I read this in a book called “Experiential Storytelling” by Mark Miller:
“What if we were to take our message and begin speaking the language of the natives? Instead of telling people Jesus is the light of the world, what if we showed them the stark difference between light and darkness?
What if we removed all the argumentative language, replaced it with beautiful narratives, and let people feel the power of the story? Instead of trying to convince people to accept a list of spiritual laws, how about placing individuals in the story, allowing them to learn and interact with God’s character? What if we told our story in a holistic manner engaging all of the God-given senses? What if...?”
I had to re-read that paragraph a few times. It was very powerful to me. Telling people about Jesus is so powerful and such an important part of pushing God’s kingdom forward. But when you match up telling people, with showing people, I think the impact you make is so much greater.
But as I read that paragraph over again, I could not help but ask how many Christians are able to show the world “the stark difference between light and dark?” Do we even know how stark of a difference it really is? How are we really able to speak in beautiful narratives...in a way that people can feel the power of the story?
I know this is really basic, but it all comes down to knowing and understanding the word of God. We can try as hard as we can to learn the “lingo” of our time and read book after book about all the different cultures in our midst, but if we do not have a love for God’s word, how can we possible tell the Story to those we encounter as if it were real?
I love to read, it does not really matter the genre, but something different happens to me when I read God’s word. I cannot even compare my experience to reading any normal book to my experience of reading the scriptures. The bible is so alive to me. It is almost like a living, breathing organism. As I read different passages of scripture I feel drawn into the stories, into the lives of the men who were used to write the passages. As I read the Gospels, I imagine myself following Jesus around and sitting at his feet, hearing his teaching. I play out the battle scenes and stories in my head like I was watching them in a movie theater. As I read God’s word my heart is captivated and my soul feels so charged, at home, at rest.
We need to speak the language of the natives. Do you know what they want? They want to hear something authentic. Something real. Its time for us to engage the Story with all of our God-given senses. Its time for to fall passionately in-love with God so we can stop talking about God and start talking like we know Him.
So...question for those who want to share. Do you remember a time when reading God’s word shifted from a “to-do” to something that you were passionate about?
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
The comments from the last post really stirred my heart and mind. I would like to comment on several things said...
Starting with David’s comments. I love that scripture in James, “Pure and Undefiled Religion is this...” I believe with my whole heart that we are called to go and do everything within our means to impact this world for eternity. We cannot leave the job to someone else—God has entrusted it to each of us who desire to follow Him.
It isn’t about “doing” just for the sake of “doing.” It is about living a life devoted to something much greater and more important then “self.” The comment was made that people get busy with church. I love what Dennis (my dad) said in his comment: “Let's not be busy for the sake of business. Let's rather make sure our lives have significance because we are pouring them into the lives of others and reaching the lost with the awesome good news.” Isn’t that what it all comes down to? Are we going to live a life gratifying and fulfilling the desires of “self” or are we going to spend our lives spreading the Gospel?
Here is what it all boils down to for me:
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21
So is it this “must do” approach just part of the “rich and powerful” American mindset? I don’t believe it is. I think that mindset is evident in Christ as He walked His final days on earth. I do not believe that God would have provided a Savior for our souls if in His heart He did not have the “must do” mindset. He loved us so much, that no matter the cost...He was going to give each of us an opportunity to spend eternity with Him. As each of us makes a decision to follow in Christ’s steps we must also choose the same. The more we fall in-love with our Lord, the more we will fall in love for His children. As we “have the mind of Christ Jesus” take shape within our own minds...we will begin to have a deeper and clearer understanding that there is no other option then to offer the Truth to this world, no matter the cost is to self.
I also understand what Madcupmum was saying about the Gate. I think you were saying that Christ is the one who will guide us, like a shepherd gently guides his sheep, through the gate. If the “break down the door” analogy seems too harsh, then the other analogy works just as well. (Just to clarify things...that analogy was never meant to mean we should go Westernize the world...that is the last thing we should do. It just means that whatever barriers exist that we are capable of removing by us being pliable and flexible...then lets move them).
