The Measure of a Man

This week Mike and I have the privilege of meeting with ROTC cadets from the Upper Midwest region at the regional Christmas Conference in Minneapolis, MN. It's been refreshing to meet with cadets from a different region, learn what is challenging and encouraging them, and find ways to encourage them to step out in faith and begin a movement to reach their ROTC peers. It has also been a week of great teaching from distinguished guests and diving deep into scripture.

One of the main speakers is a former Campus Crusade for Christ staff member who is currently an author and pastor in the Atlanta area, Crawford Loritts. He started the conference speaking on Ecclesiastes and how empty it is to find identity or joy in the things of the world. Solomon once had everything, but he bought into it and started to believe the gift was more important than the giver. As a result, all he had built up was emptied of meaning and value. During the second and third days Dr. Loritts tied together the need for prayer without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17) and sent the students off to the day of outreach after an examination of class and racism from the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

It was during his last talk that he made a comment that hit me like a lightening bolt. He connected all three of his talks through one statement: the measure of the greatness of a person is seen in how they use privileges rather than how they handle responsibility.

How do you handle privileges? How do you handle responsibility? Is it a duty? An obligation? For a long time I've believed that how I handled the gravity of the responsibilities before me would be a public demonstration of the depth of my character, integrity, and conviction, but it doesn't say anything about how I've treated people along the journey or how I've built up or encouraged anyone. It only reflects how I've valued myself.

As a military officer it is easy to develop a thin (or great) sense of entitlement to the privileges and honors accorded rank and superiority. After all, we're all taught "RHIP" to keep us marching to the left of any superior officers - Rank Has It's Privileges, and to remind us that privileges are automatic with promotion. As a college graduate it can be easy to believe that some work is beneath your abilities or qualifications. It can be all to easy to slide into a leisurely and comfortable lifestyle determined by entertainment and distraction. Yet, when we navigate our lives solely by enjoying privileges this sense of entitlement can do nothing but grow. And, if we are directed only by a sense of responsibility we would be driven with pride and arrogance, an awfully sandy foundation for such carefully crafted architectural efforts.

As 2010 looms large less than 36 hours away, I'm thinking about Dr. Loritts' comment about the measure of man. I have a desire to use my privileges well. And, yet I think the only satisfaction I'll really have is for the Lord to give me opportunities that will allow me to use that which he has given without anyone else recognizing it. This doesn't mean avoid everything that brings enjoyment or pleasure, but it is necessary to ensure aren't putting the gift ahead of the giver. The gift should be used to represent the giver well.

Reverse Mentoring

Every Tuesday morning, a group of men have been meeting at a local restaurant for breakfast and fellowship. They're members of various local churches from within the denomination I grew up in. Also, they've all (except for two) long since retired. I join them when in town, partly because I desire to glean from their insights from walking with Jesus for decades, partly because I enjoy their fellowship, and partly because they need someone who's only 26 to help them make sense of the young generations in a rapidly changing world. This last role perhaps give me the greatest joy.

Last week, I led the devotions before we were served our meal. In my desire to help them understand postmodernism and its effects on the church, I wanted to give it to them in full force. So I decided to read this article for them: http://www.the-next-wave-ezine.info/issue127/index.cfm?id=50&ref=ARTICLES_CULTURE_672. The essence of the article is that right/wrong and sinner/saint are not longer cultural dichotomies that matter to young folks. The author highlighted the lyrics of a British pop song to illustrate his point. Our new world cares more about real/unreal. As postmoderns reject the possibility of truth all together, the church needs to readdress how it presents the unchanging truth of the Gospel. Instead of telling someone that their behavior is wrong and that they need a savior, which is at the same time clearly true and also quite irrelevant to many young folks, the church needs to get to the Gospel by showing how Jesus is the solution to their felts needs, the fear of being unreal. The Gospel never changes, but your presentation to it better change as you address societies with drastically varying values.

