I was reading in John 1 the other day and came upon some thoughts about what makes relationships work. It seems so easy yet so hard. I'll explain.
First the context. Jesus is just beginning His earthly ministry and starts showing himself around about town. He gets baptized and the whole voice from heaven and dove landing on Him thing sure started people talking. John announces that He is the Savior they have been waiting for. But how do you, like, start a conversation and hopefully a friendship with a guy like this? Jesus actually gives a blueprint in verses 35-51 that is pretty practical. There are 4 steps and it works!!
1. Ask questions - When the guys came to Jesus he simply asked them, "What do you want?" I've found that the best conversations I have are the result of good questions. Jesus took interest and asked them a question drawing them in. The best place to start when you meet someone new or to keep the fire hot in familiar relationships is to ask questions!!!
Examples of good questions:
What was it like for you growing up?
What did you most enjoy doing as a child?
What was the best vacation you ever had?
How would you define your best day?
Tell me about what you love to do.
Then LISTEN!!!
2. Invitation - when Jesus asked the guys what they wanted they got a bit tongue tied and didn't really know what to say. Of all the things they could have asked the Son of God, they said, "Where are you staying?". Jesus gets this though. He knows they are nervous. He eases their tension and invites them into His world. He simply says, "Come and you will see." Jesus invites them into His life.
Are you an invitor of do you often wait to be invited? There is a WONDERFULLY freeing moment that happens in life when we're hanging in relationship limbo like a new elementary school kid on a strange playground, and someone says, "Hey, wanna come?". Invite someone to come along. For a meal, a game, a drive, an evening in the back yard chatting....even if they can't come, the invitation is there and it's freeing!
3. Add personal value - as they spent time together Jesus speaks to Simon and one of the first things He does is give Him a nick name. He actually changes his name from Simon to "Peter" which means Rock. Jesus was adding value to him. "You might think you're a fisherman and that you don't have a lot to offer but I see a ROCK!!"
This is not to be confused with flattery which is complimenting someone for one's own selfish purposes. But instead add value. Notice something good, important, interesting, pleasant, talented about the person and tell them what you see! Be generous with your words, they are life changing!
Examples might be:
You have the greatest laugh, smile etc.
You really handled that situation well. I admire that about you.
I noticed how you helped that person over there. Thank you for being so kind.
You really are good at ___________ I'm blessed to see you in action.
Add value to people. You'll never be short of friends!
4. Be open - Jesus added value to Peter but a little later He also added value to Nathanael. He said, "Here is a man and there is nothing false about him." Nathanael pressed in to that. He was welcomed and felt valued. Then Jesus opened Himself up to him. "You shall see greater things that this. You'll see heaven and earth opened up and you'll see the angels ascend and descend on me." WOW, He never said that before. He was opening up to him.
Don't be afraid of revealing yourself. It says to people, "I trust you with knowing me. I feel safe with you and I want you to know me." What an honor to have someone allow you to know them.
This is not to say that you must open up your deepest darkest on first introduction but as you grow deeper the revelation can be deeper. Letting someone know you is the greatest of compliments.
These 4 steps can really make your relationships work:
1. Learn to ask honest and sincere questions. Then listen.
2. Invite people into your world.
3. Add value to them.
4. Be open with them.
You'll make new friends and the ones you have will go deeper!
Enjoy your friends!!
In His grip,
Greg
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What I believe....so far......
What I believe…..so far…..
I believe…
• God is in control so I never need to worry. Worry is a sin.
• God trusts me to accomplish His work and depends on me.
• In the Bible to change lives. Truth cannot be compromised or manipulated,
ever.
• In prayer to change me and change others and circumstances.
• In the Holy Spirit and His work to sanctify me, teach me and guide me. I
never have to guess, ever.
• That a dynamic Sunday experience/corporate encounter with God changes lives.
• That small groups build relationships best and facilitate and maintain
spiritual growth the best.
• In training leaders and setting them free.
• Cheering on those who surpass you. It is your life in them. Their
excellence should be my greatest joy.
• In missions
• Giving is the key. Always be generous with everything. Money, words, time,
love.
• In grace and patience to heal.
• In being a life-long learner.
• The learning power of a mistake.
• Love is never greater than when it confronts. Lack of confrontation = self
preservation and that is not Godly.
• Fear is our worst enemy. Laziness is the 2nd. Ungodliness encompasses both.
• In pushing outside of comfort in order to grow. The comfort zone is a no
growth zone.
• Treating workers well.
• Calculated risks.
• Acceptance of all.
• Love building others up is the key to healthy church.
• Changed lives change lives.
• In team and strong leadership.
• Honest evaluation to get the best out of people.
• An environment of total acceptance is necessary for successful evaluation.
• In coaching not dictating.
• In self starters
• That effective ministry does not cost a lot of money.
• People will go through the fire for you if they know you love them. A key
to loving them is letting them know you. Vulnerability is a key to loving
them.
• In family priority and healthy boundaries.
• In the 1st ask.
• In calling back.
• Selfless servants make the best teammates.
• Faithful with a little = faithful with much.
• Nothing is insignificant. Everything great started small.
• Doing what you said you would do.
• In being polite.
• In preferring others. Your most urgent needs are most important to you, not
them. Deal with that and don’t get hurt when their enthusiasm doesn’t match
yours.
• Living so that the needs of others ARE REALLY more important than my own.
• In the power of position. I am a Pastor and that is important to people.
• In honoring authority.
• That no one does it alone. You stand on someone else’s shoulders.
• Taking someone with you.
• Small things change lives.
• In the power of words.
• In modeling and the ripple effect.
• People change lives but common events/tasks bring people together.
