We are doing well, starting our second week here. The first week was teaching. We are near the pacific ocean, but we drove 2 hours and were at the Caribbean on Saturday! I have never been there before, it was beautiful. Sunday we went to church and relaxed.
Today we are going to a village to meet some family of our friends. In their culture, when you visit you take dinner with you! I like that! Especially since no one has the communication tools to let you know that they are coming.
Tomorrow we are headed 5 hours out into the jungle to spend 3 days at a Mennonite work with the indigenous people. Steve will teach and I will teach how to use a sewing machine, with a simple blouse to make that doesn't require a pattern. Everyone seems to have generators so they have electricity. Then we will be back here for the weekend and home on Monday.
Malana
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
in Panama, from Malana
We're here and we're fine, it is about 88 degrees in the day and 72 at night. Class went well today, we rested for the afternoon.
Steve will teach the rest of the week, I will teach sewing in the afternoon. Then on Monday (the 14th?) we will drive 6 hours into the jungle and stay a few days teaching at a Mennonite facility. There is a small hotel for $20 a night, or we could sleep on the floor at the community shelter...which do you think Steve would choose? Then back here on Thursday teaching on Friday, Saturday is a work day, then Sunday we pack up to leave for home.
Class consists of Americans, Candians, Panamanians, Colombians....and one Chinese who immigrated here. All classes are bi-lingual.
I'll check in again if anything interesting happens!
Steve will teach the rest of the week, I will teach sewing in the afternoon. Then on Monday (the 14th?) we will drive 6 hours into the jungle and stay a few days teaching at a Mennonite facility. There is a small hotel for $20 a night, or we could sleep on the floor at the community shelter...which do you think Steve would choose? Then back here on Thursday teaching on Friday, Saturday is a work day, then Sunday we pack up to leave for home.
Class consists of Americans, Candians, Panamanians, Colombians....and one Chinese who immigrated here. All classes are bi-lingual.
I'll check in again if anything interesting happens!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Washed and Waiting book review
Washed and Waiting: reflections on Christian faithfulness and homosexuality by Wesley Hill - published by Zondervan 2010
Many people would find it impossible to place the two identities, Christian and homosexual, together in the same sentence. Wesley Hill does not. In fact, Mr. Hill not only places these two identities in the same sentence, he also locates them in the same person - himself. He does this in much the same way as an alcoholic going to AA would. “Hello everyone, my name is Wesley. I am a homosexual. I’ve been clean and sober now for 15 years. I thank our Lord and God every day for giving me the strength to resist temptation. My God is faithful and He washes me clean from all my sin. I also thank each one of you for your support and help whenever I feel weak.”
“Thanks for sharing, Wesley”, the listeners respond.
Mr. Hill places homosexuality firmly on the list of sins. In doing so, he grapples with all the tensions that ensue within himself. He discovers as a young man growing up in a conservative Christian home that he has no sexual desire for women. Instead, he is attracted to men. At first he just ignores it and pretends that he is like all the other guys he knows. After a while he finally and painfully admits to himself that he is homosexually oriented.
After this admission to himself that he is indeed homosexual, Mr. Hill tries to figure out why. Here too he finds no answers that fit or satisfy. After years of effort to rid himself of these sinful desires, he concedes and then begins to look for outside help. This at first proves fruitless. He finds no one who actually speaks or writes to his situation. His questions remain. How can I follow Jesus? Will I always have these unwanted homoerotic desires?
In Mr. Hill’s pursuit of answers I find something that is simply amazing. Not that he finds good answers along the way, which he does. But how often he was given these answers and by such a variety of people. After he opens up to a professor at college, Mr. Hill continually finds friends, teachers, counselors, books and articles, that consistently point him in the same direction. Homosexuality is a sin. You sin only when you give in to its temptation. Sex is not the most important part of life. Loving and serving Jesus is. Find wholeness in following the Lord in purity and celibacy. Mr. Hill never notes how unusual this is, although he is very thankful for their input.
