Making America Great Again

Maybe we aren't so great any more. Is it the fault of government? Maybe. Is it the fault of the people? Definitely.

Our country needs, as do all, an emphasis on religious values. I am not proposing that we be a "Christian nation." I am saying that we should be faithful to the values and intentions of the founding fathers and out constitution. The term "separation of church and state" is not found in the writings of these men who set our nation in motion. They were religious men (to one degree or another) who did not want a single religion to rule. We can use the basic biblical principles on which many of our laws are based. That is what will make us great. Winning wars and booming markets are not what we have lost. We have lost this emphasis on doing what is right, truly caring for the downtrodden, giving opportunities (not handouts) to those in need.

To make America great, we need the One who is truly great. We need to seek his blessings. AND, we need to do his work. Our American heritage is based in our faith. Our faith does not say caring for the poor, the elderly, or the orphan is the responsibility of the government. Our faith tells us it is our personal responsibility, and the responsibility of the church. We are to clothe the poor, provide a cup of cool water to the thirst, feed the hungry, etc. If the government wants to help us, that is great. But, that does not lessen my responsibility. 

"Oh," you say, "Paul is getting awfully preachy." Call it what you want. I am saying if you are religious - step up and live your faith. If you are an American - step up and use your blessings as a citizen. In the end, it all works out the same.

If we change our attitudes about serving others, our government will change. If it doesn't, so what. All I can really control is what I do. It starts with me.

Who needs "The Word?"

If our three years in Cambodia did nothing else, it brought it home to me that we have been guilty of majoring on minors for FAR too long --- no matter what we want to think. There is a lost world out there and many (I refrain from saying most) do not want to see it, as we sit in our padded pews, under stain-glassed windows, singing "O How I Love Jesus." I was scared to come back to the U.S., for this reason. And, I am still uncomfortable. I am not sure who needs ministering, the lost or the "saved." I would love to hear your thoughts, as I continue to formulate the balance of this blog post.

Merry Christmas 2014

Make your own free greeting

All Good Things Come To An End

   September 11, 2011. In many ways, it seems like a lifetime ago. That is because we feel that we have grown a lifetime, since then.

   

   That was the day Debbie, Reggie, and I boarded a Korean Air flight from Los Angeles to Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was a long flight. The distance from L.A., the 19th largest economy in the world, to Cambodia, a third-world country situated in the middle of Southeast Asia, is 8,142 miles. Oh, but those miles do not really measure the true distance. In some instances, it would seem we traveled decades. In many instances, it felt more like centuries.

   

   Cambodia is a kingdom ravaged by civil war, cross-border conflicts, corruption, idolatry, and animism. This means it is a country in need of education, medical care, and salvation. Inwardly, we thought we were coming to help the poor, teach the uneducated, heal the sick, and save the lost. There was a big surprise waiting for us!

   We were touched by the poverty. It is in evidence everywhere. Even in the capitol city of Phnom Penh, the nicest, gated communities have shanty-towns surrounding them. People live on the streets, roadsides, and riverbanks. For many, the housing consists of a thatch lean-to or a tarp stretched across a pole. At best, food comes at a basic subsistence level. Education is something one dreams of for her children. Jobs may produce one dollar a day. We had left our sterile, privileged world behind.

   Healthcare is supposedly available for all. The low cost care is more than many can afford. The “free” care often has a cost attached. Even is medical care is attained, dental care is a dream. Some days, I feel that the dental care is more important than the medical care we can provide.

My Bible Belt upbringing did not prepare me for work in what is quite literally a Godless society. At worst, we had dealt with the “unchurched” who were, in fact, churched (just not lately). Now we were face-to-face with people who had no understanding or knowledge of Jehovah God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit.  Age-old Bible references, that we find so 

common in our everyday language, were completely foreign. These people need to meet a loving, sacrificial Savior.

   Now, so far, this may sound like we made a mistake in coming to Cambodia. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

   These people with tremendous needs also have a heart of thankfulness. They are so thankful for all that we do. Placing a tract in their hand, saying a kind word in their language, directing them to the medical doctor – all of these actions are met with broad smiles, bowing, and words of thanks.

   Just like anywhere, some of the people have no interest in the Gospel. But, there are people longing for a value-added life. They have tried it their way and found no satisfactory answers. The love of God is what they need. Once they find out about it, they will not let go.

