Uncompromised Faith

In Uncompromised Faith, S. Michael Craven demonstrates how the ideas of our day affect our culture and society, hindering belief in Christ and the witness of Christians. His book is a good introduction to those just entering the study of “Christianity and Culture,” but may be simplistic for those who have already been immersed in the “post-modernity” conversation.

Craven examines ways to contextualize the gospel for our culture. He explains the postmodern perspective on Christianity: “The postmodern merely demands what Scripture confirms: that our faith be authenticated by demonstrating that we love our neighbor” (p. 72). He then goes on to describe how Christians can actively engage their neighbors’ ideas and struggles, using the examples of homosexuality, New Age, consumerism, marriage and the sexual revolution. 

Uncompromised Faith is a good overview of the shift in American culture. Part II: Social Ideas was very engaging. The subject matter was handled very well. For example, with Feminism Craven states,  “No other culture, outside of those transformed by Christianity, has even raised the issue of equality between the sexes; as noted at the beginning of the chapter, many cultures still do not afford basic human rights to women”…“human beings are made in the image of God, they have equal value and dignity - a concept that stands in stark contrast to the fallen world where oppression, malice, and envy sadly remain the norm” (p. 166). 

Finally, the epilogue “What Are We to Do?” takes the contents of the book and uses them to promote action. Craven effectively demonstrates the impact on society and Christianity, producing a book that will ultimately help the reader understand their neighbors and love them authentically.

 

Vacation in Oklahoma

Shaun and I slipped away to Edmond, Oklahoma this week for five days. Believe me, there's not much there for tourists. It is a suburb of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma Central University is seated in the town. 

We stayed at the Arcadian Inn, a lovely Bed & Breakfast. I've heard that most B&B's have you eat breakfast together with all the guests. This was a very different because the breakfast each day was brought to our room. Since we stayed for 4 nights we received a different breakfast each morning!

Because the Spring Break of the University was the same as ours we traveled to a sleepy town to rest. We slept in every morning and walked in the afternoon. The weather was wonderful at 78 degrees. I am so happy that we were able to take some time off.

While relaxing I was able to finish three books I've been working on: Uncompromised Faith, Mad Church Disease and The Parting (a novel). Reading daily gave me a sense of accomplishment in a different way than ministry does. It was a good filling up!!

March Madness - Back to the Basics

March is a tough month for those who have four mission trip scheduled during the summer months. Rounding up four teams of people, training them, filling out paperwork and encouraging fund raising may seem like a lot to keep track of. If that was the only part of this ministry I would have it easy. The hardest part is faith.

Faith is the biggest part of a mission trip. As a leader I have to understand that all the planning and organizing and training does not enable the partnership in the gospel to take place. Over the past year I have started to take a new look at my prayer life. It is necessary. If I did not pray every day through all the stress of not knowing who is going to sign up for the trips I would be back at Starbucks making lattes. Don't get me wrong, I love making lattes! Really, I love the people.

People are the unknown factors. Never knew at Starbucks whether someone would be in a good mood or a bad one. I always liked the challenges of breaking into the lives of some of the stone faced ones. It was something I worked at. I knew persistance and actually caring about them as a person would wear them down. A few times it did.

People are people. Can't check them off a list or say I know how a new missionary will react to the poverty we'll see in Peru and Kenya this summer. The training will only take the team so far.
So if prayer is needed, my schedule must look different. Alone time is necessary, not a luxury that some people think of a slacking off. I need time to gather my thoughts, pray for strength and read the Word. After seminary I think I felt overwhelmed by the Bible. It seemed as though if I was not studying every historical fact and looking at the Greek and Hebrew with it I would not understand anything. I believe those things are helpful, but that thinking got me out of the habit of reading every day. It was as though it became a addition to my day not the passion of my life.

As I visited my ammamater, Dallas Seminary, today I realized how special my time there was. There was a lot that was learned there and can be used in my life. The truth is powerful and can change lives. Even my own life can be changed.