What do you think it is about the shepherd that causes the sheep to trust him? I read once that a shepherd touches each and every sheep as he enters his gate each night and speaks to the sheep. That is why the sheep recognize and now the voice of their master. It is his loving hand, his loving touch. How much more can we follow in Christ’s steps then by offering our loving hand to this world so that through us they might feel the loving and healing touch of their Father?
My “missions trip” doesn’t start when I get off that plane in Tanzania no more then it ends when Allison and Lauren come back from Mexico. My life is a mission...this is a race and I have to decide each and every morning if I am going to run it with all of my heart, soul, and mind. My “mission” is to reveal the heart of my Father to every person who God allows to cross my path...
Starting with David’s comments. I love that scripture in James, “Pure and Undefiled Religion is this...” I believe with my whole heart that we are called to go and do everything within our means to impact this world for eternity. We cannot leave the job to someone else—God has entrusted it to each of us who desire to follow Him.
It isn’t about “doing” just for the sake of “doing.” It is about living a life devoted to something much greater and more important then “self.” The comment was made that people get busy with church. I love what Dennis (my dad) said in his comment: “Let's not be busy for the sake of business. Let's rather make sure our lives have significance because we are pouring them into the lives of others and reaching the lost with the awesome good news.” Isn’t that what it all comes down to? Are we going to live a life gratifying and fulfilling the desires of “self” or are we going to spend our lives spreading the Gospel?
Here is what it all boils down to for me:
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21
So is it this “must do” approach just part of the “rich and powerful” American mindset? I don’t believe it is. I think that mindset is evident in Christ as He walked His final days on earth. I do not believe that God would have provided a Savior for our souls if in His heart He did not have the “must do” mindset. He loved us so much, that no matter the cost...He was going to give each of us an opportunity to spend eternity with Him. As each of us makes a decision to follow in Christ’s steps we must also choose the same. The more we fall in-love with our Lord, the more we will fall in love for His children. As we “have the mind of Christ Jesus” take shape within our own minds...we will begin to have a deeper and clearer understanding that there is no other option then to offer the Truth to this world, no matter the cost is to self.
I also understand what Madcupmum was saying about the Gate. I think you were saying that Christ is the one who will guide us, like a shepherd gently guides his sheep, through the gate. If the “break down the door” analogy seems too harsh, then the other analogy works just as well. (Just to clarify things...that analogy was never meant to mean we should go Westernize the world...that is the last thing we should do. It just means that whatever barriers exist that we are capable of removing by us being pliable and flexible...then lets move them).
What do you think it is about the shepherd that causes the sheep to trust him? I read once that a shepherd touches each and every sheep as he enters his gate each night and speaks to the sheep. That is why the sheep recognize and now the voice of their master. It is his loving hand, his loving touch. How much more can we follow in Christ’s steps then by offering our loving hand to this world so that through us they might feel the loving and healing touch of their Father?
My “missions trip” doesn’t start when I get off that plane in Tanzania no more then it ends when Allison and Lauren come back from Mexico. My life is a mission...this is a race and I have to decide each and every morning if I am going to run it with all of my heart, soul, and mind. My “mission” is to reveal the heart of my Father to every person who God allows to cross my path...
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Why Not...Part 2
I would like to continue the discussion from the previous post.... I would like to focus some things that Dale and Brent said.
Dale said, “When it comes to callings...and doors of opportunities....and all that stuff that we construct to create some valid reason why we don't obey God...well, I just don't believe in those things anymore.”
Pastor Dale told me something along the same lines when I first got to Rhode Island and it has challenged me in every area of my life. He told me that so often we wait for an “open door” but scripture doesn’t really talk about open doors. If the door is not open, then try a window, and if we can’t find a window...then run as hard as we can through the wall and try to break through the wall. If can’t break the wall and we die from the impact of hitting it, then at least the wall is a little weaker and will be a little easier for the next person to break through.
When I first visualized that I thought...wow, how many opportunities have I missed because I had no door to walk through? I mean, I do not even know when I developed the attitude that I needed God to “open doors” but I remember praying from a young age that God would show me His will by opening and closing doors. Imagine what would have happened in the early church if they waited for open doors? They gave their lives to spread the gospel because there were no open doors...they broke through the walls.
