Don’t be offended…

This week I’m at a gathering with a bunch of other people who are rethinking the ways we “do church”.  Last time I was at an event like this I shared quotes directly from mega church pastors, small church pastors and missional community leaders from around the world.  But, some of these quotes offended people.

Of course, they were never meant to offend, but instead make people think.  See, the only way most of us will ever consider rethinking what they know about God or the church is if we are forced to reconsider the things we already know.  The reality is, people get offended when someone challenges something so sacred to them.  Throughout the last few years I’ve been offended a lot…but today, most of the things that initially offended me have changed me.

So, if I say something that strikes a nerve, just know there’s no ill-intent nor am I picking on any one person or entity.  Everything that I consider worthy to share is something I believe will make you think.

I’d ask you to feel challenged, not offended, by what I say.

I never want anyone to follow me, a particular method or a new system…I want people to follow Jesus and I’m convinced that we could all still work on that.

The only thing different from last week is…

Sometimes it’s really hard to keep things in perspective when you leave your normal day-to-day grind to serve in a place that’s anything but normal.  Not surprisingly, I’d say it’s much easier to keep the mission of God in mind when you’re outside your normal day-to-day tasks.

But the reality is there’s only one thing different this week from last week.

My mission is no different today than it was just a few days ago as I walked in one of the poorest countries in the world.  My goal to love people and be the hands and feet of Jesus has not changed.

It used to take me a lot of time to re-acclimate into the normal world after a trip.  It’s like reverse culture shock and if you’ve ever been on a mission trip out of the country you might know what I mean.  But now things are starting to be a little different.  I’m not becoming desensitized as I travel more, but instead it’s becoming more sensitive to God’s calling in my everyday life.

It’s the way we now “do church” that is changing my perspective.  I’ve never been more aware that my neighborhood, the people in our community and the people I interact with on a daily basis require the same thing from me as the precious little kids in Zimbabwe.

Since we “left the building” (in terms of church) and began to decompartmentalize our life, my perspective on the mission has truly changed.  And while leaving the country and serving alongside wonderful people in other countries will always be impactful beyond words, I understand more than ever that the mission is the same

…the only thing different is the location.

1 Week til Zimbabwe!

It’s only one week til I leave for Zimbabwe!  It’s been so cool to see how God has provided for my trip and how generous my community, friends and neighbors have been in the process.

If you’re still looking for a way to get involved, here are a few final things I’ll need before Friday.

• 500GB or 1TB USB Portable Hard Drive (has to be USB powered, should be between $75-100)
• Duracell or Energizer AA Batteries (recharageable or standard, but need to be brand name)
• Large rolling luggage (We never travel so our family doesn’t own luggage.  I’m using borrowed luggage which broke on my trip to CO last week!  So, I really need to acquire my own piece of sturdy luggage that’s big enough for my clothes and tripods.)
• Two Canon LP-E6 batteries

What I’ve learned about marriage

1. The primary purpose in marriage is to fall more in love with Jesus each and every day.  Our union exists for nothing less than to model Christ to each other day in and day out.  Neither of us received the gift of being single because God knew we needed someone to model His grace and practice forgiveness all the time.  (Too, bad I’m still not very good at this after 11 years.)

2. Marriage isn’t simply about loving each another, it’s about uniting with someone to have a greater capacity to love other people.

3.  Even when I’m right, it makes no difference if I don’t show grace and love when I communicate.

4.  My goal is not to be the perfect husband, perfect provider or even her knight in shining armor.  That’s Jesus’s job.

5.  Eleven years ia a long time.