After a couple of weeks at school here at SIBI in Lubbock, things continue to be progressing well. The classes are a load, going to school from 7:30 to 4:30, then having homework and studying I need to do. It isn't the same as my past history of schooling where I studied little. High school didn't require a lot of studying and, without making too many excuses, I was too lazy and lacked much interest in the course material in college to spend much time studying. It's a different story for me when it comes to the bible. I enjoy studying and learning new things from the bible. There are still many things I have to force myself to do though. For example, I'm currently taking a break from an assignment that requires us to read about 70 pages from the MLA book for writing. When I first began to read, I put it down and said "no way", but then I looked and saw reading this book is 10% of our entire grade for the class. It's not like college where you can get away with just skimming because our teachers make us sign a sheet that says we read it or didn't read it... and we're in preaching school. I think that would actually be effective for college professors as well because most people aren't deliberate liars.
Anyhow aside from the boring studying stuff, I attended a meeting today for a mission trip some students are taking to Ottawa Canada in mid October during our fall break. It's fairly inexpensive for an international trip, between $500-$700, so I'm really hoping to go. We would go for a week and do different evangelistic activities and spend some time with the small church up there. I guess Ottawa has a population of about 1 million people. I've never been to Canada so I would enjoy taking the trip. I'm at the state in my life where I really want to travel everywhere and get a sense of different cultures, hopefully being a good example for Jesus wherever I go.
I started taking a Portuguese class that one of the teachers at SIBI is teaching. He was a missionary in Brazil for a long time and takes students on week trips during the summer to both Brazil and Mozambique, which is apparently a Portuguese speaking country as well. So far the language seems to be very similar to Spanish, but more difficult to learn. Hopefully after a while of the class I'll be prepared at least for a short term trip to a Portuguese speaking country. It's funny how learning it makes me want to finish learning the more advanced teachings in Spanish... in due time I suppose.
I've been looking for different opportunities to serve outside of school in the community and quite a few people had suggested that I go visit the Carpenter's Church here in downtown Lubbock. I got on their website and found out they were very interactive with homeless and poverty stricken people in the downtown area. They meet every day of the week and house what homeless people they can. Anyhow I went and joined them last night for their Wednesday evening meal/service. It was certainly different than any church I've ever been in before. I met the couple that leads the group and they were very kind, explaining that it's family atmosphere. I got to help serve some dinner and listen to stories from all sorts of different people. It was humbling, kind of like Nicaragua in a lot of ways. There were various people from all walks of life, most of whom seemed to be struggling, whether homeless or financially impoverished. I appreciated being able to sit down and just listen. I like to hear about where people come from. It helps me to be more compassionate. The reason I have a tendency to be a hypocrite and judge by appearance is only because I haven't spent enough time getting to know and understand people who differ from myself. While the church service and dinner was rather chaotic, I found it to be peaceful. The truth is that we can't organize everything to be the exact way we'd like it to be. Sometimes things are out of our control, so we do our best and let God do the rest. I commend the folks at the Carpenter's Church for starting a good work and creating a family setting amongst people groups that are too often separated by barriers that only exist in our minds. More to come...
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Made in his image
Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness..." -Genesis 1:26
I won't lie to you and tell you the first thing that comes to my mind whenever I see anyone else in society is that they are also made in the image of God, just as I know myself to be. But that's the truth. We were all intended to reflect God's image. That is, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Notice how the scripture reads "make man in our image" suggesting not only that there are multiple persons implied (Father, Son and Spirit), but also that those persons are unified. In other words, man was created to be unified with God. Think for a moment of the most special relationships you are a part of. What makes them special? Is it not the unity that has taken place, usually because of a common interest, purpose, or often times last name.
The reason I'm even writing this is because we have a tendency to overcomplicate things, myself especially. Life is simple. God's purpose for us is simple. It's to show the unifying love to one another that God has shown to us. Instead we make things out to be a great competition, again, something I'm most guilty of. As Americans we tend to think it's us against the world. We're "proud to be an American". When truth be told, just as any legitimate blessing, there's nothing we've even done to earn our citizenship. And the people that have gone leaps and bounds to earn their citizenship in such a blessed country are the ones most scrutinized, persecuted and often forced to leave. Ponder that for a bit. It doesn't make sense. And yet the same attitude Americans tend to have of "this is mine" inherently so, has unfortunately rubbed off into the attitude of the American church. The freedoms and graces of Christ are so often felt to be deserved or earned, and thus divisions begin. Things would be so much simpler if we would just have an understanding of how richly blessed we are, no matter what we're talking about. Maybe you've worked for everything you have, and you refuse to credit your blessing to someone else. At least be thankful that you're not one of the approximately 27 million slaves in the world right now, because no matter how hard they work, freedom will never be earned, only possibly given. There are so many unmerited blessings that we have that we take for granted, and ultimately we're left broken and divided.
