(Below is an email I sent out to my small group on March 30, 2009)
Okay... so I'm officially a week late in sending this out, but when you're grounded, you're grounded, whether you have a small group to email or not. Please forgive the delay!
Of course, I missed small group last night. I was in Elizabeth City, NC at Roanoke Bible College, doing placement testing at the college preview weekend. For those of you who don't know, I am headed off to RBC this fall to major in Cross-Cultural Ministry (Missions) and Biblical Exposition and minor in Counseling. I'm very excited; my course schedule as it stands right now is very full, but I can't wait to get started! Placement testing went well, by the way. I smile.
However, I did have my fair share of thoughts after the little 'field trip' we took two weeks ago. The one big thing that I thought we needed to address was our attitudes. I'm not going to name any names, so everybody shouldn't freak out and quote the apostles (Surely not I?), but I was rather upset by those who were stereotyping the residents of the trailer park and making jokes.
Visiting that trailer park was kind of like a walk down memory lane for me. When I was about eight years old, my family spent some time living in a 20-foot long Weekend Warrior in a very small trailer park in California. I don't remember ever thinking that we were poor, or unfortunate, or that we were deserving of pity. I'm not sure I would have understood if someone had called me 'trailer trash' or made fun of me because I lived in a trailer park, but I would certainly have been hurt and angry. We don't know why the people in the trailer park are living there. We don't need to know. But we cannot look down on them or treat them as though we are doing them some great favor out of pity. We need to treat them like neighbors, like friends.
I was equally upset by those who were goofing off. We should always approach ministry opportunities with a serious attitude and a joyful heart. I'm not anti-fun, but I do think that we have not yet grasped the seriousness of our mission here. God is opening doors for us--that much is clear. He wants us to offer ourselves to impact our neighbors in that trailer park. We need to take hold of that opportunity, and work with all our might, treating it like the precious thing that it is.
"Act like people with good sense and not like fools. These are evil times, so make every minute count. Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do."
-Ephesians 5:15-17 (CEV)
I know that the tone of this email is somewhat harsh--I do that, from time to time. But make no mistake: I believe that you are growing and changing for the better, taking on the 'Do Hard Things' mentality for your own. I'm just trying to help you along. I am looking forward to this summer with great anticipation. I can't wait to see how this opportunity to serve and minister is going to grow you all and impact you for eternity. The best part is, even as you are learning and growing, great things are being accomplished for the kingdom of God.
I love you guys.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Holocaust Studies: Dating and the Dogs
(Excerpts from my journal are in italics and are dated.)
"One may not be able to triumph over evil, but one need not remain silent in the face of it." -Smith Hempstone
Photograph: Sculpture of Eros, in Muranow Square
February 26, 2009 6:30 p.m.
After our session, we went to the cafe again, where I got into a very intense discussion with Jared regarding his present spiritual state and his attitude towards dating. He is stuck in that place where he think he might like to be a 'better' Christian, but (as he puts it) he wants the world. He seemed to listen and take to heart what I had to say... now I can only hope that he does something with it!
While I was glad that he appreciated my insight and advice, I realized my hypocrisy with a sinking heart. How can I encourage him to pray when I do not do so myself? How can I encourage his purity and selflessness, when my own are questionable? I kept telling him to call a lie a lie, and to own his decisions, but how can that carry any weight, when I myself have been living in rebellion towards God?
It was very humbling to realize that, while I can still fake it well enough to 'talk the talk,' I haven't been 'walking the the walk.' God help me! God forgive me! I cannot wear this hypocritical face before the God who sees my heart and soul.
"There are laws written on our hearts--TRUTH, whether we want to accept it or not." -Dr. Phil Johnson
What was interesting about our discussion of this particular topic was hearing everyone's views and putting them in perspective. Now, while I overheard several conversations, I am going to focus mainly on the conversations that took place between Jared Mosley and myself. Jared and I stand in opposite corners--I don't believe in dating at all, while he loves the idea!
Jared told me that he is in love with the idea of being in love--a hopeless romantic, to quote the man himself. All the warm, fuzzy feelings attached to dating are a huge attraction to him. But that's because he has bought into a lie.
