The Biscuit

Reaching for a Plunger

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:52:00 +0000

Earlier in the week, I just felt stagnated. Stuck in the midst of much to do and the question of where to start. It was time to dump the stuff that had been accumulating in my mind. I have software to keep track of appointments, contacts, email, and to-do items, but I don't use it like I should (if you do, then you are to be congratulated and know that you are an example for me to look up to). So how to get doing (or going) once again?

Time for a mental dump - take the loaded truck that is my mind and pour out all of the items that need to be done out on to a piece of paper. All of it, not just work stuff, but personal items also. Once it's on the paper, I can get it into the computer, prioritize it, categorize it, and act on it. My brain feels like it can function again. I recommend the exercise highly anytime your mind feels "stopped up."

Surprised to Hear...

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:20:00 +0000

I drive a school bus for some extra money. The other day I was shuttling pre-schoolers to the Library for a field-trip, less than a five minute trip in our town. One of the teachers was having a conversation with a student and they were talking about what fun the tour, getting to have a story read to them, and time at the playground would be. Then I heard the teacher say, "and then we'll be rid of you!" Not just once, but several times to stress the point that they would be glad to have time without students.

I was floored. Not by the comment. Parents can often be overheard making relatively insensitive comments to their kids. I'm sure that many things that proceed from my mouth are less than encouraging to the people around me - my children and others. The tongue is a difficult thing to tame, that is for certain. What surprised me was the fact that this was coming from someone who had chosen to be a direct influence in the lives of young people. Someone who is supposed to nurture and guide the formation of malleable minds and hearts. What would the parent of that child say if they had overhead the teacher be so callused? Then I started thinking about my own actions.

How many times do my words hurt instead of heal? Every so often, the Spirit will prompt me about the insensitivity of something I've said casually or in jest. I try not to cause pain if I actually consider my words before I speak them, but we all know the impact thoughtless words have. I'm sure that educators do not often let their true feelings about students show because of the negativity that can be lurking under the surface. It was a rare glimpse at an unguarded moment. I guess the real question is... why should I hold her to a higher regard than I do myself? A good reminder that you never know who's listening in or the impact a carelessly chosen phrase can have.

Heading in a New Direction

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:19:00 +0000

In a short time, I will be starting a new sermon series. Presently, the Book of Joshua is being finished, so I need some suggestions... My thought is to offer a series on favorite Bible stories. What I need from you is exactly that - you're favorite Bible stories.

If you have one, two, or even three, please add them in the comments section of this post. You don't have to know chapter and verse. A short description of the action will suffice and I will track down the associated verses.

Thanks!

Another View of Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:38:00 +0000

I just finished reading Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice. It was the second time that I borrowed it from the library. The first time, I read a couple of pages and put it down. The opening seemed to be preposterous. I won't spoil it for you because the book can (and did the second time I started it) grab you from the very beginning.

Mrs. Rice's book does a wonderful job of coloring in the area where the Gospels have left a gap in Jesus' life. The years between his birth and his being "lost" at the Temple when the family goes to celebrate the Passover. She brings a richness to Jewish community life in that era and gives a taste of the Judeo-Roman tensions that went on.

As a reasonably conservative Christian, reading the book requires you to give a bit of license to the author to take the subject matter where she will, but the further I got in it, the more I recognized the desire of Mrs. Rice to be true to the Lord and to the truths that Christians hang their faith on.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it as a good summer read. I am considering using it as the basis of the church's book study in the fall - we'll read it and discuss it as we go. If you want to "discover" the contents at that time, you'll have to exercise restraint to not read it before then.

Back from Baton Rouge

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:34:00 +0000

Suzanne returned Saturday from participating in the second Baptist Blitz Build in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Yesterday, she shared some of her experiences with us.

Fantastic rapport was experienced by the team that traveled together. Folks from Mattoon, Charleston, Paris, Champaign, and Arthur they had some friends that they just hadn't met yet as they drove south.

The dorms were much less crowded this year compared to last. There was plenty of room to spread out on both the men's and women's side. The bathrooms stayed much more fresh and snoring wasn't near the issue that it had been before.

Food was fantastic. Suzanne admitted that the food was one of the main "fringe benefits" of going on the trip! They ate at a different restaurant each night and shared desserts family style.

A change in philosophy for locating the homes was in effect for this year. Last year, they were built in low income neighborhoods and when the teams were done with them, they sat empty until the families were able (or allowed?) to move-in in November. Consequently all of the copper plumbing and other things of value were stripped from the houses and had to be reinstalled prior to occupation. This year, seven homes were built in a new Habitat for Humanity subdivision of 20 some acres that was donated to the Baton Rouge organization. It is close to one of the malls and in a much better area of the city. Suzanne thought that at least 75-80 homes could be built there over the next few years. Sounds like a better opportunity for the families, but the neighborhoods aren't getting much rehabilitation that way. Much more pleasant to live and work in, I would expect.

The homes are on schedule to be finished by mid-May. This week, trained trade professionals are installing electric, plumbing, and other technical infrastructure to the homes. Next week, another volunteer work force is arriving to finish the homes with paint and landscaping.

