Posts
Sunday, August 16, 2009
New blog: Michelle Pack Photography
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
Sunday, August 2, 2009
"Let the little children come to me ..."
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.
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.
Friday, July 17, 2009
What does love look like?
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 ...
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 ...
Monday, June 29, 2009
Girls Weekend
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.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Blast from the past ... Ethiopian style
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 ...
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 ...
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