One of the most fundamental and profound truths I learned was from a book by Richard Foster called “Celebration of Discipline“.
In it he talks about the purpose of the disciplines (things like prayer, fasting, bible study, meditation, community, etc). All these things are a means to an end. Foster said that all those things aren’t the goal in and of themselves. Rather, they are a vehicle to carry us to our true purpose. What’s that purpose?
A deep, intimate relationship with God.
We can’t earn God’s love or presence in our lives. But, we do have to leave space for him. We have to put ourselves in a position in which he can act and speak into our lives. He generally won’t force himself on us. The disciplines are ways to place ourselves in a position to encounter the true and living God.
I work with Latinos in Memphis. For the past year I’ve been a part of the Nueva Vida congregation at Kirby Woods Baptist Church.
Over the past few months, God has taken my involvement with Latinos in a different direction. I’ll explain more about that on another day.
The picture above was taken at a birthday party for a two-year-old Mexican girl. I happened to be visiting a home just when the shindig was about to get going. Naturally, they asked me to stay. Latinos love to be together and celebrate. Since I had already built somewhat of a relationship with this home, they were excited I could take part.
That soup was good. Potatoes, cilantro, and several different types of seafood. They also had plates heaped with crablegs. Funny thing was they didn’t have any of those handy dandy crableg crackers that they give you at Red Lobster. It was man against crab leg.
Justin Hartzell plays the guitar. He’s in a band called “Sticks and Stones.”
This time-lapse was shot in Dr. Wilkes’ ‘Church Growth’ class last week. Justin led us in a song before class began. Dr. Wilkes usually does this, but he asked Justin to do it on this day.
Dr. Gordon Fort of the International Mission Board spent some time with us at MABTS last week for Missions Day.
One of the toughest things he talked about was the fact that the IMB is having to draw back it’s international force from 5,600 to 5,000 over the coming year.
A lot of people ask me the same question in one form or the other.
“What are you studying to be at seminary?” or “What are your plans after seminary?” or “What are you going to seminary for?”
It’s a fair question. I’ve probably asked it myself. But, the funny thing is I don’t really think of my time here in that way. I’m not here to go anywhere. I’m here because this is where Jesus put me. I’m not here to leave. I’m here to lift him high.
Yes, we do have plans/leadings/guidance (and an anticipated graduation date). If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be getting a Masters of Missiology. However, being a missionary doesn’t start when (if) my feet hit some foreign soil. It’s now. After all, this is foreign soil. My mission is clear, and it starts now.
I’m studying to be a better cross-cultural worker. But, that’s secondary. I’m here to lift him high in obedience and faith.
We started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree in the beginning of November a couple years ago. We call it the Thanksgiving Tree. We set out a basket full of index cards with yarn to hang them with. Every time we think of something we are thankful for we jot it down and hang it on the Thanksgiving Tree. Its starts out sparse and gradually becomes loaded with the fruit of gratefulness. Come on over. You can hang something on the tree!