How Can A Good God Let Bad Things Happen

How Can A Good God Let Bad Things Happen is written by Mark Tabb, the author of more than twenty books, including the number one New York Times best seller Mistaken Identity and A Promise to Ourselves (with Alec Baldwin).

The author weaves the story of Job in the Old Testament together with questions about the great tragedies of human history and real stories of personal struggles. As we consider life and the world as it is, we begin to question why God would do this. We shake our fists to the sky, angry that God would allow us to suffer. We don’t deserve this. Or do we? 

“This world we now live in is the end result. God did not speak into existence a world of drive-by shootings and random acts of violence. Human beings created this world for themselves.” p. 31

The honesty in the writer’s frustrations with suffering and death allows the reader to think clearly about God and His motives. Are we afraid of the real answers? Tabb helps readers face the truth in the balance of Scripture rather than the simple, trite statements of comfort that offer no comfort at all in the midst of pain.

In the end the author focuses the reader’s attention away from self and toward the reason for comfort and hope: the treasure of eternity with Jesus Christ. “The hope of heaven…the final chapter, that makes all the other chapters make sense.” p 215

This Life is a Dream

This life is a dream

I’ve been here before

Smiling

A new dance to dance

To share my joy

Song – laughter – grins

My joy is new

Welcome change

Grow me up

Move me out

Here we go

Why I Care about Obama?

Yesterday was a very important day in my life. The new President means more to me than ever before. It really has nothing to do with his politics...but has everything to due with community. Everyone I know was glued to a tv or the internet (if you were blessed enough to get the streaming to work). Thankfully our church has cable on the 4th floor and a bunch of us ran up there to see the innaguration. 

It was a beautiful day. Clear...looked cold. The people were in top form. George W. Bush looked about 10 years younger. Probably the beginning of the stress lifting off his shoulders. There was a bounce in the steps of most there yesterday. The world turned and watched our nation with hope. 

I think that is why I stopped and watched so closely yesterday. The world has taken notice. I can imagine what it was like in Kisumu. My friend Allison is there right now and she says it was a holiday on the 20th. Everything closed early and the whole city was celebrating Obama's entrance into office in the USA. We will be taking a team there in June this year. I'm sure there will be many questions about the new President. They are so proud of Obama.

The burden now rests on a well-spoken man named Obama. So much hope rests in his administration and his decisions. His words are so hopeful and real. It's going to be a tough road ahead. Thank you for telling us the truth. It will be tough. We're ready for a shift in life as usual here. 

I'm interested to see how international relations will fair with Obama's presidency. Will it be easier for US Citizens to travel abroad? I pray this is the case. The world has become so small and the relationships with other countries in the world is important. Everything that has been cracked cannot be fixed in a day...or ever. The only thing I know is that there is a new beginning. A fresh face and voice in the oval office. 

Every time he speaks I have to stop and listen. George W. lost my attention after the second speech. I love hearing Obama talk. He's a speaker who demands an audience. His words are not written by him, but are spoken so well. He doesn't stumble over words or speak his own Texas slang. He honors language and retoric. 

It will be an interesting 4 years at least. Probably 8, seeeing that so many have hope in his promises. Things will be different and I believe different is good. I am praying for our new leader. 

Prayers for a Faraway Friend

As I remember back to April 2008 when I was blessed to return to Kenya I think about one sweet friend, Emma. We first met in June 2007. She was the one child that never smiled and moved very slowly. She seemed to be sick and her mother told me that was the case. 

This picture of Emma and I is so special because this is the biggest smile we saw out of her. A tiny lift in the corners of her mouth. I pray for her often. Every time I think about Kenya. It is a great place with beautiful people. I will be returning there in June this year and will look for my friend and hope to see her smile.

We go to Kenya to encourage a church our church helped build in Kisumu, Kenya. So many heartaches there and yet I always feel so empty leaving it. There are so many rich relationships there. We teach seminars for the lay leaders and church leaders in the area. This year I hope to have a couple seminars taught by the church leaders and lay leaders there. Hospitality and Prayer would be two great seminars that I know the team would soak up. There is so much to learn from our brothers and sisters in Africa. Can we take the time to listen?