   If we can help them with chronic headaches, insomnia, stomach disorders, that is just great. But, we want to share the love of God and give them a “cup of cool water” for the sake of Jesus. And that is what has made the last three years a wonderful experience. God has actually allowed us to be His hands and feet. We have had the privilege to carry the story of our God, and His desire to save us, to a lost and dying world. We have studied with people and seen them light up as they truly meet God. We have seen them as they realize that Jesus is waiting for them, and provides his Spirit to care for them. We have gotten wet baptizing them and seeing new children of God being born.

   It has been three years, now. We are winding down our work. It may sound trite or overly dramatic, but this the most bittersweet experience of my life. We have missed our children. We want to be back for the birth of our first grandchild. We have missed siblings and parents. We want to see our dear friends. But, all of that means leaving Cambodia, the Kingdom of Wonder.

   As of this writing, I cannot quite comprehend our new life in the U.S. It will be great, on so many levels. We have missed Costco, Wal-Mart, CVS, Home Depot, Diet Dr. Pepper, Dunkin’ Donuts (don’t judge us!). To have all of those things at our fingertips will be amazing. But, I am not sure how we will fill the hole in our heart. The Khmer people have certainly carved out a place. We hold them dear.  And, we will miss them.

One day, soon, I hope!

One day, I hope to be able to put aside the wishes and desires of man. Just leave them all behind, and worship and serve my God fully and completely. I know he is tired of half-hearted allegiance. And, you know, I am tired too!

That is my prayer for today, for myself. Maybe we should all try it. I think it will make today - and tomorrow - an awful lot better.

Seeing it for the first time, again.

Over the past four months, we have had family members visit us in Cambodia. It has been great to have loved ones spending time with us. We love sharing our life on the Ship of Life. It was great to introduce them to the "friends and family" who live here.

Each of our visitors have said that being here was so good for them. They had seen photos and heard stories, but nothing was as good as fully experiencing our work. I had not thought of that. When I was sending the photos and telling the stories, I saw the big picture. They did not.

But, having them see it all for the first time had a side-benefit. It allowed me to see it from fresh eyes. I was able to see and hear their response to every step of the way. There are so many things I have grown used to seeing that I don't even notice anymore. I don't notice the motorbikes stacked high with wicker shelves. I don't notice water buffalo alongside the road. I don't notice some of the crazier traffic maneuvers. These things have become "normal" to me, now. They, and so many other fascinating things, are just part of my daily life.

I suppose we are all like that. We no longer really care about the things that created such excitement, when we were children. Butterflies, robin's eggs, clouds, caterpillars, a four-leaf clover, ant hills....... We would run and share our great finds with anyone who would listen.

I can't help but think about how this same attitude applies to my spiritual life. There were so many things that I treasured, as I came to know Jesus. I was humbled by the sacrifice of God. I looked with wonder at His creation. It was all far to good to not share it. But, you know what? There are some days, now, that I don't see it. Sadly, I must admit that I take it for granted. I am not running to share anything.

Then, there are those blessed days that I get to interact with new believers. I get recharged by their fresh eyes - their fresh hearts. What a wonderful by-product of telling others about God -- we get to see him anew. We get to keep our hearts soft and our eyes fresh. Oh, what an awesome God I serve.

What are we really exporting?

We are well into our third year of service, in Southeast Asia. In this short time, I have been surprised how much has changed. More and more western products are available on grocery shelves. There are a few more American chain businesses opening. Since summer, we have noticed a huge influx of Coca-Cola billboards, shop signs, etc., in Siem Reap. Coke has been here, but the advertising was minimal.

   When we are in a city and staying at a hotel, there are always a few American cable channels. The movies being shown aren’t always the best, but they do give us a reminder of our culture.  There are a couple of Thai cable networks that broadcast U.S.-based programming.

   As I travel through the cities and villages, I see a growing influence of western culture in Cambodia. The clothing of many teenagers is no different from their western counterparts. When we returned from our furlough, last May, I was stunned at the number of Starbuck’s shirts being worn by young men and women. They were literally everywhere. We had been gone for sex weeks! I had never seen a Starbuck’s shirt, here.  To really appreciate this overnight invasion, you should know that there are no Starbuck’s outlets in all of Cambodia.

   I am not happy about it.

   If the world’s opinion of us comes from sitcoms and reality TV, we are in a sad shape. I know, some would argue we are in a sad shape, in reality. But, I worry that we are not exporting our best – or, even our average. These beautiful young people are not only imitating our fashion. Their obsession with appearance and the “ideal,” as exhibited by Hollywood, is very apparent. A trip down the Health and Beauty Aids aisle at the grocery or market reveals row after row of lotions, creams, deodorants, and cosmetics that are designed to whiten darker skin.

