who's praying for whom?

I realize that it's been too long since I last wrote. Life has moved quickly lately and I've been holding on as much as actually being in control! I began teaching a class at Hope International University (my alma mater) called, Ministry in the Urban Setting. I'll talk more about that in another post.

I did receive an email this week asking me my thoughts on the upcoming Muslim day of prayer in Washington DC, on Capitol Hill, scheduled for this Friday. According to the report, Muslims want to show the world that they love America too, that they're concerned for its direction and welfare, and that they want people to see how they pray. They're expecting 50,000 to attend the event, which will run from 4:00 am to 7:00 pm., as they try to help change the face of Islam in America, letting us see that many Muslims do not consider the US "the Great Satan." I was asked if I saw this as a threat or an opportunity.

My response was (in part) as follows:
Thanks for the note. I love the way you phrased your question: you asked if this might be threat or opportunity. That’s a great perspective, for I believe it might be (or become) whatever we choose to make it! I remember Joseph telling his brothers, “You meant this for evil, but God meant it for good.” It obviously concerns me to see something of this nature before us, legitimizing its claim to souls here in America. But at the same time, so many Muslims do see themselves as Americans and are grateful for their freedoms here. And if their young people tour our capitol with its shrines to freedom, democracy, and Christian foundation, perhaps something will rub off that will tell them that this country is even greater than they’ve been led to believe. AND…should this entire event not convict us to be on our knees in prayer- prayer for our country, our leaders, our direction and our neighbors living beside us who so desperately need to know the Savior?

So let’s be praying this Friday (and beyond!), and let’s challenge our brothers and sisters to do likewise. Surely that's the greatest spiritual weapon at our disposal. Let’s not keep it sheathed at such a critical time in our nation’s history.

God's randomness

My wife, Liz, teaches kindergarten in the city of Long Beach. Has for the last 13 years. She loves it and is gifted at it. This year she had a team partner who battled cancer the entire term. She was out much of the time as her cancer was stage 4. We knew she was married, with two gorgeous little girls, but not a whole lot about her personal situation beyond that. A couple of weeks ago, Liz received word that her team partner had passed away. She had been given only three months to live last August, but fought bravely for nearly a year before finally succumbing to the ravages of the disease.

Coincidentally, in the last month or so, there's been a young man who has come to the church a couple of times for assistance. And also coincidentally, his wife was ill with cancer and they had two children he was trying to take care of. Unfortunately, they seemed to have little and he was in need of basic necessities, with which we were able to help him.

Last Sunday, this young father came over to talk to me following our last service. He had his kids with him as he stood quietly, waiting for me to finish a conversation with someone else. Liz, standing next to me, told me that he looked familiar to her. She told him as he approached that he looked a lot like the husband of a woman she worked with who had recently passed away from cancer. A startled look came over him as he replied that his wife had also just died the same way. They continued to compare notes and quickly realized that his wife had been Liz's team partner!

Two seemingly disconnected people...in seemingly disconnected situations...in two different counties...over the course of a year. Their paths now melding before us in a random way. But is it really? I don't know where this path with dad and these beautiful girls may take us, or what part we might play in the days ahead. But I do believe that the randomness of God has a certainty and purpose to it beyond our vision. That what may appear to be chance or happenstance is often much, much more in the hands of the One who weaves things together for His purposes. And our job? Maybe it's to find intentionality in the randomness of life, and to respond accordingly.

At least that's our intention with a dad and his daughters.

what God has joined together...

How can one guy be so blessed? I just finished an almost indescribable time in the South Pacific, meeting new friends in New Zealand and reuniting with great friends in Brisbane. But God's blessings didn't stop with that trip. No sooner did I get back than we prepared for our son, Jon's, wedding. He and his fiance, Amy Smith, became husband and wife last Saturday in a beautiful front yard wedding in nearby Downey. Amy's dad, Dave, is also a pastor (and longtime friend), so we both officiated the ceremony. We even made the pronouncement that they were husband and wife in unison!

I just can't adequately express the joy that is in my heart in the wake of this wedding. My wife Liz and I have three great sons (Jon's the middle one, dancing here with Mom) and we're proud of them all, as you might imagine. But there's an extra amount of pride when you see one of your children walking a good path and then being able to see God's blessing in the midst of it all. Laying awake the night before the wedding, I wondered if I ought to be more nervous about everything, but I wasn't...because it seemed like this was the next, logical, and right step in Jon's life. My greatest concern was (and still is) how adequately I'd done my job as his father in preparing him for adulthood. OK, now that makes me nervous.

Bride and groom were stunning that afternoon (take a look!), just dazzling. And as they repeated their vows to each other, I realized that that all we had worked and sacrificed for, all the hours, joys, heartbreaks, prayers, and time spent were investments culminating in this grand and sacred moment. And it both excited and humbled me to realize that some kind of baton was being passed to those who would carry our values and vision to another place, another level.