Way to go Suzanne! Thanks for letting us know what God is doing to bless the people of Baton Rouge and those who suffered much at the power of Hurricane Katrina! If you would be interested in learning more about the Baptist Blitz or want details of next year's trip, please email the church - fbcarthur@consolidated.net.

What Really Goes on During Ascension Day?

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:16:00 +0000

I asked one of the girls who rides my bus, what she and her family did to celebrate Ascension Day...

"We played kicker (kickball). I flew a kite," she said thoughtfully. "No church?" "No." "Did your mom make anything special or did you get any special treats?" "No."

They just relaxed in each others company around the house. Not a bad way to spend a day, especially in our busy world, but somehow I had expected something more...

Amish Missing From School

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:51:00 +0000

Today, at least 2/3rds of the kids on my bus route were missing. All of them Amish. Made for a quick tour of the countryside south of Arthur. The reason? Ascension Day.

Many Amish celebrate this anniversary of Jesus' ascension to heaven. The event is recorded in Acts 1:4-11 (also lesser accounts in Luke 24:51 and Mark 16:19). The thought of Jesus "rising" into heaven may seen outdated to those of us who have grasped the fact that the kingdom is breaking through into our world all around us (in every area where God is found to be at work - feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, providing for the poor, etc.), but Jesus could have been giving us a visual parable of Heaven being a "higher" place than the broken world we presently inhabit. After all, the scripture did instruct us to lift our eyes toward heaven when we pray and reminded us that heaven is a place "away" from here. But I digress.

A couple of Amish families still rode the bus and went to school today. When asked why they came to school, the answer was, "we didn't have anything special planned today anyway." Not all Amish churches are meeting today and for those who aren't observing, their kids went off to school. I'm glad they did because it gave me an opportunity to ask some questions and learn more about my neighbors.

Camping Season

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:59:00 +0000

It's time for church camp! I spent a couple of hours meeting with Ryan Follis from First Baptist Nokomis yesterday. We went over our plans for the week of camp that we are co-directing for the second year. Leading camp for a full week is an expansion of the three day camp we hosted last year.

This year's edition is a combo camp. That means that elementary school kids who have completed 2nd through 6th grades are eligible to participate. The week begins Sunday afternoon and concludes Friday morning. Cost is $200 (many churches pay half to help students go to camp) and includes all lodging, food, and activities. The counselor ratio is one adult counselor and a junior counselor for 8-10 young people. We are doing well recruiting male counselors (a shortcoming of last years camp and for most camps, it's hard to get men to participate), but still need several women. Please pray that we get all of the counselors we need, because without counselors, we can't have camp!

Some of the activities planned are daily bible study, personal devotions, focused messages, and small group time. For fun stuff, there will be swimming, group games, canoeing, giant slip and slide (and a chocolate edition), hiking, campfires, and special activities to wrap up each day.

If you have a child who is in this age group and would like to go to camp, contact the church office for a registration form. If you think God might be prompting you to be a counselor, please contact me at the church and I'll be glad to give you more details to assist your decision.

On The Road Again

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:39:00 +0000

Suzanne Binion left this morning to head down to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the 2008 edition of the Baptist Blitz Build in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. She'll be riding down with people from Paris, Charleston, and Mattoon.

Last year we had seven folks from church join the caravan. Scheduling just didn't work very well for most of us to return, but the church is excited to send Suzanne!

Please be praying for Suzanne and all of the other volunteers as they invest a bit of their life in building a home for someone not as fortunate as many of us. Some of those receiving homes (they do have to pay for them) are folks who are still displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Also, pray for Suzanne's family while she's out of town. I'm sure she'd like to find her home in as good a condition, if not better than when she left it!

Some Light Reading

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:42:00 +0000

I just finished reading Philip Gulley and James Mulholland's book, If Grace Is True: Why God Will Save Every Person. Philip Gulley's tales from Harmony are engaging and entertaining with a good mix of humor and thought provoking situations. I thought I would read If Grace is True to get an idea of his theology. If God is really going to save everyone, why not? It is up to Him isn't it? Maybe I've been thinking too small or not understanding what I read in the Bible well enough. Time to expand my mind...

Well, the main thing that hit me is, if you want to discard a goodly portion of scripture because it doesn't line up with the way that you feel God should be, you can go almost anywhere with your personal beliefs. I remember a few scriptures (that I won't go quoting at the moment) that deal with not trusting how we feel about things, but trust in who God says He is. Another from Proverbs talks about a way that seems right to a man, but leads to wrong conclusions concerning God and issues of faith. What about free will? What about experiencing spiritual rebirth? Why did Jesus talk about hell? Where do consequences go? Why bother with the church? What is the point of missions or evangelism? Uggh!! I don't mind having to think deeply, but to suspend intellectual honesty goes a bit beyond what I was looking for. Now I realize that I may not be covering this topic in an adequate way for many gentle readers, but this is my take on it this morning.

