The waiting is the hardest part

The great theologian (jk) Tom Petty of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers once wrote a song with the following chorus:

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part.

I am not one who enjoys waiting. Combined with my genetic predisposition to arrive early for appointments, I find myself regularly in situations that I must endure if I can't find a way to enjoy. I am in a waiting season at the present time. I enjoy the extended devotion and prayer times that this season has afforded, but I am someone who needs to know what I am supposed to be doing. I am also a man, and as such, form much of my feelings of self-worth by what I do. I don't like not having a ready answer when I meet someone new and they ask me what I do. I can get a chuckle from some by saying, "out of work preacher", but that doesn't really cut it in most instances. I know that my complaint is shallow and that my identity is formed in my relationship with Christ, not by the organization name on my business card. But realities being what they are, I am ready to find out what is in store for me, whatever or wherever it is. But until I get clarity, I choose to pursue trust. I trust that none of the experiences of my life which have combined to bring me to this time and place are wasted experiences. I trust that God has prepared good works in advance that I am just now ready to do. I trust that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ's return. And I trust that when I know my next assignment, He will lead me and give me wisdom to do all that he calls me to do. That's plenty for now. But I still don't like waiting.

Confluences

Several years ago I went on several amazing fishing trips to Alaska with some friends. We fished on many different rivers, but the place that produced more consistently than any other was a place known to us only as "the confluence". Confluence is a really good word. It refers to the place where two rivers come together and one larger river continues. It can be messy at a confluence because the momentum of two distinct currents of water come crashing into each other, causing turbulence. With the turbulence, a lot of mud and debris gets kicked up and the water isn't usually very pretty for some distance until the newer, wider and more powerful river current settles down and goes about its unending task of delivering the contents of the rivers to the ocean.
The turbulence caused by the confluence of two rivers does more than stir up mud and debris. It stirs up underwater bugs, sculpins and minnows and exposes them as food for the fish of the river. The fish will accumulate just below the turbulence, instinctively knowing that food is coming their way. The fish understand that the messy and turbulent places are places of great opportunity. So out in the seeming middle of nowhere is a busy intersection where life and death activities are carried out. There is no reason for the fish to stay in the clear quiet pools for more than a brief rest because the food is at the confluence.
We encounter confluences in the spiritual realm as well; places where the streams of the world and its pursuits comes crashing together with streams of Christ-centered lives. It is in those messy interchanges of life where we find people who are most hungry and who are actively looking for answers. The quiet pools of life don't offer the opportunities to share the gospel in the way that the turbulent confluences do. We can't wait in the beautiful, quiet places if we wish to encounter people who are looking for answers. We must position ourselves in the turbulent, murky places if we want to find those who are truly hungry.
These confluences occur at work, in neighborhoods, and in the marketplace. They happen at tables and in cars. They happen in living rooms and driveways. They happen in the aftermath of disaster. They happen in bad parts of town. That's where we need to be if we want to live Christianly and share our faith. Confluences are opportunities. They are rarely appointments.

Sermons We See

Sermons We See

Edgar Guest

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;

I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,

Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;

And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,

For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;

I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,

But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;

For I might misunderstand you and the high advise you give,

But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.

When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind

Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me

To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.

And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today

Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;

One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.

Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,

For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.

Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence,

I say,I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

A Milestone

This week I passed a milestone of sorts. I received my third passport in the mail. That means that I have been travelling internationally for twenty years. I applied for my first passport in 1990 so I could go on a mission trip to Monterey, Mexico with Bill Mash to help with the construction of a medical clinic. That opportunity changed the trajectory of my life. As a boy I watched with eager anticipation when missionaries would come to church. They would have strange and exciting items on display; snake skins, masks, spears, and colorful robes and clothing. They would set up their slid projectors and show pictures of huts and dugout canoes surrounded by exotic and frightening looking people. I always loved looking at the maps but never had any idea that I could be involved in any way personally.

But that first 5 day trip to Mexico started me on a journey that I hope is far from over. God has allowed me to visit some 25 countries since then, and many countries I have visited multiple times. My travel started slowly, but in 2000 it really picked up steam. I spent two years travelling internationally at least once a month and staying gone more than half the time. My expired passports are a record of those travels. The entry and exit stamps and the colorful visa stickers form a tapestry of memories of excitement, anxiety, joy, aggravation, pain, fulfillment, victory and defeat. In short, they are a record of life. The old passports are worn, messy, and marked up. I love them. The new one is fresh and the pages are empty. It holds a promise of many more countries to see, many more missionaries to encourage and come alongside, much more work to do, many more hotels and homes to stay in, and many more local dishes to sample. For the first time in a long time I don't know where my next international adventure will take me as I wait for my next assignment from God. But if the Lord delays his coming and allows me to do so, I plan to take more people for their first view of world mission, come alongside more missionaries, sample more good food, share the Gospel with more people, sleep in more wierd places, fly to more new locations, and thank God everyday that I have been blessed to get to do it.

