Silence

Silence is difficult! I learned that silence is different than being quiet and different than not speaking. I can not speak all day long without ever being silent.

Silence involves not filling my time with so many different voices, with noise. Silence means being alone with God. Silence doesn't exist in a computer or in TV or in the radio. I recognized this about noon yesterday when I realized that I hadn't really been silent all morning; I had merely spent the morning on the computer without speaking, something I do fairly regularly.

Lunch is where I began to sit in silence, a hard task when I am accustomed to at least some TV speaking to me as I eat. After lunch Chica and I went outside to enjoy the afternoon. This was good silent time, but it ended after about an hour and a half. Coming back in I felt compelled to watch TV just for a little bit. Famous last words, right? I wrongly reasoned, "Well, I guess I am not speaking during this time, so I'm still being silent." I saw right through my hypocrisy, and I just gave in. It was too much of a weight to bear for such a long time.

I am dissappointed in myself, but I will try again. May God give me the strength to persevere.

Silence

Can I go a whole day not saying an audible word all day long? I am going to try tomorrow. Looking at my schedule, I think it will be possible especially since Tanya and the kids are in Dallas right now. Well, I guess I will speak when Tanya calls me tomorrow. That will be my only exception.

Well, let's say that I will speak only when necessity requires it tomorrow. Sometimes hard, fast rules don't accomplish what they intend. If, for example, as I was sitting outside my house tomorrow two cars crashed head-on, then breaking the rule to call 9-1-1 would be the wise and appropriate thing to do. So, a set rule to not talk tomorrow isn't appropriate upon further reflection. I'm curious to see what this exercise will produce.

May your Spirit, God, speak powerfully as I silence my own tongue. Let my ears be attentive. Father, if you desire, send someone who needs a listening ear tomorrow. I will not speak unless necessity requires it. Teach me your ways, Lord.

Addiction

Having quit coffee, I am now thinking about at least limiting my intake of cokes, usually of the Dr. Pepper variety. Yesterday kindof confirmed that for me. In the late afternoon, I began to have a little bit of a headache. I realized that I had only had water all day. It made matters a little worse when I couldn't find any Advil or something for my headache. I went to sleep with my head pounding.

Here are my thoughts. Anything that produces in me some sort of reliance on that thing surely detracts me from totally relying on God. It makes me dependent on that thing rather than on God. Some of the obvious addiction tendencies are things like alcohol, drugs, sex, smoking, and caffeine. Some of the less obvious addiction tendencies are things like ways of doing things, cleaning up, making a mess, talking down to others, hatred, slander, food, and laughter. There are so many kinds of addictions, but anything becomes an addiction when it takes away from completely relying on God.

We all have addictions that control us, but I wonder if God calls us to begin laying these down at the cross one by one until we've learned to be completely reliant on Him. What addictions does God want out of your life?

God's Sign

Yesterday, I saw God use the prayer sign in a new light. A middle-aged woman came to me and, before I even looked up at her, she said, "Thank you!" When I looked up, it was obvious that she was broken up about something; she looked like Niagra falls was about to gush out on campus!

She said it again, "Thank you." I said hey and asked what is going on. She said she is having an absolutely horrible day. She was walking on campus, thinking about her day, and asking God if she could just have a small hug from Him. "At that moment," she said, "I look up and see that sign!"

Standing up, I told her that it looks like I need to give her a much-needed hug. She didn't stay much longer, but I asked God to let his presence continue to surround her. I pray that she had a good rest of the day.

This gets me to thinking...had that sign not been there, how would have this lady's day been? We may never know, but I put this sign out so people will come closer to God. So many are looking to reach out to Him; they just don't know how to do it. I saw God use this sign powerfully today.

Now I ask this: what sign are you putting out that God can use to bring people closer to him? The small encounters with others are God's opportunity to speak. How is God speaking through you?

Pray with Expectation

My day is filled with expectation. I can't wait to see how you show up today, God. Surprise me with a whisper. Overwhelm me with your presence. When temptation comes give me your strength to patiently wait until it passes. As people come and go, today, let me be an extension of your presence in their lives. Some need a smile; some need a touch; some need forgiveness; some need an ear; all need you. My day is filled with expectation.

Singing Praises

Yesterday I found myself singing praises to God in my house. It started out kindof soft, but gradually grew to be pretty loud. The thought occurred to me that my neighbors might be able to hear me, especially since we have tile flooring. This curbed my enthusiasm for a bit, but I soon returned to my previous vigor unable to control myself. I was lost in the moment of praise.

Consider one verse (Psalm 147:1): "Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!"

It is good. Let me encourage you to sing praises to God today. It might be one song; it might be twenty. Whatever it is, I pray that you experience the good and pleasant feeling of singing praises to our God.

Heart of God

Welcome week is over! It was a good welcome week from what I can tell. I have seen returning students reaching out to new students. I have seen new students making new friends. I am going to enjoy having the day off tomorrow...a much-needed break.

As we look to help all our students experience Jesus this semester, I pray that their decisions bring glory to God. This is the time when many students begin making small decisions that lead in directions away from the heart of God. To expect this of our students, I must be ready to lead the way.

Lord, may I continually seek your heart in every decision, in every action, in every conversation. Give me your patience. Show me your heart. May your Spirit guide me.

Wrestle God

I am excited about the semester! Who knows what plans the Lord is about to unfold? My prayer is that I have the courage to empower students to experience God in powerful ways. I pray that God move in such a way that when looking back one cannot help but say, "That was God!"

Tomorrow we begin our semi-leadership retreat. I say "semi-" because I haven't advertised it as a leadership retreat at all. This retreat is a small step toward one of my major goals this year: to develop a team of students committed to lead other students closer to God's heart! This will take a major investment of my time and energy.

I have even considered not doing the discipleship group for this year in an effort to streamline some of my time and energy. This is the time that I wrestle with God in what to choose. Where do I spend my time? What good, wholesome things do I choose not to do? What will have God's blessing? What should I avoid? What do I teach? Dare I say, like Jacob, "I will not let you go unless you bless me?" We will see.

The One Shot

The SHSU football players came to church this morning. It was good to see them there. I'm grateful that their coach makes them experience church at some level. I pray they see God.

I do always wonder what is going on as they sit in the couple of services they are required to attend each year. Are they freaked out with the non-instrumental singing? Do they understand the things we do? Are they hyper-critical of, disinterested in, or excited about things? How religiously inclined are they? Does the sermon connect to them? Are they encouraged? Are they engaged? Will they seriously come back? Did they see Jesus? Are we pushing too much or too focused on them? All these types of questions have circled my mind in the last week, especially this morning.

Here is what I conclude: I can't worry about it.

Sometimes we can get all worked up over what we believe to be the one shot, the one opportunity, the only chance. I hear some saying nervously, "They may never step foot in this building again!!" meaning that we must do everything we can right now.

My approach is somewhat different. I take what opportunities the Lord provides and do what I can. I am in the planting seeds business. The Lord is working the ground of people's heart before they ever come my way sometimes. So, I'm not too interested sometimes in how "perfect" everything went.