I was tempted to complain about some frustrating issues I've had with my stomach lately, then I met a man in class with me who was far worse off. He hasn't eaten in over a year, but instead has been fed for 12 hours a day with a feeding tube, while his stomach is drained by another tube into a catheter-like bag that he carries around his shoulder. And my point isn't that we can always find someone worse off than us, so be grateful. My point is rather that every thing we have, every breath we take, every blessing we can call ours is a gift that we don't deserve. Life is an unearned gift from an Almighty God. And the reason God gave us that gift is to be unified with him through Jesus. People are not the enemy. Terrorists are not the enemy. Foreign countries are not the enemy. We're all just broken image bearers of God. If we could only see society as such.
Anyone who knows me knows of my desire to help homeless people. I don't know why but I've always had a desire to help them. I've heard all the criticism towards them. "They've had their chance." "All they do is buy alcohol with that money." "I won't help someone that won't help them self." I don't see it that way. The Bible records David, "the man after God's own heart", saying in the 119th Psalm, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant". Why would David say that? He was the king of the most prominent nation in the world. Every one of his needs were met. He seemed to to have it all. The reason David made that plea to God is because he saw everything he owned, every relationship he had as an unmerited blessing from God. He knew that the reason he was well off was because God kept pursuing him. Even when David made mistakes, God didn't leave his side. The thing that makes me different from the homeless person standing next to wallmart with a cardboard sign is that I've been shown more love. I can't take that for granted. I can't assume ownership of a blessing I've done nothing to earn. At the end of the day, a paycheck is still a blessing from God because he gave me the hands to earn it.
There ought not to be divisions among us. I know that's an idealistic statement, and thus I understand that I cannot expect any more of others, to break down the barriers that society puts up, than the efforts I myself put forth. I have to be willing to associate with those most different from me, in interest, in race, in ethnic background, in culture, in financial background, in religion, or in whatever else might separate us.
Jesus prayed one of the most powerful prayers of unity shortly before he was crucified, "that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me." (John 17:21-22) I'm confident that the world would believe that Jesus was sent from God if the Christians that follow him would show the same unifying love that he came and displayed 2000 years ago. Go show some act of love that will help unify your family, your workplace, your church, your marriage. When you see someone different than you, learn about them instead of criticizing them. My brother so wisely stated to me earlier this week that you can learn from anybody, even if it's simply to have a better understanding of why they believe what they believe, regardless of how senseless it may seem.
"Love one another... By this all men will know that you are my disciples." (John 13:34-35)
I don't want to have to tell people I'm a Christian. I want them to know simply by the love that I show them. I've fallen short a thousand times, but this is my goal none the less, and I hope it's yours too.
I won't lie to you and tell you the first thing that comes to my mind whenever I see anyone else in society is that they are also made in the image of God, just as I know myself to be. But that's the truth. We were all intended to reflect God's image. That is, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Notice how the scripture reads "make man in our image" suggesting not only that there are multiple persons implied (Father, Son and Spirit), but also that those persons are unified. In other words, man was created to be unified with God. Think for a moment of the most special relationships you are a part of. What makes them special? Is it not the unity that has taken place, usually because of a common interest, purpose, or often times last name.
The reason I'm even writing this is because we have a tendency to overcomplicate things, myself especially. Life is simple. God's purpose for us is simple. It's to show the unifying love to one another that God has shown to us. Instead we make things out to be a great competition, again, something I'm most guilty of. As Americans we tend to think it's us against the world. We're "proud to be an American". When truth be told, just as any legitimate blessing, there's nothing we've even done to earn our citizenship. And the people that have gone leaps and bounds to earn their citizenship in such a blessed country are the ones most scrutinized, persecuted and often forced to leave. Ponder that for a bit. It doesn't make sense. And yet the same attitude Americans tend to have of "this is mine" inherently so, has unfortunately rubbed off into the attitude of the American church. The freedoms and graces of Christ are so often felt to be deserved or earned, and thus divisions begin. Things would be so much simpler if we would just have an understanding of how richly blessed we are, no matter what we're talking about. Maybe you've worked for everything you have, and you refuse to credit your blessing to someone else. At least be thankful that you're not one of the approximately 27 million slaves in the world right now, because no matter how hard they work, freedom will never be earned, only possibly given. There are so many unmerited blessings that we have that we take for granted, and ultimately we're left broken and divided.