   Our lives would appear to be filled with promiscuity, deception, car chases, drug use, profanity-laden tirades, venomous religious bigotry, etc. They don’t really know about wholesome families. They don’t know about spiritual

   The first year our ship came to the Tonle Sap Lake, we were pleased that most children had good teeth. They did not get the sweets and pre-packaged foods that we see along the river. That is changing. Snacks filled with sugar and fat can be found in even the smallest of villages. Many of these products come from western producers, or western companies granting production rights to Asian companies. It isn’t enough that we battle with hypertension and diabetes, we are now exporting that, too.

   If all this weren’t enough, I see western religious influences taking hold. The American church is being taken hostage by those preaching a prosperity gospel. You know the one. There are some truths presented, but neatly packaged with lies. Lies that we want to be true. We are told that God loves us and will bless us with treasures untold. (Yeah, I am with you, so far) And, those treasures are ours for the taking and enjoying, NOW. (Now, you lost me) If we live in a right way and follow the path of God, we will be blessed with earthly riches. A loving God would want no less than for us to be prosperous.

That evil message will really get the attention of a financially poverty-stricken people. But what happens next. How do the poor reconcile this message with their life? When they hear the Gospel, choose to become a Christian, and live a life refreshed and renewed?  They changed. They believed. Yet, her baby is still hungry. The toddler is sick. Her husband still beats her. The floodwaters have come. The small rice crop is lost. The chickens are dying. He suffers from a debilitating cough, but cannot afford to get to the free clinic. Where is this God of prosperity? Where is God? Was he just a story? Why would they believe anyone else who comes along talking about a loving God?

   I want to tell them that message is not true. It is not of God. I want them to know that God loves them. He will bless them. He will do so much better than taking away today’s aches and pains. I want them to know about the lives and the faith of the apostles. I want them to know about those followers closest to our Lord. I want them to know that 10 of the 12 were martyrs. They had no prosperity on earth. There was no easy way.

   I want them to hear Paul’s story of earthly prosperity and blessing, in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27. The great apostle Paul was beaten, whipped, stoned, left adrift at sea, imprisoned, hungry, thirsty, and cold. I want them to know that through all this, he counted it all joy.

   I want them to know that God is not saving us from this life. Peter said that we are blessed when we are insulted for the name of Christ, because the Spirit and glory of God rests on us. Peter tells us that if we suffer as Christians we should not be ashamed, but glorify God (1 Peter 4:14-16). They must know that God is preparing us for the next life. And, that is where we will have our prosperity.

   You know, maybe that is the message that the west needs. If it will hear that message, we won’t have to worry about their old message out here.

   Help me out. Share God’s true message at home.

I have some serious thinking to do!

   Recently, Debbie and I were traveling. While we were away, we met many wonderful people. Most of them were shop owners, waitresses, waiters, hotel staff, etc. They were kind and open. They seemed genuinely interested to talk with us. Here, people in the service industry often want to speak English with native speakers. So, you can’t always tell the motive of someone who approaches you. I think many of those we encountered were “people persons.”

   We would share where we were from and ask them the same. We might talk about family. Inevitably, it would come up that we live in Southeast Asia. This would spark some interest. They always wanted to know our work. I am always happy to talk about the work.

   Sadly, I never spoke to any of them about Jesus. I never asked them about their spiritual journey. I never questioned them about their needs. I didn’t even realize it, until I returned home. I guess I was on a spiritual vacation. It wasn’t that I desperately wanted to share, but didn’t. No, it was worse. It didn’t come to mind.

   I sit here, disappointed. What happened to me? I prayed before my meals. I was even reading a book about how to be a better servant. Yet, I didn’t share the name of the one who gives me life.

   This time I realized what I had forgotten. Has this happened before, but I never realized it. If I am sincerely interested in the cause of Christ and the sharing of the Gospel, the message of Jesus should never get lost in the shuffle.

   If I am this disappointed with myself, how disappointed must God be. Wow, I have some serious thinking to do.

Self-evident Truths

 Arguably the most cherished symbol of democracy - not just in the U.S., but in the world. And surely the greatest offering from a man who gave so much to the concept of freedom, Thomas Jefferson.