I do pray that the Lord brings to himself those he needs right now. I pray that hearts were pricked. If they don't come to our building again, may the Lord draw them to himself in a later conversation or in a powerfully deep experience. There are many ways that the Lord draws us to himself.

I pray that we look for more ways to put ourselves out there in opportunity-ridden situations. May we scatter the seeds, water when necessary, and patiently wait for God's fruit to appear in time. Where does the Lord need you to be?

What Right Do I Have?

“What right do I have, a person called by God, confirmed by the Holy Spirit, and spurred on by divine love…what right do I have to expect something out of any of you in regards to living God’s way of life?

My answer is threefold:

One…I have NO RIGHT.

I have no right to expect something out of you. I have no meaningful relationship with you. I don’t really know you. I might know of you, but I don’t know you. I don’t go with you to work or to have fun. I haven’t been in your home. I see you here in the building occasionally. But, I don’t have your trust. I am not an influential person in your life. So, I have no right to speak any expectations into your life.

Two…I have SOME RIGHT.

I have some right to expect something out of you. As a fellow human being I understand the struggles you have, the temptations to turn away from God. I do know you more than you think. I also know what God intended for his creation. I know it is good and beautiful and full. I know God’s love for us. I know how God desires to mend the broken relationship. So, I have some right to speak some expectations into your life.

Three…I have EVERY RIGHT.

I have every right to expect something out of you. I am your example. I am your minister. I am your servant. I am your leader. I am your pastor. I am your shepherd. When you listen to my words it is as if God is speaking. His spirit directs my spirit. His movements are my movements; there is no difference between us. Everything that has been created, has been created through me. So, I have every right to speak expectations into your life.

I expect you to give up your rights and follow me. Or do you not understand when I said, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’ Yes, I am Jesus…the one who died…for you.”

I, Chris, ask this: are you spending time with our Lord and letting him speak expectations into your life?

God's Process

Yesterday I reconnected with two of my High School friends through facebook. Thinking back to those days draws me into reflection on how God has moved me in this journey toward full life with him. From golf to accounting to marriage to graduate school to ministry God has moved me closer to his heart slowly over these last 12 years. It is a process that takes time...a lifetime. God's patience truly does mean salvation.

Organization, Part 2

So I received a call this morning from a random person. She introduced herself as my mind thought...telemarketer. She said she was a professional organizer. I thought that this was strange, but interesting. Some anonymous person from my church called her to come help me with my office. I started laughing out loud at the thought!! She asked what my thoughts were and I couldn't stop laughing. It was hard for me to admit to a stranger. She wanted to find a time when we could meet. After deciding on a time later this week, we discussed my office situation in a little more detail. This lady is now going to help me develop a plan for organizing my office. Is that cool or what?

My initial thoughts turn toward my relentless and sometimes unhealthy self-reliance. To hear myself say I need to get organized sounds completely different when someone else says the same thing! I briefly felt embarrassed to admit that I needed someone else to come help me get organized. But, I came to my senses understanding this is exactly what I need...a plan.

What do you need to admit that you need help with? What's stopping you from asking for it?

Kats for Christ Name Change

We are Kats for Christ.

In years past we have been called "The Bible Chair" (some still call us that) or "The Church of Christ Bible Chair" or "The Church of Christ Student Center."

Beginning this fall semester we are intentionally starting to make a move from "Church of Christ Student Center" to "Kats for Christ." While we have been using both interchangeably since the early 90s, the Lord has led me to help us make this much-needed transition official. There are several reasons this transition needs to happen.

First Reason

We need to point others to Jesus rather than to a particular denomination. This is shaped mostly by my meditation on the stories of Jesus. I hear Jesus' words burning in my heart. "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." "...any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."

The more I look at our students the more I see people who want to follow Jesus more than any particular denomination. Without rejecting their denomination, they do experience tension in contending that their denomination is the only one students should choose. They recognize that Jesus calls us to loosen the dividing lines of religiosity, to love our "Samaritan" neighbors with God's love, and to invite "the sick" in to be healed by our heavenly doctor. All of these help us fulfill Jesus' charge to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. Our students understand that Jesus transcends and permeates our dividing walls. That is why they feel this tension.

Second Reason

The students on campus are starving for the heavenly feast of Jesus. They need a safe place to come where they can encounter our Lord without any strings attached. And unfortunately (right now anyway) our church buildings are unsafe. Innocently, as students come to our church buildings we exalt the church building or being a part of our denomination rather than Jesus. We invite them to potlucks, to worship services, to whatever other events we can create. These are good! Hear me! At the same time, we force them to fill out this card so we can contact them later, we lock them in to hear our little spiel, or we stigmatize them as outsiders in the way that we talk about belonging to our group.

It seems like Jesus allowed people to belong to him publicly without forcing himself into their "space." He fed thousands and seemed to be okay with this. Even those who come looking for him afterwards in John 6:25ff. (presumably at their own initiative) are met with more admonitions to work for eternal life kind of food. In Luke 7:1-10 Jesus could have easily forced himself into the centurion's house; he was even on the way. Yet, when he hears this, he stops and reveals the surprising example of faith (rampant in Luke) to the crowds following him!

Jesus never told the centurion to fill out a card if he wants to really belong to the faithful. Jesus never admonished the centurion that he needs to have more faith. He simply and safely meets people where they are and allows them to belong without any pharisaical strings.

Interestingly enough, simply changing the name on our building from "Church of Christ Student Center" to "Kats for Christ" will tremendously help us create a safe place for those looking simply to belong to Jesus.

Third Reason

We have to change our initial conversations to focus more on Jesus! We must spread the fragrance of Christ wherever we go! We must stop creating a hurdle for students in their search for Jesus! Our name has been creating that hurdle!

Consider the hypothetical (yet incredibly normal) conversation below. Notice the trajectory of the conversation, even if we say the exact same thing after their first question.

NEW STUDENT: "What group are you with?"

KFC REP: "I'm with the Church of Christ Student Center."

NEW STUDENT: "Oh...okay. Well what do you do?"

KFC REP: "Well, we do everything we can to follow Jesus."

NEW STUDENT: "Do I have to be a member of the Church of Christ to come?" ....

Notice the subtle tendency in the conversation toward Church of Christ rather than Jesus. I see the new students thoughts in their question. They think (always to themselves), "I smell the fragrance of a denomination here! I better explore this!"

In today's campus environment all kinds of red flags go up for students when they sense exclusiveness from anyone...even if they are part of a particular denomination. It makes them incredibly uncomfortable to know that someone would reject another believer's beliefs based solely on their denomination. And they will avoid any Christian group that even "seems" to give that impression with their name.

Change the name, change the conversation! Change the name, change the fragrance!

Consider these new conversations that I anticipate becoming normal:

NEW STUDENT: "What group are you with?"

KFC REP: "I'm with the Kats for Christ?"

NEW STUDENT: "Oh...okay. Well what do you do?"

KFC REP: "Well, we do everything we can to follow Jesus."

NEW STUDENT: "Like what?" ....

This conversation explores the ways that we seek to follow Jesus in our service, our Bible studies, our conversations, our activities, our friendships, our mission trips, and in our relationships with everyone. The denomination conversation takes a back seat.

