am thankful.

"God"

2009-04-04T00:12:00.004-04:00

by Phillip Loss

This was written by my Uncle Phil. He accepted Christ just over 2 years ago and is now very active in his church—Forest Hill-Rock Hill. He wrote this moving piece after reading Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. Enjoy ...

Here I am lying in this hospital bed trying to piece together what happened. I remember my best friend and I were talking about the existence of God. He got distracted and ran a red light. According to the doctor, that was five years ago. He said we were T-boned by an eighteen wheeler when my buddy ran the light. Then he dropped a real bomb; my buddy was not so lucky. He died instantly. What bothers me the most is that I remember the last part of the conversation like it just happened.

“Look man,” he said. “You’ve been sold a bill of goods. Can’t you see that all this business about heaven and hell is just a way to control people? I don’t believe there is a God.”

“C S Lewis didn’t either,” I said. “So he set out to prove it and came up with the opposite conclusion. He felt like everything pointed to the existence of God, rather than the lack of a God.”

“I don’t have any idea who C S Lewis is,” he replied. “But it’s obvious that you and ole CS have both been smoking the same thing. There is no God. Period. Besides, even if there were a God, I wouldn’t want to know him. Anyone that would let all the pain and suffering continue in this world is not worthy of my acceptance.”

My mind was reeling. Did he really mean those last two lines? Can it really be over just like that with no chance to recant? I can’t bear to think what he must be going through after such a thorough renunciation of God.

__________________________

I can’t be dead. The grave isn’t supposed to be like this. Nothing that so called “group of friends” told me even comes close to fitting.

“Your friend has been pulling your leg,” they said. “He really doesn’t believe there’s a God. He’s just trying to control you like the rest of those religious nuts. There is no God, and he knows it. No heaven. No hell. When you die, it’s just lights out. There’s no feeling what-so-ever. You just go on the long dirt nap. It’s just the end man. Since there’s no God, there’s no judgment. So eat, drink and be merry. Make your own rules. It’s all yours for the taking.”

Talk about being sold a bill of goods. I can’t believe I bought that crap; hook, line and sinker. I don’t know if that was God I saw just before I was sent here, but I do know there was a judgment. The funny thing is that it really wasn’t harsh; it was just mater of fact. I was just confronted by what I had done and said. My last line was particularly damning: “If God exists, He is not worthy of my acceptance.”

So here I am (wherever that is). Well, they were certainly right about one thing. There is no God here. At my judgment, I was pretty much told that since I didn’t want to accept God, He was not about to force me to. I was about to say I had changed my mind when the lights really went out. For good. Inky black with a deafening silence. And I ended up here. Oh I can see and hear just fine, but I’m limited to this plot-less movie of my past that just keeps running over and over in my mind. I can’t make it stop. Hey guys, you may want to listen up; this just may be the hell you convinced me did not exist. You absolutely do not want to come here.

As for the long dirt nap, what a bunch of bull. I’d give anything for the peace and quiet of a good nap. Just to be able to pull the plug on the terrible thoughts that keep running through my ever active mind. We use to joke about sleep deprivation being torture. Well that would be a cake walk compared to all the sleep I’ve been losing. Too bad you guys can’t hear me. Misery loves company, but I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.

“No feeling what-so-ever,” you said. Well I got news for you guys. There’s plenty of feeling, and it’s all bad. That movie continues to run with all the bad things I ever did. No matter what I do, I can’t make it stop. It dominates my mind and pushes out everything else. I just get to remember how bad I screwed up.

“The end,” you said. Yea, right! There’s no way this feels anything like the end. It seems like I’ve been here forever, but somehow I know it’s just the beginning. And I know I’ll never get another chance to try any other way. You guys may still have the chance to do it the other way and reach out to God, but I have no way of reaching back and letting you know your choice, whatever it is, will be final. I have no way to tell you that you’re heading straight for the hell you think does not exist.

