Salt or Vinegar: Musings of a Wanna-Be Revolutionary

Many things have been weighing on my heart and mind lately as we close out another year. This year has been one of the most intense and rewarding years in my personal journey of faith. As we end the season of Advent and our hearts are most reflective, these are the things that are stirring in me and what I pray that God reveals to the church as a whole so that we may return to our First Love and be the body that Jesus envisioned that was exemplified in the book of Acts.

Now, this is my current journey of faith and I understand that we are all in different phases of our walk with Christ so I realize not all I share will be agreed with and perhaps it may even cause some backlash. Everything we say and do, must be measured against the Word of God and I want to clearly state that these are truths that are resounding with me and so far in comparing it to the Word, I believe these thoughts should challenge us into closer relationship with Jesus.

Maybe it’s the fact that it’s been a huge political year and a year of many tragedies that have highlighted hot topics like gun control, sanctity of life and the such. My question to us all is how often do we put the hope of our future into the hands of politicians, legislation, celebrities, the economy and even Christian leaders. How have we forgotten that Jesus is our hope, our present and our future? Could it be that we have readily embraced a western mindset of entitlement, privilege and if we just work hard enough, we deserve every material manifestation that makes our life in Christ a walk in the park? News flash: the areas where the Gospel thrives the most is where there is suffering, brokenness and yes, even persecution.

While we have been spending our time claiming that Jesus was a Republican and picketing everything that we decide that we are against, the enemy has been having a field day keeping us distracted from our First Love and in turn, we are no longer loving our neighbor. Heck, do we even know our neighbor? We say “hate the sin, love the sinner”, but we don’t really mean that. We’re great at the first part of it, but maybe we hate the sin because we see a reflection of sin ourselves and it’s easier to hate the “greater sin”. What would be more productive: picketing at an abortion clinic or loving the girl who is scared out of her mind and inviting her into your life no matter what choice she makes? We have to think long term when it comes to the Gospel, it’s not just about stopping an abortion (before you crucify me, I believe every child has a right to life) but about lasting fruit that can only come through authentic love…and that means putting yourself in the position to jump off the cliff of compassion. This means entering someone else’s suffering, pain and insecurities and the beautiful redemption is that God heals us too when we allow this vulnerability.

People crave community for a reason. They want to be listened to, understood, known. It is how God created us. I submit that maybe the “hot topic” discussions can just be a doorway into building relationship with someone we wouldn’t normally “associate” with…relationship does not mean we condone a belief or lifestyle but that we care enough about someone’s soul to listen and try to understand and identify with a person even if it makes us a tiny bit uncomfortable or the traditional church mad at us. At the root, it’s not about the issues, it’s about the person being loved and accepted. The Christian culture has created it’s own industries to the point that if we never wanted to interact with the “world”, we honestly don’t have to…what a sterilized, unfruitful life! I’ve come to think that our community should include people that we do not agree with ideologically, morally and spiritually – how else can Jesus be made known, how else can we be the salt? Instead of being salt, the church has become vinegar. This is the greatest tragedy of our time.

Understanding that Jesus came to establish a new way, a new Kingdom. We sometimes confuse our patriotism for righteousness…and though there is a war going on, we forget that it’s not one of flesh and blood but a spiritual one and the weapons of our warfare must change. The church culture has gone from one of faith in action, caring for the poor to one of self-defense and control both of which are rooted in fear. I challenge you to find Jesus teaching violence anywhere in the NT. I’m not advocating rebellion, but revolution. Everything about Jesus was counter-cultural to the political and religious scene of His day…now I’m starting to see a huge similarity to the religious culture of our day and the one of His day. The people were looking for a Savior and expected Him to come through political channels to establish His Kingdom on earth. We are looking for that same thing now, the earth is truly groaning and never more than now have I felt myself pleading for Jesus to return and establish true justice and peace on the earth. But friends, the Bride is not ready. We don’t understand that the Kingdom is about downward mobility where we decrease and He increases – not through our picketing, but through our genuine and authentic desire to see the Kingdom of God come to earth through His love in us.