God has aspects of His nature that we have trouble reconciling with the things that we see going on around us. Natural disasters, premature deaths, and things that just don't work out the way we expect them to strain our concepts of God's love and God's ongoing story of redemptive history. Not everything is humanly understandable or explainable. God knows the big picture and history plays out to His purposes. We can't necessarily know why the Israelites were directed to kill every living being as they sought to possess the Promised Land. We can't fully conceive of Jesus' being completely divine and completely human at the same time. Even the cross can give you a headache if you ponder too hard and for too long. God plainly says that His thoughts are beyond our thoughts in a way that my thoughts are beyond the thoughts that run through the head of my dog. Some things we won't grasp until we see God face to face and some others we will probably never know. He has never promised us answers or understanding.

Getting back to it, the book raised a number of questions to chew on and that's a good thing. It got me thinking about what I believe and I why I believe it. It is definitely worth checking out if you'd like to expand your ideas about the inclusiveness of God and deepen your understanding of what folks in the universalist churches consider to be issues. I wouldn't be quick to brand them as heretics, although maybe they are. But, maybe my God is too small. I'll keep you posted.

The Jesus Tomb... What a Bunch of Hooey!

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:34:00 +0000

Have you ever seen a bunch of people so hungry for something that they will readily consume any and all substitutes for the real thing? We want diet drinks that taste exactly like Coke or the regular soda of your choice. Why can't anybody just drink the real item in moderation instead of complaining? We desire all of the taste and none of the carbs or calories. Why should it surprise us that the fake stuff is bad for our health? It's chemically altered. There's a reason why the real thing is the real thing! Go figure...

Well, enough ranting for one day - on to what I wanted to bring to your attention. Have you heard the newest, sensational debunking of the Bible? The "Tomb of Jesus", was supposedly unearthed in 1980, outside of Jerusalem. Why are we just hearing about it now? It appears that the Discovery Channel needed to make a buck off of a hungry and curious "clientele", who are desiring something from or about Jesus, but are unwilling to make a connection with the real thing. I read that the likelihood of this tomb being the final resting place of Jesus and his "family" was 600 to 1. I can get better odds on the Cubs winning the World Series and unfortunately as a Cub fan, I know how likely that is.

Anyway, I came across a good article about this bogus tomb and thought I would share it for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the claims put forth by the Discovery Channel and their "experts". No need to write your congress-person on this one, just know that there will be more to endure in the future as God uses our media to develop our faith and our trust in His faithfulness.

Here's the link:
http://www.tothesource.org/3_6_2007/3_6_2007.htm
If it doesn't work, try to copy and paste it into the address line on your browser or email me and I can send it to you.

Fast Forwarding Through Life

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 18:08:00 +0000

Earlier this week, I watched a movie called "Click". I don't normally post reviews of movies I watch, but this one surprised me. It has some language issues - so it's not for everyone.

"Click" stars Adam Sandler, so you might be expecting a comedy. There are some funny moments, but it is much more of a drama. The basic premise is that Adam's life is out of control - between work and family commitments - and he's looking for a way to reign it in. He heads to a store to purchase a universal remote control for the TV and what he gets is a "remote to control his universe". He can pause time, fast forward, rewind, and even jump back to past events in his life. Seems fantastic until he abuses the "privilege" by fast forwarding through potentially painful parts of his life.

He skips fights with his wife, laborious work at his architecture firm, and anything else that gets in the way of pursuing what he feels is most important - his career and personal success. Not only does he get to jump ahead, he avoids the suffering that comes as a part of life. After a few episodes of this, we then get introduced to the "catch" - the remote begins to operate on its own based on the owner's preferences (for example - it fast forwards anytime he gets in a fight with his wife) and although he seems to skip ahead in time, his body is still there, going through the motions of living. You can probably see where this will end up - failed relationships with his family and poor health, but success financially and in his career.

An amazing portrayal of the trap many of us fall into! I have thought, "Boy, I can't wait until..." with regards to many areas of my life - finances, kids advancing life stages, changes in relational situations at work, difficulties at home, etc. You get the idea. Maybe similar things have come up in your life as well. The movie has a very strong message against "going through the motions" and "looking forward to..." We end up missing out on much of what life has for us and we lose connections with the people who are closest to us. Too great a price for our pleasure (maybe I should say pain avoidance) and our achievement of success and worldly status.

The movie surprised me in the way it meshes with what James writes about on the topic of endurance in the first chapter of his letter to the Church. How God uses situations to prepare us for life with Him and so that we are ready and equipped to handle everything that comes our way - strengthening faith and relationships with people around us, and giving us perspective for a godly life.

Read James, chapter 1, then watch the movie if it suits you. Remember, they do use a few "choice" words a time or two, so utilize caution when viewing and with who you view it with! Definitely something that will give opportunity to pause and think.

Back in the USA

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:53:00 +0000

Just got back from Alajuelita - a neighborhood of San Jose, Costa Rica - Wednesday evening. A group of six people from central Illinois and Missouri went to work on a small mission church in the midst of the barrio. For some of us it was returning to friends we hadn't seen for a while and three others were experiencing the trip for the first time. There was hard work, plenty of laughs (even while working), and some time to see the natural, physical beauty of God's creation.