A Call to Worship

2009-04-01T17:47:00.013-04:00

I am really excited! My best friend of 15 years is finally launching her website to promote her music and to secure concert bookings once again!

I have known a handful of really talented people in my life and Christabel is definitely one of those people. Over the last couple of years, God has really inspired both her lyrics and her music. But even back when I first met her, God was using her magnetic personality and awesome talent to bring glory to his name. Christabel was performing on stage way before I met her, in fact, by the time I met her she had already been dubbed "Professional Singer From the USA" in her hometown of Mizoram, India, and she had shared the stage at Disney World with a few recognized artists of the 80's and 90's. You can read more about this in the "About Me" section of her website.

It has been a privilege through the years to see how God has shaped and developed Christabel's talent. I had the opportunity to work in ministry alongside her in recent years. She led worship at Manchester Creek Community Church in SC, and I served with her there as the sound technician for 5 years or so. It was great to be part of that team with such a gifted and committed leader in place. I am sure I will never forget those years—they were some of the best that I've had so far.

Christabel has always had an incredible voice, but now to be able to hear her perform the music she has composed and the words that she has written ... it leaves me with a sense of awe. It's compelling, it's authentic, it's worship-inspiring, and it's such a beautiful picture of her own journey with God ... it really is a call to worship. Go and check it out for yourself!

I have placed a permanent link to the bottom of my blog also, so you can find her site again easily, but I encourage you to bookmark it and check back often for new music—you definitely won't be disappointed!

It was a Drive-By Fruiting

2009-03-19T18:54:00.006-04:00

"It was a drive-by fruiting!" This is what popped in my head as I settled into bed last night. The line comes from the hit movie "Mrs. Doubtfire" back in the early 90's. (Ok, I know, but I can't help it, the movie lines just pop in my head!) Anyway, Robin Williams, dressed like a woman, has worked his way back into the lives of his estranged wife and his children by posing as the perfect nanny. Meanwhile, his wife is dating Pierce Brosnan. At some point they all go out to a country club together and Mrs. Doubtfire throws a piece of fruit hitting Pierce in the back of the head. Pierce turns and looks at "her" and she says, "It was a drive-by fruiting!"

I was thinking about the post I had just written. I posed the question in that post, why doesn't God wait until we are married to give us the sexual desires ... and that got me thinking about fruit, the spiritual kind. The Galatians 5 kind ... love, joy peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, and self-control. Self-control and patience, or perseverance if you prefer—that is why he doesn't wait. God wants to develop these qualities in his children.

It's so cool to me how God will just speak something into my life—seemingly out of the blue and right when I need it. God is good.

Adult Singles and Sex

2009-03-18T21:22:00.007-04:00

Yep, you read the title right. If you're really scared you can leave now ... but I have a feeling that most of you will hang in there to find out what's up. And by the way, I do realize that this is very public. My family, my friends, my boss, my work friends can all read this ... but you know what? ... I have decided to write about it anyway, because the whole world is talking about sex—everyone but Christians. We need to have some Christian voices, and more importantly God's truth, in the conversation. After all, God invented it and gave it as a gift. So, I think that we should talk about it responsibly. And this is how I am choosing to "talk" about it. So, here goes ...

Being a single thirty-something has it's challenges—either you already know this, because you are a single adult, or you can imagine as a married person—you were single once too.

Anyway, from time to time in my adult life I go through periods where I really struggle about the whole sex issue and my feeling is that the church-at-large doesn't know how to deal with it, or is too embarrassed to do so. I can count on one hand the sermons that I have heard that deal with this issue, and the ones that I have heard basically go something like this ... If you're single, God says, "Don't do it!" Duh, ok that's news.

I mean seriously ... that, in and of itself, is not helpful! I already know that. I am committed to that. But being single doesn't take away the natural desire to have sex, so what do we do with those desires? And why does God give us those desires if we are not married? I mean, couldn't he have waited? Like say, I don't know, on the wedding night maybe throwing sexual desire in the mix?! BAM! That would be awesome! But he doesn't do it that way.