This message, was quite a shock to them, as many had never heard this before. The more than edgy lyrics perhaps was a wake up call that people don't believe the same things today as they did 50 years ago. The discussion afterward was great, as many of the men started to engage an issue they had previously given up on assuming it was too complicated. As I reminded them that this culture likely isn't more sinful, just more open in what sins the world sees, I asked that they seek to understand more than judge. I also challenged them to spend time getting to know someone very different from themselves, and listen to what matters to them, find out what they value. It is my heart that these men, many leaders in their churches, would see the need to break from those religious traditions that push young folks away. My confidence that this can happen isn't rooted in the men's wisdom or my ability to show what's going on, but rather the Holy Spirit's power to illuminate and convict us. He desires an impact on a dying world for Christ far more than any of us, and He is able.

If you're reading this and are under 30 years old, would you go do the same? Would you engage with those who because of their upbringing are very disconnected from today's culture? Would you share with them the drastic need to be missional, to Go and Be Jesus instead of just inviting disinterested people to Come and See?

If you're reading this and are over 30 years old(especially if you're over 45 or so), would you take the time to ask young people what really matters to them, and why? Seek to understand what our culture is telling us is important, then take the Gospel to us in a way that address what is important to us, not you. You can do it. We need Jesus, but telling us it's because we misbehave isn't going to make us want to listen. Again, I'm certain that the Holy Spirit can help you can figure this out if you're willing to get out of your comfort zone and follow Him.

A Jesus Manifesto?

This is a short post. Really, just a link and a few thoughts. I found this online tonight and wanted to pass it along, with prayers that you will read it and be challenged to meditate on the words and stew on their meaning.

Take time to consider the basic tenets of your own belief system and what you are proclaiming. Are you proclaiming the name and divinity of Jesus Christ, son of the Most High God; or are you devoted to being a follower of Christianity? Christianity itself cannot save you, Jesus Christ can.

When people see your actions, hear your speech, observe your countenance and attitude, do they see Christ or a churchgoer? I fear that all too often I come across as a churchgoer rather than a window to Christ Himself. I want for people around me to know Christ rather than Christianity - I want them to see and understand that liturgy, tenets and pillars are not Christ our Savior, but often all too often I fall short and allow myself to get in the way.

I'm also taken aback by the increasing amount of white noise surrounding the questions of what we shall call ourselves - emerging, traditional, organic, orthodox, house, sticky - what happened to follower of Christ? It seems to me that such an honorable title shouldn't be swept aside lightly, it should be accepted with humility for the cost of it is grave and with joy for the cost is already paid.

Be as a Berean (Acts 17:11) and discovery for yourself...http://www.the-next-wave-ezine.info/issue127/index.cfm?id=50&ref=COVERSTORY

The cross cultural mission field next door

Ever wonder why you never really clicked with your neighbor across the street? Or have you ever felt like avoiding eye contact with the person in line next to you in the store…the one with the vibrantly colored tattoos and the bars in their eyebrows? What about the lady wearing a hijab in the grocery store? So often we feel as though a cross-cultural experience can only happen with folks of different ethnic backgrounds or in an entirely new country, but really as we drift further and further from a community-centric norm, cross-cultural mission fields are closer and closer to our front door. Our tendency to surround ourselves with people very similar to ourselves provides an insular comfort zone and deadens our sensitivity to others and their needs.

Consider the path Jesus took when traveling from Judea to Galilee in John 4. He had to pass through Samaria, but rather than moving directly through as was the standard, he stopped at a well and interacted with a Samaritan woman. He could have moved passed, but he didn’t. How often do you pass quickly through areas of town that make you uncomfortable? Have you ever found yourself downtown and rolling up windows and locking your doors? Jesus didn’t. He stayed for two days.

Consider Luke 5: 27-32. Jesus calls Levi and Levi makes him a great feast. The Pharisees found the company lacking – tax collectors and others – and grumble. The Pharisees had isolated themselves to such an extreme that they were unable to recognize God among them, or the value of the creation of the God they worshipped. To isolate yourself from others to this extreme is one form of valuing yourself above them. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39.