Many of what I’m sharing on this post may have you wondering if I’ve “backslidden”, but my heart is after Jesus and His truth alone no matter what our cultural traditions have engrained in our belief systems. I’m exploring the tension that keeps us balanced in our seeking of His truth through His Word in a very sick and diseased Christian culture. In seeking and longing for Jesus, I find that my greatest and most time consuming activity is unlearning. What would happen if we let the truth of the living Gospel completely undo our prejudices, which in turn would allow the Savior to be lifted up and ourselves humbled.

May next year be the year of a new way…the way of Christ beautifying His Bride…it starts with me and it starts with you.

Kombolcha Team Update by Tom Laughner

Here is an update for those of you following our April 21-30 team serving at the Children's Hopechest carepoint in Kombolcha, Ethiopia...

Day 1 from Tom Laughner

It's interesting, after four trips to Ethiopia, to see this country through other people's eyes. Perception is an interesting thing. I remember how in one of my undergraduate psychology classes, the professor talked about how unreliable witnesses are to a crime. If there are seven witnesses, you'll get seven different observations. We see things through our past experiences and personal biases. It's human nature. I remember my first trip here and seeing how beat up the roads were, how dirty everything seemed to be, and saying to Lori, "Wow. This is worse than I imagined." Now, while I still see the dirt and decay, my reference isn't how bad things are, but rather how much progress has been made. The roads are better; it's easier to get around. Construction continues at a rapid pace. There are new high rises and new houses. Someone mentioned to me today that it seems very destitute. Maybe I've become immune to it. Maybe I'm like the teenager in the filthy room who can't understand why her parents think her room is a disaster area. Maybe it's all relative.

 Tomorrow we travel to Kombolcha, a small town of 12000 about 240 miles from here. It'll be a six hour drive, and along the way we will see small villages in much worse shape than Addis Ababa. While there seems to be a thriving middle (and upper?) class in Addis Ababa, some of these small villages and towns will show no signs of prosperity. Maybe when we return to Addis on Friday, the folks I'm with will not think of Addis to be as bad as they thought. I also wonder if people see what they want to see.

We are a group of people from all over the country, here to help. Do they see a run down city because otherwise it would make them question why they're here? I don't say this to question anyone's motives. This is a great group, and everyone has worked very hard to gather donations for these kids in Kombolcha. And, there's no question that these kids need help.

 Several years ago, when I came here to visit orphanages all around the country, I was surprised at how people wrote about the trip. The pictures some posted to their blogs seemed only to reinforce our stereotype of the country. They certainly weren't reflective of the diversity here. Where were their pictures of the high rises and gleaming shopping centers? Or how about all of the road construction and signs of progress? Instead the focus was on beggars, run down houses, and dirty roads. When they described the kids at the care centers, they described them as listless and apathetic. The pictures tended to be the ones where they were withdrawn. While they were surely sick and malnourished, how about the pictures of their smiles, or the talk about their energy as they played with us? I hugged kids that were nothing but skin and bones, and had awful sores on their bodies. But were they worn down? No. Were they apathetic? Absolutely not. Are they sick and in need of attention and food and education? Absolutely. Ethiopians are a strong people and the children reflect that strength even at this young age. These kids are fighters and I like to think of my involvement here as a way to provide them the tools to wage that fight; to give them the tools they need to rise above the poverty that pervades them. Surely there are huge needs here. But I think it is wrong to paint Ethiopia in a way that only reinforces what we've seen on tv or read about.

This country is rich and diverse. The people are resilient. There is incredible change happening. While there is much to be done, and the help is surely needed (and appreciated), I believe it is disrespectful and self-serving to portray Ethiopia in any way that does not reflect the true nature of this great country.

WILT THOU REFUSE?

Wilt thou refuse?