Dale also said, “I propose that we all take our lives and hit this world as hard as we can. Yep, it will cost us our lives.” Spending our lives is something that goes completely against the grain of American culture. Our culture is constantly trying to make our lives more comfortable and easier to live. The “American Dream” is defined by many as the ability to acquire wealth. Even within the church, we counsel our kids to pick careers that will help them achieve “success” and often they chose paychecks over passion. If we, as believers and followers of Christ, are not spending our lives to impact this world...then what are we saving it for? Why are we building ourselves into a box with satin cushions...why are we obsessed with comfort? That comfortable, cushioned box I lived in was nothing more then a coffin. A friend of mine recently told me that he wants to “live his life without borders.” That is what I want to do...live my life without borders. I want to take my life and hit this world as hard as I can. Is my life more valuable then others? Is my comfort more important then sharing love and life with others who are in desperate need?
Brent made the comment, (refering to the great commission) “...so why don't we at every opportunity given to us?” I loved that. You know, this opportunity to Africa is not a once and a lifetime opportunity. The opportunity to go into any part of this world is always there (you can always go by yourself or create your own trip), but at what point in our lives are we going to just do it? I want to take every opportunity to share the message of Christ with people. I want to take every opportunity to love those who have never really experienced love. The trip I am taking to Tanzania is something that I know God can and will use me in...I will be able to love on these kids who have grown up on the streets and share Christ with Muslims and people who do not know God—I also know he will awaken my eyes, hands, heart, and soul to what real need is and what I really need to do to impact this world. I want to take, like Brent said, “every opportunity given” to me to change this world.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Why Not?
Why Not???
Okay...so here is my challenge to all my friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and family who are currently in college (or just graduated and haven’t made any long-term commitments yet). Take the spring semester off of school and come to Tanzania with me.
I laugh as I say that, because I say it like it is no big deal...but seriously, is it? I mean...sometimes we get so tied down to thinking that we have to get started on our careers or we have to finish school as fast as possible, but for what? Especially those who want to go into “full-time ministry”...what is the rush to get a job at a church? I mean...this would be "full time ministry" What is the rush to get your credentials? Or those of us who want to be lawyers, business men and women, polititians...will it really matter 20 years from now if you started your “career” 6 months latter then you were supposed to?
Can you imagine if ten of us decide to devote three months to non-stop, around the clock, outreach and “missions.” What a great opportunity to touch lives of children across the world or to build relationships/ friendships with Muslims and share the Truth with them. What an incredible chance to tell people who may have never heard the name “Jesus” all about who he is and what he can do for them. What an unbelievable opportunity to hold a child who has lived most of their life sniffing glue on a street to keep their stomach from feeling hungry. America is not this world...the horrors that we expect children to be sheltered from are norms in other countries, what are we going to do about it?
Not only that...but our world-view is so warped... I was thinking this morning how often I use the word “need” and I felt a little nauseous. “Need”...I do not even really know the meaning of that word, I have never had an unmet physical “need” in my life. The only way that our generation has a chance at changing this world is if we can shift our focus from “me” to “them” and from “selfishness” to “selflessness.” There is this Keith Green song that I love that says, “it is so hard to see when my eyes are on me...” how true is that? What are we going to do to get our eyes off of ourselves and onto others? Think about how an experience like this would change our hearts and our eyes/view forever.
Okay...so we are not all going to end up living in third world countries for the rest of our lives. But why not for a small period of time? What is three months in light of eternity? It is just three months. Will you miss your friends and family? Of course. Will it be difficult and lonley at times...probably. But if not now, then when? If you don’t make the time to do something like this...it isn’t going to just happen.