A poem I found

And now, O Lord--
When I've done drunk my last cup of sorrow—
When I've been called everything but a child of God
When I'm done travelling up the rough side of the mountain--
O--Mary's Baby—When I start down the steep and slippery steps of death—
When this old world begins to rock beneath my feet—
Lower me to my dusty grave in peace
To wait for that great gittin' up morning.
--James Weldon Johnson

Sometimes Things Go Right

This morning I attended an adoption proceeding. It just took a few minutes and was light-hearted. The room was full of people who were there to celebrate this expression of love by a couple who made the choice to change the trajectory of the lives of four siblings; three girls and a boy. There are few human expressions of love as pure as that of adoption. Child rearing is difficult and to begin the process in the midst of previous difficult circumstances makes the job even harder. Four adolescent children are not an attractive option for many people, so it takes a couple who is specially called to step up to plate. It also requires community and I saw that in abundance at the hearing.

In many ways, this was more than an adoption; it was a redemption story. Four children, born into a bad situation, faced an uncertain future. But a redeemer found them and took them in. The children have a new name and have permanence that they can rely on. They know who their family is and they know that their family loves them, because their family chose them.

The judge did a great job of keeping the atmosphere light in the courtroom, but the proceedings carried a great weight of responsibility. The children came into the room as wards of the state. They left as members of a loving family. The parents came in with one child and four children they were caring for but left with five children with all of the attendant lifeling responsibilities.

There is a full day of celebration today. Sometimes things go right.

Oh The Times They Are A'Changin'

I went with Carole this morning to visit the Chickasaw Heritage Center near Sulphur, OK. One of the rooms featured an 8-10 minute video recital of the history of the Chickasaws. I was very interested in the way they portrayed their history as a progression of seasons. They began with summer, which included the origin and development of the Chickasaw nation and its culture. The period of the westward expansion of the Europeans was described as the autumn of their history. Autumn is a transitional season and they were forced to adjust to the influx of people who came from a different worldview. The time of relocation and the period when their nation was under the greatest time of outside control was portrayed as winter. In winter, there is seeming death as the cold temperatures bring dormancy to the world. But they say that since the reestablishment of tribal sovereignty and self governance, the Chickasaws are now in Spring, a time of growth and renewal of life. The Chickasaw nation looks much different than it did in its Summer, but there is renewed excitement as they look toward the future.

I couldn't help but think that the analogy of the seasons is very fitting for our local churches. Churches begin with very little and as they grow they establish traditions and develop a culture. This Summer season can go on for decades if the leadership is stable. But inevitably there comes an autumn season where change comes unasked into the story of the church. Some event triggers a time of change and uncertainty in the congregation. Leaders change. The personality of the church morphs into something that is different. It is nearly always followed by a winter season where to some, the church as it exists today is "dead" because it is so much different than what it once was. People leave. The giving drops. The facilities suffer. When long established programs and traditions are dropped, many see this as evidence of the imminent death of the church.

But, just as with the Chickasaws, there will be a few that are able to look beyond the current situation and they never lose their determination that there will once again be a vibrant growing community of believers. And sure enough, it always happens as this group turns their focus on what is essential; moving in the Spirit of God. The church renews and remakes itself in a way that brings new growth. It reconnects with its neighbors in effective ways. The history that once served as an anchor, keeping the church from moving on is still valuable as a rudder to guide the church to its future. And Spring is naturally followed by Summer, a time of great influence and strength. And Summer is naturally followed by.... All churches today are in one of these seasons. And, should the Lord delay his coming, every church will continue its inexorable shift to the next season. Winter never stays forever. Neither does summer.

Broken Stuff

If you look closely at many of the items displayed in our house, you will find evidence of damage. Little lines will betray a broken place which has been glued back together. Each of these glued places have a story; a child, grandchild or house guest has bumped, dropped or knocked something over, resulting in a break and subsequent repair. Pulled threads in furniture or carpets tell a tale of a snag, or a game gone wrong. But you know what? We're okay with that. Those are the risks that come with hospitality, and we decided years ago that hospitality is more important than maintaining a museum quality house. Proverbs 14:4 says, "Where thre are no oxen the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of an ox." When Carole and I come to the end of our time here on earth, we aren't hoping that people will say, "I hear they had a beautiful house." We hope they will remember good times they had in our house. We've had a lot of "oxen" in our house and it doesn't always look its best. But there is great strength in the friendships formed in the evenings spent in someone's house. If you don't currently host a small group, consider doing it. It will take a toll on your stuff, but the strength of the friendships formed is a greater reward than the accolades you might receive for having an immaculate house.