"First we must understand that all of the world's deceptions flow from the belief that love is primarily for the fulfillment and comfort of self." -Joshua Harris, from I Kissed Dating Goodbye
"One may not be able to triumph over evil, but one need not remain silent in the face of it." -Smith Hempstone
Photograph: Sculpture of Eros, in Muranow Square
Throughout the trip, the topic of dating kept popping up everywhere--conversations in hallways, in the streets and in the cafe. Everyone had their own opinion, and we even got Barnabas' take on it! It's funny, and hardly coincidental, that we should talk about such things in Poland. God always brings to light what we most need to learn.
February 26, 2009 6:30 p.m.
After our session, we went to the cafe again, where I got into a very intense discussion with Jared regarding his present spiritual state and his attitude towards dating. He is stuck in that place where he think he might like to be a 'better' Christian, but (as he puts it) he wants the world. He seemed to listen and take to heart what I had to say... now I can only hope that he does something with it!
While I was glad that he appreciated my insight and advice, I realized my hypocrisy with a sinking heart. How can I encourage him to pray when I do not do so myself? How can I encourage his purity and selflessness, when my own are questionable? I kept telling him to call a lie a lie, and to own his decisions, but how can that carry any weight, when I myself have been living in rebellion towards God?
It was very humbling to realize that, while I can still fake it well enough to 'talk the talk,' I haven't been 'walking the the walk.' God help me! God forgive me! I cannot wear this hypocritical face before the God who sees my heart and soul.
"There are laws written on our hearts--TRUTH, whether we want to accept it or not." -Dr. Phil Johnson
What was interesting about our discussion of this particular topic was hearing everyone's views and putting them in perspective. Now, while I overheard several conversations, I am going to focus mainly on the conversations that took place between Jared Mosley and myself. Jared and I stand in opposite corners--I don't believe in dating at all, while he loves the idea!
Jared told me that he is in love with the idea of being in love--a hopeless romantic, to quote the man himself. All the warm, fuzzy feelings attached to dating are a huge attraction to him. But that's because he has bought into a lie.
"First we must understand that all of the world's deceptions flow from the belief that love is primarily for the fulfillment and comfort of self." -Joshua Harris, from I Kissed Dating Goodbye
I understand the attraction--I really do. Knowing that someone feels that way about you gives you a sense of self-worth. Feeling that way about someone else is a heady thing. It's so easy to just go with the flow, and let our emotions run rampant. There is a problem with this line of thinking, however.
"But when we make our feelings the most important measure of love, we place ourselves at the center of importance... When we evaluate the quality of our love for someone else simply by our own emotional fulfillment, we are being selfish." -Joshua Harris, from I Kissed Dating Goodbye
In our discussion of dating's tendency toward selfish attitudes, we also touched on the topic of purity. Jared told me that he didn't see how a small amount of physical involvement could hurt anyone. I attempted to explain to him that purity is not a line in the sand; it's not about how close we can get to impurity before we are crossing the line. Purity is, instead, a direction. We raise our eyes to God's standard of perfection and resolve to pursue it.
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."
-Ephesians 5:3, emphasis added
We also wrestled with the pros and cons of romantic involvement in our younger years. I think that dating in high school is like going shopping for a new outfit without any money. Even if you find the perfect fit, what can you do about it? Neither person is ready or able to marry, so why seek the romantic involvement in the first place? And aside from the physical aspects, what are you seeking from a boyfriend/girlfriend that you can't find in a friendship?
I also believe that singleness is a gift. As a single, I am completely free to do whatever God asks of me. I have no attachments, and no distractions. I can devote all of my thoughts and actions to serving God. I can form deep and lasting friendships with members of both sexes, without worrying about who likes who and who's the cutest. Seriously. Singleness is not a condition I need to do something about; it's an opportunity I ought to do something with.
Oftentimes, when I tell people that I don't believe in dating, the first question out of their mouths is, "So you don't think you'll ever get married?" And I just laugh. I trust God's plan and God's timing. He might have someone in mind for me to marry... someday. But I'm not going to waste my time wishing that day was today. He might just as well intend for me to be single forever. And what's wrong with that, I ask you?