Sure, if someone wanted to know, they will eventually ask. We have no reason to hide that we are supported by Huntsville Church of Christ and carry many of its traditions. What is important in today's campus culture is the center of the conversation: Jesus! The fragrance of Christ is spread more readily with something as simple as a new name.

Name Change

Our name is an expression of our character, our values, and our focus. We seek to train and mature disciples of Jesus.

We are Kats for Christ.

Organization

I don't know whether this is an excuse for not being polished or organized in ministry like I should, but my organization skills are lacking. Don't get me wrong, I can organize things, but compared to others (specifically my wife...I love you sweetie) my organization looks...well...like unorganized.

Then in my spiritual reflection on this issue I hear a small voice. I'm not sure if it is something inside me or if it is God, but a voice nonetheless. The voice tells me that if I manage to get my office organized, the grace of God might overtake me in regards to my organization skills. I don't know how to take this, but I do know that I would like my office consistently cleaned and organized. It makes me feel good about myself among other things.

A lot must happen before the semester begins...I pray that God's grace comes when and where He needs it. Maybe organization will come as part of that grace. We will see.

Beauty in Sacrifice

Here is Frank Laubach's journal entry on December 6, 1930:

"Sometimes one feels that there is a discord between the cross and beauty. But there really cannot be, for God is found best through those two doorways. This grey-blue rolling water tinged with whitecaps, hemmed with distant green hills and crowned with colored clouds and baby-blue sky reveals God's love of beauty--and God is so lavish with his paintbrush in the tropics. He is lavish everywhere if one only has eyes to see Him at work.

But when one comes to personality, one demands more than a pretty face or even a soul that sings for joy. There is in the universe a higher kind of beauty. It is the beauty of sacrifice, of giving up for others, of suffering for others. A woman has not reached her highest beauty until she lays down her ease and chooses pain for bearing and nursing her child. A man has not found his highest beauty until his brow is tinged with care for some cause he loves more than himself. The beauty of sacrifice is the final word in beauty."

I am amazed at how transformed his eyes are. Frank sees God everywhere he looks. How can you be beautiful today in sacrifice?

Assisted Living Singing

Tonight our SHARE group went to the Town Creek Facility to sing songs. We put our kids out there to sing various children's songs. The B-I-B-L-E, Jesus Loves Me (the clapping version), I'm All Wrapped Up, Blue Skies and Rainbows, and a few more. The kids had also colored some pictures to give to the people watching us from their wheel chairs. After putting our kids on display we felt compelled to sing a few classic hymns that opened a few eyes and perked up our audience. I saw one lady just close her eyes and mouth the words with a huge smile on her face.

This small (and for some awkward) offering had Jesus written all over it. Our little 30 minutes of time meant the world to these people whose routine consists of mainly hanging out in a common area waiting for someone to come talk to them.

I had a thought as I was wheeling one lady (ninety something years old...she couldn't remember) back to the common area. If the Lord blesses me with as many years, I pray that people come to see me to sing praises to God. What a blessing it was tonight.

Fruit of the Spirit Suggestions

If you are going to produce a crop of apples, you don’t just go out and make them appear out of nowhere. No…you go and work the ground (till it up)…get the ground ready to receive the seeds…then you plant the seeds (which BTW look nothing like what comes out…i.e. you don’t plant an apple to get apples…you plant an apple seed)…then you water and give it appropriate sunlight…and God amazingly produces the fruit…in time…not immediately.

To produce the heart-level fruit of the Spirit, you will find a similar process with your heart. You work the ground, get it ready to receive the seeds, and you plant seeds that don’t look like what you will end up with (i.e. if you want patience you don’t plant patience...you plant something else). Then you cultivate the environment of your heart.

Constant cultivation of what is planted needs to happen…beware of the hard ground, the rocks, and the weeds that can creep in if we fail to pay attention. Are you cultivating your heart now so that God can produce in you the fruit that he desires of this world? Here are a few suggestions for cultivating the heart for later fruit of the spirit:

To cultivate joy,

• Ask God to show you how good he is
• Meditate on how beautiful his creation is
• Smell the flowers and thank God for them.
• Have a personal worship retreat.
• Sing songs of praise and thanksgiving.
• Pray the scripture, pausing to meditate when the Spirit leads

To cultivate faithfulness and peace in your marriage

• Pray together
  
• Thank each other regularly (write it down every day: record of rights)
  
• Hold each other closely without selfish agendas…just for the sake of affirming the other
  
• Don’t take things so personally (most of the time its not a big deal)
  
• Offer forgiveness
• Ask for forgiveness. Admit when you are wrong quickly.
  
• Smile and laugh at each other.
• Don’t get historical. Remember the time you chose to forget how you've been wronged.
  
• Watch the sun go down together. Just enjoy the beauty of God.
• Tell others that you won't (not "can't") do something because you want to spend good time with your spouse.

To cultivate kindness and goodness at work,

• Ask them what you can pray for (actually pray for them there)
  
• Ask God to show you their strengths
  
• Begin thanking them for things they’ve done (“I overheard your conversation with so-and-so and that really encouraged me”)
  
• Free attention give-away: seriously listen attentively; don’t talk about you
  
• Spend 30 full minutes imagining yourself as another person with whom it is difficult to be kind or good (God will hopefully open your heart toward her or him)

To cultivate gentleness and patience,

• Indirection – stand in longest line at the grocery store
  
• Indirection – go the speed limit (tell yourself…I’m cultivating my heart)
  
• Work with children
  
• Initiate a conversation with someone who doesn’t speak English well
  
• Put yourself in situations where you can cultivate a selfless heart (trust that in time, God will produce his fruit in you)
  
• Confess regularly your own faults (who of us is perfect?)

To cultivate self-control,

• Ask God to teach you to say no to yourself in small things
  
• Indirection – practice fasting (learn to say no to your own body in eating [a basic need], and you will begin to see self-control in other temptations)
  
• Inconvenience yourself regularly, and take it not as an inconvenience but an wonderful opportunity to learn self-control that you weren’t expecting (act of service)
  
• When someone does something horrible to you, don’t tell anyone about it…ever!!
• When you do something good, don’t tell anyone about it…ever!!
• Limit your speaking for a day...see what you learn about others and yourself
• Don't eat your normal snack or dessert or whatever for a day

To cultivate love,

• Spend time with God just listening…ask him to show you his love
  
• Spend personal time worshipping God in song.
• Read about how God loves horrible people
  
• His love is something hard to understand
  
• No conditions…on his love?
  
• Begin to experiment with how you can practice this love too
  
• Do all these things
  

Remember that all these suggestions are only ways to cultivate your heart. And this is not even close to an exhaustive list. Please feel free to add your own in a comment to this post.

Word of Caution: You could easily turn these suggestions into rules and regulations to be performed, but that again doesn’t work on the heart. You would be doing the very thing that you are trying to avoid. Richard Foster: “The Disciplines of the spiritual life are a means not an end. The end is ‘to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.’ The end is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).” (Foster, Streams of Living Water, 55)

Frank Laubach

I am trying a new experiment that I borrowed from Frank Laubach. He worked among the Moros on one of the Philippine islands. He journals about his experiment. On January 20, 1930 he said, "Two years ago a profound dissatisfaction led me to begin trying to line up my actions with the will of God about every fifteen minutes or every half hour." He talks about seeking to respond to God as a violin responds to the bow of the master.