I sit here this Good Friday in my office with the windows opening, feeling the breeze and listening to the birds sing. Actually, I had forgotten it was Good Friday as I’ve been so consumed with what needs to be done in front of me. Then I picked up a book and took a few minutes to breathe, little did I know that what I was about to read from the private writings of Mother Teresa were going to bring greater conviction than I have ever felt in my life. I’m hearing the birds, but I’m sitting here with an almost blank stare while my insides feel like they are on the spin cycle processing new revelation of why we need to lay our lives down for the poor. Easter weekend just happens to be the perfect time for me to get kicked in the gut and remember why Jesus came and why we are here on the earth.

These are the words of Jesus to Mother Teresa when He was calling her to serve the poor in India, as recorded in “Come be My Light”. It was a decision time for her. Somehow, it was as if He was speaking directly to me and to His Bride, the church. I’ve copied sections below for you to read for yourself…it’s decision time for us.

“I…want victims of My love, who would be Mary & Martha, who would be so very united to Me as to radiate My love on souls. Wilt thou refuse to do this for Me? You have come to India for Me. The thirst you had for souls brought you so far – are you afraid to take one more step for your Spouse – for Me – for souls? Is your generosity grown cold – am I second to you? You did not die for souls – that is why you don’t care what happens to them. Your vocation is to love and suffer and save souls and by taking this step you will fulfill My Heart’s desire for you. That is your vocation. I want Indian Missionary Sisters of Charity – who would be My fire of love amongst the poor, the sick, the dying, the little street children. The poor I want you to bring to Me – and the Sisters that would offer their lives as victims of My love – would bring these souls to Me. Wilt thou refuse? You have been always saying ‘do with me what ever You wish’ – now I want to act, let Me do it. Refuse Me not, trust Me lovingly, trust Me blindly. For them (the poor) I long, them I love – Wilt thou refuse?

After reading pages 48 and 49 from which I gleaned these words, I sat here at my conference table – weeping, asking God for forgiveness and thanking Him for His correction and His love.

What is God asking you to do? What impossible dream is in your heart? His dream for you was redemption, that is why He died…so we might live, now, how will we steward His love? His Word is clear that we are to care for the orphan, the widow and those in poverty – start there and see where Love takes you.

Or wilt thou refuse? The choice is yours.

Good Christian B______s - Mockery or Perception?

GCB

Many in the Christian community have been in quite the uproar about the new ABC sitcom, GCB. If you want to know what the original acronym stands for, well, you’re just going to have to look it up yourself, but I will tell you that it is based on a book written by Kim Gatlin. Now, I do not like my faith being made light of in the eyes of the world but something told me that there was something for me to learn from it. So, if you dare to hear a new take on it, join me in my short, personal journey through GCB.

Kristen Chenoweth has always been a favorite around our home…but now…well, I wasn’t so sure anymore. To be honest, I was enraged because my faith is not a joke to me, so how is it that it could be perceived this way and created into a national sitcom that seems to berate Christianity? Time for me to take a deep breath, lay aside my offense and see beyond to what could be gleaned from this borderline blasphemous endeavor of mine.

Is perception reality? Well, yes and no. There are just too many variables and not enough time to delve into that whole topic but that though crossed my mind while watching it. Is that really how Christians are perceived? I know it’s not completely accurate, but there has to be some truth to the perception. A comedy is not comedy without an element of truth to be the baseline of the joke. It’s just that I personally don’t like to be put into stereotypical generalization that I’m a rich, white conservative. Not that it’s wrong to be any of those things, I just feel that people are more than their labels but I haven’t always been that way. To be honest, somehow I find myself slipping from time to time to profiling people based on their geographic location, race, belief or political stance. I hate that about me because that is not how Jesus was or is. Here’s a brief exchange of words between two of the characters, one searching for redemption and the other…well, represents more of a Pharisee.

Amanda,” Jesus hung around whore and thieves.”
Carlene, “Not in my neighborhood.”

Offended yet? For me, it struck me more like an “ouch!” I made this a challenge to turn inward and see what it is that causes others outside the “Christian” circles to view the body of Christ in that way. When a prominent evangelical figure falls, are we rushing in to love and redeem or cast the first stone? None of us want to condone sin, but we have made certain sins greater than others. Now, before you decide to de-friend me on Facebook – I need to state that all sin has consequences, some greater than other. But what if we didn’t shoot our wounded? What if we didn’t feel the need to be perfect, polished Christians? What if we shed our veneer and acknowledged our constant need for our Savior?