So, I am going somewhere with all of this ... so I have actually looked for, and found, some really good and helpful teaching on the Internet! My latest find has been Mark Driscoll's series called the "Peasant Princess" and it has been really awesome!

He taught through the Song of Songs late last year and he has put the whole series on the Internet for the world to see. If you haven't heard of him, let me fill you in a little bit. He is a pastor at Mars Hill Church, in Seattle, Washington, and by his own account, it is one of the least "churched" cities in America today. The congregation there is mostly twenty-somethings and mostly single. If you want to preach to a tough crowd, this is it. And not only does he preach God's word, he takes live text-message questions at the end of each session and answers them on the spot with his wife. Can you say uncomfortable?! He also has a number of Q&A posted on youtube.

I would encourage all of you, any of you, single or married, to take the time to watch this series. If your married, try to watch it with your spouse.

As a single who is committed to live in purity, this has been another great season of reminder. It reminds me that sex God's way is good, not perverted and twisted like it is on tv, on billboards, in movies, or in magazines—and just let me clarify that I am talking about productions and publications that regular people come in contact with everyday. It's like a refresher course on the Theology of Sex 101. God made it, he gave it as a gift to heterosexual couples in marriage, it is meant to be enjoyed, and it should promote unity and oneness in marriage.

Does the reminder solve all of my personal frustrations or take away the desire? No, but it does help in that it reminds me how good God is, that he knows what I need, that Jesus was also tempted in every way, and yet did not sin. It renews my will to wait on God and trust what he says is best for me.

I know that I am not the only one who struggles with this, and I know getting married doesn't solve all of the issues—marriage is another whole subject for another blog! So I hope for those of you who are genuinely trying to live as "image bearers," as I am, that this is as encouraging to you as it is to me. We can live in victory!

I would love to hear thoughts and comments about what you think. I have really put myself out here, but I think the cause is worthy. This debate, if it continues to go on without God's voice, well ... I hate to think where it will go from here.

Birthday Weekend and ...

2009-03-09T20:31:00.007-04:00

So today is the big day, but the celebrations started on Sat. I went to lunch with Aunt Jo and Uncle Phil (actually, they kindly took me to lunch), and my mom too. The temps were close to 80 here this weekend, after having 6 inches of snow last Mon morning, so we sat outside and had a leisure lunch and great conversation.

On Sunday, my little "Chinese sister";) cooked a beautiful Indian curry and some daal (lentil soup), and invited a few good friends and my parents over. (I never know who to expect over there, so it was a fun surprise!) It was so relaxing and nice. All of the kids played together really well—they almost outnumbered the adults!—and we all got some good "hang out" time in. It was a huge blessing!

Today, I met with some friends and my dear, sweet mom for lunch. I walked back to work from the restaurant, and then had a nice walk later in the afternoon with one of the volunteers who comes and helps me out at work. She and I have gone to lunch a number of times now and I really appreciate not just her work, but her friendship too.

I am excited about my 36th year of life. I look forward to what life has in store for the next year—even in the face of the financial crisis (the SIM leadership team is reviewing my whole office to make budget cuts for the next fiscal year even as I write this!)—because I know that God is faithful.

One of the things that Pastor Scott said on Sunday was that the hope of the Christian is different—it's not like "hoping that it doesn't rain"—it's a hope that is based on the person and work of Jesus. It's a sure thing! As believers we do know "the rest of the story"—and we don't need Paul Harvey to tell us what it is! We just need to believe what God says in his Word!!

I don't have the exact numbers, but one of our financial officer's at work, who was leading our chapel a week ago, gave us the percentages for the increases in giving from 1929—the Great Depression—up through the next 10-15 years—and do you know what?? The giving to SIM went up every year—even in 1929! And it was the 2nd or 3rd year that it was up nearly double!!