I must admit my intrigue. His conversation with God and desire to respond to God's will is impressive. It reminds me of Christ's passion. As I read through his journey, I am overcome with his honesty in his failure and his humility in his success.

As a part of this experiment, Frank commits himself to intercessory prayer for the Moros. He notices through this intense focus on others that people seem to treat him differently. This sentence is just as interesting to me: "I feel, I feel like one who has had his violin out of tune with the orchestra and at last is in harmony with the music of the universe." Wow!

I could go on and on (perhaps I will later), but I have begun this little experiment of Frank Laubach's. I'm not exactly sure yet what it looks like to align my will with God's, but I do know that my thoughts are more filled with God than normal. This scares me, but I also feel Satan waiting patiently to test this experiment with all his might! My prayer is that I walk through this instead of run with a full head of steam. May God be praised and may his strength work mightily!!

Saying Goodbye

Last night was our last party. There was a homecoming party that prevented several readers from coming, but the turnout was more than I had anticipated, twenty-two.

We played a few fun games together. The fish game was a hit. When you hear "fish" in the story you lift up your right finger while trying to catch with your left hand the finger of the person next to you. (I cheated a little bit because I knew the story, so I got pretty far. I just let others catch my finger at the end...wink...wink.)

Then we had a few snacks along with coke floats. It was interesting to watch the faces of the readers as we explained what a coke float was. They'd never heard of such a thing, but they tried it and liked it.

One of my readers surprised us with a piñata. Kayla went first, then Courtney, Emily, Tanya, and finally I went. It was so demolished at the end that they pulled it up to the top and it broke. Imagine that. I didn't even have to hit it! I just thought about hitting it and it broke!! Yes...I'm that strong.

Anyway, at the end we gave our readers their certificates, took some pictures, talked a little more, and then said goodbye. I can't believe we are finished with the work of our project already!! We have a ton of emails, many pictures, a few gifts, many memories, and confidence that God worked through it all for His glory.

Now we trust that his work is not finished here. God was working before we came and will continue after we leave. We praise him for this opportunity and ask him to spread the fragrance of Christ wherever we go.

Enjoy the pictures below.

The first worked on a word find with many of the words from our Luke workbook they'd been working on.
Tyler's just chillin' with his balloon thinking about something!!

Courtney and Kayla are having fun as we wait for the readers to show up. She couldn't wait to eat ice cream a little later on!

The human first human knot went well. In the end there were two circles they couldn't get untangled.

Our little human knot ended the same way, but it took us a very long time to realize it.

The "fish" game. No one really listened to the story. They were just listening for some form of the word fish before trying to not let their finger get caught by the person next to them. I almost won both times!!

These were three of my four readers. From left to right: Briceida, Ruth, and Tania.

We enjoyed snacks afterwards. Someone brought some "arroz con leche." It was very good!

Emily is trying to give the piñata her best hit. She missed several times. I didn't even swing!

Tania and Tanya. ¡Qué bonita mi amor es!

This is the other preacher, Elio, who works with Raul and Betty at the church. He teaches the Bible class on Sunday mornings.

Our Daily Schedule

The routine continues.

We get up early (it starts getting light about 5:30 or so), get started with breakfast, feed Kayla and Tyler, get them dressed, pack a lunch for Kayla, and get bags ready for the day. Tanya leaves to walk to the school to read about 7:30am (its about a 15 minute walk) and the rest of our family starts walking about 8:00am until a taxi comes by to take us to the Christian school here in Panama.

Betty Alvarado helps run the Christian bilingual school at the Church of Christ. She offered that Kayla go to this school while she was here...and it didn't cost us anything! What a blessing this has been to us and our daughter! She is working on her Spanish all the time. It is kind of funny to listen to. It kind of sounds like Spanish, but it really isn't any language at all (at least to us). She has so many friends now in Panama. Her teachers love her (and her red hair).

Tyler and I hang out for a little while, he takes a nap, I get a few things done for our project, and then we make our way to the cafeteria about 11:15am where we will meet the rest of the team for lunch. After lunch Tanya and Tyler go back to the house while I go to read for the afternoon. Depending on our plans for dinner we meet each other, cook dinner, have our team devotional and depart to our respective houses.

For our family, this begins our nightly routine of baths; after a long day of high humidity and a little rain (yes it rains every day only with a couple of exceptions since we've been here), this is much needed. After baths we get ready for bed and get to sleep. This early time to bed (sometime around 9pm) makes getting up so early the next morning easier! Then we get to do it all over again.

I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into our daily schedule while here in Panama.

Reading Away

Emily arrived safely last night and I just talked to Spencer who is waiting for his flight at the airport. Please pray that this transition goes smoothly.

Our reading continues today. We are completely full. There are no more spots available for reading unless a reader can't come to any of their reading times. This is great news! This is also the time when our relationships with our readers starts to get a little more serious. We need continual prayers for these deepening relationships. Ask that God give us wisdom to know what questions are necessary to bring our readers closer to Him. I wait to see what he does this week through our service.

Below are a few pictures to give you a glimpse into our work. Most of our time is spent reading the Bible with the students at the University, so it would be misleading to not include these pictures. Please pray for these 8-hour days of reading.

Texas Party

Last night was our first party. It was a Texas party. Betty and Raul (the preacher here) told us that this was the most readers that have ever been to a party since they started about 5 years ago. There were 34 total, including us. We played Texas People Bingo and Texas Pictionary. We explained Texas slang, but I think that was difficult to understand in Spanish. Oh yeah...we also brought Texas dirt for everyone to eat (see the picture below) along with my grandmother's special Texas sweet tea.

With all the people there we were able to sign up more readers. Now our schedule is completely full!! Praise the Lord!! Enjoy the pictures from the party.

This is our dirt. Really it was a pudding recipe with Oreo cookies on top.

Our team.

Spencer and Raul explain how to play Texas Bingo.

We rush around trying to find people who fit certain criteria on our Texas Bingo sheet.

More Texas Bingo.

Our Texas Pictionary was a hit with our very own Vanna White. Kayla loved erasing what was drawn after each contestant came to draw their masterpiece. One time, she accidently erased the score!! Everyone at the party rightly thought that it was so cute.

Kayla still being cute.

Tyler hit this ball all over the place. He will definitely be a baller!!

Until next time. Peace.

Panama Pictures

Here are a couple of pictures of our family. I thought I would share them today. We are near the Bridge of the Americas at the end (or beginning) of the Panama Canal. There were several big cargo ships leaving the canal and cranking up their engines. Enjoy.

Worship in Panama

Worship in another country has always been a blessing! This morning proved to be the case once again. It was refreshing to hear the sermon translated into English, but it was also good to hear Spanish songs of adoration to our Lord. The people were so warm and friendly this morning. They enjoyed seeing Kayla and Tyler too. Our children are such easy conversation starters.

Our reading starts again tomorrow morning. Pray that God continues to give us strength to offer his grace in our conversations. Also pray that our party on Thursday is a success. Thanks for your continued support.