So it cost a lot of $...but there are so many things we could live without for the next 6 months to save for it. So our family thinks its crazy and irresponsible to take time off of school...I think God would be totally cool with it. So we haven’t “audibly” heard from God that we should do this...umm, wait...I think there is something at the end of Matthew 28? We want to wait and see if the door is opening up for us (creek...hear that sound? That is the sound of the door opening up for you =))
Okay...enough rambling. I am only challenging you to this because I think something like this could change us in a way that would bring about change to this world. I think we all need a bigger dose of passion and compassion...and what better way to get it then from putting ourselves in a situation where we can see first hand how great the need is in this world and how we can be used by God to touch it. So pray about it...think about it...email me about it and I will pray with and for you...and if it isn’t Tanzania in January, then pray and plan on serving somewhere soon (before life gets too committed and too crazy) somewhere outside of the good ol’ USA. I think each of us really should spend some amount of time outside of what we have always known to be true here in America...it would do the world (and America) SO much good to see what most of this world is living with day in and day out. If anything, it will give you experiences that you can use right here in Arizona, Rhode Island, and everywhere in between to reach people.
Email me if you want the information. Here are some web sites to check out too:
www.pureopportunity.blogspot.com
www.emmanuelcenter.blogspot.com
Okay...so here is my challenge to all my friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and family who are currently in college (or just graduated and haven’t made any long-term commitments yet). Take the spring semester off of school and come to Tanzania with me.
I laugh as I say that, because I say it like it is no big deal...but seriously, is it? I mean...sometimes we get so tied down to thinking that we have to get started on our careers or we have to finish school as fast as possible, but for what? Especially those who want to go into “full-time ministry”...what is the rush to get a job at a church? I mean...this would be "full time ministry" What is the rush to get your credentials? Or those of us who want to be lawyers, business men and women, polititians...will it really matter 20 years from now if you started your “career” 6 months latter then you were supposed to?
Can you imagine if ten of us decide to devote three months to non-stop, around the clock, outreach and “missions.” What a great opportunity to touch lives of children across the world or to build relationships/ friendships with Muslims and share the Truth with them. What an incredible chance to tell people who may have never heard the name “Jesus” all about who he is and what he can do for them. What an unbelievable opportunity to hold a child who has lived most of their life sniffing glue on a street to keep their stomach from feeling hungry. America is not this world...the horrors that we expect children to be sheltered from are norms in other countries, what are we going to do about it?
Not only that...but our world-view is so warped... I was thinking this morning how often I use the word “need” and I felt a little nauseous. “Need”...I do not even really know the meaning of that word, I have never had an unmet physical “need” in my life. The only way that our generation has a chance at changing this world is if we can shift our focus from “me” to “them” and from “selfishness” to “selflessness.” There is this Keith Green song that I love that says, “it is so hard to see when my eyes are on me...” how true is that? What are we going to do to get our eyes off of ourselves and onto others? Think about how an experience like this would change our hearts and our eyes/view forever.
Okay...so we are not all going to end up living in third world countries for the rest of our lives. But why not for a small period of time? What is three months in light of eternity? It is just three months. Will you miss your friends and family? Of course. Will it be difficult and lonley at times...probably. But if not now, then when? If you don’t make the time to do something like this...it isn’t going to just happen.
So it cost a lot of $...but there are so many things we could live without for the next 6 months to save for it. So our family thinks its crazy and irresponsible to take time off of school...I think God would be totally cool with it. So we haven’t “audibly” heard from God that we should do this...umm, wait...I think there is something at the end of Matthew 28? We want to wait and see if the door is opening up for us (creek...hear that sound? That is the sound of the door opening up for you =))
Okay...enough rambling. I am only challenging you to this because I think something like this could change us in a way that would bring about change to this world. I think we all need a bigger dose of passion and compassion...and what better way to get it then from putting ourselves in a situation where we can see first hand how great the need is in this world and how we can be used by God to touch it. So pray about it...think about it...email me about it and I will pray with and for you...and if it isn’t Tanzania in January, then pray and plan on serving somewhere soon (before life gets too committed and too crazy) somewhere outside of the good ol’ USA. I think each of us really should spend some amount of time outside of what we have always known to be true here in America...it would do the world (and America) SO much good to see what most of this world is living with day in and day out. If anything, it will give you experiences that you can use right here in Arizona, Rhode Island, and everywhere in between to reach people.
Email me if you want the information. Here are some web sites to check out too:
www.pureopportunity.blogspot.com
www.emmanuelcenter.blogspot.com
Monday, July 04, 2005
language gap...