There always seems to be something that is amiss when you get back and this time was no different. All three of our kids have the flu and one of my aquariums developed major problems while I was away. No worries though - Eili and Aiden have recovered fully, Graeme isn't far behind, and the fish complications are curable.

I'll post more about the trip as I peruse my journal. Right now, preparations have to be made for Sunday!

Musings and Preparing for Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:01:00 +0000

Last year was a new record! The fewest posts in a calendar year since I started this blog. Apologies all around if you attempt to keep up with the spazmodic postings when they do come along. I feel guilty about not keeping up with it more, but that's how life is. Maybe 2007 will be better for The Biscuit.

Currently, I'm getting ready to head back to Costa Rica to continue work on the church where we worked eighteen months ago. A team of six (including me) is heading down on the 15th of January and we'll be in country until the 24th. Hopefully much ministry will be done and work will progress on a building to house a body of people who are going to be a beacon of light in a dark barrio of San Jose.

On the schedule for us is a travel and orientation day on Monday. We'll eat at the church and then be sent out to our hosts who are welcoming us into their homes while we're there. Tuesday, the work begins with footers to dig, concrete to pour, cinder blocks to place, a small building to move, and some painting to be done. Sunday is a day off for church and an outing with some of the leaders of the church. Monday morning we'll finish up our projects, clean and put away our tools, and then head downtown into San Jose to freshen up at a hotel. Tuesday is a day for sightseeing before returning to the States on Wednesday. If all goes according to plan, I should be back in Arthur by 5:00pm Wednesday evening.

Preparation has been going smoothly except for one sticky point - my passport. I mailed it off the week of Thanksgiving, thinking that I had plenty of time. The State Department website said that I could anticipate 2-4 weeks of processing time for a passport renewal. Well, the time came and passed. I called last week and they said I ought to have it by Monday. Here comes Monday, no passport. I phoned again on Tuesday. The lady I spoke to was very nice. Said they were finishing it up and that she would request that it be sent overnight through FedEx, but she also told me to keep calling everyday until they sent it out to keep them on task. Yesterday, I rang them again and a man said it was done (halelluia!) and they'll be sending it out that night. He could not confirm if they were posting it through FedEx or Priority Mail as they usually do. I'm hoping to get it today by FedEx. If it doesn't arrive, I guess I'll be looking for it Saturday by Priority Mail. Nothing like just in time service!

I realize that God likes for me to stay close to Him and not wander off, but this is an area of stress that I could do with out right now. A number of people have invested money in this venture and I don't want to see that have to go to plan B if at all possible. Following God is not for the faint of heart! Hopefully the passport will arrive and all will be well. If you see this post soon, you might offer a prayer that the document arrive with some time to spare!

OA report - Week One

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 15:41:00 +0000

Week One of "A Season of Serving" started with a message about the difference between seeing people outside of the church as lost or missing. The point was that people who are termed as being "lost" have no hope of being found. They might as well be permanently absent. If we use the term "missing" instead, it lends hope and watchfulness with a desire to locate those who are missing and help them find their way "home". Text was Luke 15 - the missing sheep, the missing coin, and the prodigal son. I won't go into more details, but if you want them, let me know. The people (my self included) were challenge to make one ordinary attempt per day. The goal is to have the congregation make 2,000 attempts by the time of our special "Church in the Park" service and to see what God brings through our efforts. Forms were produced for folks to use to record their attempts and to capture how they had been doing during the week.

My first week didn't go very well. I started off okay, getting a conversation going with a couple of the checkout girls at the IGA. Just mundane stuff - looking forward to getting off of work, etc. A basic "free attention giveaway". On Wednesday the 16th, I totally crapped out. Graeme had a pee wee football game and I was surrounded with parents and people I knew a little bit, but I didn't do a single attempt. I was in a funk. I don't know if it was the start of school, the fact that Graeme wasn't getting much playing time despite this being a time for the boys to "learn" the game of football, or if I just wasn't my usual somewhat outgoing self. I totally blew many opportunities that evening. Friday I went to Wrigley Field with some friends to watch the Cubs get blown out of the water by the Cardinals (boo, hiss). On the way to my sister-in-law's house in Palatine, I had the occasion to ride the El down to the Merchandise Mart before walking over to the Ogilvie Transportation Center to catch the Metra out to Palatine. The red line was packed with people traveling after the game, then I switched to the brown line for the Mart. A family got on the brown after I did and sat by me. It was obvious that they had gone to the game too and were disappointed by the outcome. The daughter (probably 6th grade plus) was wearing a Cubs hat and remarked that the next time they came to a game, she could embellish her hat with pins like mine was and pointed out my hat to her mom (I have a Mickey Mouse in a Cubs uniform pin and a hand made cubbie bear pin from a friend). A conversation was begun - they turned out to be from Cincinnati, but while followers of the Reds, they enjoyed the Cubs too. I got a prompting to share my cubbie bear pin with the girl. I have to admit that I didn't particularly want to, but I figured that I could get another one from the person I received it from originally. So I passed it over. They were thankful for my generosity and we parted ways soon after. Call it the "Hat Pin OA". I felt better, like I might have actually followed through on what God was wanting me to do in that moment, which doesn't always happen to me. Usually, I find myself asking, "God are you sure? Really, really sure?" and the moment is gone before I am bold enough to follow through.