I was tempted to complain about some frustrating issues I've had with my stomach lately, then I met a man in class with me who was far worse off. He hasn't eaten in over a year, but instead has been fed for 12 hours a day with a feeding tube, while his stomach is drained by another tube into a catheter-like bag that he carries around his shoulder. And my point isn't that we can always find someone worse off than us, so be grateful. My point is rather that every thing we have, every breath we take, every blessing we can call ours is a gift that we don't deserve. Life is an unearned gift from an Almighty God. And the reason God gave us that gift is to be unified with him through Jesus. People are not the enemy. Terrorists are not the enemy. Foreign countries are not the enemy. We're all just broken image bearers of God. If we could only see society as such.
Anyone who knows me knows of my desire to help homeless people. I don't know why but I've always had a desire to help them. I've heard all the criticism towards them. "They've had their chance." "All they do is buy alcohol with that money." "I won't help someone that won't help them self." I don't see it that way. The Bible records David, "the man after God's own heart", saying in the 119th Psalm, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant". Why would David say that? He was the king of the most prominent nation in the world. Every one of his needs were met. He seemed to to have it all. The reason David made that plea to God is because he saw everything he owned, every relationship he had as an unmerited blessing from God. He knew that the reason he was well off was because God kept pursuing him. Even when David made mistakes, God didn't leave his side. The thing that makes me different from the homeless person standing next to wallmart with a cardboard sign is that I've been shown more love. I can't take that for granted. I can't assume ownership of a blessing I've done nothing to earn. At the end of the day, a paycheck is still a blessing from God because he gave me the hands to earn it.
There ought not to be divisions among us. I know that's an idealistic statement, and thus I understand that I cannot expect any more of others, to break down the barriers that society puts up, than the efforts I myself put forth. I have to be willing to associate with those most different from me, in interest, in race, in ethnic background, in culture, in financial background, in religion, or in whatever else might separate us.
Jesus prayed one of the most powerful prayers of unity shortly before he was crucified, "that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me." (John 17:21-22) I'm confident that the world would believe that Jesus was sent from God if the Christians that follow him would show the same unifying love that he came and displayed 2000 years ago. Go show some act of love that will help unify your family, your workplace, your church, your marriage. When you see someone different than you, learn about them instead of criticizing them. My brother so wisely stated to me earlier this week that you can learn from anybody, even if it's simply to have a better understanding of why they believe what they believe, regardless of how senseless it may seem.
"Love one another... By this all men will know that you are my disciples." (John 13:34-35)
I don't want to have to tell people I'm a Christian. I want them to know simply by the love that I show them. I've fallen short a thousand times, but this is my goal none the less, and I hope it's yours too.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
First few days at SIBI
Don't tell anyone, but I think my facial hair is growing faster in Texas. At this new rate, I believe I'll have a full grown beard by 42 (fingers crossed).
Yesterday and today were orientation days for school here at Sunset and actual school starts tomorrow. So far everything's gone well. The church was packed on Sunday. I was surprised there didn't seem to be many empty spaces and it's supposed to hold like 1400 people. I was able to meet some people in the college class Sunday morning as well.
Sunday's lesson preached was on missions and the daily chapel is held in what they call the "flagroom" which has each flag from the world's countries hanging on the wall, as symbolism of the focus of serving every nation. So far, I've been impressed by how outward focussed this church and school is here at Sunset. Many of the faculty have served in the foreign mission field and there are many different ongoing ministries throughout the world that are supported by Sunset. Even though schooling is going to go from 7:30 to 4:30 Monday through Thursday with a short day on Friday, I'm hoping to get involved regularly in local service and volunteer work. There are breaks at the end of every quarter for a week that I'd love to be able to go and serve on. It sounds like there will be opportunity to serve here not too far away in Mexico City. I forget that Mexico City is the second largest in the world behind Beijing I believe. Luis, one of the first year preaching students in our class who has lived most of his life in Mexico, was telling me that there are still various tribes and people groups in Mexico that don't even speak Spanish. They're still speaking their native language. Luis's passion, much like myself, is to share the gospel and Christ's love with people and countries who've never heard or experienced it before. He even said his goal was to be a missionary in countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith, which has also been on my heart much recently. As Luis said, and I second, you obviously don't go to be persecuted, but you go out of love for all the people who haven't experienced Jesus's love... and in the end that may be towards the very groups and people that deliberately persecute Christians. All in all it was neat to meet people of like passion and faith.