I’ve found myself struggling with this from time to time as I get used to life in a small town after living in cities for ten years. I have a lot of room for growth, but I see the fruit of doing hard things – I’m learning about what my neighbors find important, how they think a church should run, politics, land ownership and care, and the value of waving to and acknowledging a passing car on the road. It’s awkward at times. One gentleman talked about his military service and referred to “Them Japs and Orients” over and over, another person asked about my English, and still another asked if it was hard to cook American food. This cross-cultural experience has much more to do with families who have lived in these hills for generations and generations than stamps in my passport, but I know this will prepare me for a time when my passport needs a stamp.

Oswald Chambers

One of my favorite daily devotions is Oswald Chambers' 'My Utmost for His Highest'. Oswald Chambers was an early pioneer of modern ministry to the military. Following years of preaching in Scotland and England, shepherding a Bible college and many revivals and prayer meetings he felt a call to serve the military during WWI. His assignment to the Y.M.C.As in Egypt was fraught with adventure for his young wife and baby daughter. They bravely trusted the Lord to build up a struggling mission to spiritually reach the thousands of United Kingdom soldiers from England, Australia and New Zealand who were assigned to the difficult combat zones of North Africa and Palestine. The impact the Chambers' had among the soldiers was powerful. If you're interested in learning more about Oswald and Biddie Chambers' lives I would recommend reading, "Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God" by David McCasland.

"My Utmost for His Highest" was edited by Biddie Chambers' after she and her daughter returned to England following Oswald's death in Cairo. After reading his biography I had a better context for the heart and spirit behind the writings and they've had a deeper impact on me as a result. During the hard years following Oswald's death Biddie spent tireless hours editing his writings and publishing them. A trained stenographer, she had well prepared to take the notes, but the pre-production work didn't compare to the post-production effort to accomplish everything. Just as during their time in Egypt, Biddie refused to take a salary from the earnings of the publications preferring to invest the money into ministries and more publications. Many of these works would become highly popular throughout the mid-20th century, but none would exceed "My Utmost for His Highest".

I would recommend it to anyone looking for a daily devotional.

Adopt-A-Jesus

Saturday night Mike and I spent a little time at the Scarlet Cord in downtown Brookville. The Cord is a teen ministry center that has been run for the last 20 years or so by a wonderful family in town, and throughout the years they've had many people come along side them to volunteer and provide financial support to it. It's a place where kids can find something to do on a Friday or Saturday night, hang out, eat, play games, or find a listening post. They'll also hear the Gospel. Every night. It's not a cuddly place, but Truth and Grace are in abundance.

Here's their blog: http://thescarletcordteencenter.blogspot.com/

Saturday night I learned a little about the game "Magic", and Mike joined a hoops contest on an old arcade game. We also had a chance to see the documentary, "Adopt-A-Jesus".

The subject of the documentary is Brandt Russo and his friends as they take a renovated school bus run on biofuel through the deep South to share of the message of not ignoring the poor, caring for homeless and hitchhikers, and hearing their stories. Brandt himself spent over a year on the streets homeless to learn to love like Jesus - completely without desire for return or credit. He's still working with the homeless, though now his ministry is on the infamous Skid Row in L.A. The night he came to the Scarlet Cord he talked about the many deaths on Skid Row, the disenfranchised people he meets, and the many, many people like you and me who never think twice of abusing or ignoring them.

I'm still thinking about the emerging church, and feel strongly about the lack of Truth and Justice many preach, but there are some within the emerging church who have strong doctrine and a challenging lifestyle to demonstrate it. I think Brandt is one of them. When I was going to school at Eastern College (now University) in the western suburbs of Philly a group of alum were living in the NE Philly neighborhood of Kensington to reach the homeless, the neglected, and extreme poor. This ministry is called, "The Simple Way". I was fortunate to have opportunities to spend time in the neighborhood to work with the younger kids over the course of a couple school years. Walking from the train station through trash strewn streets and run-down row homes to get to a dilapidated church for tutoring and other after school activities left a huge impression on me. This wasn't a third world nation, and yet it felt and looked like it. Since then I've learned we don't need to head into the urban neighborhoods to find the "least of these".