The thoughts in the document were not particularly new. Most had been expressed by earlier writers and philosophers. In June of 1776, Jefferson pulled those thought together and expressed the "self-evident" truths for a coming nation -- no, for a people. And, for generations to come.

As Americans, we treasure our beautiful flag. The stripes remind of us of our history - where we began. The 50 stars grouped together remind us of our future. Fifty separate entities, joined, as it were, in a sea of blue. But,, without the declaration of our heartfelt beliefs, there is no need for a flag.

Have you read it lately? Have you read it ever? Fellow Americans, read it, now. Remember why we exist, as well as what has made us great for these last 237 years.

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions. In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated: Column 1 Georgia:    Button Gwinnett    Lyman Hall    George Walton Column 2 North Carolina:    William Hooper    Joseph Hewes    John Penn South Carolina:    Edward Rutledge    Thomas Heyward, Jr.    Thomas Lynch, Jr.    Arthur Middleton Column 3 Massachusetts: John Hancock Maryland: Samuel Chase William Paca Thomas Stone Charles Carroll of Carrollton Virginia: George Wythe Richard Henry Lee Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Harrison Thomas Nelson, Jr. Francis Lightfoot Lee Carter Braxton Column 4 Pennsylvania:    Robert Morris    Benjamin Rush    Benjamin Franklin    John Morton    George Clymer    James Smith    George Taylor    James Wilson    George Ross Delaware:    Caesar Rodney    George Read    Thomas McKean Column 5 New York:    William Floyd    Philip Livingston    Francis Lewis    Lewis Morris New Jersey:    Richard Stockton    John Witherspoon    Francis Hopkinson    John Hart    Abraham Clark Column 6 New Hampshire:    Josiah Bartlett    William Whipple Massachusetts:    Samuel Adams    John Adams    Robert Treat Paine    Elbridge Gerry Rhode Island:    Stephen Hopkins    William Ellery Connecticut:    Roger Sherman    Samuel Huntington    William Williams    Oliver Wolcott New Hampshire:    Matthew Thornton

And, may it ever be so.

The Pronoun Conundrum

   I am not easily alarmed, I think. Of late, I have become alarmed. On the surface, it seems like something small - almost insignificant. But, to me, it is huge.

   I am referring to the change in the capitalization of pronouns when referring to the Deity. Over time, I have seen the tradition/rule change. It used to be that all writers would use the capital letter for a pronoun when representing God or Jesus. But rarely, now. I see it (or don't see it, as the case may be) everywhere. In Bible devotional books. In study books. In articles. Maybe I am just old-fashioned and  "King James influenced," but I think he and him should be He and Him.

   I am not sure why the change. 

   The cynical side of me says it is a sign of our culture. We no longer show respect for most things, so caring about showing respect in pronoun-use just follows suit. Could be.

   The paranoid side of me says it is a plot. It is a Satan-driven conspiracy to lessen our (sub)conscious awareness of God. Could be.

   The skeptical side of me says it is the simple apathy of people, in general, and Christians, in specific. We just don't really care enough to take the trouble to show the reverence. Could be.

   The practical side of me says it doesn't matter. This was a Elizabethan or Jacobean writing tradition which has no bearing on our writing methods, today. Could be.

   Which is it? I don't know. The reality is that none of these reasons are that great. There is not one of these that I would be proud to claim as my reason. Probably, all of my "sides" are right. There is a bit of each that makes up the answer. I just do not know.

   What do you think? Have you noticed it, too? Share your thoughts. I would love to know if I am the only one that is bothered by this.

   Bottom line, I want to do all I can to show God, Jesus, and the Spirit all of the honor and respect that He (or They, if you prefer) is/are due. It seems that how I refer to Them in writing is just as relevant as how I act. It is all how I show my attitude toward Him -- my actions, my deeds, my words - written and spoken. I for one will hold on to the capital letters. It is no conundrum to me.

Where's your rose?

I am not sure of the origin of the whole "rose worn on Mother's Day" tradition.  I don't know that it is practiced much any more.  Maybe it is just a southern thing?  I haven't been to the "homeland" for Mother's Day in the last 13 years.

As a child, we would wear a red rosebud on our suit lapel (yes, we wore suits to church, as children), on Mother's Day. The red rose was to signify that your mother was living. If your mother had passed away, you wore white. It was a way to honor mothers and the many sacrifices they had made for us.

As a kid, I didn't really get it. I think I thought it was just an advertisement -- "Hey, living mom over here!"  But now, I realize it was a badge of honor. More than a simple signal of the status of your mom, it was a simple way to show that we loved and cherished her.