Update from Panama

We have arrived!! Hitting the ground running we have been reading one-on-one with readers every day since we arrived. One of Courtney's readers showed up for Wednesday night service with her mother and child. What a cool thing after only inviting them that morning.

Kayla and Tyler are adjusting well. Just this morning Kayla was singing, "Arriba, up; abajo, down." She also like to say outside the window "Hola. Buenos dias" to the people next door.

It is fun to see EVERYONE (no exception) watch Kayla with her beautiful red hair. Wherever we go people talk about what a beautiful doll she is.

With eyes on us constantly, please pray that we bring glory to our God and take advantage of that witness. The people in Panama are so nice. They are eager to improve their English and make a good American friend. We are grateful that we have this opportunity.

Panama!!

We leave for Panama on Monday morning. Things are kindof getting crazy around here! There are always last minute things to get together. That is just how these trips go.

I am excited to see how our whole family does in another country together. I'm sure we will do fine, but someone mentioned on Sunday that Tyler is going to be walking when he gets back. That will probably be true! I never thought of that. We think the family we are staying with has a little girl about Kayla's age, so language might be interesting, but really cool to watch. Hopefully the little Spanish Kayla does know will help out.

This year is also going to be good to see how God works through what we offer. Our team is wonderful! I can't wait to read again.

Lord, please guide our steps. Let us walk with you. Continue to prepare the hearts that will be touched by your word this summer, my own included. You are amazing. Protect us for your name's sake. Amen.

Chris' Personality

Thanks to Doug Page for leading me to this page. It was good to take this personality test again. I think I scored the same before, but I'm not exactly sure. When I read the whole profile, it was pretty insightful into how I approached ministry! It is nice to know that I have a similar personality to people like Albert Eistein and Socrates. Interesting. Very interesting. Check it out.



INTP - The "Engineer"

INTPs are logical, individualistic, reserved, and very curious individuals. They focus on ideas, theories and the explanation of how things work. They are especially adept at discussions and debate. They have the ability to focus intently on a subject. They appreciate and respect intelligence in others.

KFC Video

I hope you enjoy our end-of-the-year video as much as I did putting it together. Later.

TV Pauses Brain

It is amazing how much we allow the TV to put our minds on pause. Sitting in a hotel recently, I was eating breakfast. One of the attendants was working below one of the cabinets when she accidently hit something that turned the TV off. It was funny to see the reactions of the people sitting in the area. Silence. They were kindof woken up from a sleep. They began looking around like what are we supposed to do now. Weird.

It was actually a brief moment of peace for me. I was kindof hoping that she wouldn't get it back on so I wouldn't have to start my day off thinking about sports. Oh well. She got it back on and our brains went back on pause again.

Children's Play and Creativity

When you watch a child play there will come a time when she will become bored. Her ideas for playing have reached a standstill. Usually, the child will walk around in a kindof daze looking for some idea, some new way of playing, something, anything. They might even come to their parents during this time. However, if left alone during that time (during that "boredom"), creativity will usually come. Something will spark an idea, something not connected before, and play will continue with serious vigor. Imagination comes out of the windows. They are again in their world of play.

Watching children play has proved to be a nourishing thing for my class and sermon preparation. In using some of these ideas, creativity is sparked like I've never experienced before. Let me explain.

I get to a place in my class and sermon preparation where I get bored. I don't see any connection between the text and life. The text is just one of those toys I've played with a thousand times. Nothing is there. It is at this moment when many teachers or preachers reach toward other outsiders, like parents so-to-speak who can help us "play" with the text. This is not a good move at this point.

When I get bored with the text, I stay there and begin to use my imagination, however vain I think the effort might be. For me (not necessarily for everyone), my dry erase board becomes a canvas for my imagination. I do a little bit of free association as I walk around the room bored with this text I keep reading aloud. Any image, idea, word, connection (no matter how outlandish) goes on my canvas. At some point, creativity happens. Sometimes it doesn't happen for a while. I might even have to go to something else (some other text) knowing that I will come back to my boredom.

Ever since I have started this, God has faithfully ushered in creativity. Even in how to present the text or arrange the class time. It is funny how this has sparked a new era, so-to-speak, in my ministry preparation.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me. Thank you, Lord, for making my job such a joy. You are so faithful to sustain.

Silent Speech

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her."

It seems that wisdom accompanies silence. The Lord directs our hearts when we allow him to silently speak to us (if that is possible).

Father, my words seem to come from a desire to fill the dreadful silence of your presence. Please give me the patience to wait for your word and the courage to sit in silence. You are ... 

Listen...Speak

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

I heard (or read) somewhere recently that Jews expression of religion hinges on the Shema, "Hear of Israel..." (Deut 6:4-6) and that our expression of religion hinges on our confession "Jesus is Lord." Interesting! One focuses on listening, the other speaking.

In light of this idea, the Ecclesiastes text has been talking to me for the last almost two weeks. I sit and wonder what to say?

The Next Golf Level

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

When I was younger, golf was a fun sport. I loved the challenge. I enjoyed trying to hit the best possible shot. Getting up to the ball I would look toward my target with enthusiasm. Sometimes my shot would end up close, most times way off. Through high school, my skill improved enough that most of my shots were close, even though I knew I could improve considerably.

As I entered college, my golf coach helped me take my game to the next level. He taught me how to visualize my shot before I even addressed the ball. I began to imagine the flight path of the ball. I could see the slight fade. I knew it would clear this part of the hazard and not go too far left. I saw the ball staying below the tree tops so the wind wouldn't take it. I imagined stopping the ball just short of the pin so I could have an uphill putt. I didn't want to put too much spin so it would bounce hard in the fairway. The ball would start off low to stay below one tree, but then get high enough to go over the next. I began to see these shots. There were so many shots that I just knew I would be hitting them exactly where I wanted them. The practice was there to make that a possibility, but my game went to the next level when I began to see the shot before it happened.

A lady who works on campus came to my office today. She had a question for me. Working with international students, she had one ask her what keeps her going through the stress and worries of life. She asked me what I would have told this student. I told her my thoughts. She began crying saying that she felt like Peter who denied Christ. She obviously felt like she blew it big time! That God was ashamed and, perhaps (she didn't say this exactly), her soul was in danger. We talked about the opportunity and prayed that God give her abundant opportunities to talk about Jesus and her own faith with international students.

So many of us go through life getting up to the ball and just hitting it in a general direction. Sometimes we might not even hit the ball in our enthusiasm! While it is good to at least hit the ball and to spend time practicing, we are merely going through life with a basic game.

To take our Jesus walk to the next level we need to visualize our shot before we hit it. We need to look at others (our leaders are a good place to start) and consider their way of life. We need to actually see ourselves talking to that person next to us in class. We need to imagine smiling at someone as we hold the door open. We need to feel the chair we will sit in as we read Proverbs 26 at 6:38am. We need to feel the person's shoulder in our hand as we will pray over the next person who asks us to pray for them instead of putting them on a list (prayer is personal). We need to imagine ourselves paying complete attention to the next person who needs our attention; we won't be looking around at other people wondering how to get out of the conversation. We need to see the opportunity before the opportunity comes. We need to cry out to God to open our eyes to the abundant opportunities he puts before us all the time. 