The documentary is worth checking out, though the film maker is not a believer, and unfortunately his emphasis is in areas that I wouldn't have emphasized (and Brandt wouldn't have either), but it's a poignant look the "least of these" (Mtw 25:31-46). Brandt was heavily influenced by The Simple Way, and so I've included the website for you to peruse. My disclaimer - this is not an endorsement of their politics, just the faith in action. TSW is a pacifist organization and I respect it, but do not endorse or attempt to promote its politics.

Be as the Bereans and read, examine, and wrestle through this with the Holy Spirit... (Acts 17:10-11, Phil 2:12-13)

http://www.adoptajesus.com/

http://www.thesimpleway.org/

Pumpkin!

I love so many things about the fall season, and pumpkins are one of those things. Given our travel schedule for the last couple months we weren't able to pick up pumpkins for carving and baking, but I'm not being stopped by this little detour. No, no...I'm relying on my trusty Libby's pumpkin puree and baking up some bits of fall goodness!

Recently I found two pumpkin recipes that I'd like to pass along.

From www.allrecipes.com: Pumpkin Bread

I'm a fan of quick breads, but often they require milk and that doesn't appeal to me. The coconut milk might sound scary, but it doesn't affect the flavor so even folks who aren't into coconut can enjoy this one. I omitted the walnuts and added 3/4 cup raisins. Also, instead of using the nutmeg and cinnamon I included about 1 1/2 tsp of homemade pumpkin pie spice mix.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup coconut milk
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, white sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, coconut milk, baking soda, salt, ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon. Mix until all of the flour is gone. Fold in the nuts and flaked coconut. Pour batter into the prepared pans.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cover loaves with foil tightly. Allow to steam for 10 minutes. Remove foil and turn out onto a cooling rack. Tent lightly with the foil and allow to cool completely
4. 

From http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com/ -- Pumpkin Pancakes

The Sisters Cafe blog also has an apple cider syrup recipe that looks like an amazing complement to these pancakes, but we stuck with trusty Maple syrup. Also, rather than buttermilk I mixed coconut milk and regular milk...sounds strange, but it turned out fine - the can of coconut milk from the pumpkin bread was open and begging to be used. To make the batter a little thinner I added a little extra milk. I also substituted a 1 1/2 tsp homemade pumpkin pie spice for the spices listed. These are hearty pancakes! I served them with cheesy scrambled eggs that were seasoned with a 1/2 tsp Coriander, 1 tsp Oregano, and salt to taste.



Ingredients:
2 cups flour
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground all-spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 Tbsp vinegar

In one bowl mix together the buttermilk, pumpkin, eggs, oil and vinegar. Combine dry ingredients separately and them stir into pumpkin mixture just until combined. Heat your pan or griddle (lightly butter or oil if it is not seasoned), using about 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot with syrup.

Hope you're enjoying fall baking as well! Bon apetite!

Starting with the end in mind

It feels as though the phrase, "start with the end in mind", has followed me for years, however, the wisdom of it is truly just sinking in for me. It seems simple. How many situations, events or daily appointments do we face with the end already in mind? Grocery shopping, checklists, yard work, letter writing, road trips, interviews, appointments, staff meetings...the list is varied and long. We typically move forward toward a specific goal or result, and make lists, jot notes on sticky pads, set alarms, and request follow-up phone calls or emails to ensure we stay on track and feel a sense of satisfaction when we're accomplished the "end".

I recently read a quote in Francis Chan's book, "Crazy Love", that caused me to look at the admonition to "start with the end in mind" through a different light.

"Our greatest fear as individuals and as the church should not be failure, but succeeding at things that don't matter." Tim Kizziar

Take a second and let it sink in. I had a stop reading the book for a little while when I first read this quote from Tim Kizziar, a pastor at Sisters Community Church in Sisters, OK.