The stories were shared Sunday morning the 20th to let everyone know that they weren't doing it alone, but that I was working on it too and having at least as many problems following the Holy Spirit's prompting as they were. The aforementioned sheets were passed out and when I got a few of them back 27 OA's were counted. We are on our way.

I'll report more on my experiences from week two in another day or two.

Back Once Again

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 15:44:00 +0000

It's been a long time since I have posted anything to this blog. As in the past, I hope to get more consistent in doing it. Working up to a daily post if possible. So stay tuned.

A new intiative is coming to the church and we'll see how it works out. "A Season of Service" will kick off in a few weeks which will try to move we the people of FBC Arthur (including the pastor) into a different way of reaching people in our community. I know that there is nothing new under the sun, but we need to head forward with a fresh outlook.

The Season will focus around something that Jim Henderson (www.off-the-map.org) calls - ordinary attempts. Basic ways of trying to connect with the people around you. Everything from asking someone how they're doing and then actually listening to their response, praying behind people's backs, to simple acts of kindness. Just trying to ramp up the energy a bit. If ordinary things can't be done by ordinary people, they ordinarily won't get done. Jesus didn't plan on making the experience of His Kingdom so hard. We have.

So with a little faith and a lot of help on God's part, maybe we'll see an impact on our community in a subtle way. I hope to share my experiences of working to change the way that I connect with people on this blog. Keep watching for updates.

Thanks!

Musical Musings

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 16:58:00 +0000

How do you feel about Christmas music? Are you tired of it yet or does it still help to set a mood for what you are doing at this time of year? We have a wonderful variety of songs to enjoy in virtually any style. Silly songs, kid's music, hymns and carols, and it seems that every musical group wants to do some kind of holiday recording. Do you ever think about what you are hearing?

The thought struck me as I was sitting in the Little Theater on the Square in Sullivan enjoying the production of "The Magic of Christmas" with one of the church's adult Sunday school classes. How is it that people can go around singing hymns (carols) and not pick up on the meaning? Somehow with all of the richness of God's love and the story of His coming to live among us that is expressed in those songs, we manage to gloss right over it and live as if materialism and cuteness are the true meaning of Christmas.

I managed to do it for many years. Some of them even being after I had decided to follow Christ. I guess we're just too familiar with them. We've lost the wonder and awe that is wrapped up in having "He who always is" demonstrate His love to us by living with us and dying for us. Paying a price that we could not. How can we overlook the lengths that God will go to love people as unlovely as we are (I may be speaking for myself, but I doubt it)?

It amazes me, but I shouldn't be surprised, that we can voice the words and not feel them in our hearts; articulate them and not consider them in our minds. Lord help us all!

If you think of it over the few upcoming days before Christmas, please pray that God would use the music of the season to make someone aware of what they are missing out on by not enjoying His love. Society provides us with many ways to talk about God with others. Give thanks.

Big or Small?

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 15:59:00 +0000

"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me." - Luke 9:23 NLT

How are you doing on fulfilling this? I find it to be tough stuff. I want to be a follower of Jesus. The best I can be with what God has given me and within what He is calling me to be, but I forget too easily. I readily fall back into myself and old habits. Hopefully you are faring better.

Sacrificial living is supposed to be an everyday thing. A sign that the Kingdom of Heaven has arrived and is present in our lives and the lives of people around us. It means giving up living simply for our own interests. Time to start putting others before us. Typically when I think of living sacrificially, I imagine doing big things all at once - large checks for the poor, cutting out superflous spending, giving up television to read more, giving up recreational reading for spiritual pursuits, and focusing more time on God. Then I find that reality and life intrude upon my "idyllic" picture of the "sacrificial" kind of life.

Steve Sjogren of the Vineyard Church in Cincinnati, OH has a saying, "small things done with great love will change the world." I hope I got that right, if not, it's close enough. When I keep looking at doing big things, I lose track of all the small things I could be doing. Holding doors, greeting people with a smile, doing things around the house when they need to be done (not just when I want to do them), honoring my wife and children, taking a relatively short time each day to connect with God, and simply being present in the current moment instead of always looking toward something in the future. There are many more small things that could be added to the list, but you get the idea. In baseball, frequently it's the team that does the "little things" that wins. Maybe a life full of little kindnesses adds up to more than a life with just one or two great sacrifices.

Jesus says to take up our cross daily and follow Him. So often we think that if we do it once, that's enough. It's an everyday, part of your regular life sort of thing. So is doing the small stuff. Maybe there's still hope for improving my Jesus-kind of habits and letting go of the old me-kind of ones.

Just thinking...

What's on Your Spool?