Imagination and practice go a long way as we seek to take our Jesus walk to the next level. What do you need to visualize yourself doing today?

Weeks and Days

I look back and see a string of activities stretching back to the beginning of the semester. It just all runs together. Discipleship meetings to class prep to website to coming home to dinner to baths to bed to another day filled with stuff. It all runs together.

Here are some questions at the forefront of my mind:

• Does my time bring glory to God?
• Is there enough space in the margins of my life?
• How can God work on me when I am so busy working on others?

I seriously don't know what needs to go, but something needs to go. I look really busy; I feel really busy; I don't know how to become un-busy.

Lord, are you close? There are moments that I see and feel your presence. You give me words to say to others and speak to me when I am silent. But my desire to be closer to you draws me to look at my schedule. Show me what needs to give a little? Do I need to finish the semester like this? Are you teaching me how quick life vanishes? Give me insight into your heart. I desire to know you more...even in your sufferings. In the character of Jesus. Amen.

Voice in the Desert

Mark begins his gospel like this:

"It is written in Isaiah the prophet: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way' -- 'a voice of one calling the desert, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him."'

I imagine someone yelling at the top of their lungs, "Prepare the way for the Lord!! Make way!! He's coming!! Make straight paths for him!! Prepare the way!!" This person attracts attention. Those listening wonder who is coming. Some might go out to the road to help fill in those huge holes so royalty will not fall. Others begin getting the big rocks out of the road so this person can pass. The road must be made straight, the path cleaned and prepared. Preparation is necessary to receive the one coming!

How are we going to prepare?

Many times, I feel unprepared to receive the Lord. He desires to come close to work intimately with us. Yet, we fail to make the proper preparations. There are rocks in the way that prevent his coming close. I might even put up the fence of selfishness. As he comes near, he could disappear in the pothole of our consumption with TV and video games. The path is not made ready to receive the Lord.

John prepared the way for Jesus coming by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Change was necessary before Jesus came. Jesus desires to be close. He wants to use you in powerful ways. You need to prepare the way for the Lord. Let us do this today!

TV and Movies

For Sunday college class this semester, I am wanting to focus on discussing video clips from various movies and TV shows. The impact on our younger generation is much more engaging. I love to think about the discussions that we will be having this year. Eventually, I would like to see students bringing clips from their movies that we can discuss.

Please help us, Lord, to use discernment as we watch TV shows and movies. While the entertainment is good, we want to bring glory to your name in our watching. Keep us focused on you. Amen.

My Plate

So...it took me eleven days to write anything in 2008. I have enjoyed the break from the normal routine. I got to enjoy platefuls of food with family and friends. This year I didn't eat as much as I have in the past! Even during Thanksgiving I think I only got one full plate and then snacked a little later on. Christmas was the same. This year was not the year where I couldn't fit something else on my plate if I tried.

I wish I actually had some sort of schedule plate to put things on so I would know that I cannot do anything else.

On Wednesday night I realized how much is going on right now, how much I have on my plate. I am training an LST team (maybe two at the same time); teaching Wednesday night class, Thursday devo, and Sunday class; creating the curriculum for our small groups each week; developing and meeting with a leadership team of students; leading a women's weekly small discipleship group; spending time being available for prayer on campus; leading a church small group discussion starting in February; preaching at least once a month; going through premarital counseling with one of our students; going through marital counseling with a couple at church; maintaining the church website and the campus ministry website; staying on top of two service assignments each month; raising funds for our LST trip this summer; spending better time with Tanya, Kayla, and Tyler; and trying to fit in hanging out with students when the opportunity comes.

I'm not sure if there is any more room on my plate...even for any garnish. I'm not sure what to do about all this just yet. I wait to see how things go.

Lord, help me to stay focused. Give me your energy. I cannot do this alone. May your presence sustain me.

Christ's Sacrifice

It is good to relax with family. Historically, I have really gone into relax mode doing practically nothing, even getting upset when Tanya asks me to do something for her. That is not what Christ's sacrifice has called me to. This season I am going to go out of my way to help get things done. I am going to help with the cooking, cleaning, keeping up with kids, etc. Whatever needs to get done I am going to work at it as if working for Christ. Let's all remember that we still follow Jesus during the holidays. This is our calling...this is what we need to do.

Thank You, Jesus

Lord, please guide us in your presence as we travel. Let us constantly have you in our minds as we exchange gifts with friends and family. You are the reason that we feel compelled to give. Without your gift, we would not be able to truly live. Without your gift, we would not have hope for eternal life. Without your gift, we would not be empowered with the Holy Spirit to give ourselves.

Thank you, Jesus, for your faithfulness.

Kairos in Luke

Spending some time going through Luke, I noticed a greek word at the beginning of the book: kairos. It is usually translated "time," meaning a specific time period rather than just a general reference to time (aka "appointed time," "proper time," "favorable time," "this season"). ["Chronos" is the word for a general reference to time.] Kairos carries with it the notion of a moment or period that is especially appropriate ("this is the special time that is not like other times"). Ultimately, I love the connotation of our word "season" in expressing this word kairos.

So, I noticed this word in Luke 1:20. This word lead me to explore the other uses in the book of Luke. With there being thirteen uses of this word in Luke (1:20; 4:13; 8:13-2; 12:42, 56; 13:1; 18:30; 19:44; 20:10; 21:8, 24, 36), I would like to briefly mention half of those as the most meaningful ones for Luke's purposes (1:20; 4:13; 12:56; 19:44; 21:24, 36). I will expand on and apply this in later posts.

Luke 1:20 introduces us to the notion of a special "season" on the horizon in the words of Gabriel. He announces to Zachariah that he will not be able to speak because he did not believe Gabriel's words, that will be fulfilled in their season. The right time will come when these words will come true. The reader is left wondering what season is about to come. The story of John, especially in light of Jesus continues. Even when this "season" emerges a few verses later in 1:57-66, we see the newness of the season where "the hand of the Lord" is at work. Zechariah's prophesy (1:67-79) shows what kind of season we see beginning in John.

As the story of Jesus emerges, specifically with his spirit-filled journey into the desert (4:1-13), the reader is wondering what is about to happen, is this another season. Jesus is baptized by John (3:21), the Spirit comes down on Jesus (3:22), a voice from heaven announces Jesus' sonship, and we learn that Jesus' ministry is beginning (3:23). Satan, it seems, is thinking about the timing of everything. I imagine him wondering is this the season? Through the temptations Satan does what he can to disrupt the season of God's salvation (remember Zechariah's song in 1:69). After the failed attempt, we see Satan leaving to wait for a better season. Satan's season, he might reason, will come about at another time...just not now.

Jesus' ministry continues. God continues to work out his season first prophesied through Zechariah. In chapter twelve we find Jesus speaking more about the season in which the people find themselves. Don't be like the Pharisee's (12:3ff.), fear what the world fears (12:4ff.), or worry about your life (12:22ff). Instead, be ready like the faithful servant (12:35-48). The season is upon you. Once we come to 12:54, the reader is forced to consider the season Jesus offers. We know how to discern the appearance of the earth and sky (aka "the natural seasons we've experienced from birth"). But, in 12:56 Jesus questions whether we are able to discern this season of which he speaks.