• There is no greater bonding experience than a shared trial.
• The long journey.
I believe…
• God is in control so I never need to worry. Worry is a sin.
• God trusts me to accomplish His work and depends on me.
• In the Bible to change lives. Truth cannot be compromised or manipulated,
ever.
• In prayer to change me and change others and circumstances.
• In the Holy Spirit and His work to sanctify me, teach me and guide me. I
never have to guess, ever.
• That a dynamic Sunday experience/corporate encounter with God changes lives.
• That small groups build relationships best and facilitate and maintain
spiritual growth the best.
• In training leaders and setting them free.
• Cheering on those who surpass you. It is your life in them. Their
excellence should be my greatest joy.
• In missions
• Giving is the key. Always be generous with everything. Money, words, time,
love.
• In grace and patience to heal.
• In being a life-long learner.
• The learning power of a mistake.
• Love is never greater than when it confronts. Lack of confrontation = self
preservation and that is not Godly.
• Fear is our worst enemy. Laziness is the 2nd. Ungodliness encompasses both.
• In pushing outside of comfort in order to grow. The comfort zone is a no
growth zone.
• Treating workers well.
• Calculated risks.
• Acceptance of all.
• Love building others up is the key to healthy church.
• Changed lives change lives.
• In team and strong leadership.
• Honest evaluation to get the best out of people.
• An environment of total acceptance is necessary for successful evaluation.
• In coaching not dictating.
• In self starters
• That effective ministry does not cost a lot of money.
• People will go through the fire for you if they know you love them. A key
to loving them is letting them know you. Vulnerability is a key to loving
them.
• In family priority and healthy boundaries.
• In the 1st ask.
• In calling back.
• Selfless servants make the best teammates.
• Faithful with a little = faithful with much.
• Nothing is insignificant. Everything great started small.
• Doing what you said you would do.
• In being polite.
• In preferring others. Your most urgent needs are most important to you, not
them. Deal with that and don’t get hurt when their enthusiasm doesn’t match
yours.
• Living so that the needs of others ARE REALLY more important than my own.
• In the power of position. I am a Pastor and that is important to people.
• In honoring authority.
• That no one does it alone. You stand on someone else’s shoulders.
• Taking someone with you.
• Small things change lives.
• In the power of words.
• In modeling and the ripple effect.
• People change lives but common events/tasks bring people together.
• There is no greater bonding experience than a shared trial.
• The long journey.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Bungee Jumping and Spiritual Truth
There is something really wrong with paying $80 to scare the livin fizz out of yourself. Worse than that I paid $160 so my son could do it to himself too!!! That's not only whacked, that's abuse! But we did it and strangely enough I actually learned a few things. Let me tell you about it.
Seven of us had just finished 10 days in the Congo working on a Bible School project. On the way home we wanted to do something fun. So we stopped over in Uganda and had a wonderful white water rafting escape on the Nile River! Really cool! How many people do you know have rafted level 5 rapids on the Nile??? Well, you'd think that would satisfy the the craving for adventure, but noooooo! They also have a bungee jump tower right over the river. That baby is 145 feet high! That's the equivalent of a 15 story building!!!! But there it was and there we were and by some strange magnetic force 4 of us rocket scientists decided to jump off of it!
I have to admit that I was ECSTATIC when on the afternoon we were supposed to jump, my son said that he couldn't because of a nasty sunburn. Of course I said, "Oh that's too bad, Erik! It's OK. Hopefully you'll feel better tomorrow." While inside I was praising Jesus for the blessings we had received in this painful package! But morning came, the burn spray did the trick and there was NO WAY if the others were going that I was going to wimp out. Although everything in me wanted to.
So up the tower we climbed. Erik wanted the honor of going first. Well or course! He's only 18! What the heck do 18 year-olds know? I would go second and my buddy Jim would go last. I didn't want to go last because I didn't want to watch TWO guys die before I did. I wanted to get it over with without stealing Erik's honor. They belted his ankles together, hooked up the bungee cable to him and reassured him that no one had ever died there and it was perfectly safe. Just jump off as far as you can in a swan dive position and the ride will be really smooth. I was impressed. He didn't hesitate at all. He looked over with an excited look. They counted down 3-2-1 BUNGEE and he launched himself off the platform....and I never saw him again....no not really. He gracefully sailed down and then bounced back up and actually looked like he was having fun. That's when I had this really deceptive thought, this isn't so bad. I don't think I'll be afraid at all! What a LIE that was!!
It was my turn and my stomach was in knots. Jim was waiting over on the ramp all calm and cool. Erik was already unhooked and looking up with excitement. I had the sudden urge to fain insanity and foam at the mouth in hopes they had some rule about crazy people jumping off the thing. I fought off that temptation and after being hooked up, waddled to the plank. They tell you to hang your toes over the edge. I think I got my little one to stretch out and over maybe by the nail. They tell you to focus on the lodge across the water and pretend you are jumping on top of it. For some silly reason that made sense to me. I didn't want to look down and I figured that if I just looked out and focused all my attention on that one spot I might not even feel the fall. It made sense....until.....3-2-1 Bungee....and I jumped...swan dive position, eyes straight ahead....my stomach crawled up into my throat enough to choke off any screams but the most amazing thing happened. I can't remember. It's true. I remember staring at the top of the lodge, eyes fixed. I remember jumping and feeling the first of the fall, but I don't remember anything else until the chord gently bounced me back up almost to the top again and by that time it was pure fun!
