Resonate

Have you ever stretched out in the dark on the floor and listened to music? Loud. The kind of session which obviously had to be had without mom or wife around. You could hear every instrument, every note was crystal clear and passed through your whole body on its way of finding escape from the room. Every beat shook the room and you swear you can feel the rhythm in your very bones.

I haven't listened to music like that in a long time. The best i get now is it blaring so you can hear it across the house from my iPod earphones----what, you say it can't be good for me? In so many ways i think you are right but in a more essential way i am convinced that is way we need to listen to music. 100%. All of it. Loud and blistering. So that when we are done listening we remember what we have heard, so it echoes in our mind and blood for hours afterwords.

After preparing to preach for last Sunday and then give away what i discovered to my fellow followers while as a guest-preacher, i think this 'play it loud' mentality that works spiritually as well. After meditating, studying and contemplating Jesus' words in Mathew 16 not only the words have stuck, but the feel and power of them as well. I can't get them out of my head. They have found a place in my heart and i will remember the feelings and problems Peter had. I will remember that Jesus took them on a walk 30 miles out of their way so he could confront them and share with them important things away from the crowds. I will remember Jesus' question, "Yes, but who do you say i am?". I will remember chapter 16 for long time.

Friends, i am a normal guy, i hear something, no matter how brilliant it may be and in 48-72 hours it's gone, moved on to be replaced by something else. Something more 'current' or fresh. But shouldn't the words of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, stick with us, be with-in us? Shouldn't they resonate through who we are?

So why don't they? Why do the important things, the very words of Jesus fall into dust so rapidly? Why do we 'move on' so quickly and unashamedly forget, pressing on to the newest thing that passes our particular brainwave? Nurture vs. nature, environment....BS. Really, who are you kidding? Do you remember Deuteronmomy 6 where Moses tells the people?

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.[a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

He says essentially "Do whatever it takes to NOT forget these words and it will be good for you". Are we so much better at remembering? I am not. I need to proactively, purposefully teach my children, take time and BE with God because when it all boils down it is our choice to listen or watch whatever we like, to play truly stupid phone games (or computer games--my particular problem), to watch the latest installment of 'Survivorman' or 'desperate somebody-or-other' and we fill our time with useless clutter in hope we will be distracted from our guilt and longing for just one more moment, one more hour, one more day. This is the incessant pushing and pulling in our lives wether we are in the USA or Africa. Satan, your arch-enemy, will do anything he can form you spending time with your creator and your Savior. He will distract, confuse and offer endless entertainment, amusement and possibilities just so you will not hear the music for one more day.

I am back friends. You may not like me as i hound (myself)and confront my own failings because just one of you out there may have the same problems.

But do me this. Put down your tv remote (yes, turn it off), no computer farmville or age of empires and spend some time with the God who loves you. Be quiet. Recenter. Read His words, listen, worship, go for a quiet walk. Don’t let another day go by missing the opportunity, the honor and blessing of being in communion with your God. Don't be fooled, this moment is passing, this life is going by quickly and there is nothing as rewarding as living right with your God.

May you take the time to hear Him in your bones, may you walk away knowing the music of your Creator and may every note find lodging in your soul and let His music resonate through you.

Are you a POM?

Staying with my folks has made me aware of the impact of us being missionaries has on them (Parents of Missionaries). I wish we could help them deal with our 'otherness' and being away so often.

I found this site which can be of help for POMs. Please send to anyone who it may help or encourage!

http://www.pomnet.org

Cheers

My top 6 truths I have been reminded of in the last 5 months.

1. Understanding your spouse's feelings is more powerful than solving their problems.
Knowing how another person feels forces us to consider if we want to add to their sorrow, fear, guilt or pain or do we want to help comfort, encourage and empower the other. In marriage I have found this to be key. Unfortunately it is difficult to practice; To listen and not speak; To not give answers or solutions; To empathize and not judge.

The very act of empathy changes the relationship to be other-center. It draws us together and removes the distance of misunderstanding and ignorance.
If you are really interested in learning attend a Marriage Encounter weekend (www.wwme.org) near you. Worth the money.

2. No gift can replace time (memories) spent with those you love.
This is something we have found hard to explain to others. Time is precious to us as we are constantly aware of our leaving to go back to Africa. It seems in the US folks tend to believe there will always be more time or another opportunity. This is such a lie and thief. We have so enjoyed our moments with our family and friends and try hard not waste our time here with you all.

Don’t let the days slip by without speaking love to those who are important to you. Sharing love with those you know need it most and build the memories of time spent well with others so that you can take the memories with you anywhere and remember.