This question continues as Jesus' kingdom proclamation continues. It is still present, but in a much more focused, tearful way, as he enters Jerusalem for the last time (19:41-44). The people don't know what can bring them peace. Jerusalem and all those people "among you" (ev soi) will fall. The reason is that you did not know the season you are in, the season that God visits you.

As Jesus' earthly ministry nears the end, he pointedly speaks of the season. Some will say "I am" and "The season is near!" (21:8) but don't follow them. He unpacks what will be happening at the end of the ages. Then, perhaps, the most interesting statement Jesus makes (that I initially don't see much written about): Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the season of the Gentiles is fulfilled (21:24). I really don't know exactly what this entails. Maybe Luke has adopted Paul's ideology from Romans 11:25. Luke's "gospel to the Gentiles" may really expose his intentions in this comment, but I haven't spent enough time researching this.

The final comment about the season is a fitting end. Jesus encourages his disciples to "Keep yourself awake all season long" (21:36). The season of God's presence is here. You need to be alert and ready to recognize and discern this wherever you find yourself, no matter the season.

This is a long endeavor that deserves more attention. I hope to expand these initial observations and hopefully engage Luke's emphasis on the coming of the kingdom of God. This certainly is linked to the season of Jesus' life on earth. Application of this discussion to our lives is also necessary. I look forward to your comments and conversations about the season.

Birth Certificate

Yesterday I went to the Courthouse to get Tyler's birth certificate. We finally needed it to get his Passport. I can't believe that it cost $22 to get a certified copy of his birth certificate! What if I didn't have the money to buy a loaf of bread? But, if I needed to show someone that my son was actually born like I said he was, I would have to pay $22! This is crazy.

I don't know what to think about this, but certainly there is something about "the system" that can be said. The lady there pulled out a sheet of paper (pretty spiffy little piece of paper, I must admit), put it in the copy machine, copied it, crimped it, and collected my money for that considerable amount of time that she put into making this copy for me.

Is justice a part of the discussion? Does justice demand that we spend all this money on making a copy? If the poor cannot afford to prove they were born, is justice maintained? I'm not sure, but surely something can be said here.

[BTW-I'm normally not so political or government-system-interested, but $22 just bothered me a little bit. Oh well. The complexity of being me.]

Small Groups

Our congregation is beginning the actual process of meeting in smaller groups of people throughout the town on Sunday evenings. I absolutely love that we are moving in this direction. It reflects a way of thinking that is similar to that of the early Christians. It also helps us move outside of the church walls.

As I talk to more and more people in our congregation about this move our elders have made (alongside of the ministry staff), I find that many people are somewhat enthusiastic. Obviously, questions and concerns arise, but this happens with any transition. Most of the time, I believe, these concerns will be assuaged as the groups begin meeting. There is nothing like actually experiencing small groups to know what they are like. There seems to be a general attitude that is eagerly anticipating the change; perhaps God will make himself known to us more through small groups.

This is an exciting time in Huntsville. God is moving us closer to meeting people's needs in a way we don't currently offer. I pray that he continues to guide us in His wisdom and His discernment. Many decisions are being made now that will determine our direction for a little while anyway.

You, Lord, are the only one we seek to please. We need you to guide our leaders' hearts as they make these decisions. Help us to bring glory to your name, not our own. It is for the sake of your name that we move toward meeting in smaller groups. May people look at this and say...God is truly among them.

Prayer Sign Reflection

The first semester of re-adjusting my schedule has finished. In a previous post I mentioned that I would sit on campus with a sign telling people that I will prayer for them. Even though I mentioned a few things early on, this semester has been one story after another. Students, workers, deans, professors, Christians, Hindus, irreligious, atheists all coming to ask for prayers or because they were curious. I couldn't possibly tell you all the stories, but I could tell you all the names of the people who have showed up. I decided to count the conversations rather than the "converts," whatever that means. I never would have imagined the responses.

It was normal for someone to come up to me saying, "I've seen you here for a while, but I never came up until now." Sometimes a student would dive right in to questions about God that have been bothering them, problems they've been having, or prayers for campus they want to offer. Other times it would take five encounters or so over the course of two months before they would really ask me what they wanted to ask me.

One guy's first words to me as he was smoking a cigarette were, "Do you think people can change?" After coming around just to say hey for a month or so he was obviously bothered, or rather curious, about my approach. He said, "I've come by here five times or so and you have never once asked me about my religion, my faith, or even church...why?" I explained that I am just here to be available to students in whatever way they need. I told him that half the time I'm trying to figure out what the person talking to me actually needs. It seemed like he wasn't interested in talking about his religious, his faith, or church, so I just went with it. He told me he has never heard of a minister like that. The rest of our conversations have been oriented toward God in one way or another. He just knows that there is a guy on campus interested in being available to those who come by. I loved that conversation!!!

Having thought about what happens on campus through my sitting there every day, I have come to some tentative conclusions I would like to share. I believe that people, specifically students but also others, are looking for a way to reach out to God. They don't feel like they can come to our established facilities because they are not looking for something that involves a huge commitment. But they want to connect to God nonetheless.

When they just see the sign, I believe God makes himself known to them. Let me put that another way. If they are really looking (when they really see the sign), they see this as a place they go and can talk to God (God makes himself known to them here). Think of it this way: only after Moses goes over to see this curious sight of a bush that doesn't burn up does God call him (Exodus 3:3-4).

People have come to ask me questions that I know they are really asking God. Do you think God will hate me because of this decision I think I need to make? What will God think of me? Is it wrong to think that certain people are going to hell? Where does God want me to go after graduation? How is God working on campus?

This semester I have put myself out there and asked God to use me when he needs me. I'm available. He works in many different ways, but he needed to reveal himself to an average of about 5 people a day in various ways. I'm glad that I could be there in those moments.

The focus of this whole semester needs to remain on God's efforts toward our campus rather than on anything I was moved to do. God wants his reign to advance so people will see him in his glory. God is doing some good things that I am glad to be only a part.

I plan on doing this again next semester, but I'm not sure how long God will call me to this. I guess we will see. I'm open to questions, comments, challenges, and the like about how this sign stuff went this semester.

LST Training

Our Let's Start Talking training continued last night. I am excited about our team. We are getting to know each more and more and have so many different types of personalities. It is going to be cool to be a part of a student team...the dynamic is definitely different, but a good different.

I am hoping that I communicate (not just verbally) that there is not a team leader, namely myself. We are all sharing the leadership. The challenge is to make sure this mindset gets reinforced as we continue the training; we all contribute much to the team.

This year, I am really interested to see how we work out the details with Kayla and Tyler. I pray that they are able to play an important role, but we all need to learn what that role is going to be. For myself and Tanya, we need to give Kayla more opportunities to do things with the group. May God be glorified in all our training.

Christmas Party

Last night our annual Kats for Christ Christmas Party went off without a hitch. It was actually quite surprising! We were working on it all day long. Cleaning, getting supplies together, cooking, cooking some more, running again to get supplies, and all the little details that had to get done. Oh yeah...we also put up all our Christmas decorations yesterday too!! I cant' believe how much stuff we got done yesterday.