You know, I actually made it through the ceremony without crying (even though some thought that would be impossible!). But as I think of Jon and Amy and the new life they're beginning together, I get choked up...and I thank God for the privilege of His hand on our kids. I know I so often missed the mark through the years, but His grace covered an awful lot. That's obvious. And I think of the Apostle John's words in 3 John 4, in a literal way:

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Walk well, kids. We love you.

one last look

And as quickly as it came, so it's nearly finished (for me, at least- one final Aussie sunset for me on right). The team is now in Eidsvold, having left yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. I, on the other hand, am winging my way back to sunny SoCal, as our son, Jon, is making plans to get married Saturday. Currently sitting in the Auckland airport, I've been reflecting on some of the events, meetings, reunions, introductions, lessons, and laughter of the last two weeks.

I began in Christchurch, New Zealand, meeting a church planting team with which KACC has begun a partnership. From there I arrived in Brisbane a few days ahead of the team. Time to catch up with friends there, including our missionary Daun Slauson. The Ann Street Church has been going through a rough patch the last 6 months of so, and as they emerge the better for it, I was able to share with them over some of the issues and upcoming direction.

You'd be proud of the team and the job they're doing connecting with people around them. They've had many meaningful conversations and opportunities to talk about the good news of Jesus, and they've stepped up each time (that's Sarah Bishop sharing in church). They've been wholehearted into everything they've done (and they've done a lot already!), and have not shrunk back from any challenge set before them. Pray for their time in Eidsvold (they'll be there until Thursday) as they continue to deepen relationships with many (especially youth) who need to know so much about God's love and desire for them.

And as usual, I take my leave with the usual tearing inside, excited to head home (I miss my family tons!), but having to leave brothers, sisters and opportunities in this place of ministry. When I got to the airport here in NZ, I did something different, for me anyway. I stopped inside the chapel for awhile. One thing I was counting on- and I wasn't disappointed- I was by myself!

I was able to read Scripture and pray aloud, and even sing some praises aloud (but quietly!). I can't express to you just how valuable that time was for my spirit. I was able to begin putting thoughts together from my experience and talk with God about what lies ahead. I took time to thank Him again for the last few weeks, and lift up the team as they continue on. And I was reminded how much I need to stop like this in my daily life and cry out to Him about issues on my heart, hear Him speak to me, and find the still waters from which He wants to feed me. I understand again the need for Sabbath rest, and though I'm not good at doing it, I'm making this a point for my own growth when I get back.

As I contemplated in that chapel my ministry- the "why" of what I do- I found Matthew 16 and read again the words of Jesus. He said," What would it profit a man if he gained the whole world but forfeited his own soul? What is more valuable than a human soul?" And I saw again why I do what I do. Because there's nothing of greater value than a human soul. Jesus proved it in his death, and I want to make sure my life revolves around that same value, the value of a life. That's why we're out here with brothers like John and Eugene (on right). That's why we take time to introduce people to the grace and hope of God. Because they matter so much to Him. Because they're worth more than anything in this world. Because Jesus came for them just as He did for us. Doesn't matter if they're American or Australian. Kiwi,indigenous or islander. Up-and-comers or down-and-outers. They all matter to God. And therefore they must matter to us. So we'll continue to go, share, work, weep, love, laugh and serve. Could there be any greater investment?

Not a chance.

1 night, 2 cultures, 1 message

Now that's what I'm talking about. What a great evening. We helped serve Ann Street's monthly Community BBQ to their neighbors on the street, something they've been doing a couple of years now. They adapted the concept from our own Community Suppers, but with a twist. First, they barbecue the meat they serve (since they barbecue just about everything but spaghetti!). Then, because of logistics, they serve the meal on the front steps of the church, right out on the sidewalk. This has proven quite successful, as many have come simply because they were passing by at the right time.

Tonight we had about 60 men and women show up, most of them living on or nearly on the streets. Many had great stories to share and were eager to talk to a group of Yanks. I was proud of our team, as they worked tirelessly preparing the meal. We found out Ligaya (on left) is a chef from the Hilton, and she really made the presentation of the meal shine! After preparing, the group set up and served the crowd. I then looked around and found everyone sitting and sharing with those who came to eat. What a great and satisfying sight- I was blessed.

Following the dinner, we hurried over to another church hall to catch the end of celebratory dances of the Torres Strait Islander people. It's their yearly observance of the coming of the Bible to their islands in 1871, and is called The Festival of the Coming of the Light. We got to see about 30 minutes of dancing that had been going on since 2:00 p.m. today! It was a real cultural treat to sit with these people as they remember and give thanks for the Scriptures' entrance into their society.