The tradition had long ended for me, by the time my mother died. I had not worn a red rose in many years. I have never worn a white one. Nevertheless, I want to honor my mother, on this Mother's Day.

I miss her. She had an infectious laugh. She had some pretty wise counsel. She had a difficult life, in many ways. She was thrown many curves, and sometimes she swung and missed. But, you could never question her heart. She loved her children. She worked to give them a good (better) life. She was firm. Ruth did not play around with discipline! But, I never doubted her love. She loved her grandchildren. And, they were never in doubt about that! For me, she was a single parent for my teen years. My dad passed away when I was 11. I would never wish that chore on anyone. She did all she could to give me plenty of opportunities. I never thanked her enough.

Next year, on Mother's Day I am going to "wear" a virtual white rose on my Facebook page, in her honor. I won't people to know that she is gone, that I miss her, and that she was a wonderful mother.

Ramblin'

Marshall Tucker Band said it best, "I got ramblin', ramblin' on my mind."

We are sitting in Incheon Airport, Seoul. This is where we will be sitting all day. Maybe if I sprang for a higher priced ticket, I wouldn't have this long-term relationship with ICN, each time we fly to the U.S. I understand that if we make this trip one more time, this year, we may have to pay South Korea resident tax.

Our stateside tour begins in the lovely state of Texas, in big D. I have heard that Texas is the center of the entire universe. Of course, this fact was shared by Texans. Repeatedly. I do enjoy Dallas. Mostly, because it is home to our number two son, Matthew. We will get to spend time with him, as well as visit with friends at the Prestoncrest Church of Christ.

Stop two is West Tennessee. Actually, stop 1.5 is Little Rock, where we will pick up the Partners in Progress car. From Little Rock we will cross the eastern part of The Natural State (evidently, it is no longer the Land of Opportunity) and the Mighty Mississip'. In Jackson, we will get to spend time with our oldest son, Paul, and his wife, Allison. In addition to enjoying some good West Tennessee BBQ, we will visit with the Campbell St. and Jacks Creek churches.

We will continue eating our way across the Volunteer state, until we get to "The Promised Land," Knoxville. Here, we get to see my sister, Sherry. After some family catch-up time, we will have a family reunion, in the mountains, with the in-laws. Matthew, Paul, and Allison will be back with us, too.

Following our family time, we will head back to middle Tennessee. I will have an opportunity to speak to students from the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences about medical missions in Cambodia. While in middle Tennessee, I will be sharing information on Partners in Progress at the World Christian Broadcasting annual dinner and meeting. It will great to talk about the work being done, and encourage others to be a part.

The middle Tennessee stop will wrap up with visits to the New Lasea (Columbia, TN) and Barkers Mill (Clarkesville, TN) churches of Christ. I am happy that we also have some meetings to discuss new opportunities to partner with us.

As we head to the west coast, we will have a visit with the Cuba (KY) church. They were the first congregation to partner in our work, and we are excited to be able to see them, after many years.

I get the chance to speak at my alma mater, Harding Academy. It will be fun to be back on campus and share our mission experiences. The high school students will be a tough crowd.

The end of April brings us back to southern California. Debbie and I will be able to spend time with our brothers and sisters at the Simi Church, our sponsoring congregation. We will get to see many of our SoCal friends. The last week in the U.S. will be back at Pepperdine, taking in some of the Bible Lectures.

Finally, we will board our Asiana flight for the LONG flight home.

We hope to see you during our six weeks of ramblin'.

I wish I were the person my dog thinks I am

   I think I first saw it as a bumper sticker. Then, later it floated through Facebook. “I wish I were the person my dog thinks I am.” Do you remember seeing it? Maybe, like me, you were amused – maybe chuckled a bit. You gave an approving nod, and moved on.

   If you are a dog lover, you get it. Right away. I can’t speak for cats, really. Who knows what they are thinking?? But I know what Reggie thinks of me. I can see it in the wag of his tail. I can hear it in his sigh when he lies down next to me. I can actually see it in his eyes. Yes, he smiles at me, I am sure. He is pretty taken with me. He thinks I am something special. Oh, that I only were.

I have thought about that cutesy, seemingly innocuous, little statement. I have thought about it a great deal. It has haunted me. Really, the more haunting statement is, “I wish I were the person God wants me to be.”  This one is a bit tougher. I suppose it is tougher, because there is more truth, there.