This was the first time that I cooked 40 chicken breasts all at once. I was rather proud of that! They all fit on the KFC BBQ pit at once too. I had forgotten a light to see the chicken, so by the end it was hard to see if the chicken was completely done or not. It all worked out fine and we praise God for the fun we had last night.

I wonder how much energy we are going to put into walking with the Lord today. Are we going to think about all the details? How are we going to decorate our lives with Christ today? What supplies do we need to gather? Ask for God's Spirit to guide you closer to him today.

Excellence

I have been wrestling with the idea of excellence in various ways since grad school. It came back to the forefront of my mind because of our visit to San Antonio. More specifically, as a result of going to church yesterday at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio.

They displayed excellence in a way that I have not experienced in a while. From us driving up to knowing where we should go to what they provided for Kayla to their worship to their use of drama to their use of many different people and talents. I was overwhelmed at how they were giving God their best! We will certainly tell them about our experience yesterday morning. It was refreshing.

I have since been thinking about excellence. I don't give God my best all the time. Perhaps because I am not encouraged to this end, perhaps because I can skate by on God-given talent rather than push for excellence in areas in which I am not gifted, or perhaps because I think God will take me just as I am and give him my mediocre self.

I need to pursue excellence in my organization skills. I need to push for excellence in how present I am with my wife. I need to press on toward excellence in raising Kayla and Tyler. Excellence needs to be my focus in my preaching and teaching. God demands all of me. He desires me to be in the business of newness at my very core; he wants excellence.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of this calling toward perfection. It is refreshing to experience it anew. I know that I can only do this for a certain amount of time by my own power. For this reason I need your power to sustain me. Help me wake up every morning with the newness that your excellence brings. Empower me with your spirit to be excellent.

Weather Wares

It is starting to feel like winter here...at least for a little while. The temperatures are dropping. Today the wind is blowing really hard. It kindof reminds me of Abilene. I like the change. I can't wait for the leaves to start changing colors.

Seasons come and seasons go. It is a relief that the whole year is not the same season. Makes me think of the value of the seasons of our spiritual life. It is a relief that there is a season for what might look like spiritual death, but we know that new life will come in due season. Praise the Lord for the insight he has brought my way today.

Keep me close, Lord, as I experience the seasons.

Mac arrival

My new Mac arrived on Wednesday! I am in the process of getting everything from my PC to my Mac. I am slowly learning a new way of doing things computer-wise. It is fun to learn all the little differences. I just hope I don't forget all things PC...though I would like to. We will see how things go!

Keep learning new things..especially spiritually. God is in the business of making all things new. Allow him to work today.

Typical Day in Huntsville, Texas

Well, Monday morning rolls around in Huntsville, Texas. Normal day of going through a generally predictable schedule. People going about their business. I go to the office, meet with my ministry leader, get on campus to be available for students. Then...wham...inmates escape, kill the guard, take the shot gun, steal a few cars, run around town avoiding the authorities, then get to a field I have run past a ton of times. Something huge you would think!!! Sure...if you live outside of Huntsville. I saw it on CNN and Houston News Stations. I know it was a big deal.

A crazy thing happened to me that showed me how sectioned off my life has become in regard to the prison system in Huntsville, Texas. Here is what happened.

I was on campus (like I said). I heard a college student run up to another student yelling about what was happening. I heard this student talk about inmates out, everyone on lock-down, shotgun, hostage, still happening, let's go find out more. The other student receiving the information said, "Hell yeah! Let's go!" as he grabbed his bag and they ran off together.

My first thought was, "Wow! I guess they have it under control so I don't need to worry about it too much." I looked around and briefly thought that it wasn't too serious because they haven't done anything on campus to get people to leave. The prisons have been on lock-down before, and nothing big happened. I heard the helicopter, continued to sit there reading my book, got up at the time I normally do, and went on with my day as I had planned it.

Why was my first thought not about calling Tanya to tell her to lock the doors and not go anywhere? Why did I not think about praying for the supposed hostages? I guess I did pray that these guys on the loose not hurt anyone else, but it was a passing prayer; I didn't dwell on it too long. Why was I not too concerned about the development of this crazy scare our city was experiencing? What is going on in my head!!??

There is a separation in my mind concerning the prison system in Huntsville, Texas. "It really doesn't effect the goings on of everyday life too much," I think to myself. "That is what 'they' do, but it doesn't penetrate 'my' world." "Stuff like this just happens; I can't control that." I'm a little concerned about what happened today in my head.

Lord, help me to understand how this city has affected the way I see what you are doing. Please use me to show others the way they section off their life in regard to the prison system. May we develop a sensitivity to the evil that presides in Huntsville, Texas and grow in our compassion for those you really miss the most.

Silence

I went to a Randy Harris class during the ACU lectures this year. It was entitled, "I'm not really all that humble." It was an intriguing class. He basically offered his comments on two old guys' thoughts on the subject. Jeremy Taylor and St. Benedict. Actually, those were the only two days I was in the class. On the third day he discussed how Jesus addressed the topic, but I wasn't in the class.

In Randy's discussion on humility during the second day he made a comment about silence. His phrase about practicing silence is, "Only speak what love requires." I think that is pretty cool advice. So, in some situations, I would need to speak because that is the loving thing to do. In other situations, I would need to refrain for the sake of love. These are some words that I am trying to put into practice recently.

Apples

I really want to convert to being a person I haven't been my whole life. I want to be a mac person; I want to own a mac. I stopped by the Apple store tonight and had a little conversation with the guru there. I'm still hesitant about it, but it might happen at the beginning of next year. We will see.

ACU Lectures

I just got into Dallas from Abilene. I spent the whole trip tonight trying to process some of the conversations I had at the lectures and implications for ministry. It was good that my mind was going ninety to nothing because everyone in the car was knocked out!

I am so encouraged that God is doing amazing things in his world. I pray that he show me what he is doing in Huntsville so I can be a part of it. I anticipate much discussion happening about God's mission.

Let's Start Talking Brasil Video

This was the video I showed last night at church as I reported about our Let's Start Talking trip to Rio de Janeiro last July. I hope you enjoy it.

Kayla's ABCs

I thought I would share this little video. It reminds me of how good spending time with my family really is. God has truly given us many good gifts. Enjoy.

Prayer Sign

My sign reads, "Need Prayers? I will pray for you." I have been having all kinds of responses to my sign. Just yesterday a lady told me that she has seen me sitting here for a few weeks. She said last week she felt the Lord telling her to come ask me to pray for something going on in her life...she struggled with what to do, but she ended up not coming. Yesterday she finally came and we had a great conversation about God working in people's lives. She thanked me for doing this and said she would come by.

Two days ago a student came to me pointing to the sign. She said, "I need this." A really close friend was tragically killed in a car accident a week before coming to college. She was headed to the counseling center for this very reason. I told her that I will be here if she needs something. It was at this moment that I was positioned right in front of the counseling center on campus. More students will probably come.

I continually see students from our group on campus. Some of these students stop by regularly and we have great conversations. These are conversations that would not have ever happened had I been in the office.

I praise you God for giving me the courage to go out on campus and be available to students. Continue to bring students to you through my being available to them. You are such a good God.