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 18:59:00 +0000

I just headed down to the church bathroom and guess what I found... A roll of the thin papery toilet tissue on the roller. Not my beloved gentle, squeezebly soft type of toilet paper. Who switched the roll? Now I know that I have a lot of better things I could be doing other than ranting about how somebody bought "unfriendly" toilet paper, but I think that the toilet paper has something to say about us and how we view our world.

The paper I found today could be a stop gap measure. Filling in for our regular brand until a run can be made to the nearest superstore for a restocking. Maybe we're sacrificing our own comfort so that we have more to give someone else. Or, it could be more expensive, rather than my assumption (or fear) that it is cheap stuff purchased purely because something needs to be provided and we might as well save some dough. I am concerned about what it might say about our church, God's house, and the way people who place themselves under our care (by worshipping at this church) get treated.

What's on the roll in your house? The thin papery stuff that could hardly clean your glasses or something soft that will treat the most used part of your body with pampering goodness? Would you keep the "goodstuff" to yourself in the master bath and place a lesser type in the guest bathroom? I hope not. Even simple things, like our choice of toilet paper, are opportunities to show people that the Kingdom of God is already present and active among us. If we can't care enough to spend an extra dollar or two on quality paper goods, why should we contribute thousands to overseas missions? We have to practice being kind to others and practice humble hospitality with the people who are closest to us - our families, friends, and church bodies. If it can't be done for the ones who matter most in our everyday lives, what will happen on an extraordinary day of opportunity? We'll fail and we'll have to wait for God to grace us with another chance recognizing that the one just past will never come again.

Be mindful of the little things and what they say about your walk with Christ. Actions speak way louder than words. Our behavior drowns out many things we'd like to say. Just thinking...

Costa Rica - Day 3 June 22, 2005

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 15:42:00 +0000

Wednesday morning - probably the toughest day of the trip. We worked hard again. It's becoming the job that never ends. I'm amazed at how much the people around me can do - surrounded by "energizer bunnies" - they keep going and going and going! My body is becoming too sore for words - aches and pains from all of the activity and to top it all off, I haven't been drinking enough water. So I'm starting to feel sick too.

The day becomes a real opportunity to remind yourself why you're here. Not for a vacation. Not to do what you want to do. Just to offer your two hands to whatever work needs to be done. Not for personal gain or glory, but merely for Jesus and the Alejuelita church. At least there are friends here to share it with. By myself, I'd have probably quit long ago. I know that I've had jobs that weren't as tough, but that I'd quit long before I had this much time in them - working at the sawmill in Kentucky, getting a job at the Irish Lion in Indiana, and probably a couple of others.

After a lunch of chicken and rice with a potato and beet salad, while pouring all the liquids in me that I can handle, I'm still feeling more tired than I ever thought possible. We are making progress. At this point, the church yard is leveled out. The ladies had gotten all of the structural steel painted and had started picking up all of the rocks on the surface of the church yard - so that it would be just dirt. The men are starting to dig back toward the educational wing and around toward the kitchen to get that ground level with the church yard. Back near the building, the ground once dug, will be at least 18 inches below it's present level and stairs will be added for people to access the educational building easily.

The rainy season kicked in that afternoon. While providing a much needed break, we also found out that they would like us to provide some music for Sunday morning. Into the church we went to work out what songs we could sing and if we had anyone who could play some accompaniment. One guitarist and a pianist in the group helped immensely and we even talked Pastor Mario into playing the guitar for us as we sang "The Old Rugged Cross" in spanish. Now that took some practice! Steph Johanpeter was asked to speak on Sunday - don't have to be concerned about it anymore for myself - and she'll in all likelyhood be the first woman to speak in that role at the church. We're not just building a building, but we're also seeing walls get relaxed if not completely broken down.

A special excursion was planned for me by my hosts for the evening. We walked about a mile and a half to meet Mirania's parents and see their house. Her parents had hosted missionary workers from past trips and were excited to see me. The questions kept coming. Fortunately Mirania's brother and sister knew a little english, so that helped to keep us connected. It was a pleasant visit at a beautiful home.

A quick prayer to keep everyone safe and to restore our worn bodies and off to sleep. Ready for another day tomorrow.

Certain People...

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 15:49:00 +0000

Why is it that... when you screw up, it seems that you have a tendency to screw up for some people more than others? Has this happened to you? Life seems to be moving along and then you make a mistake. Something that hurts someone else in some way. It doesn't have to be big. It could be, but hopefully not. More often than not, I seem to keep disappointing the same people again and again.

Usually the person is someone I know. Not good enough to be friends, but more than just an acquaintance. They typically are not family - although sometimes family members on the "fringe" fall in this category. They are people who you have more contact with for whatever reason - member of a group you belong to, somebody from church, or a co-worker who you probably don't have daily contact with. Why are these people the ones?

Is it that we don't care? I hope not. Generally, I try to avoid repeating mistakes especially with the same person as the "victim". Obviously that doesn't always work out or I wouldn't be moved to write this right now. Do some people, who don't know us as well as some others, have higher expectations? Maybe. Are we just forgetful? Probably.