Reggie just needs full bowls of food and water, a belly scratch, and a walk. That makes him pretty happy. Anything extra I do for him is just icing on the cake. Really, he doesn't require much. I can even forget a meal, once in a while. Or, maybe skip a walk. No worries! His expectations are pretty low.

But God…. He expects far, far more. No, not more. He expects it all. Everything. The whole enchilada! He does not want to be forgotten. He does not want to be overlooked. I cannot pull Him out, dust Him off and do His thing, when the mood strikes me. He wants to be the center of my life – where I am totally focused on Him. No person or thing can get in the way. Not work. Not friends. Not family. Not even good works. He is not so impressed with what I do, when I serve Him. It is my job. It is what He has commanded me to do.  Don’t get me wrong, I think God is pleased with appropriate actions and service – but impressed, No!

I have to be constantly reminded that His command is not about “doing." His commandment is about “feeling,” “thinking,” and “committing.” It is about “BEING.”

What must make it even more frustrating for Him, is that He hasn't given me a long, detailed, hard to decipher job description. It is short and simple. It is easy to remember. It is easy to understand. Love Me and keep My commandments. But, I can foul up something this simply stated. I have to be constantly reminded that His command is not about “doing.” Oh, I can “do” with the best of them. His commandment is about “feeling,” “thinking,” and “committing.” It is about “BEING.” Maybe, my “doing” actually gets in the way, sometimes. I am so busy “doing,” that I forget the important part.

Lord, help me when I stray. Do not let me forget. Guide my thoughts and very being.  I am a weak and selfish sinner. I need you at the center of my life. Help me to use your Spirit to guide and strengthen me. Thank you for loving. Thank you for forgiving.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  Phil. 4:8

Till God shows us His mercy

   Isn’t it funny how some ideas “stick” and some do not? I mean how you can be part of literally thousands of classes, workshops, seminars, and sermons and hear so many potentially life-altering ideas, yet most will not really “stick.” I have had to opportunity to hear many learned people, sharing great insights on life, work, religion, politics, etc. But, there is one that is firmly entrenched in my thoughts, from the early 1980’s.

   Dr. Willard Tate came to Montgomery, Alabama. Faculty and staff were given a day off to go and participate in a workshop he was presenting. I don’t recall where it took place. I think it was a local church building. I do not recall how many of us attended. I do remember it was in a small room. I do not recall the name of the workshop. It could have been “Enlightening Paul,” for all I know. If it were the case, it couldn’t have been more aptly named!

   As part of our workshop, we were provided, or purchased (I have already established the lack of memory on the minor issues of this event), a book by Dave Grant, The Ultimate Power: How to be a Great Lover of People. Whoever paid for it, it was money well spent! Dr. Tate and Mr. Grant changed my life. They presented ideas that challenged my thinking, exposed the fallacies of the “world,” and set me on a different course. There were many great lessons shared.

   My greatest take-away from that workshop, is the deadly world trait of comparison. The world (read: Satan) wants us to compare ourselves, as we attempt to find value. The world tells us we have value, or achieve greatness, based on how we look, what we know, or what we do. Think about it. All advertising is based on these three ideas. “Use our product and you will be beautiful, then you will be loved.” “Learn this information and you will be recognized and appreciate, then you have truly arrived.” “Choose this major, take this job, and you will gain status, then you will be respected.” Even when we don’t say it in so many words, we say it. It comes across loud and clear. “Look at the beautiful people. Look at the smart people. Look at the achievers. Surely, you want to be like them. Do what they do.” The world’s love becomes conditional upon how we look, what we know, and what we do.

   The world-crushing truth is that we can’t measure up. There will ALWAYS be someone who is more beautiful/handsome, smarter, or can outperform us. We cannot measure up. So, the world hurts. No matter the neighborhood in which they live, the job they perform, the pew in which they sit, people are being hurt by the world's solution – comparison.”

   I imagine that God must look at us and say, “What is wrong with you? Why would you compare yourself to man. Man, who is weak and sinful. I offer you a better solution.”  “Why do you fret about your outward appearance? What will you do as you age and the appearance changes? Have you not learned that I look on the inside? A loving, pure heart is the most beautiful thing in the world. You work on that.” He must shake his head and say, “Don’t worry about what you know, beyond my Word. Come to know me and you will know all that matters.” Then, He gently places His hand on our shoulder and speaks, “I do not care about your work. Do My will: Love Me with all your heart, soul, and mind. Serve in my kingdom, faithfully, and you have achieved.”