Why do we start with the end in mind? To ensure success at a task. To guarantee an efficient use of energy and resources. To prioritize efforts. To see goals accomplished. Grand reasons, one and all, but what is the value of this type of success? Mr. Kizziar's statement is not intended to push us away from success, but to guide toward the right kind of success. What eternal value is in success by promotions, pay raises, upgrading neighborhoods and cars, or maintaining a certain social or professional circles? Or even accomplishing a checklist? There are many people who are specifically blessed to be financially successful to fund the Great Commission and invest in the Kingdom of God, there are those who are called to work full time in the efforts toward the Great Commission beyond our neighborhoods and familiar streets - yet the things that matter should be the same for both groups of people. Loving God, obedience to Him, and loving people.

Mike and I recently attended a memorial service for one of the directors at Military Ministry who passed away and went home to Jesus last week. I was struck by how well he lived his life, and what a legacy it proved. Paul lived his life in such a way that he truly succeeded in the things that should matter most - loving God, obedience to Him, and loving people. Each person who spoke, echoed how well Paul lived and that his legacy was of loving well. Rather than a sorrowful service, this memorial was lively and full of praise to the Lord. I left drawing closer to God and praising Him for what He did through Paul, and also wondering how well I'm doing at succeeding at things that matter. For years I pushed on driven by deadlines, checklists, and chains of command, and having been newly reminded of the temporary nature of most of it I'm spending a little time reconsidering these things.

It doesn't mean I'm throwing away my calendars and notepads, but it does mean I'm working to hold them lightly and sensitively so I can be open to the prompting of the Spirit to work without them from time to time.

What about you? Have you taken time recently to consider your drive for success and its motivations? Perhaps it is time to let the Spirit also prompt you to new direction.

Today is my final day in Egypt. I'll be headed back to the States tomorrow, back to orderly roads and regular, municipality-ordered pick-up of rubbish, potable water in kitchen and bathroom faucets, and emissions standards. What a contrast. I'll miss Egypt and am looking forward to returning soon. I pray, very soon.

I went with a small group to Alexandria today. We were able to visit the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheater and other facilities, the catacombs, and the Library of Alexandria. We were not allowed to take a camera into the catacombs, so I don't have any pictures to share. I have a few of the other places we visited. I was pretty captivated by the everyday life happening around us as we zipped through the city, and many of my pictures reflect that.

I immediately noticed better air quality in this city of 5 million, compared to the sprawling congestion of Cairo. It may not be a scientific fact, but the sky is distinctly bluer and clearer in Alexandria. The second thing I noticed is how colorful buildings are. Vibrant gold, coral, and turquoise dot the roads and break up the monotony of the desert. Here are a few pictures from the day:One of the many colorful buildingsWe passed through many neighborhoods with different industries; just before this lumberyard area we passed through an area heavy with auto maintenance shops and spare parts, right after this lumberyard area we passed by a number of blocks with electrical shops.



Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Guarded by two Egyptian Marines.



Boy running along the boardwalk.

The Pepsi truck and the boy were politely waiting a mere inches away from us as we crossed the intersection...
The Alexandria Library with the Museum of Ancient Documents. The museum itself is in the shape of the sun disk that is so important to ancient pagan religions in Egypt.

Thursday a group of us went to see the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. Here are a few highlights:

Our first glimpse of the Pyramids was from the side of the road. This is on the edge of Cairo. I was surprised to find cultivated fields of produce between apartment buildings on the outskirts of the city.

The Tourism Police had a significant presence at the Pyramids site and many of them were on camels!This is part of my group on the Great Pyramid. I'm in the white, second from left. We're about as high as you can go on the pyramid.
Our smooth talking bus driver managed to negotiate horses for us at a reasonable rate which allowed us to tour the pyramid site via horseback rather than walking. It worked out well and it was so hot that we were thankful to not be walking.


In front of the Great Pyramid!
Walk like an Egyptian!

A-Salaam a-Leekum! Kayf al-haal?

Greetings from Cairo, Egypt. I'm getting settled in, and will spend the next few weeks working here in Cairo. I arrived today and had quite an adventure getting from the airport (on the eastern edge of the city) to our hotel near the center of the city. The entire trip took well over an hour and transferred us through run-down industrial areas and crumbling shanty apartments to tree-lined and police-lined boulevards that guided us through immaculate and opulent architecture.