My personal opinion is that we have taken the whole concept of “being in the world and not of it” to such an extreme that we have created an alternate reality and mega subcultures in society that we can very easily lose touch with anyone who might not believe the same way as us or have a differing thought, opinion or belief system than ours. What if we created those walls because we just weren’t confident enough in who we are in Christ and felt safer patting each other on the back the safe confines of the fellowship hall? Slowly my rage starts turning into shame.

I take a brief break from writing and read portions in the book of James and I realize that his letter to body is for us today…and it hurts. I’m reading in the Complete Jewish version and I encourage you to read it all but this is what just kicked me in the teeth.

“Don’t deceive yourselves by only hearing what the Word says, but do it! For whoever hears the Word but doesn’t do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, who looks at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1:22-24

I saw the below tweet this morning and there’s much truth to it:
“It's nearly impossible to be defensive and see the truth at the same time. #justsayin'” @brandonhatmaker

Isn’t that just what we’ve become and as of late, GCB seems to be the instigator. The Word of God is amazing, but sometimes it is painful…but it’s because God loves us enough to not leave us the same way. We have GOT to stop looking at the surface and the symptoms and become introspective based on the perfect law of liberty. And here’s something that I have got to get out, we have to stop our obsession with picketing and boycotting and deal with the root issues. That would be me and that would be you. We have to change and be transformed into the image of God and live a life that bleeds His love IN the world. We must be known for what we are FOR not what we are AGAINST. Nothing will change in society until we change. It’s not going to be a quick and easy solution, but it is the only solution.

GBC or any other show or book can be a personal attack upon your faith only if you allow it to be. If you were to see portions of GCB, you’d realize that almost all of us relate to the people, church humor and the situations presented. I’m not promoting the show, I’m simply pointing out that we can learn from anything and make the necessary adjustments. A dear friend of mine that I discussed this with put it like this, “They are not mocking my Jesus.” We have to know the difference between what we have become as the body (remember to some, perception is their reality) and Who Jesus is and how much more we need to look to Him to teach us to love.

Ultimately, are we going to change the world by signing petitions and getting major show sponsors to get the show off the air? Is that all that is required of us? I think we are called to something much higher, but that takes us picking up the cross and dropping the GCB stated equation, “2+2 = a double standard.” It’s time to drop the double standard. What if our words matched our deeds? What if we became more like the Acts church that organically grew directly out of Jesus’ sacrifice?

“Anyone who thinks he is religiously observant but does not control his tongue is deceiving himself, and his observance counts for nothing. The religious observation that God the Father considers pure and faultless is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being contaminated by the world.” James 1:26-27

I submit to you that it’s time for the body of Christ to rise up with the quiet and consistent strength of humility, to do justly and love mercy as we walk with our God. That is Who He is and if you don’t know Him, we would love to share His good news with you.

We welcome your comments and feedback, and if you’d like to know how you can get involved in Biblical orphan and widow care, email our office or message us on Facebook and we’d love to connect you. Through serving practically those who are physically orphaned, we believe those also spiritually orphaned will come to a beautiful redemption in Christ.

Compassion and Justice for the Orphan,
Caleb David
One Child Campaign

"7": The Raccoon and the Band Wagon...

I looked in the mirror this morning and saw a raccoon. I did a double take. Oooohhhh...when did those huge black circles appear and turn me into a ring-tailed, garbage-diving mammal? I mean, I have been elbow deep in the compost bin a couple times over the past week or so...but that's not enough to make me an oversized rodent, is it? Thinking back through the fog that was last night: one of our children woke us up at 3am (seems to be a pattern right now) and then right as we finally fell back asleep after an hour of tossing and turning, the other one was up at 5am (another pattern) and he never really went back to sleep...likewise for us...I digress...