Since today was orientation, they had an allotted time for all 42 or so incoming students to share a little of their background and story. It was humbling to hear of all the different stories of people's faiths and how they came to Sunset. There was one man that stood up from Taiwan, who introduced himself as "Hong Chu", but he said, "people just call me Cliff". As funny as that was to hear, it's kind of sad how little tolerance many of us have for cultures we're unfamiliar with, whether it's the pronunciation of a name or any other cultural practices. I was surprised by the number of deaf people attending the school. Of the 42, nine are deaf. Sunset apparently has a large deaf ministry. They have their own section to sign along as hymns are sung during worship services. It's all a pretty cool ministry. In fact, that's why my classes are going to be from 7:30 to 4:30 is because I'm going to be in a sign language class from 7:30 to 8:30 every day. At first I thought, "no way, I don't want to lose an extra hour of sleep. The day's already long enough." But after a short while of consideration I thought of how much it would mean to me if I was deaf and people went out of their way to learn my language to communicate with me. Someone brought this little thought up to me which I thought was interesting. They said if Jesus could come down from heaven to earth and humble himself to learn the language of the time, then it's not much to ask of us to do our best to learn the languages of people we minister to. I thought that was neat and probably part of the reason that Jesus not only seemed to be fluent in Aramaic, but also likely Greek and Hebrew. In fact, I've noticed that the little bit of Spanish that I know and use to Spanish speaking Americans, they love it. It's as though I've taken the time to better understand them, even if it's just a few sentences. So that was my conclusion after thinking about whether or not to take sign language class. They say you can communicate decent after a year of class, unlike taking high school Spanish. And I'd like to think I'm not as immature as I was when I attempted to take high school Spanish.
For those of you wondering what the school teaches that all of these people from different backgrounds could all be a part of, it is essentially a two year bible degree. The bible is taught, along with all sorts of communication and language classes. It was developed to equip anyone for a career in ministry, whether that be a youth minister, a pulpit preacher, a missionary, deaf minister, or whatever else.
Along with Hong Chu, Luis, and many of the deaf, there were many other interesting stories. A young woman shared of her time as an atheist until she grew close to a Christian family that simply loved and cared for her as another human being. Another woman shared of her troubled past, her time in and out of prison until she developed a relationship with the Lord. Two young men had had near death experiences and still battle physical struggles, but were so full of joy. Overall I was surprised at the diversity of our group of students and I think it will be both a humbling and an educating experience just to learn alongside them. My worldview is so small, and I praise God for continuing to open the doors to expand it, and to ultimately be formed into the image of Christ. I'm looking forward to the school year, as strenuous as it might be, and I thank all of you who constantly continue to support me in my future career in ministry. God bless!
Yesterday and today were orientation days for school here at Sunset and actual school starts tomorrow. So far everything's gone well. The church was packed on Sunday. I was surprised there didn't seem to be many empty spaces and it's supposed to hold like 1400 people. I was able to meet some people in the college class Sunday morning as well.
Sunday's lesson preached was on missions and the daily chapel is held in what they call the "flagroom" which has each flag from the world's countries hanging on the wall, as symbolism of the focus of serving every nation. So far, I've been impressed by how outward focussed this church and school is here at Sunset. Many of the faculty have served in the foreign mission field and there are many different ongoing ministries throughout the world that are supported by Sunset. Even though schooling is going to go from 7:30 to 4:30 Monday through Thursday with a short day on Friday, I'm hoping to get involved regularly in local service and volunteer work. There are breaks at the end of every quarter for a week that I'd love to be able to go and serve on. It sounds like there will be opportunity to serve here not too far away in Mexico City. I forget that Mexico City is the second largest in the world behind Beijing I believe. Luis, one of the first year preaching students in our class who has lived most of his life in Mexico, was telling me that there are still various tribes and people groups in Mexico that don't even speak Spanish. They're still speaking their native language. Luis's passion, much like myself, is to share the gospel and Christ's love with people and countries who've never heard or experienced it before. He even said his goal was to be a missionary in countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith, which has also been on my heart much recently. As Luis said, and I second, you obviously don't go to be persecuted, but you go out of love for all the people who haven't experienced Jesus's love... and in the end that may be towards the very groups and people that deliberately persecute Christians. All in all it was neat to meet people of like passion and faith.