Cairo is such a city of contrasts! There are men in traditional clothes with turbins walking with men in stylish western suits and shiny shoes. Many women coordinated their hijabs with brightly colored western clothing. Women were walking and driving by themselves in all areas of the city, and some went without any head coverings at all. I also noticed lots of rosaries hanging from the rearview mirrors of cars on the road. Centuries-old mosques and Coptic churches dot a skyline riddled with skycrapers and cranes and satellite dishes. The pollution and dust is so thick that the sun burned a hazy bright red in mid-afternoon, and no stars or moonlight are visible after dark.

I absolutely loved seeing all the neighborhoods -the contrasts, the ability to see people doing life in such a different way, and the history. While it would be easy to focus on the dirt, the rubble, the tight quarters, noise or seeming lack of amenities; it is also easy to see the fingerprints of God in these people. I felt myself wanting to know if anyone knew Jesus, if muslims and Christians mixed, and if they shared their faith with each other. This is a land that has been in the heart of so much history and change. I can't help but be amazed at the Nile River when I remember this was once turned entirely to blood, yet how many here in this city know? This land of Pharoahs and grand empires, has also been at the heart of so many of God's works.

I recently learned that the International House of Prayer (based in Kansas City, MO) launched a House of Prayer - Egypt (HOPE in Cairo), and next week (15-17 Oct) it will be hosting a young adult conference to exhort, encourage, and teach Christian men and women in Cairo. IHOP's 24-hr prayer ministry has had a huge impact on my life, and continues to be a great source of teaching for me. I'm excited to see this ministry growing in Cairo as well. While I'd love to attend the conf, I don't think it will be logistically possible, but I'll be lifting it up in prayer just the same. Would you join me in praying for the Christians in Cairo and the bold meeting that will happen next week? Pray for the Holy Spirit to move men and women to boldly step out in faith and attend the conference, for the Lord to call new missionaries and prayer warriors from among them, and for the teaching at the conference to be used to build new ministries throughout the city.


Here's a few pictures from my trip so far:

Traffic, miles and miles of traffic!

Hazy skyline under the late-afternoon sun


Coptic Church

First glimpse of the Nile River...the shores are lined with riverboat docks, casinos, and hotels


Apartments along the highway, lots of satellite dishes on the roofs and clothes drying on the balconies. This was a common sight along the road - old dilapidated buildings, rubble, trash, and lots of satellite dishes.

Jess

Focus

I(Mike) just returned from driving across the country with my cousin where we spent a week chasing elk with our bows. We packed in all the food we ate and all the gear we needed on our backs. We covered a lot of hard miles, all by foot. The nights were cold, and a few of the days were rainy. By the end, we were as beat tired as we’ve ever been and had pretty bad chest colds. Driving us was the hope of getting a change to fill our tags. That wasn’t all that pushed me. I had to go and see if I had what it takes. Before the trip, some folks I talked with thought we must crazy, others understood what we were doing and why. What do you guys think?

During the hunt, I was a bit surprised by how focused I was able to stay. In the midst of the discomfort and exhaustion, all I could do was focus on the essentials: must get water, have to keep hiking, gotta go up over that mountain, don’t give up. Most everything else faded away in light of that which was more pressing. Being that focused is a blessing in hard times like that. Most of the time, I’m not nearly that on track. When I ask myself, “How focused are you in your Christian walk?” I’m usually a bit saddened.

More often than I care to admit, I let my priorities cloud the vision God has for my life. I want to go here, do this, spend my time there… How can I enjoy His perfect plan, when I’m always buggering it up with my own plan??? I don’t have to work harder, I need to remember His promises, and in faith surrender my will. It’s also not about feeling guilty. It’s about focusing on truth, and choosing the better. God promises many more, and far greater blessings when we obey Him. When I find myself doing what I want, it’s either because I don’t believe God, or because I don’t care. Both pretty well stink.

Paul reminds us all through Galatians 5 of the great rewards of living freely for Christ. When I choose to obey Christ, when I surrender my will and walk in His Spirit, life rocks! I’ve found that for me to stay focused, like during the hunt, I need to remind myself of the basics. God’s ways are better, more fulfilling, more blessed than my ways. If I choose His way, even when I can’t understand it from my view, I will have more joy and life.