Patterns are good and patterns are bad...in the case of the "up all night" pattern, I just want it broken. Some patterns like checkerboard and plaid stick to the lines and the rules, there's a strict method. I'm one to typically rebel against that hard core rules mentality for the more creative, but I will say I appreciate basic structure. Maybe "rebel" is too strong of a word...let's go with "thinking outside the box". See where I'm going with this yet?

I'm telling you, this process is CHANGING us. I cannot say enough how amazing the "7" experience has been for us and how needed it has been for our family. We are almost through 4 weeks of our 7 week challenge. The garden is thriving so far and it's exciting each morning to see how much more the herbs have grown or if the zucchini has burst through the soil in the backyard. Recycling is not as hard as you imagine, it just takes a little effort - set up a system that works for you and you're good to go. But by a long shot, the thing that has affected me most is the sacred pauses. I don't do them religiously, but when I'm able to stop, breathe and pause - it changes my world. It's re-centered. All of the above paragraph really does tie in beautifully because it's not necessarily about each of the practices and changes individually, but how there are ways to see the sacred woven in the midst of daily life. Things as simple as picking up a piece of wrapper on the floor becomes a mindful act of worship. Sounds silly, right? Don't judge until you walk the road, my friend. It's like the spirit, soul and body becomes connected again with an urgent sense of simply being MINDFUL of Christ, others and the life that surrounds us daily. You become less busy and more productive...you become more present.

In all honestly, the past week or so has been a bit of a challenge in that we've had some unexpected, emotional situations come up that needed our attention. This is not an excuse by any means, because how this process has changed me inside has not really left much room for excuses or guilt. The journey is what it is and I believe somewhere in the past I promised to be transparent and real about our process. Soooo...here goes...Last week, we missed our Shabbat dinner due to some crazy schedules and you know, we felt the difference. That family time around the table is so incredibly centering and calming. We also had a couple meals this past week that were outside our guidelines, partially because of what we had available in the house, the current unexpected circumstances and partially because we had some family in town and we just had to take them to Chuy's. Ok, that last one was an excuse. I'll own it. We wanted to feast.

As you may know, one of the main things I gave up was coffee, coffee is liquid glory and that thing that forces me to get out of bed in the morning because sometimes, let's face it, I need the motivation. Something switched in my mind over the last week though. I wasn't getting out of bed for coffee, but to eagerly face my day with joy, creativity and passion. The result of living mindfully. I was no longer dependent on it for survival...although, today after seeing that coon face in the mirror...it might be necessary, but for now, it's tea with agave nectar. Insert low-glycemic plug here: agave nectar is awesome, try it on whole wheat banana pancakes and you'll probably break up with high-fructose corn syrup that's artificially flavored and colored.

I wanted to share something that I read in the "Seven Sacred Pauses" by Macrina Wiederkehr that really spoke to me. She says,"I love feasts because they suggest that there is always something in the midst of ordinary life to celebrate." That is why I love Thanksgiving so much...great food, no pressure, just gratefulness. That said, I have a confession of sorts: I fell off the "no coffee" band wagon...a few times. Again simply, no excuse and no guilt because I was able to celebrate the fact that I no longer NEEDED the coffee, but I could mindfully enjoy every sip and with each sip give thanks to God for His goodness, His faithfulness and more than anything for Who He is. It became about Him and not about my need for the comfort of the tasty, warm goodness. The act of having a strong cup of Ethiopian coffee has in a sense become an intent prayer and act of worship. I drank coffee and I liked it.

2 Day HUUUGGEEEE Campaign Giveaway! Please Share.

For Thine be the Kingdom, and the power and the glory forever!

We are to seek first the Kingdom of God and sometimes this means that we lock arms with strategic Kingdom-minded partners and we do what we can to serve them. In that spirit, One Child Campaign is donating 5 Campaign Gear gift packs to the Man Up and Simply Love/ Children's Hopechest shirt fundraiser and mission trip giveaway. We are also grateful to Project 117 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-117/269368376408145) for donating the aluminum water bottles in the packs. You will see all the gear pictured below and each pack is valued at over $130!!!