In the gospel Jesus is seen casting out demons and healing the sick. In this context He is questioned concerning the coming of the kingdom of God. In Luke 11:17-20 NIV Jesus said "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.” Here Jesus identifies the present activity of the Holy Spirit as the finger of God revealing the kingdom of God.
Similarly I see God’s fingerprints everywhere in Mr. Hill’s life story. At every turn God seems to supply the right person, the right book, the right incident to shape Mr. Hill into a disciple of Jesus. If this isn’t clear evidence of the kingdom of God, what is? Our God is faithful. Amen.
Mr. Hill carries this topic to the arena where I agree it should be discussed - into the arena of discipleship. He tears down the notion that sexual fulfillment is necessary to being a disciple. Marriage is good, but serving God is best. He points out that we Christians have drunk too deeply at the well of worldly wisdom and have become blinded to the sacrifice necessary to follow Jesus. This insight applies to all, not just people with runaway desires. The sex addict can refrain from giving into temptation, follow Jesus, and we applaud. The drug addict and alcoholic can refrain from fulfilling their temptations, and we applaud them. Why not the person tempted by homoerotic desires? Can’t they fight the good fight too? With Mr. Hill I say of course they can!
But why not go further? Can the bitter person overcome the bitterness that plagues them day in and day out? Can the impulsive shopper avoid malls? Can the sharp tongued speak kindly? Can someone forgive themselves for aborting their child? All of these and more must live with the continual tension of knowing what is right and true yet have to deal every day with contrary desires.
It took me 10 years of struggle with daily depression to find one day that I hadn’t been depressed in a while. I rejoiced in the grace of God! Yet it took years of a daily turning my mind away from thoughts that depressed to the truth of the constant love of Jesus. In the same way I’ve learned to resist panic attacks. Jesus is the answer.
We all have some weakness somewhere. Some people cannot drink any alcohol without becoming a drunk. Some people cannot have a credit card without topping it out and going broke. Each of us has a struggle tailored to us. Yet we all can be victorious in Jesus. Even the person tempted with homoerotic desires.
Does this mean that Mr. Hill will find the day where he will just notice that he hasn’t had to battle these desires for a while? I sincerely hope and pray so. But if he doesn’t? I pray that Mr. Hill be faithful to Jesus.
I agree with Mr. Hill that we do not always need to know the cause and reason for our assorted weaknesses. But through the power of the Holy Spirit we can all live a life pleasing to our Lord and God.
Thanks for sharing, Wesley.
Many people would find it impossible to place the two identities, Christian and homosexual, together in the same sentence. Wesley Hill does not. In fact, Mr. Hill not only places these two identities in the same sentence, he also locates them in the same person - himself. He does this in much the same way as an alcoholic going to AA would. “Hello everyone, my name is Wesley. I am a homosexual. I’ve been clean and sober now for 15 years. I thank our Lord and God every day for giving me the strength to resist temptation. My God is faithful and He washes me clean from all my sin. I also thank each one of you for your support and help whenever I feel weak.”
“Thanks for sharing, Wesley”, the listeners respond.
Mr. Hill places homosexuality firmly on the list of sins. In doing so, he grapples with all the tensions that ensue within himself. He discovers as a young man growing up in a conservative Christian home that he has no sexual desire for women. Instead, he is attracted to men. At first he just ignores it and pretends that he is like all the other guys he knows. After a while he finally and painfully admits to himself that he is homosexually oriented.
After this admission to himself that he is indeed homosexual, Mr. Hill tries to figure out why. Here too he finds no answers that fit or satisfy. After years of effort to rid himself of these sinful desires, he concedes and then begins to look for outside help. This at first proves fruitless. He finds no one who actually speaks or writes to his situation. His questions remain. How can I follow Jesus? Will I always have these unwanted homoerotic desires?
In Mr. Hill’s pursuit of answers I find something that is simply amazing. Not that he finds good answers along the way, which he does. But how often he was given these answers and by such a variety of people. After he opens up to a professor at college, Mr. Hill continually finds friends, teachers, counselors, books and articles, that consistently point him in the same direction. Homosexuality is a sin. You sin only when you give in to its temptation. Sex is not the most important part of life. Loving and serving Jesus is. Find wholeness in following the Lord in purity and celibacy. Mr. Hill never notes how unusual this is, although he is very thankful for their input.