When I got to the rescue boat at the bottom the guys praised me for a really nice dive. "But", they said, "You forgot one thing! You were only about 12 inches from the water! You needed to reach out and touch the water!" "Oh, I was that close?" I said. I told you. I don't remember that at all! I didn't even SEE the water. I was so focused on my reference point! Then the overwhelming sense of joy rushed in. All I could think of was, "THAT WAS AWESOME! E, Let's do that again!!!!" Seriously, I can't wait to do it again!!
OK, enough of the story, because there are some spiritual lessons that I've learned through this and they are really important. Hebrews 2:15 says that we are held in slavery by fear. I can vouch for that. Fear totally had it's grip on me at the top of the tower and enough on the way down that I lost the joy of the moment. Fear does that to us. It steals what otherwise could be amazing times in our lives or incredible learning experiences and it paralyzes us. Hebrews talks about the slavery of the fear of death. I wonder how different life would be if we didn't fear death? But it's really any fear that robs us of life. Fear is a slave master.
When I focused on my reference point I honestly do not remember waht I was so afraid of but I do remember in clear detail the lodge. The Bible says that we must "fix our eyes on Jesus". He is our reference point. When we're afraid and don't know what to do, He is our "lodge" our hiding place, the reference point that we can lock onto. When we do that, we will remember HIM in the midst of the situation and the fearful trial grows strangely dim.
Once I got to the bottom and realized that my fear was unfounded, I wanted to do it over and over again and THIS time I wanted to enjoy the ride and not be so scared. That's just like it is with Jesus. We can't go through death and come back again to do it over a second time and this time without fear but He did go through it and says to us, "Don't worry! I have walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death! Don't fear!" I think it's kind of cool that the Bible says, "Fear not" 365 times. That's one "fear not" for every day of the year.
So I'm ready to jump again! This time take me higher! I'm ready! Better than that, I learned that all fear is the same and can be handled the same. Fear of confrontation, fear of the future, fear of problems, fear of death....fear is fear. But if we keep our eyes focused on the fixed point, our Lord Jesus and trust Him as we jump, we'll find that He will fill our minds and when it's over we'll rejoice!
Happy jumping!
Greg
Seven of us had just finished 10 days in the Congo working on a Bible School project. On the way home we wanted to do something fun. So we stopped over in Uganda and had a wonderful white water rafting escape on the Nile River! Really cool! How many people do you know have rafted level 5 rapids on the Nile??? Well, you'd think that would satisfy the the craving for adventure, but noooooo! They also have a bungee jump tower right over the river. That baby is 145 feet high! That's the equivalent of a 15 story building!!!! But there it was and there we were and by some strange magnetic force 4 of us rocket scientists decided to jump off of it!
I have to admit that I was ECSTATIC when on the afternoon we were supposed to jump, my son said that he couldn't because of a nasty sunburn. Of course I said, "Oh that's too bad, Erik! It's OK. Hopefully you'll feel better tomorrow." While inside I was praising Jesus for the blessings we had received in this painful package! But morning came, the burn spray did the trick and there was NO WAY if the others were going that I was going to wimp out. Although everything in me wanted to.
So up the tower we climbed. Erik wanted the honor of going first. Well or course! He's only 18! What the heck do 18 year-olds know? I would go second and my buddy Jim would go last. I didn't want to go last because I didn't want to watch TWO guys die before I did. I wanted to get it over with without stealing Erik's honor. They belted his ankles together, hooked up the bungee cable to him and reassured him that no one had ever died there and it was perfectly safe. Just jump off as far as you can in a swan dive position and the ride will be really smooth. I was impressed. He didn't hesitate at all. He looked over with an excited look. They counted down 3-2-1 BUNGEE and he launched himself off the platform....and I never saw him again....no not really. He gracefully sailed down and then bounced back up and actually looked like he was having fun. That's when I had this really deceptive thought, this isn't so bad. I don't think I'll be afraid at all! What a LIE that was!!
It was my turn and my stomach was in knots. Jim was waiting over on the ramp all calm and cool. Erik was already unhooked and looking up with excitement. I had the sudden urge to fain insanity and foam at the mouth in hopes they had some rule about crazy people jumping off the thing. I fought off that temptation and after being hooked up, waddled to the plank. They tell you to hang your toes over the edge. I think I got my little one to stretch out and over maybe by the nail. They tell you to focus on the lodge across the water and pretend you are jumping on top of it. For some silly reason that made sense to me. I didn't want to look down and I figured that if I just looked out and focused all my attention on that one spot I might not even feel the fall. It made sense....until.....3-2-1 Bungee....and I jumped...swan dive position, eyes straight ahead....my stomach crawled up into my throat enough to choke off any screams but the most amazing thing happened. I can't remember. It's true. I remember staring at the top of the lodge, eyes fixed. I remember jumping and feeling the first of the fall, but I don't remember anything else until the chord gently bounced me back up almost to the top again and by that time it was pure fun!
When I got to the rescue boat at the bottom the guys praised me for a really nice dive. "But", they said, "You forgot one thing! You were only about 12 inches from the water! You needed to reach out and touch the water!" "Oh, I was that close?" I said. I told you. I don't remember that at all! I didn't even SEE the water. I was so focused on my reference point! Then the overwhelming sense of joy rushed in. All I could think of was, "THAT WAS AWESOME! E, Let's do that again!!!!" Seriously, I can't wait to do it again!!
OK, enough of the story, because there are some spiritual lessons that I've learned through this and they are really important. Hebrews 2:15 says that we are held in slavery by fear. I can vouch for that. Fear totally had it's grip on me at the top of the tower and enough on the way down that I lost the joy of the moment. Fear does that to us. It steals what otherwise could be amazing times in our lives or incredible learning experiences and it paralyzes us. Hebrews talks about the slavery of the fear of death. I wonder how different life would be if we didn't fear death? But it's really any fear that robs us of life. Fear is a slave master.