But regardless, God does have a plan for his children. It doesn't matter what you do or where you work; it doesn't matter whether you raise your support or whether you get paid by an employer—God's economy is different, and he will never need the federal government to bail him out!

So, just an encouragement not to get all caught up in the doom and gloom of the media on either side. Be wise, be faithful, continue giving ... because there is plenty in God's storehouse to cover your every need.

Making New Connections

2009-03-06T10:50:00.001-05:00

It's been a couple of years since I have been involved regularly in a church. My 2 years with the JESUS Film really kept me on the move, and last fall I decided that I should change churches altogether ... a tough decision, but I still believe that it was the right one.

Last night I went to my first "house gathering" which is the small group ministry of the Gathering Fort Mill. It was great to hang out at a church function again with like-minded people. I am looking forward to getting to know them better—studying the Word, serving, and having some "just for fun" times too.

Being an introvert, sometimes I find myself wondering if community is really that important ... then I end up spending a ton of time by myself and the answer becomes clearer. God did create us for community—to encourage one another, to challenge one another, and to share each other's burdens through praying and helping out where we can.

I am thankful for the church ... and for the wider community of believer's that God has placed in my life. It's time for me to get off my butt and start serving again, so here I go ...

Reflections ...

2009-03-03T21:03:00.000-05:00

In less than a week, I am turning 35—I can hardly believe it, although I have to admit I am starting to feel it. As I was growing up, my parents used to say something like "The older you get, the faster the time goes." I didn’t believe them at all then, but I know now just how right they were! All I need to do to confirm the old adage is to look at how big my nephews and nieces are getting! Man, my parents must feel really old sometimes when they look at me!!

Anyway, I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more birthdays become a time for reflection. I can honestly say I don’t have any glaring regrets, and more importantly, I can clearly see the hand of God in my life. Even before I came to know him as my Savior, I had a distinct feeling that he had “picked me” to be a part of his team! Cool huh? But since then, what a ride!

The last year has been particularly interesting, as I have tried to settle back into a more “normal” life in SC. After spending ’06 and ’07 in FL, and all over the rest of the world, it has been kind of weird that I have been in one place for the last year. I moved back to SC one year ago as of March 1, 2009, and I have to confess that things are much different one year later than I would have ever imagined them to be. To tell the truth, I didn't really know what to expect.

There was a time—in the not too distant past—when I thought that all I would ever do really well was something in construction. I still enjoy working with my hands, but my knees and back thank me that I don’t have to:).

I have a great job—Web Content Editor for www.sim.org—that I really enjoy, and that pushes my present abilities to the limit more days than not. Trying to express in words what God is doing on the other side of the world is less easy when you are not a “front-line” observer. But I enjoy the new challenges that my job brings, and in a time where so many people are either jobless or afraid of losing their jobs, it feels good to work for a Christian organization that is doing everything it can to keep people working.

As I look back I can see how God has orchestrated my life to bring me to this point—a supportive family, solid Christian friends, a Bible-based church, experiencing the broader world through traveling, and getting to know and work with people from very different cultures than my own—it’s really cool to see how everything has had meaning and significance, and shapes my life today.

As I go forward, I hope turning 35 will not only be a reminder of what God has done, but that it will also be an impetus for me to move forward like he is not finished with me yet!

A Whole New World

2009-03-02T15:20:00.002-05:00

My guess is that most of you have noticed that we live in a "new world" now. Instant communication through Skype, email, blogging, video conferences, Twitter, and something called "tiny url's"—a myriad of ways to "keep in touch." So, in my attempt to step into the 21st century and to communicate more effectively, finally, I have started a blog.

"Image Bearer" is primarily for friends and family who want to hear about what's going on in my life, but I hope that anyone who stumbles onto it, regardless of their spiritual bent, will get a taste of what being a follower of Christ is all about. To that end, this will not mainly be "daily diary" style, but will hopefully go a bit deeper. Anyway, if you have found this, I hope you find some things that encourage and strengthen you for your own journey.

Stay tuned for more ...