Baptismal Plumbing Part 2

Last week I posted about efforts to get the baptistry at Vida Victoriosa functioning. It has not been used in several years because of a leak. Last week we found the leak in the circulating heater assembly. Yesterday I went back to remove the assembly so I could search for a replacement. Some time back, someone had attempted to put solder on the upper conpression fitting in a failed attempt to fix the leak. I was concerned that the solder would make removing the heater very difficult. After all, the area where this assembly is located is cramped and dark. The lower fitting looked as though it would not be difficult at all.

As is the case with most of my projects, I miscalculated. When I put my pipe wrench on the top fitting, it came undone really easily. The solder had not adhered to the piping, so it just peeled off. The lower fitting was a different story. What I thought was pipe sealant on the threads of the that fitting turned out to be "Liquid Nails" construction adhesive. It was never intended to be used as pipe sealant and that fitting was very difficult to remove.

A search on the internet revealed that, of course, the circulating heater I need no longer is made, but I found one which will work with a little creative plumbing. Now I need to find $750 to purchase it. When that has happened and the baptistry is up and running, I will expect to be invited when Martin baptizes new believers in his church for the first time. It will be a great day!

Ties or no ties?

Now and then I will find myself involved in a conversation with someone and the matter of wearing ties in church will come up. Some are ardently in favor of wearing ties, and some are adamantly opposed to wearing ties. I wonder if all of the conversation is really worth it.

A few years ago I worked with a really nice guy who belonged to a denomination which would not allow the wearing of ties or short-sleeved shirts. They believed that ties and short-sleeved shirts were a display of human pride and as such were an affront to God. I am convinced that because they believed in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus I will see them in heaven one day.

I have also known people in my own church who will not set foot in the church sanctuary without a tie. They believe that present themselves in such a casual manner would show disrespect to a Holy God and be an affront to Him. I am convinced that because they believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus I will see them in heaven one day.

I believe that God, who was around long before anyone even thought of the idea of neckties doesn't even notice. He is too busy looking on the heart. That is where he is looking for the pride which is an affront to Him.

Baptismal Plumbing

Today I spent a few hours at the Vida Victoriosa garage sale. I enjoy hanging out at V.V. because it is so, well, uncomplicated. What you see when you get there is what you get while you are there. Nobody gets paid for what they do; they do it because they want to.

Today Martin asked Michael Samuelson and me to look at the baptistry because he has some of his church people asking about being baptized and he would love to baptize them in the church where they were saved. I know a little history about that baptistry because when the building where Vida Victoriosa meets was occupied by Inner-City church I learned that the baptistry has a leak, but they didn't know where or how bad it was. They covered the baptistry with plywood and used that area for their drums. We removed the plywood cover from the baptistry and found that the tub itself is in very good shape. That was good, because if it was cracked, repairs would have been really difficult. Michael found the access panel, and an excursion under the platform revealed a poorly done attempt at soldering a joint which should not be soldered. It appeared that all pieces of the circulating system were present and connected, so the next step was to fill the baptistry with water and see where the leak was. We also needed to determine if the circulating system would work. When the tub had water in it, we found the leak right where we expected to find it. It was leaking at the joint with the bad repair attempt. The pump circulated water, but we didn't get to run it long enough to determine if the heater was working.

The next step will be to remove the circulating system and see if it can be dismantled without destroying it. A closer look at the unassembled leaky joint will determine if it can be made to seal. Most likely it is cracked, meaning that the whole circulating system will have to be replaced. A quick search on the internet revealed that a replacement system will cost $600-$900 depending on which one fits. Of course, Vida Victoriosa doesn't have near that much money, so we will have to figure out something. I'll know a lot more after I remove the old system.

I'll keep you posted

Quality or Quantity?

In the Essential Christianity class I am teaching we have been talking about having the confidence to have conversations with non-Christians about our faith. We have been stressing that we do not have to have overwhelming knowledge of every topic and the ability to make impeccable defenses of our theology. However, it is crucial that we know what we believe and why we believe it. It is not our responsibility to convince others of the validity of our beliefs. It is our responsibility to share our beliefs in a rational and respectful manner. I was listening this morning to a podcast of Alistair Begg and he said something I thought was good. He said something to the effect of, "People are more concerned with the quality of your life than with the quantiy of your words." I think that says it very well.