When I focused on my reference point I honestly do not remember waht I was so afraid of but I do remember in clear detail the lodge. The Bible says that we must "fix our eyes on Jesus". He is our reference point. When we're afraid and don't know what to do, He is our "lodge" our hiding place, the reference point that we can lock onto. When we do that, we will remember HIM in the midst of the situation and the fearful trial grows strangely dim.
Once I got to the bottom and realized that my fear was unfounded, I wanted to do it over and over again and THIS time I wanted to enjoy the ride and not be so scared. That's just like it is with Jesus. We can't go through death and come back again to do it over a second time and this time without fear but He did go through it and says to us, "Don't worry! I have walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death! Don't fear!" I think it's kind of cool that the Bible says, "Fear not" 365 times. That's one "fear not" for every day of the year.
So I'm ready to jump again! This time take me higher! I'm ready! Better than that, I learned that all fear is the same and can be handled the same. Fear of confrontation, fear of the future, fear of problems, fear of death....fear is fear. But if we keep our eyes focused on the fixed point, our Lord Jesus and trust Him as we jump, we'll find that He will fill our minds and when it's over we'll rejoice!
Happy jumping!
Greg
Thursday, August 5, 2010
God Sees Us!
For years they have prayed. Yet nothing happens. At least it seems nothing happens. But they still pray.
The people of the DR Congo, where our team of 7 spent three weeks, have been praying. They've been praying for years. When the genocide of the past decade was raging out of control; when their families were chased from their homes in order to escape with their lives; when they wouldn't or couldn't run and were massacred by the thousands...they prayed. Pastors with no Bible School training were/are leading churches. For that matter, Pastors with no BIBLES were teaching people the Bible. Only 4 years ago, of the 150 Pastors in the province of Maniema, there were 3 Bibles and only 1 Pastor with Bible School training.
We knew we had to go. These people, this part of the world, needs Jesus and the best way is to train the local people in God's Word in a Bible School. We funded the building of the first phase and prepared the team to go. But there were questions.
We questioned the safety of the trip. It's a volatile area. Could we guarantee the safety of the team? The obvious but unsettling response was "no" even though the war has been over for 5-6 years. We left our ladies at home to remove any potential issues in this area that has never in it's history had a "white" team come. We prayed much.
We questioned the expense of the trip. For the price of our team we could almost fund the completion of a building. Wouldn't it be better just to send the money and let the locals build?
In the end we felt it was the Lord's leading for us to go and visit this place where "nobody goes." We soon realized why God had opened the door. We realized that money is an incredible help to this people but our presence made it clear to them that God had heard their cries.
We were met at the small airport, the main connection to the outside world since you cannot get in and out of Kindu except to fly, by a suited delegation of church leaders. I'll never forget them standing in a row, with ties and jackets in the intense heat, to welcome the delegation of Americans in our dockers, t-shirts, and me in shorts. What a contrast. We came as a work crew. They saw us as God's answer.
I knew we would be appreciated and even be a bit of a spectacle. What I didn't expect was to be the answer to their prayers. Not that we did anything special, we didn't. We worked, we helped, we served, we preached, we did what any team would do. But this is Kindu, the place where nobody goes. It wasn't what we did that mattered but that were were there!
"We have lost much and sacrificed much. We have prayed and prayed but no help ever comes. Nobody comes here. No one knows where we are. We began to wonder if God knew that we were here. Did God see us? Now that you have come we know that God sees us If people from America know we're here, God certainly knows we are here."
We enjoyed the time with the people of Kindu. Pastors were encouraged, people met Jesus, a Bible School building has a foundation and excitement came through the wazungu (white men) just by being there.
I wonder if people in our home towns are praying. I wonder if they might realize that God sees them because you or I came into their lives.
The people of the DR Congo, where our team of 7 spent three weeks, have been praying. They've been praying for years. When the genocide of the past decade was raging out of control; when their families were chased from their homes in order to escape with their lives; when they wouldn't or couldn't run and were massacred by the thousands...they prayed. Pastors with no Bible School training were/are leading churches. For that matter, Pastors with no BIBLES were teaching people the Bible. Only 4 years ago, of the 150 Pastors in the province of Maniema, there were 3 Bibles and only 1 Pastor with Bible School training.
We knew we had to go. These people, this part of the world, needs Jesus and the best way is to train the local people in God's Word in a Bible School. We funded the building of the first phase and prepared the team to go. But there were questions.
We questioned the safety of the trip. It's a volatile area. Could we guarantee the safety of the team? The obvious but unsettling response was "no" even though the war has been over for 5-6 years. We left our ladies at home to remove any potential issues in this area that has never in it's history had a "white" team come. We prayed much.
We questioned the expense of the trip. For the price of our team we could almost fund the completion of a building. Wouldn't it be better just to send the money and let the locals build?
In the end we felt it was the Lord's leading for us to go and visit this place where "nobody goes." We soon realized why God had opened the door. We realized that money is an incredible help to this people but our presence made it clear to them that God had heard their cries.
We were met at the small airport, the main connection to the outside world since you cannot get in and out of Kindu except to fly, by a suited delegation of church leaders. I'll never forget them standing in a row, with ties and jackets in the intense heat, to welcome the delegation of Americans in our dockers, t-shirts, and me in shorts. What a contrast. We came as a work crew. They saw us as God's answer.
I knew we would be appreciated and even be a bit of a spectacle. What I didn't expect was to be the answer to their prayers. Not that we did anything special, we didn't. We worked, we helped, we served, we preached, we did what any team would do. But this is Kindu, the place where nobody goes. It wasn't what we did that mattered but that were were there!