Would you choose with me to surrender to His Spirit, and enjoy His abundant blessings??

PS, I got my bull. It was worth it. I had what it took, because God gave it to me.

Home for a while

Home for a while. While it seems to be shifting from location to location as we try to connect with folks in various places, home for now is western Pennsylvania near the town where Mike grew up. Nearly his entire family in the area which has given us a rare time to connect with them and for me to get to know them. For the time being we're staying on the farm where his grandmother Miller was raised. It's no longer a working farm, though some of the neighbors still have livestock and fields around it. For someone who has been shifting from major population center to major population center for a long time, it's been an adjustment, but I have come to cherish the quiet of the land, the personality of the woods, and the freedom to roam trails for without interruption.

So when I returned to the farmhouse on Friday after three weeks in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia I have to say, I had that satisfied feeling of coming home. It was nice to be out of the congestion, the noise, and the constant rushing of people. There is something about walking into a house and feeling home again. I'll head back out again for another month of duty with the Reserves on Thursday and I'll miss the farmhouse. Here's a few pictures of where we're staying:

Farmhouse

The Barn. Originally built in 1900, it has since been restored and is now used regularly for family gatherings.

We're trying to keep the grass mowed while we're here; the task is made pretty easy with the Kubota lawn tractor. The bright double peonies behind the house; this is one of my favorite flowers!
About ten years ago Mike with his father, Brad, and brother, Dan, planted a couple dozen blueberry bushes behind the farmhouse and its become a fairly productive patch. So productive that our resident families of wild turkeys have tried to claim squatters' rights. I walked out one morning and found 18 turkeys eating their way through the bushes. Mike decided to take matters into his own hands and played scarecrow for a bit. It didn't help. We ended up with one mighty pint of berries.

Jess

A few of my favorite people

I'd love to introduce you to a few of my favorite people...I have a quite a few favorites, but here's a snapshot of a few:

Nita...
Nita has been such a sweet and wonderful surprise for me, a true gift from the Lord. She is a the Director of Military Ministry's Hampton Roads team, and has such a deep and refreshing walk with the Lord. Nita's time with Campus Crusade has taken her many times to the frontlines of ministry in difficult areas. I have such admiration for her depth, honesty, and obedience to the Lord. She's helped me grow in understanding of ministry, faith, and femininity.









Brooke...
I met Brooke in March when she and her husband were doing a vision trip of sorts to the Tidewater ahead of their move to the area to launch Campus Crusade ministries on college campuses in Hampton Roads, but it wasn't until this past summer in Fort Collins, Co that I had a chance to really get to know her. She has an amazing heart for the Lord, young women, East Asia, and international students. I love how the Lord answers prayer for community and true fellowship in unexpected ways, and I'm really excited to see where the Lord will these new ministries in the Hampton Roads area.



Tiffany...
This was a divine appointment! Tiffany and I met during Campus Crusade for Christ New Staff Training this summer in Fort Collins, CO. We ended up in a seminar together and both introduced ourselves with Military Ministry, then turned and looked at each and said, 'Really?' And so, it was from here I got to know her sweet, sweet spirit, love for the Lord, and amazing faith. She's coming to Military Ministry to work with Valor (yay!), and is stepping way outside of her comfort zone to follow the Call to ministry. I'm so excited for what the Lord will do in her life, and in the lives of the women she ministers to at Texas A&M.



Jess

On Faith

This year has been a glorious LEAP of faith for me. A complete change of career, finances, marriage, geography, families, and in the midst of all of these whirling factors the Lord has developed an amazing friendship between Mike and me. It's been a comfort and a stabilizing factor in all of this. I'm amazed at how our relationship has grown and changed. The Lord is sooo good!