I didn't expect to arrive at an answer during this highlight. I just wanted to make a statement so that everyone who experiences this phenomena realizes that they're not alone. I too have a knack for messing up when certain people are available for me to mess up for.

Be encouraged. Stand strong. Keep trying even when you fall short!

To those people who I always seem to come up short for... I'm sorry. I'm still working on my follow through and interpersonal skills. I'll do better next time. I promise.

Costa Rica - Day 2 June 21, 2005

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 14:41:00 +0000

Didn't sleep well last night. Strange bed in a strange place and the unmentioned apprehension of disturbing the people I'm staying with. Must have woken up a hundred times. Finally fell into a deep sleep and the call, "Taxi!" startles me awake. It was only six am.

Frantically, I pull on work attire - t-shirt, jeans, and workboots. Grab my floppy hat, a bandanna, and backpack, then head out to hop in the Hyundai for the trip back to the church. Breakfast is continental - bread, butter, jam (pineapple and guava - two different choices), coffee, orange-carrot juice, warm milk, and hot water.

Pastor Mario and the skilled workers are running strings across the grounds, getting ready for our work - whatever it's going to be. We're speculating as to what the task can be. Something that will utilize of all of our "gringo" skills and will give us a chance to flex our North American muscle!

A couple of words to describe the church building as it is and the grounds. The lot is on a busy corner - many cars, trucks, buses, and people on foot passing by. A tall (6 feet on top of two feet of block wall) iron bar fence topped with razor wire surrounds the property. There are three gates to get in. One on the north for foot traffic to get into the existing church building and two on the east for vehicles. The earth is rocky dirt covered with crabgrass and slopes gently to the north. An older frame constructed building is in the northwest corner (this is where church is held) and a new concrete "educational wing" is in the southeast corner. The educational wing will have four class rooms (all one large open room where we store our stuff while working and where we eat at one long table right now), a storage room, the garage for the pastor's residence, and on the second floor (presently under construction) will be the parsonage (two bedrooms, kitchen, bath, and living area). The educational wing and present church building form an L covering the west and south sides of the property.

Breakfast is consumed, reflections shared and it's time to get to work. Structural steel needs to be cleaned and painted for work to continue on the pastor's residence. Tables are moved for the beams to rest on and the ladies (Veness Walters, Margie Gibbens, Emily Gradle, Stephanie Johanpeter, and Shirley Rodgers) get busy on that. The men (David Carpenter, Bud Gibbens, David Johanpeter, and myself) are taken into the open area and given shovels, pickaxes, and wheelbarrows. Pastor Mario explains that the land needs to be leveled out for the next stage of the project. The ropes are set to be a level guide and we have a board that will show us how deep we have to go to get the ground leveled out. Thankfully the north end of the lot is too low, so our dirt can go down there to fill and bring that area up. This task looks like it could take all week, especially with the area of concrete in the middle - 8-10 inches thick from mixing it for the educational wing. Within the day we have the concrete broken up, the dirt moved, and the lot (in that area) leveled. Never have I worked as hard (physically) as I did that day and on the whole trip. I would not have thought it possible to do all that we did. God certainly multiplies what you put toward His kingdom!

One of the things realized was that here we would have hired a back hoe, front end loader, or a bulldozer to do the work and get it done with a minimum of effort. In the US, the equipment is the least expensive cost and the labor - the most expensive. In Costa Rica, the opposite is true - labor cheapest, equipment most expensive. So while we could have pooled our money to get the equipment for a couple of days, it would have taken away from the other work that continued on the parsonage. Besides, what else were we going to do for a week? None of us were skilled laborers. We all are involved in "technical" work or mental labors - a former high school principal, an emergency room physician, a mechanical engineer, and a pastor. Maybe God wanted us to know that our hands could still get something done - inspite of ourselves.

The day went by slowly, but there were breaks scheduled for food and we took brief rest times whenever they were necessary. In the afternoon, it rained a bit and that was another welcome respite.

That evening I borrowed a Spanish-English dictionary from someone who had an extra one in our group and started trying to wear it out when I got back home with my hosts. A lukewarm shower did wonders for my disposition and my odor. Following that, I walked with Marco to a little convenience store in the neighborhood where he picked up a few things and I was quite an attraction for the locals - not to many gringos around that area!

I was in bed and asleep before nine that night to be ready for another day tomorrow starting at six am.

Costa Rica - June 20, 2005

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 18:50:00 +0000

As you read through these notes of my trip to Costa Rica, don't be afraid to ask questions. I'll answer any at the start of the next post.

Spent the previous night at the Days Inn - Airport in St. Louis, MO. Hard bed, loud air-conditioner, and almost no sleep. Had to get up at 4:30am to be at the airport early enough for a 7:25 flight to Charlotte, NC with a connection to San Jose, Costa Rica. The flight down was turbulent, but uneventful. The nine of us traveling occupying three rows of seats on the plane.