"We have lost much and sacrificed much. We have prayed and prayed but no help ever comes. Nobody comes here. No one knows where we are. We began to wonder if God knew that we were here. Did God see us? Now that you have come we know that God sees us If people from America know we're here, God certainly knows we are here."
We enjoyed the time with the people of Kindu. Pastors were encouraged, people met Jesus, a Bible School building has a foundation and excitement came through the wazungu (white men) just by being there.
I wonder if people in our home towns are praying. I wonder if they might realize that God sees them because you or I came into their lives.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Congo 2010
Today 7 of us leave for the DR Congo. It's an exciting opportunity to make a significant difference in a place desperate for positive change. The Congo has been war torn and unstable for decades. If anything can bring change it is the story and reality of Jesus. We will start the building of a Bible School in the city of Kindu in the Maniema Province. There are over 150 churches in the province with only 1 trained pastor. The people of ALAG sent the first $50,000 to buy the materials for the first of 4 buildings. It's a special privilege to partner with Todd and Amy Churchhill, our missionaries to the region.
Please pray for our team as we go:
John Burnham is the senior member and an experienced traveler. He's a guy in his late 60's but most of us struggle to keep up with the marathon runner. For over 12 years John has prayed with me every morning. I look forward to seeing him every day. He has been to Africa with me many times and loves an adventure. He's a tremendous asset to any team. Pray for his wife, daughter in law and 5 grand kids here at home.
Pastor Jim Thompson is another Africa vet. He's preparing to go to Africa full time as a missionary, with his wife LeeAnn, in the next few years. Jimmy has been with me for over 20 years. Just about every significant happening I have had in my ministry has included Jim. He's a life partner in ministry. LeeAnn is my right hand in missions who has done ALL the planning and prep for this trip. Pray for her and their 3 kids too.
Michael Cox is another adventure vet. He's been many places around the world including Africa twice before. He's a hard worker with a huge passion for people. I want Michael on any team I lead. He's always calm and always willing to anything that needs to be done. He takes great pictures too! Pray for him a little extra as he has a wife and infant daughter at home and this is his first time away from her.
Jerry Freitas is a first timer. New to ALAG as of December, Jerry has traveled the world but never on a missions team. Jerry is energetic and sensitive to the Lord's leading. He felt the Lord's leading to go this time but didn't know how he'd come up with the money. His discernment was proved correct when all of his support was provided. Pray for his wife and three kids while he's away.
Jason Skarbek is also a newb to missions trips. Also new to ALAG Jason has a tremendous desire to make a difference. He's single but has a wonderful family (parents and 3 brothers with their wives) that are behind him all the way. Jason's attitude during our prep times is always, "Let's do it!" I need guys like that around me. Jason is a hard worker not shy to take on a task like this one.
Erik Wendschlag is my son. I could not be more proud of him. He has a passion for people, for serving and is one of the best workers I have around me. If he weren't my own I would still choose him any and every time I travel. I want him with me always. He's the baby of the group at 18 but is mature beyond those years. Pray for Sandra and the girls while we are away. That would be a blessing.
I love these adventures and especially in Africa. My heart was ignited for the continent a decade ago and just gets stronger with each project. At 49 some guys are thinking about slowing down. That never made much sense to me. We've only got so many years to do everything we can. I want to run on the red line until it's time to go home.
Thanks friends and family for all your prayers! We love you all!! Follow us on twitter at alagmissions
In His grip,
Greg
Please pray for our team as we go:
John Burnham is the senior member and an experienced traveler. He's a guy in his late 60's but most of us struggle to keep up with the marathon runner. For over 12 years John has prayed with me every morning. I look forward to seeing him every day. He has been to Africa with me many times and loves an adventure. He's a tremendous asset to any team. Pray for his wife, daughter in law and 5 grand kids here at home.
Pastor Jim Thompson is another Africa vet. He's preparing to go to Africa full time as a missionary, with his wife LeeAnn, in the next few years. Jimmy has been with me for over 20 years. Just about every significant happening I have had in my ministry has included Jim. He's a life partner in ministry. LeeAnn is my right hand in missions who has done ALL the planning and prep for this trip. Pray for her and their 3 kids too.
Michael Cox is another adventure vet. He's been many places around the world including Africa twice before. He's a hard worker with a huge passion for people. I want Michael on any team I lead. He's always calm and always willing to anything that needs to be done. He takes great pictures too! Pray for him a little extra as he has a wife and infant daughter at home and this is his first time away from her.
Jerry Freitas is a first timer. New to ALAG as of December, Jerry has traveled the world but never on a missions team. Jerry is energetic and sensitive to the Lord's leading. He felt the Lord's leading to go this time but didn't know how he'd come up with the money. His discernment was proved correct when all of his support was provided. Pray for his wife and three kids while he's away.
Jason Skarbek is also a newb to missions trips. Also new to ALAG Jason has a tremendous desire to make a difference. He's single but has a wonderful family (parents and 3 brothers with their wives) that are behind him all the way. Jason's attitude during our prep times is always, "Let's do it!" I need guys like that around me. Jason is a hard worker not shy to take on a task like this one.
Erik Wendschlag is my son. I could not be more proud of him. He has a passion for people, for serving and is one of the best workers I have around me. If he weren't my own I would still choose him any and every time I travel. I want him with me always. He's the baby of the group at 18 but is mature beyond those years. Pray for Sandra and the girls while we are away. That would be a blessing.
I love these adventures and especially in Africa. My heart was ignited for the continent a decade ago and just gets stronger with each project. At 49 some guys are thinking about slowing down. That never made much sense to me. We've only got so many years to do everything we can. I want to run on the red line until it's time to go home.