We only have 2 days left and we need to sell 500 more shirts to reach the goal of 1,000 shirts where all proceeds will go to help girls in Moldova who have been trafficked and also to an impoverished village, Pignon, in Haiti. This is the fast that God has chosen for us - to loose the bonds of injustice! So, give up your Sunday afternoon restaurant meal and buy shirts instead that will measurably change lives. 100% of the proceeds are going directly to these causes, no one is "making" a dime.

For EVERY shirt purchase, you are entered automatically into a mission trip giveaway valued at $3,000 - however, if you can't go, STILL buy shirts because you can give away the trip if you win it. And now, you have an extra incentive to get your shirts (yes, buy multiple) because when we hit 600 shirts sold, the 600th person will win the One Child gift pack AND the giveaways will continue for the 700th, 800th, 900th and 1,000th shirt sold!



NOW IT'S TIME TO TAKE ACTION!!! Follow this link and order how many shirts that God puts on your heart:

https://secure3.convio.net/chc/site/Ecommerce?store_id=1541

NEXT, SHARE THIS POST ALL OVER FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR EMAIL AND ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITIES!

www.hopechest.org
www.mycrazyadoption.org
www.onechildcampaign.com

Check out the Campaign Gear gift pack below:

Break My Heart/Africa Messenger Bag: $30 value
Mission Ethiopia Clay Necklace/Bracelet: $30 value
Official Tee: $20 value
Long Live Compassion Pillow Case: $15 value
Project 117 Aluminum Water Bottle: $20 value
Silicon Wrist Bands (2): $6 value
Luggage Tags (2): $10 value
Bumper Sticker: $1 value

Man Up...and Simply Love: A Call to Action

Some days, I wait for inspiration to write. Some days, I try to force some deep thoughts and feelings to come to the surface. Some days, it flows without me asking for it. I realized this afternoon when asked to write a new post, that I don’t need pretty words, I need REAL words.

My “realness” for you today is simply this…

6"Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

 7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?--when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

 8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward.

 9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, `Here I am.' If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger and speaking vanity,

 10and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity and thy darkness be as the noonday.

 11And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.

 12And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations, and thou shalt be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Paths to dwell in.

This is the calling of the church. YOU are the church. To be Jesus in the earth to man up and simply love. That’s it. It reminds me of Matthew 6:33 where we are commanded to seek first HIS kingdom. Though I have so many other earthly things to think about and “worry” about, my question to you today is what are you doing right now, today to affect eternity. How often have I put the Great Commission over the Greatest Commandment? I think almost daily. Today, I would like to call you to a fast, it might sound a little absurd and out of the box, but think about fasting a few cups of great coffee, or fast going out to eat next Sunday or skip a few trips to the mall and instead help us by joining forces.

I hope that you will join One Child Campaign in our complete support of Kingdom partners that are right now being the Repairer of the Breach to trafficked women in Moldova and an impoverished village in Haiti. Two of our strongest partners in ministry are Tom Davis of Children’s Hopechest and Roger and Kari Gibson of “Simply Love” and “Man Up for Orphans”. Beyond partners, we are honored to call them friends.



The rest of this week only, we need to share the message of hope that only Jesus brings by purchasing a total of 1,000 shirts. We have only a few more days, you may not “need” another shirt but girls in Moldova and a whole village in Pignon, Haiti have needs that we could never imagine being without. This is not a hand-out, it’s a call to action, a call of advocacy. A call for you to fulfill what the prophet Isaiah talks about…the time for the compassion and justice to rise is now.

Here is the link, let’s DO the impossible…share it with everyone you know, because I know for a fact that these causes are ones worth fighting for…these are causes we have given our lives for and for us to sit back and think we cannot do anything is a lie of the enemy. Not that you need any more incentive, but for every shirt that you buy, you are entered in a drawing to win a free mission trip. You are needed on the frontlines and ou need to SEE the frontlines…click this link and lock arms with us. Nuff said.

http://mycrazyadoption.org/mission-trip-giveaway-starts-today-childrens-hopechest-project/

Caleb David
Founder
One Child Campaign
www.onechildcampaign.com