We arrived at Costa Rica around 2:00 in the afternoon. The Baptist Federation arranged for a small touring bus to pick us up and take us to the Federation offices. We used the trip to gawk at all of the new sights and sounds. Costa Rica is a very beautiful country. We were in the central valley which is the most densely populated part of Costa Rica and surrounded by mountains. The vegetation is lush and the temperatures are very moderate. It was cooler down there with less humidity than we were experiencing in Illinois. San Jose is about a mile high in altitude - like Denver, CO - which helps the heat tremendously. That day it did not rain - the first day in two weeks that they had not had some rain, but it was overcast.

After a couple of hours spent meeting the people at the office and learning about the situation in Alejuelita, we got back on the bus and traveled 45 minutes to the church grounds - to have dinner and meet our hosts. When we got there, we received a taste of what a welcome in Heaven is going to be like - we were hugged, squeezed, kissed, and embraced like long lost family members. By the time we left, I think we had become family members. Dinner was a great spaghetti meal with garlic bread and everything cooked and served up by the ladies called the "Five Stars" because the food they serve could be right from a five-star restaurant. After dinner, the "rooming" assignments were made. Six people stayed with Mario, the interim pastor at the church, and his family; two stayed with Pedro, another church leader, and his family; and I stayed by myself with Marco and Mirania, a couple my age without any children.

That first night was easily the toughest of the whole trip - I knew very little Spanish and they knew very little English. All that was left was to be patient and trust God that we would be able to communicate somehow. I also got my first taste of Costa Rican plumbing systems, but I'll save that explanation for the next time. In bed by eight after such a short night and long trip to be ready for breakfast at the church by 6:30am and work at 7:00am. A bit of reading, prayers, and lights out.

More tomorrow!

Back Again

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 18:10:00 +0000

Sorry. I know it's been a while since much has been put up on the blog, but I'm back and ready to be a bit more dedicated than I have been in recent months (promises, promises) - so we'll see what works out.

Some people have been requesting some notes and memories from my Costa Rican trip. I'll try to get that going and have some regular, semi-daily thoughts to share as well. Let's get re-started, okay?

Have you ever felt secure enough in a relationship to reveal things that you've been wrestling with? Maybe they are issues that God is dealing with in your life or other challenges you're facing. Within the church, there is a term that describes such a relationship - discipleship or discipling. Both require a large step of faith, a willingness to be transparent or open about your life, and a friend you can trust. None of this happens easily, but the rewards can be great - having someone who is willing to listen without having the need to "solve your problem", building a real live deep relationship with another person (we are sorely lacking in this area), and gaining the opportunity to grow personally and spiritually through the process.

Through much of our lives, we live in relational isolation from each other. Your problems and concerns are yours and mine are mine. We're tough and are completely indoctrinated in the American idea of individuality - so give me some space and time - I'll work things out on my own or die trying. We miss out on one of the great cravings of our souls. Close connection (I can't use "intimate" relationship anymore thanks to Victoria's Secret) with another being. This one person being a flesh and blood manifestation of the living God. I don't mean Jesus, although He would fit the bill, but a person who acts like Jesus, treating us as He would if He were here right now - with love, respect, and not judgment because of what we say or what we have done.

The close connection allows us to unload some of the weighty things we carry around - things we've done that we're not proud of, struggles we have with other people (sometimes who are very close to us), diffculties we're experiencing in our relationship with God, and just the daily grind of life - and letting the other person do the same. Not that it has to be deep and heavy all the time, but someone who we can share our joys and victories with as well. Someone who will walk with you through life for a time - taking part in whatever the journey brings your way.

I know that I could use some unconditional understanding, patience, and love. Particularly from someone who I can trust to not use it for their own gain or my humiliation.

Thanks God, for bringing a few people across my path whom I can trust in just such a manner. I wouldn't be the person I am without their influence and understanding. Thank you.

If you haven't connected with someone else on this level and if you think it would be a benefit to your life, ask God to provide a friend who is willing to share on that level. Then be watchful for who God brings and be open to taking a risk of being transparent in that relationship. It doesn't come easily, but it sure is worth it!

back burner

noreply@blogger.com (John) — Tue, 17 May 2005 19:45:00 +0000

Doesn't seem like I get much put up here. At least not like I had imagined it a couple of months ago. Maybe my life doesn't fuel as much thinking as I thought. Well, anyway....

I'm working on Sunday's message and thinking about what it is that could be shared of benefit to both those who are about to graduate and those who may have done so many years ago. What are some of the things that I know now that I wished I knew then? Does it really matter? Everyone has to experience their own life. I guess it comes down to listening. If I share what I think God wants me to share, is anyone paying attention? Particularly those who are intended to receive the message. Wish I had the answer to that one. I know that I don't listen well enough when people who are closest to me offer well intentioned words of wisdom - just ask my wife. I don't even listen to myself part of the time.

This begs another question... If I don't listen to myself or the people I trust the most, how likely am I to listen to God? I can think of specific times that He told me particular things to do and I blew them off as being too weird, too crazy, or just beyond my comfort zone. Good thing God is patient and that He is willing to repeat Himself. But how much good could I have done for Him and subsequently the people around me if I had listened and followed through? I'll never know.

I'll just have to listen more. Follow through more. Do the things that should be done when they need doing more. Thanks for being patient, Lord.