Thanks friends and family for all your prayers! We love you all!! Follow us on twitter at alagmissions
In His grip,
Greg
Monday, June 21, 2010
Forgiven but not forgotten
"Forgive and forget."
That's a nice thought if it were possible. People say it but is it true? I don't think it is. I've never been able to forgive and forget. I have forgiven much but it is IMPOSSIBLE to forget! I remember stuff from elementary school, Jr. High, High School, in marriage...on and on and those things are forgiven. Well, mostly. I'm still ticked a Robbie Guitierez. When I was 13 that punk had the nerve to....ah, never mind. I've gotten over it but those moments are permanently etched into my psyche. I can't forget. As a matter of fact, the more I TRY to forget the more I remember. The more I TRY to put those past memories out of my mind the more I think about them. I can't win!!
How is this supposed to work then? How can I forgive without forgetting? I think it's tied up in the very nature of forgiveness itself. Does forgiveness demand forgetfulness? Or is forgiveness even more powerful when the memory is still engaged?
Does God forgive and forget? How can He? He's God! He can't forget anything, yet He forgives! Psalm 103:11-12 says that He loves me as far as the heavens are above the earth! THAT'S FAR! THAT'S A LOT OF LOVE!! It also says that He separates my sin from me as far as the east is from the west. THAT'S FAR TOO! So wait a minute. The Bible doesn't say God forgets my sin but He does separate it from me AND He loves me infinitely?? Pretty cool stuff.
So what I think this all means is, God doesn't forget. He sees me as I am every moment of every day and knows what a jerk I am. He knows what a jerk I was yesterday. He remembers the times I have betrayed Him and not once but over and over and over again. He doesn't forget that. But He does love me in a HUGE way and He forgives me too. That is POWERFUL! That is the power of true forgiveness. It would be easy to love me if He were forgetful. All those filthy actions of my past (even yesterday) aren't even in His mind. He forgot! He just sees me today and today I was not a jerk, I don't think. But He doesn't forget. When He looks at me He sees me as I really am and He remembers...EVERYTHING! But He still loves me in spite of all of that. He loves me knowing what I have the capability of doing and with the certainty that I will turn on Him again. Yet, He still loves me as far as the heavens are above the earth. That is true forgiveness and it is REAL!
I don't know if I can forgive like that but I want to learn how. I want to forgive knowing that I can't forget. I'll never forget. But the power of forgiveness is in the knowing not the forgetting and choosing to love anyway. Thanks God for having a great memory and loving me anyway.
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Best is Yet to Come!!
I read something in a book last week. I've read it before, this idea, but it never affected me the way it did this time. Maybe it's because I'm getting older but still as competitive as ever! But maybe it's not competitive but real. I think the later is actually true.
The book is called "Simple Church". Great read for Pastors and leaders. I highly recommend it. The author said that what keeps life and energy in a church is the constant new people that come to Jesus. I have always agreed with that. There is nothing like the passion of a person experiencing new life in Christ and the joy of being free. I love being around people who are living the joy of new found salvation. But something rang off key in my spirit this time.
I asked myself, "Why, if the more we know Jesus, the closer we get to Him and the more intimate we become with Him would we not have MORE life and energy and passion? If Jesus is love, joy, peace, life and all the rest, then why are the new followers the most full of life? Have we become like old dogs lying on the porch watching life go by when the puppies are romping all over the yard? I don't want to be an old dog! With God, my joy, my wisdom, my depth, my passion should INCREASE the older I get!"
Does this make sense to you? Yeah, I get all the ideas about newness and the thrill of being fresh into this new life and all of that. But God is infinite and an endless reservoir of wisdom, understanding, love and grace. It's not as if we love and enjoy Him but soon exhaust the supply that He is and reach the bottom of Him like some carton of favorite ice cream. He is a NEVER ENDING SUPPLY! His mercies are NEW every morning! He is doing a NEW thing! He is always fresh and creative and surprising! Why then do the newbees have all the joy????
This has inspired me. I have a freshness in my mind and spirit that is renewed. I know Him much more than when I did 34 years ago when I met Him. I know His Word much better now. I know His ways much better now. Do I know all? Are you kidding me? I have not even sipped one drop of the ocean of who God is and that is precisely the point!! He is BIG. He is limitless. He is full and no matter how long I've walked with Him there will always be something better, deeper, newer to find. He has something FRESH for me today! Of course He does. He's God!
I find myself so full of anticipation this morning. I am convinced of this one thing, older Christians should be the most joyful, the most passionate, the most worry-free, the most fearless, the most aggressive, the most daring, the most loving, the most peaceful, the most joyful people on the planet. Why? They're closer to God than they have ever been! I want to rewrite the books. I want the the book written about my church to say, "You want to bring life and joy and passion to your world? Make sure there are a bunch of gray haired, wrinkly, slightly paunchy, glasses wearing, hearing aid adjusting, knee creaking, back aching, older Christians around. They are the most passionate lovers of Jesus!"
The best is yet to come!!
In His grip,
Greg
The book is called "Simple Church". Great read for Pastors and leaders. I highly recommend it. The author said that what keeps life and energy in a church is the constant new people that come to Jesus. I have always agreed with that. There is nothing like the passion of a person experiencing new life in Christ and the joy of being free. I love being around people who are living the joy of new found salvation. But something rang off key in my spirit this time.
I asked myself, "Why, if the more we know Jesus, the closer we get to Him and the more intimate we become with Him would we not have MORE life and energy and passion? If Jesus is love, joy, peace, life and all the rest, then why are the new followers the most full of life? Have we become like old dogs lying on the porch watching life go by when the puppies are romping all over the yard? I don't want to be an old dog! With God, my joy, my wisdom, my depth, my passion should INCREASE the older I get!"