Yet, there has always been a slight hesitation on my part when confronted with the LEAP of faith. I thought I had It. It being FAITH. However, for a little while now, the Lord has been impressing upon my heart how often I get caught up in the race for a better ‘quality’ of faith or greater ‘quantity’ of faith. I’ve found myself wrestling with big questions and in the process have tried earnestly to have more faith as though it would make big questions more manageable. Yet, the Lord has shown me so clearly in scripture that He never set a standard for faith, He asks us to simply have it. Believe He is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer, and Creator of all earth; simply believe.

Matthew 17:14-20 and Matthew 21:18-22 are two passages I read recently through which the Lord really opened up my heart to understand the contrast of striving for a standard of faith, and simply having faith.

“14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”’ Matthew 17: 14-20

'18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”' Matthew 21: 18-22

I've run through these passages so many times, but during the last week and a half I've stopped to reread and reread again. I've needed to look up notes on them and pray about them. The disciples surely had some faith, but what kind of faith? Faith in Jesus as Messiah or faith in Jesus as a true prophet or anointed one of God? Perhaps it was the idea of being able to cast out demons that was too heavy for them to bear, so their faith faltered - 'surely this Jesus can do miracles, but me?'. I'm struck by Jesus' words in both passages, 'have faith'. He doesn't tell them how much, or when to have it; simply, have faith.


Last night my friend, Brooke, reminded me of Francis Chan's (Cornerstone Church Simi Valley, CA) teachings, and so this morning I listened to an older sermon called, "Living a Life that Matters: Living Courageously". It's a powerful teaching on courageous faith. Francis used Rev 21:8 as a reminder of what God says will happen to the cowardly (don't be scared away -- it's an incredibly encouraging message!); and it hit me hard. The LEAP of faith is about simply having faith in what God has called for us to do, and moving forward with the assumption that He who calls is faithful and will provide. It's living courageously and willingly. So, I'm rejoicing in the Lord today, for what He is doin in my heart and the ways He is revealing what He does with our faith. Ever struggle with this? I'd love to hear what God has been teaching you about living courageously and simply having faith.


Jess

Mike's blogging

Hello to all those out in our blogosphere (new term I stole from a buddy, thanks Ben)! I’ve been wondering a while, “Now that we have a blog, what in the world am I going to say?” Well, I’m not sure I know yet, but here’s my first try, an overview of sorts of the things that are either important to me or on my mind for at least the next few seconds…

For starters, I’m convinced the spiritual world is far more real than what we can understand now. Jesus believed it, and He’s pretty much as awesome as they come. I struggle to live well in this “already, not yet” reality, but that’s where we are. I want more Jesus. Even though I already have Him, I know there’s more, and am pretty well ruined for anything less, anything else.

My wife is utterly fantastic. She is more beautiful, complex, thoughtful, intelligent, and fun than I could have ever hoped for in a bride. I made out like a bandit and will forever strive to give as much as I have to offer. What a joy to love her forever.

Drawing back a bow and releasing a well-placed arrow is a simple pleasure that I will never tire of. Getting extremely close to animals unaware of your presence is such a rush – I love it!

I have little aspiration of greatness. I want to be faithful, and full of faith, and am grateful that these aren’t fully dependent on me.

Next time, I’ll say something other than just about me. Thanks for reading. Be right with Jesus.

Mike

Getting Started

We're blogging! It's long overdue, but I'll use the 'we've been on the road' card for this one time! All the more reason for a blog really.

Our goal is share with you what is happening in our life and ministry, so between phone calls (which are never often enough), visits (even less often than needed), and prayer letters we can stay connected. We're going through a massive amount of transition right now, but when does the transition ever really end? It seems that something new is always happening. I'll call this our 'rolling stone gathers no moss' season of life. Since we married on April 18, 2009 we've put nearly 10,000 miles on the little Honda Civic, and we're still taking road trips! We've driven throughout the upper Midwest and Rocky Mountains, and made a well worn path between Brookville, PA and Hampton Roads, VA. It was enough driving to complete several crossword puzzles, get caught up on podcasts, and knit a hat!

We'll try to post at least once a week to share our life (and pictures) as we are in the process of raising support, developing our ministry for when we can report to Blacksburg, and the soup to nuts in between.