3. Friendship not only makes sacrifices for the other but also has no recollection of time.
What a strange thing is friendship. It truly sees you for your best yet calls you on your crap. It does not harbor ill or resentment for things you did or said in the past and has your best in mind. 1 Corinthians 13 comes to mind when I think of my friends. Thank you.

4. Sometimes the distance traveled is more important than the destination.
Sometimes where you are going is not as important as the fact you are on the journey. This furlough has taught us many things, some harder lessons than others but in the end we realize it was often has been the actual journey together which has changed us. It has drawn us together and forced us to reconcile our not only our relationships, but also our expectations, thoughts and beliefs. The process becomes cathartic.


5. Small decisions display our deepest desires.
We all know this to be true. We are make thousands if not millions of decisions every day. And unfortunately we often feel shame or guilt knowing all too well how we have blown it, repeatedly. We all want great relationships and love but in the details we often are selfish and lazy (speaking from experience). To be self-aware and cognoscente of our weakness but at the same time proactive in our lives is a decision faced in the everyday choices. The way we spend our time (one minute at a time), the way we spend our money (one dollar at a time) and the way we spend our emotions (one flash of anger, compassion or fear at a time) display our deepest passions and desires.


6. Love and grace are neither economical nor reasonable.
I want to be irresponsible in my grace. If i have learned anything in the last few months here stateside it is that i lack grace. Not that i have not received grace, from others or from God. I have wept knowing my mistakes and shortcomings. I have tasted and savored the forgiveness. What i also know is that if i am reasonable or responsible with it, it never works. Love is not something I can meter out and expect good return. It is not an investment plan nor is it a lottery. It is another miracle of God. Participate in it dear one and feel the freedom and taste the joy it brings.




If you are reading this today and know me, you know how I fall short often. You know my mistakes and laziness. May you also hear the truth in these words and may they resonate in you.

May you find and give empathy, may you make memories of time spent with those you love and not only find friendship but be a 1 Cor.13 kind of friend to another. May you realize the journey may be more important than where you are going and make the small decisions wisely. And lastly be irresponsible, no, be downright extravagant with love, there is no time to waste and no better gift to be given.

For this is who Christ Jesus is for us.

Merry Christmas dear ones.

Meet Antonio Pequnino.

This man in the picture in the middle is an amazing man of God. He travels 2 hours on his bike from his village out side of town to attend Bible classes and has taken advantage of every opportunity offered to him and turned them into blessing others.

The first year in Mozambique we were bombarded by the incredible poverty and constant need all around us. Whether it be hunger, sickness or the spiritual emptiness, we quickly found ourselves overwhelmed and saddened daily by what we encountered. As we prayed, talked about what we could do and worked with the pastors and got to know those around us we wanted to do so much more than teach. What we also learned that first year was we were not good at all at agriculture, raising chickens, having a garden or micro-economics! We then turned to those around us. We called other missionaries, christian businessmen and project leaders doing these things well to come along side or make available their expertise. I then tried to connect the men and women i worked with with access to these other teachings and opportunities. For example a friend came to town and gave natural medicine teaching. Other times i would take a group of men for agricultural training...all these things were scratching the surface but making an impact.

Sharing this process at a church a few weeks ago i noticed a picture of Antonio on some of our materials and was caught in awe of our God as i was reminded of this man and how he has responded to what God has brought him and turned to reach out to those around him without any reward or thought of himself.

Antonio has attended Bible classes with me for over two years and travels to villages hours from his through the mountains and shares what he has learned. We have ate meals together, i have visited his home in the village. He has planted new churches and encouraged others to study the Bible and let the Word of God transform their lives. He also has attended the natural medicine seminars we have offered and not only made the ointments and balms for himself and his family but shares it all with his mu$lim neighbors as a way of showing the love of Christ. He has incorporated better farming methods on his own fields and helped his neighbors to make better use of their land producing 10-20% better yields.

As you read this pray for him. Antonio Pequenino. And please pray we can go back in June 2011.

For the love of God--in Mozambique.

I'm no superman but i did complete my first 10km race in 1:00:42!

Not bad for an old man!

I do need to say it was an great experience to run with others and be cheered along the way, finding new friends at every turn and hill. Coming up the last mile and then rounding the corner to see the finish line and everyone cheered and clapped was moving. What a awesome feeling. I cried, engulfed with the sense of accomplishment and support and could not help but to imagine our homecoming after this life passes.

We are not alone and we are not static in this seemingly monotonous day-to-day. We will finish this race, we will round the corner and a great cloud of witnesses will cheer our entry.

Run my friends! Run well and listen for the cheers.