In the gospel Jesus is seen casting out demons and healing the sick. In this context He is questioned concerning the coming of the kingdom of God. In Luke 11:17-20 NIV Jesus said "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.” Here Jesus identifies the present activity of the Holy Spirit as the finger of God revealing the kingdom of God.
Similarly I see God’s fingerprints everywhere in Mr. Hill’s life story. At every turn God seems to supply the right person, the right book, the right incident to shape Mr. Hill into a disciple of Jesus. If this isn’t clear evidence of the kingdom of God, what is? Our God is faithful. Amen.
Mr. Hill carries this topic to the arena where I agree it should be discussed - into the arena of discipleship. He tears down the notion that sexual fulfillment is necessary to being a disciple. Marriage is good, but serving God is best. He points out that we Christians have drunk too deeply at the well of worldly wisdom and have become blinded to the sacrifice necessary to follow Jesus. This insight applies to all, not just people with runaway desires. The sex addict can refrain from giving into temptation, follow Jesus, and we applaud. The drug addict and alcoholic can refrain from fulfilling their temptations, and we applaud them. Why not the person tempted by homoerotic desires? Can’t they fight the good fight too? With Mr. Hill I say of course they can!
But why not go further? Can the bitter person overcome the bitterness that plagues them day in and day out? Can the impulsive shopper avoid malls? Can the sharp tongued speak kindly? Can someone forgive themselves for aborting their child? All of these and more must live with the continual tension of knowing what is right and true yet have to deal every day with contrary desires.
It took me 10 years of struggle with daily depression to find one day that I hadn’t been depressed in a while. I rejoiced in the grace of God! Yet it took years of a daily turning my mind away from thoughts that depressed to the truth of the constant love of Jesus. In the same way I’ve learned to resist panic attacks. Jesus is the answer.
We all have some weakness somewhere. Some people cannot drink any alcohol without becoming a drunk. Some people cannot have a credit card without topping it out and going broke. Each of us has a struggle tailored to us. Yet we all can be victorious in Jesus. Even the person tempted with homoerotic desires.
Does this mean that Mr. Hill will find the day where he will just notice that he hasn’t had to battle these desires for a while? I sincerely hope and pray so. But if he doesn’t? I pray that Mr. Hill be faithful to Jesus.
I agree with Mr. Hill that we do not always need to know the cause and reason for our assorted weaknesses. But through the power of the Holy Spirit we can all live a life pleasing to our Lord and God.
Thanks for sharing, Wesley.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Psalm 23 Digested
In the depths of my closet I found an old prayer journal from the first year I was a Christian. At that time all scripture was new to me. This was my meditation on Psalm 23:
Jesus loves me
He takes care of all my needs
All I need do is ask Jesus to take care of it for me
and wait patiently with expectation
through whatever the circumstances may be
he fulfills my need
Yes, glory to Jesus
I need no more seek to fulfill my own desires
Jesus leads me to them
and presents them to me
Jesus loves me so much
- and he is God -
that he is willing and able to take care of me
even if I should fall
Jesus certainly is love and mercy
Jesus loves me
He takes care of all my needs
All I need do is ask Jesus to take care of it for me
and wait patiently with expectation
through whatever the circumstances may be
he fulfills my need
Yes, glory to Jesus
I need no more seek to fulfill my own desires
Jesus leads me to them
and presents them to me
Jesus loves me so much
- and he is God -
that he is willing and able to take care of me
even if I should fall
Jesus certainly is love and mercy
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
I'm Back
Recently I awoke from a dream where I asked the Lord why we had to be like children to enter the kingdom. My thought then went to the desire many of us have to be sure of something before we believe. You know, we want all the facts before we can make a sound judgment. The Lord then indicated to me that the reason we cannot have all the facts before we believe is not that he wants to deny us the facts, it is simply that we would not understand them if he gave them to us. Our conclusions would not be right. Additionally, because of our past experience we would bend the truth into something we could control. Jesus is the Truth and Lord.