Does this make sense to you? Yeah, I get all the ideas about newness and the thrill of being fresh into this new life and all of that. But God is infinite and an endless reservoir of wisdom, understanding, love and grace. It's not as if we love and enjoy Him but soon exhaust the supply that He is and reach the bottom of Him like some carton of favorite ice cream. He is a NEVER ENDING SUPPLY! His mercies are NEW every morning! He is doing a NEW thing! He is always fresh and creative and surprising! Why then do the newbees have all the joy????
This has inspired me. I have a freshness in my mind and spirit that is renewed. I know Him much more than when I did 34 years ago when I met Him. I know His Word much better now. I know His ways much better now. Do I know all? Are you kidding me? I have not even sipped one drop of the ocean of who God is and that is precisely the point!! He is BIG. He is limitless. He is full and no matter how long I've walked with Him there will always be something better, deeper, newer to find. He has something FRESH for me today! Of course He does. He's God!
I find myself so full of anticipation this morning. I am convinced of this one thing, older Christians should be the most joyful, the most passionate, the most worry-free, the most fearless, the most aggressive, the most daring, the most loving, the most peaceful, the most joyful people on the planet. Why? They're closer to God than they have ever been! I want to rewrite the books. I want the the book written about my church to say, "You want to bring life and joy and passion to your world? Make sure there are a bunch of gray haired, wrinkly, slightly paunchy, glasses wearing, hearing aid adjusting, knee creaking, back aching, older Christians around. They are the most passionate lovers of Jesus!"
The best is yet to come!!
In His grip,
Greg
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
My friend Ronda
I have a friend. Her name is Ronda. She's married to a great guy, has two wonderful kids who are grown up and out of the house. She lives in a beautiful home in town. She has a good life. We love this family. She is blonde, maybe 5'2" (maybe :-)), petite and feisty. Just ask the soccer referee's when they make a less than pleasing call!! She also has a huge heart.
I met Ronda about 15 years ago. We were both coaching under 8 girls soccer teams at the time. Her family is really into soccer and so am I. So through coaching and league meetings and organizing the local teams we became friends. Whenever I was in trouble she seemed to show up. Being new to the league and how things were supposed to work, I constantly found myself self on the wrong end of some logistical mess. I'd forget the field permit, Ronda would show up unannounced and have one with her. I didn't know how to arrange my players paperwork for the leauge reigstrar, Ronda would appear from somewhere with an organizer. This happened so frequently I started to call her my soccer fairy. She was a wonderful blessing. Her family started coming to Abundant Life where I pastor about 10 years ago. That was a great day as my worlds connected.
A few months ago Ronda was driving by a familiar part of Mt. View when she saw a man, a homeless man with his sign and a dog named Penny. His name is Andre'. Andre' is an older black man with no friends or family but with a past. He's been in trouble many times and because of his choices and life problems has landed in this lonely, homeless place. Ronda felt the nudging of Jesus to stop and offer some help. She did and gave him a little something. She left him after a brief interchange but the moment lingered in her heart. A few days later she went back again and spent a little more time getting to know Andre'. She gave him some more help too. Her visits became more and more frequent as she felt her heart saying, "Jesus said we ARE the church where ever we are, we don't just go to church. I think Jesus would love this person and be his friend. So that is what I am going to do." Ronda became Andre's friend.
She began to meet Andre' regularly. She would go by his corner and talk to him. She'd bring him things. Just like she was a soccer fairy to me, she was being Jesus to Andre'. They were becoming the strangest of friends brought together by a single act of kindness and a determination to not simply toss some religion at him to appease her own conscience but to actually make a difference.
Andre' got picked up on some drug dealing charges and is no longer on his corner but is spending his days in jail for a while. She was in the courtroom as his only support when he was charged. But what will happen to Penny??? She's all he's got! Penny lives at Ronda's house now. Ronda has given a home to the only friend a homeless man has. She has a dog already and really didn't want another one but she decided that this is what Jesus would do so she is doing it. She feeds and bathes and walks and sits with Andre's dog until he gets out of prison. She visits him in prison too. She and her husband go regularly because they are the church, they don't go to church.
Why is she doing all of this?? He doesn't deserve it! He's a drug dealer! Well, Ronda figures that when Jesus said, "When you visited the prisoner you visited me." that these guys had done some bad stuff too and still deserved love. I mean, Jesus said that doing it for them was doing it for Him so she wants to do it for Jesus.
Andre' has written some letters to her. Funny thing, those letters are changing in tone as their friendship grows. He's thankful. He's appreciative and he talks about God. This man who a few months ago had nothing, now has something more precious than gold. He has a friend and he is getting to know Jesus.
I read in 1 Thessalonians a couple days ago where it says, "We gave you the Gospel but we loved you so much we gave you our lives as well." Ronda is giving much more than the Gospel, she's giving her life as well which is the verification of the Gospel. She's showing Andre' the Gospel not just telling him about it.
It's a long way from the soccer field to the county jail but it now is clear that heaven is a lot closer to a homeless man's street corner than we ever thought.
I met Ronda about 15 years ago. We were both coaching under 8 girls soccer teams at the time. Her family is really into soccer and so am I. So through coaching and league meetings and organizing the local teams we became friends. Whenever I was in trouble she seemed to show up. Being new to the league and how things were supposed to work, I constantly found myself self on the wrong end of some logistical mess. I'd forget the field permit, Ronda would show up unannounced and have one with her. I didn't know how to arrange my players paperwork for the leauge reigstrar, Ronda would appear from somewhere with an organizer. This happened so frequently I started to call her my soccer fairy. She was a wonderful blessing. Her family started coming to Abundant Life where I pastor about 10 years ago. That was a great day as my worlds connected.