I drove a friend of mine to Montréal on Saturday and when I got there it happened to be the weekend of their International Jazz Festival. After I dropped off Amber at the bus station, I thought I would walk around the city a little bit and “explore.” It is such a neat city...I felt like I was in Europe and it was so great to hear people all around me speaking French.
Dale mentioned on a blog that whenever he is in a big city he tries to sit in a coffee shop and talk to people...so I thought I would give it a try. (I’m still not the best at striking up conversations with random people...but I’m trying to get better) So I was sitting outside of a little coffee shop drinking my enduire de caramel (I think it was espresso and caramel?) It was so much fun to just sit and listen to people all around me speaking in french...and all sorts of different languages. There were a lot of tourists there because of the Jazz Festival, so I met people from the Mid East (who had a relative playing in that weekend...did you know there was Arabic Jazz? I didn’t...but this couple played it for me and I loved it...I'm trying to find it on-line right now so I can purchase it), Asia, and several parts of Europe. It really is a neat city and I had such a great time just having conversations with store owners and people who were hanging out watching the different Jazz bands.
The only frustrating thing was the language barrier. I mean...I love hearing other languages, I just wish it did not take so long to learn another language. Wouldn’t it be awesome to just sit down and be able to have an in-depth conversation with someone in French, Swahili, Arabic, German, and Spanish? If someone knows of a brain chip that you could implant in your head that would make you fluent in 20 different languages, please...let me know. =)
In the mean time...I will stick to learning Spanish and as much Swahili as I can. I really want to immerse my children in other cultures and languages from the time they are born. It is so vital that Americans learn a love for other cultures, languages...well, more a love for people and use knowing their culture and languages as the means to connect. I think the attitude that we are Americans and don't "need" anything else from this world is very boxed thinking and it needs to change.
I love America. (By the way, happy Fourth of July...this is one of my favorite holidays.) I love that I live here. I feel amazingly blessed that I was born in a country with such freedom, an abundance of wealth, and the possibility to pursue any dream one can think up. I wouldn't choose to be born into any other country in this world, but the American church needs to become more globally minded. The fact that we have been blessed with so much should drive us to not only accept, but pursue people from all over the world and show them the love they need...our impact on eternity greatly depends on how our worldview shifts over the upcoming years.
Dale mentioned on a blog that whenever he is in a big city he tries to sit in a coffee shop and talk to people...so I thought I would give it a try. (I’m still not the best at striking up conversations with random people...but I’m trying to get better) So I was sitting outside of a little coffee shop drinking my enduire de caramel (I think it was espresso and caramel?) It was so much fun to just sit and listen to people all around me speaking in french...and all sorts of different languages. There were a lot of tourists there because of the Jazz Festival, so I met people from the Mid East (who had a relative playing in that weekend...did you know there was Arabic Jazz? I didn’t...but this couple played it for me and I loved it...I'm trying to find it on-line right now so I can purchase it), Asia, and several parts of Europe. It really is a neat city and I had such a great time just having conversations with store owners and people who were hanging out watching the different Jazz bands.
The only frustrating thing was the language barrier. I mean...I love hearing other languages, I just wish it did not take so long to learn another language. Wouldn’t it be awesome to just sit down and be able to have an in-depth conversation with someone in French, Swahili, Arabic, German, and Spanish? If someone knows of a brain chip that you could implant in your head that would make you fluent in 20 different languages, please...let me know. =)
In the mean time...I will stick to learning Spanish and as much Swahili as I can. I really want to immerse my children in other cultures and languages from the time they are born. It is so vital that Americans learn a love for other cultures, languages...well, more a love for people and use knowing their culture and languages as the means to connect. I think the attitude that we are Americans and don't "need" anything else from this world is very boxed thinking and it needs to change.
I love America. (By the way, happy Fourth of July...this is one of my favorite holidays.) I love that I live here. I feel amazingly blessed that I was born in a country with such freedom, an abundance of wealth, and the possibility to pursue any dream one can think up. I wouldn't choose to be born into any other country in this world, but the American church needs to become more globally minded. The fact that we have been blessed with so much should drive us to not only accept, but pursue people from all over the world and show them the love they need...our impact on eternity greatly depends on how our worldview shifts over the upcoming years.
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