"I want you to live as free of complications as possible. When you're unmarried, you're free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Master. Marriage involves you in all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and in wanting to please your spouse, leading to so many more demands on your attention. The time and energy that married people spend on caring for and nurturing each other, the unmarried can spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God. I'm trying to be helpful and make it as easy as possible for you, not make things harder. All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without a lot of distractions."
-1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (The Message)
February 28, 2009 11:45 p.m.
Tonight, instead of occupying the entire second-floor hallway after our visit to the cafe, Barnabas let us all into his room to hang out. It was fun; we talked about dating. Barnabas said that he likes the idea of group-dating, and he told us about his own experiences with dating, sharing a few stories.
After that, though, the conversation took a turn... toward personality profiling. I knew a little bit about Barnabas' personality profiling course from listening to Pat and Patti, so when we started discussing what kind of dog each person was, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
There are four dogs: Pit Bull, Golden Retriever, Beagle, and Dalmatian. Each one has different characteristics, different ways of communicating, different ways of dealing with people, etc. I know what I am--a Dalmatian, with a bit of Pit Bull--but it was fun to try and guess what everyone else was.
Pit Bulls are the go-getters, the confident ones, who are comfortable in their own skin and have no problem making their ideas and opinions known. They are often the first to step up and take charge. Ryan Langham is a good example of a Pit Bull. Golden Retrievers are more laid back. They love harmony, and do their best to get along with everyone. They like teamwork. Christian Sadler is a pureblood Golden Retriever. Beagles are the excitable ones; they love people and attention, and try to create a fun atmosphere. They are quick to act... but they don't always think first. Jared is a Beagle. Dalmatians are your detail-oriented bunch. They love information, and they're not particularly spontaneous. They tend to have high expectations... but are often disappointed when those expectations are not met. Sarah Allen is a perfect Dalmatian.
It was really neat discussion; kind of a conference-within-a-conference. It made me really eager to go to Rome with Barnabas! There was one more interesting thing, however--no one was able to profile Barnabas. I wonder what kind of dog he is? He seems to have many characteristics of all four. Something to ponder, I guess.
The whole idea behind personality profiling is to identify how best to relate to a certain person. You can't deal with a Dalmatian the same way you might deal with a Beagle, for instance! I think that's part of the reason that no one was able to profile Barnabas. He has become so good at adapting to an individual's personality! He deals with each personality type in a way that will most benefit them. It's not about other people understanding you, after all. It's about understanding other people.
"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."
-1 Corinthians 9:22b
All of these discussions had to do with relationships, which are a fascinating topic no matter where you are, Poland or elsewhere. These international conferences are designed to give us the tools we need to become effective leaders. You aren't a leader if nobody is following you... and no one will follow you if you are concerned only with yourself.
One thing I have taken to heart, being a Dalmatian with my high expectations, is that people are worth more than the things that they do. Everyone has their annoying habits, their idiosyncrasies, and their pet peeves. However, we can't make these the focus of our relationships, only dealing with people who don't rub us the wrong way. We are called to love even our enemies--nay; especially our enemies--with the love of Christ.
"But when we make our feelings the most important measure of love, we place ourselves at the center of importance... When we evaluate the quality of our love for someone else simply by our own emotional fulfillment, we are being selfish." -Joshua Harris, from I Kissed Dating Goodbye
In our discussion of dating's tendency toward selfish attitudes, we also touched on the topic of purity. Jared told me that he didn't see how a small amount of physical involvement could hurt anyone. I attempted to explain to him that purity is not a line in the sand; it's not about how close we can get to impurity before we are crossing the line. Purity is, instead, a direction. We raise our eyes to God's standard of perfection and resolve to pursue it.
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."
-Ephesians 5:3, emphasis added
We also wrestled with the pros and cons of romantic involvement in our younger years. I think that dating in high school is like going shopping for a new outfit without any money. Even if you find the perfect fit, what can you do about it? Neither person is ready or able to marry, so why seek the romantic involvement in the first place? And aside from the physical aspects, what are you seeking from a boyfriend/girlfriend that you can't find in a friendship?