   I have value. That value comes from God. The world has nothing to offer but hurt, suffering, and brokenness. “I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us His mercy.”  Psalms 123:1-2

Be Holy, for I am Holy!

In "I Call it Heresy!," A.W. Tozer writes,

You cannot study the Bible diligently and earnestly without being struck by an obvious fact—the whole matter of personal holiness is highly important to God! 

Neither do you have to give long study to the attitudes of modern Christian believers to discern that by and large we consider the expression of true Christian holiness to be just a matter of personal option: "I have looked it over and considered it, but I don't buy it!"... 

Personally, I am of the opinion that we who claim to be apostolic Christians do not have the privilege of ignoring such apostolic injunctions. I do not mean that a pastor can forbid or that a church can compel. I only mean that morally we dare not ignore this commandment, "Be holy."... 

But, brethren, we are still under the holy authority of the apostolic command. Men of God have reminded us in the Word that God does ask us and expect us to be holy men and women of God, because we are the children of God, who is holy. The doctrine of holiness may have been badly and often wounded—but the provision of God by His pure and gentle and loving Spirit is still the positive answer for those who hunger and thirst for the life and spirit well-pleasing to God

 I don't have anything deep or thought-provoking to add. I share them because they struck me, deeply. I read these words and felt immediately convicted. Is personal holiness what I truly see in my personal life? It if isn't, why not? I don't know if I really want to go down that road and answer that last question.

Maybe that is the challenge for each of us. We don't need to determine what we do or don't do. We already know that. The greater questions is, "WHY DO I CONTINUE TO DO THIS THING." Or, "WHY WON'T I DO THIS THING?"

But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." —1 Peter 1:15-16

We, too...

I have been reading Jon Meacham's "American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House." I am seeing some interesting parallels between 1830 and today. This passage was written for all, but directed at a segment of our citizenry that felt a bit disenfranchised; maybe a bit mistreated; certainly misunderstood and mis/under-represented.

"Contemplate the condition of that country of which you still form an important part. Consider its government, uniting in one bond of common interest and general protection so many different states, giving to all their inhabitants the proud title of American citizen, protecting their commerce securing their literature and their arts, facilitating their intercommunication, defending their frontiers, and making their name respected in the remotest parts of the earth. Consider the extent of its its territory, its increasing and happy population, its advance in arts which render life agreeable, and the sciences which elevate the mind! See education spreading the lights of religions, morality and general information into every cottage in this wide extent of our Territories and States. Behold it as the asylum where the wretched and the oppressed find refuge and support. Look on this picture of happiness and honor and say, We too are citizens of America."

Reading this makes me think about where we are. Have we come very far from our infighting 180 years ago? If I thought I could get our elected representatives in federal government to listen, I think this is what I would say after making them write the preceding passage on the chalkboard 20 times (to you younger readers, ask your mom or dad).

Good or bad, it is OUR country. She has weathered wars external and internal, disease, natural disaster, hatred from without and within, yet she stands. She stands, and is the desire of the world. Don't kid yourself. People all across our world still long to live in this place. We are envied - not for what we have, but for what we can become. That has not changed in all these years. 

Scan the papers, watch the news, read the internet. Why would anyone want to come to our house?? There are days I am not sure why anyone would want to come and live here. We fight like cats and dogs. We call names. We lie. We misrepresent. We should be sent out in the backyard to get a switch (youngsters, see parenthetical statement above) and then have it applied where it will have most effect. 

 I was taught there is no problem that Americans, working together, cannot solve. 

I have had the opportunity sit on the "sidelines" for some 17 months and observe. I am disgusted. No, I am saddened. We are better than this, as a country. You are better than this, as men and women elected to SERVE your country. I was taught there is no problem that Americans, working together, cannot solve. We have certainly done it throughout history. Have we lost the ability?

If our elected officials cannot see their way to work together and find solutions, then vote them out. Democrat, Republican, and Independent. If they can't do it, let's give someone else a shot at it. Just because they can't see fit to do their job, we can't give up our job in the voting booth. Write letters; send emails; make telephone calls. Let them know you don't care about which side of the aisle they sit on. We don't want them in their chairs, anyway. We want them up, walking, and talking together.

I want to leave a place where my grandchildren can, "Look on this picture of happiness and honor and say, We too are citizens of America."