So childlike faith is the essential element we provide in coming into the kingdom. This is the kind of faith that trusts someone as a default position. Children have to be taught to distrust strangers. It is a faith that believes what is told to them simply because they trust the one speaking. A simple, complete, faith.
I am looking into my own heart and wondering if my faith can be like this. I know it must. But to do so I must throw away every crutch, every desire, every hope that connects me to this world/age/system. I need to be totally the Lord's. The only thing that hinders my faith is my desire to be something in this world. To have my own stuff, my own life. My life is now the Lord's and not my own. I have given it freely and He took it. He has given me His in return. My life in this world for His. But I must live his.
So childlike faith is the essential element we provide in coming into the kingdom. This is the kind of faith that trusts someone as a default position. Children have to be taught to distrust strangers. It is a faith that believes what is told to them simply because they trust the one speaking. A simple, complete, faith.
I am looking into my own heart and wondering if my faith can be like this. I know it must. But to do so I must throw away every crutch, every desire, every hope that connects me to this world/age/system. I need to be totally the Lord's. The only thing that hinders my faith is my desire to be something in this world. To have my own stuff, my own life. My life is now the Lord's and not my own. I have given it freely and He took it. He has given me His in return. My life in this world for His. But I must live his.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Still In Russia
I am so blessed to have an access to the internet. So, how are things going Steve? Let me answer that.
In a word, great. I am teaching from 9-12 every morning. My class is on the Holy Spirit and His gifts. When I asked the class if anyone had read the prophet Ezekiel before in order to illustrate John 7 and the river of the Holy spirit, only one person raised their hand. About 20-25 in the classroom at the time. I got to introduce them to Ezekiel! Is that cool or what? We read the whole first chapter together out loud and did the heads ever wag. What is THIS all about? We followed the glory of God throughout the book and saw the God of Israel as He left the temple and landed somewhere else - where the Lord is now. The Lord is there. Where? HERE!!
So the class got a chance to see their inheritance as a believer in Jesus - the Holy Spirit of God. God Himself. It is so much fun to show people at the very ends of the earth how God has included them not only in His plan, but also in His family!
Many of them have left all to follow Jesus. No family history, no brothers and sisters. But now they who were a long way away have been brought so near that they are His family. Abraham is our father as a people. We have a shared history. We are a people!
In a word, great. I am teaching from 9-12 every morning. My class is on the Holy Spirit and His gifts. When I asked the class if anyone had read the prophet Ezekiel before in order to illustrate John 7 and the river of the Holy spirit, only one person raised their hand. About 20-25 in the classroom at the time. I got to introduce them to Ezekiel! Is that cool or what? We read the whole first chapter together out loud and did the heads ever wag. What is THIS all about? We followed the glory of God throughout the book and saw the God of Israel as He left the temple and landed somewhere else - where the Lord is now. The Lord is there. Where? HERE!!
So the class got a chance to see their inheritance as a believer in Jesus - the Holy Spirit of God. God Himself. It is so much fun to show people at the very ends of the earth how God has included them not only in His plan, but also in His family!
Many of them have left all to follow Jesus. No family history, no brothers and sisters. But now they who were a long way away have been brought so near that they are His family. Abraham is our father as a people. We have a shared history. We are a people!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
In Russia
For the month of October I will be in Kamchatka, the far east Russia - away from easy access to the internet. I simply ask that if you read this that you will pray for me. I am asking the Lord that I remain anointed and full of the Holy Spirit, in gifts and fruits and boldness, so I can minister. I have tried to minister without the anointing and it is a miserable time for all...
Please also pray for my wife Malana. She will have all the responsibilities while I am gone. May the awareness of the Lord's presence be her portion.
Thanks!
Please also pray for my wife Malana. She will have all the responsibilities while I am gone. May the awareness of the Lord's presence be her portion.
Thanks!
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