Since today was orientation, they had an allotted time for all 42 or so incoming students to share a little of their background and story. It was humbling to hear of all the different stories of people's faiths and how they came to Sunset. There was one man that stood up from Taiwan, who introduced himself as "Hong Chu", but he said, "people just call me Cliff". As funny as that was to hear, it's kind of sad how little tolerance many of us have for cultures we're unfamiliar with, whether it's the pronunciation of a name or any other cultural practices. I was surprised by the number of deaf people attending the school. Of the 42, nine are deaf. Sunset apparently has a large deaf ministry. They have their own section to sign along as hymns are sung during worship services. It's all a pretty cool ministry. In fact, that's why my classes are going to be from 7:30 to 4:30 is because I'm going to be in a sign language class from 7:30 to 8:30 every day. At first I thought, "no way, I don't want to lose an extra hour of sleep. The day's already long enough." But after a short while of consideration I thought of how much it would mean to me if I was deaf and people went out of their way to learn my language to communicate with me. Someone brought this little thought up to me which I thought was interesting. They said if Jesus could come down from heaven to earth and humble himself to learn the language of the time, then it's not much to ask of us to do our best to learn the languages of people we minister to. I thought that was neat and probably part of the reason that Jesus not only seemed to be fluent in Aramaic, but also likely Greek and Hebrew. In fact, I've noticed that the little bit of Spanish that I know and use to Spanish speaking Americans, they love it. It's as though I've taken the time to better understand them, even if it's just a few sentences. So that was my conclusion after thinking about whether or not to take sign language class. They say you can communicate decent after a year of class, unlike taking high school Spanish. And I'd like to think I'm not as immature as I was when I attempted to take high school Spanish.
For those of you wondering what the school teaches that all of these people from different backgrounds could all be a part of, it is essentially a two year bible degree. The bible is taught, along with all sorts of communication and language classes. It was developed to equip anyone for a career in ministry, whether that be a youth minister, a pulpit preacher, a missionary, deaf minister, or whatever else.
Along with Hong Chu, Luis, and many of the deaf, there were many other interesting stories. A young woman shared of her time as an atheist until she grew close to a Christian family that simply loved and cared for her as another human being. Another woman shared of her troubled past, her time in and out of prison until she developed a relationship with the Lord. Two young men had had near death experiences and still battle physical struggles, but were so full of joy. Overall I was surprised at the diversity of our group of students and I think it will be both a humbling and an educating experience just to learn alongside them. My worldview is so small, and I praise God for continuing to open the doors to expand it, and to ultimately be formed into the image of Christ. I'm looking forward to the school year, as strenuous as it might be, and I thank all of you who constantly continue to support me in my future career in ministry. God bless!
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Lubbock, Texas
I have arrived in Lubbock, Texas yesterday evening after stopping in Denver and Santa Fe on my drive down. Speaking of Santa Fe, contrary to popular American belief, Koreans make great cars. My Sonata got 40 mpg the last 300 mile stretch. I don't even sell cars any more. I retired from that a few days ago. I'm just proud of how far hyundai has come ya know. Anyways, school starts here this upcoming Monday. I'm all moved in with my interim grandparents, Marshal and Rubye Anderson, my Uncle Brian's parents. I'm already forming good habits. I got up this morning at 5:30 and went to the gym. Pablo would be proud of me. I currently know two people in the state of Texas that I can think of, and I'm hoping to expand that number exponentially as the days go by. When you wake up at 5:30 you have so much time in the day. I've already gone for a walk and watched high school football practice. I think I saw Booby Miles but it was too far away to tell.
I don't know who all is going to read this, but to those of you who would like to hear me write on here, go ahead and post comments and questions and I'll respond to them in new blog posts. Yes Texas is as hot as they say, but Montana's just as hot right now. It's no where near as humid as Alabama or Mississippi here, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.
I started writing a book here a couple months ago and I'm only two pages in. It's a lot harder than it seems. Y'all are welcome to email me some subjects for chapters to get me going. So far my book is a nonfiction collection of thoughts, and after having read a few of Donald Miller's books, I'm thinking I'll go with his writing style... write as it comes and be honest about everything.
I haven't met my wife yet, but they tell me she's located her locally. I'm gonna try to be on Texas Tech's campus frequently, maybe she'll be there.
God is good! I'll post again soon
I don't know who all is going to read this, but to those of you who would like to hear me write on here, go ahead and post comments and questions and I'll respond to them in new blog posts. Yes Texas is as hot as they say, but Montana's just as hot right now. It's no where near as humid as Alabama or Mississippi here, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.
I started writing a book here a couple months ago and I'm only two pages in. It's a lot harder than it seems. Y'all are welcome to email me some subjects for chapters to get me going. So far my book is a nonfiction collection of thoughts, and after having read a few of Donald Miller's books, I'm thinking I'll go with his writing style... write as it comes and be honest about everything.
I haven't met my wife yet, but they tell me she's located her locally. I'm gonna try to be on Texas Tech's campus frequently, maybe she'll be there.
God is good! I'll post again soon
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