I also believe that singleness is a gift. As a single, I am completely free to do whatever God asks of me. I have no attachments, and no distractions. I can devote all of my thoughts and actions to serving God. I can form deep and lasting friendships with members of both sexes, without worrying about who likes who and who's the cutest. Seriously. Singleness is not a condition I need to do something about; it's an opportunity I ought to do something with.
Oftentimes, when I tell people that I don't believe in dating, the first question out of their mouths is, "So you don't think you'll ever get married?" And I just laugh. I trust God's plan and God's timing. He might have someone in mind for me to marry... someday. But I'm not going to waste my time wishing that day was today. He might just as well intend for me to be single forever. And what's wrong with that, I ask you?
"I want you to live as free of complications as possible. When you're unmarried, you're free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Master. Marriage involves you in all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and in wanting to please your spouse, leading to so many more demands on your attention. The time and energy that married people spend on caring for and nurturing each other, the unmarried can spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God. I'm trying to be helpful and make it as easy as possible for you, not make things harder. All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without a lot of distractions."
-1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (The Message)
February 28, 2009 11:45 p.m.
Tonight, instead of occupying the entire second-floor hallway after our visit to the cafe, Barnabas let us all into his room to hang out. It was fun; we talked about dating. Barnabas said that he likes the idea of group-dating, and he told us about his own experiences with dating, sharing a few stories.
After that, though, the conversation took a turn... toward personality profiling. I knew a little bit about Barnabas' personality profiling course from listening to Pat and Patti, so when we started discussing what kind of dog each person was, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
There are four dogs: Pit Bull, Golden Retriever, Beagle, and Dalmatian. Each one has different characteristics, different ways of communicating, different ways of dealing with people, etc. I know what I am--a Dalmatian, with a bit of Pit Bull--but it was fun to try and guess what everyone else was.
Pit Bulls are the go-getters, the confident ones, who are comfortable in their own skin and have no problem making their ideas and opinions known. They are often the first to step up and take charge. Ryan Langham is a good example of a Pit Bull. Golden Retrievers are more laid back. They love harmony, and do their best to get along with everyone. They like teamwork. Christian Sadler is a pureblood Golden Retriever. Beagles are the excitable ones; they love people and attention, and try to create a fun atmosphere. They are quick to act... but they don't always think first. Jared is a Beagle. Dalmatians are your detail-oriented bunch. They love information, and they're not particularly spontaneous. They tend to have high expectations... but are often disappointed when those expectations are not met. Sarah Allen is a perfect Dalmatian.
It was really neat discussion; kind of a conference-within-a-conference. It made me really eager to go to Rome with Barnabas! There was one more interesting thing, however--no one was able to profile Barnabas. I wonder what kind of dog he is? He seems to have many characteristics of all four. Something to ponder, I guess.
The whole idea behind personality profiling is to identify how best to relate to a certain person. You can't deal with a Dalmatian the same way you might deal with a Beagle, for instance! I think that's part of the reason that no one was able to profile Barnabas. He has become so good at adapting to an individual's personality! He deals with each personality type in a way that will most benefit them. It's not about other people understanding you, after all. It's about understanding other people.
"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."
-1 Corinthians 9:22b
All of these discussions had to do with relationships, which are a fascinating topic no matter where you are, Poland or elsewhere. These international conferences are designed to give us the tools we need to become effective leaders. You aren't a leader if nobody is following you... and no one will follow you if you are concerned only with yourself.
One thing I have taken to heart, being a Dalmatian with my high expectations, is that people are worth more than the things that they do. Everyone has their annoying habits, their idiosyncrasies, and their pet peeves. However, we can't make these the focus of our relationships, only dealing with people who don't rub us the wrong way. We are called to love even our enemies--nay; especially our enemies--with the love of Christ.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
St. Patrick's Breastplate
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I have copied his famous "Breastplate" prayer. I always find this prayer empowering; it reminds me that I am on a spiritual battlefield, and that even when I'm feeling overwhelmed, I do not fight alone.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of
Doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those
evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my
body and soul
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison and burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ
when I arise,
Christ in the head of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of
Doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and those
evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my
body and soul
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison and burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ
when I arise,
Christ in the head of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.
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