There Was One Who Was Willing

   So, with my last post, it is all out in the open. I am a Zombist. Nah, you didn't miss a day in school. That is a word I have just coined. It means, "one who delights in stories of zombies." Feel free to use it, any time! Share it with your friends. They will be quite impressed with your broad vocabulary. You might be surprised -- some of them may be closet Zombists.

   While reading in the afore-mentioned tome, Zombiestan, I came across another great passage. 

"It was perhaps only appropriate that the solution to the madness and destruction the world had inflicted upon itself lay in the blood of an innocent child."

As you would expect, the scene is where there is the revelation that a particular child's blood possesses the antibodies to fight the dread virus that creates the zombies.

   When I first read the passage, I saw the Biblical implications of the sentence. It isn't that I am so spiritually-minded. It was pretty obvious. BOOM! There it is; innocent blood redeems the world. Where else is my mind supposed to go.  But, it wasn't just the spiritual implications that drew my eyes and thoughts back to the passage. It was the wording, actually.

   I was struck by the words which the author chose. Read it, again. There are some key words:

• appropriate
• madness and destruction
• inflicted on itself

It wasn't the thoughts or the concepts that began to "haunt" me. It was those words. I could not help but think how applicable those same words are to where we find ourselves.

   Appropriate is defined as "fitting for a particular purpose." God/Christ had a purpose. A particular purpose. There might have been other solutions, but only one was fitting. It was that the innocent, the blameless should be offered as a sacrifice. Christ's death wasn't the easy out. It wasn't the only thing God could do. He is God. He makes the rules. He could decide what works. He chose the solution that was fitting with the way He had always done things - the innocent is given up for the guilty.

   Could any two words, other than madness and destruction, be better used to describe the world we inhabit? What else but madness requires us to love that which is ephemeral. We praise beauty, knowing it fades with time. We extol athletic prowess, seeing example after example of how it diminishes with time. The traits we should laud (purity, honesty, service, etc.)  are used as punchlines or a descriptor of a second-rate someone who doesn't possess the "important" things. This madness is bound to end in destruction. There is no way in can end in anything more positive.

   And, the saddest note of all is that it is all self-inflicted. We do it to ourselves. We do it to our children. We do it to anyone who will listen. We espouse and believe what Satan spits out. "Faith in a higher being is weakness. Be your own man. Solve your own problems." "Kindness and mercy are defects of the soul." "The clothes make the man (or woman)." 

   Our world is mad and set on destroying itself. I for one don't intend to go down with the ship. I cannot continue to follow this world. I want something better. I need something better. I have found a fitting answer, the blood of an innocent. The blood of one who understands. I want to forget the world and learn more about the one who wants what is best for me. I want to know the one who said,

Take the yoke  I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.

   Who said that? The one who willingly spilled the blood for each of us mad and destructive people. 

So, there's where Zombiestan fell short. The innocent in that story had no choice - had no say. He was a toddler and adults made his choice. 

HALLELUJAH, I have one who was willing; One who chose to give it all. And He is the One I choose to follow.

Of Rocks and Zombies

Over the holidays, I was reading a great book, Zombiestan, by Mainak Dhar.  Yes, it is a zombie story that begins with a virus in Afghanistan.  You see, I like zombies.

Okay, it’s out there.  I like zombie movies. I like zombie television series.   I like zombie books. Throw rocks if you will, but be sure to aim for my head.  If you know zombies, you know why. 

How Far Is Heaven?

Sitting in a hotel recently, I was reading and listening to music.  A favorite group, Los Lonely Boys, came up in the queue. The song “Heaven” came on.

I have heard the song many, many times – too many times to count.  But, for the first time I heard it. I mean really heard it.  Check out the video. If you like some Latin/blues, then you will like the music.  I love the rhythm and sound. 

Los Lonely Boys - HEAVEN video

He doesn't really need my help making the rules

I have learned so much about God and His plan for us, over the last year.  Supposedly, I was teaching others.  But, God was teaching me, through them.

One of our crew members has been asking many questions about baptism. His questions started with the mechanics of the act.  You know, who does it, how is it done, is it done on a day other than Sunday, etc. 

  These were all such “basic” questions. I explained that it was not difficult. I shared Biblical accounts of those who were baptized. More questions came up. I wanted them to see that the key is water, immersion, and a cleansed heart. As we talked and I answered other questions, I realized there was a great truth hiding in the simple answers: There are some things that are so important that God did not establish unreasonable or high barriers.