Two cultural experiences, each different from the other. Each with an acknowledgement of God (for the most part), yet with an always-present need to know Him more fully. Each with hopes, dreams and struggles that can't be dealt with alone. Each with a desire to somehow do and be better tomorrow. Each with a story, a journey, and a destination. And tonight, each with a group from somewhere halfway around the world connecting, learning, serving and sharing the love of Jesus like it makes a difference.

Because it does.

it's a beautiful day

Who knew having a good time could be so much work?! In the last few days we've ridden, bustled, interacted, learned, served, laughed, dozed, played, shared, listened, and connected (just to name a few of the verbs!) here in Brisbane. Wednesday we spent the morning with youth from Ann Street learning to play cricket (you think baseball's slow?!), then learned to throw boomerangs in the afternoon. We crowned Jamie the stud of the day, as he played some mean cricket, and threw and caught boomerangs- at least a few of them- with the ability of a local. Most of us simply threw sticks.

Yesterday we went on a bushwalk (about 3 miles, I think), again with Ann Street young people. We were in a rain forest outside the city, and we enjoyed being a part of perhaps the most beautiful creation some of us have ever seen. After lunch we went to another park (there are so many of them in this city) and played games with the kids. This bonding time is so important, as many of them will travel to Eidsvold with us next week. Today we cleaned the grounds around and indigenous Christian Center in a city of metro Brisbane. We cut trees, trimmed bushes, moved wood, disposed of cane toads (ask the boys about it- ugh!), cleaned under the church house (another ugh!) and generally shaped the place up. The afternoon saw us head to the Gold Coast where we spent the evening together.

Our time so far has allowed us to unite as a team as we've gotten to know each other. We've also been able to know better our hosts and the church with which we're partnering. And we'll travel to Eidsvold Sunday afternoon, after spending tomorrow learning about aboriginal history, working our way through downtown on foot, and helping with the church's Community BBQ. All we have done and will do has one goal- connecting us with people here, and giving us the chance to share with them the message of life we have in Jesus. It's a sorely needed message and we pray for open doors and boldness as we go out. In this great place. With these great new friends. With our great God.

Hey, it's tough work, but somebody's gotta do it.

but do you really understand?

Communication is always interesting in another culture. In some countries it's obvious that we don't speak the same language at all and we have to work at basic concepts. In others, we share a common language and it's much easier (or so we think!).

I saw this sign on the streets of Brisbane (double-click pic to enlarge), and my sideways humor couldn't resist thinking, "I wonder how they actually know that they should cross at that intersection?!" Now I recognize the sign is really for the benefit of drivers, and not pedestrians, but for just a moment I saw that what was undoubtedly clear in the mind of the signmaker might not necessarily be understood as clearly in the mind of the reader. Ahhh, communication- it takes two, doesn't it?

Since Australia is an English-speaking nation, communication here is relatively simple and straightforward...or so you would think. There are, however, words and phrases unique to the culture. Some examples of unique/modified words include: fair dinkum (someone or something genuine); chook (chicken); billy (metal can used to boil tea over a fire); my shout (I'll pay this time); icy pole (popsicle); off with the fairies (daydreaming); sticky beak (nosy person); tuck shop (cafeteria); snag (sausage); whinge (complain); fairy floss (cotton candy); woop woop (far away); lollies (candy); yobbo (redneck); car park (parking lot); letter box (mailbox); arvo (afternoon); brekky (breakfast); rellies (relatives); and a host of others. Not everyone uses all such words, but some are commonplace and take some getting used to, especially if we want to understand and be understood clearly.

Which makes me think again about the way we communicate the Gospel, whether in our own culture or in another. There are words, terms and phrases that are common to us but may not make sense to those around us with little or no spiritual background. Of course, "church terminology" seems pretty much out (words like justification, sanctification, washed in the blood of the Lamb, redeemed, ransomed, etc). But there are other terms that we may think people do understand which may no longer be so clear. Think about words/ideas such as repent, commit, lord, savior, faith, hope, invite Jesus into your heart, saved, and even love. The definitions and concepts of what we might consider basic terms have shifted for many. And the great mistake we make is to assume everyone understands our words without making sure we're talking about the same things. Remember, communication isn't just about what you say, but what's received by your listener as well. It really does take two.

All this to say that you need to think about what you say AND how you say it. That just as we have to think through our words when in another culture, so you and I- even in our own surroundings- must realize that we're really speaking to another culture. An unchurched and often unaware culture. Choose your words in such a way that people will really get what you're trying to tell them, because in order to receive good news, they've got to understand it first.

And when you do, the person you're talking to might even think, "Good on 'im! He's a fair dinkum and a good mate, and I think I'll have 'im over for a cuppa and bikkies this arv to chase up this talk about Jesus!" (Good job on his part! He's a genuine guy and a friend, and I'll invite him for a cup of coffee [or tea] and cookies this afternoon and follow up on what he says about Jesus!)