A few months ago Ronda was driving by a familiar part of Mt. View when she saw a man, a homeless man with his sign and a dog named Penny. His name is Andre'. Andre' is an older black man with no friends or family but with a past. He's been in trouble many times and because of his choices and life problems has landed in this lonely, homeless place. Ronda felt the nudging of Jesus to stop and offer some help. She did and gave him a little something. She left him after a brief interchange but the moment lingered in her heart. A few days later she went back again and spent a little more time getting to know Andre'. She gave him some more help too. Her visits became more and more frequent as she felt her heart saying, "Jesus said we ARE the church where ever we are, we don't just go to church. I think Jesus would love this person and be his friend. So that is what I am going to do." Ronda became Andre's friend.
She began to meet Andre' regularly. She would go by his corner and talk to him. She'd bring him things. Just like she was a soccer fairy to me, she was being Jesus to Andre'. They were becoming the strangest of friends brought together by a single act of kindness and a determination to not simply toss some religion at him to appease her own conscience but to actually make a difference.
Andre' got picked up on some drug dealing charges and is no longer on his corner but is spending his days in jail for a while. She was in the courtroom as his only support when he was charged. But what will happen to Penny??? She's all he's got! Penny lives at Ronda's house now. Ronda has given a home to the only friend a homeless man has. She has a dog already and really didn't want another one but she decided that this is what Jesus would do so she is doing it. She feeds and bathes and walks and sits with Andre's dog until he gets out of prison. She visits him in prison too. She and her husband go regularly because they are the church, they don't go to church.
Why is she doing all of this?? He doesn't deserve it! He's a drug dealer! Well, Ronda figures that when Jesus said, "When you visited the prisoner you visited me." that these guys had done some bad stuff too and still deserved love. I mean, Jesus said that doing it for them was doing it for Him so she wants to do it for Jesus.
Andre' has written some letters to her. Funny thing, those letters are changing in tone as their friendship grows. He's thankful. He's appreciative and he talks about God. This man who a few months ago had nothing, now has something more precious than gold. He has a friend and he is getting to know Jesus.
I read in 1 Thessalonians a couple days ago where it says, "We gave you the Gospel but we loved you so much we gave you our lives as well." Ronda is giving much more than the Gospel, she's giving her life as well which is the verification of the Gospel. She's showing Andre' the Gospel not just telling him about it.
It's a long way from the soccer field to the county jail but it now is clear that heaven is a lot closer to a homeless man's street corner than we ever thought.
Monday, March 22, 2010
I Don't Care What Anyone Else Thinks....Except Dad!!
Aren't 15 year old daughters and fathers supposed to be like oil and water? Aren't dads of 15 year old girls supposed to be hopelessly out of it and completely unable to relate to anything in the little diva's life? I mean all dads of 15 year old girls wear socks with their flip flops, tuck in their shirts with the tail hanging out of the fly and do the comb over their bald heads....don't they? Aren't 15 year old daughters supposed to be helplessly concerned with their bangs, hopelessly emotional about the way "that girl looked at me" and haplessly concerned about fitting in with all of the other little freaked out chicks?
That's what "they" say but I just had the most wonderful day with my 15 year old. She's bright. She's fun. She's beautiful. She loves me. She didn't always love me. When she was born, her first six months of life were spent doing what babies do AND wailing bloody murder every time I came near. Something inside her little infant psyche was totally freaked by the sight of me. That didn't last long though, thankfully. She's been daddies girl ever since. It does help that I don't wear socks with my flip flops too.
Anyway, she got some birthday money this year and I told her I would be willing to take her shopping. That was a risky offer because what the heck do I know about SubUrban Outriggers and Abbott and Costello and Fitch and leggings and all that stuff? But I wanted to be with her and to my surprise she said yes and even appeared to be mildly excited about it too.
She had the money, always a plus! We had the plan and it was a gorgeous day. We looked at summer dresses and shorts outfits, fun t-shirts and jumpers. We looked at tank tops (very modest ones!!), skirts and high waisted belts. She actually tried on some of the things that I picked out AND LIKED THEM!!! I AM THE MAN!! One of my favorite comments of the day was, "Dad, I don't care what anyone thinks about what I wear. I just want to wear what I like and have fun!!" I loved that.
The most fun was the dressing room. I waited outside the door with an arm full of clothes, waiting and watching as other 15's preened in front of the mirrors hoping they were choosing the things that would make them lovable. I had to shift into my James Bond dad mode because the clerk said no more than 6 items in the room and I had enough tops and bottoms for three rooms easy! But, then she'd slide open the door and stand there with that look. It's easy to see it. It's that hopeful look, that slightly nervous look that says, "Daddy, do you like this? Do you think I'm pretty?" And that translates to, "Daddy, do you approve of me? Do you love me?" With each change of outfit I got more and more captured by the connection between us. I told her how beautiful she was and how much I loved her. I could have shopped all day.
It was obviously clear, she didn't care what anybody else thought about what she was wearing but she cared about what I thought. If I cared no one else mattered.
God talked to me about that shopping day this morning. He said to my heart as I prayed, "Son, do you care about what I think so much so that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks?" It was a tough question. I wanted to say yes but I admit that sometimes what people think often carries more weight than what my heavenly Father thinks. If my daughter had treated me that way, I would have been devastated. I realized that if I care what the Father thinks more than anything else, then I won't care what others think. I won't bother with reputation or status, impressions or conformity. I'll just be free to enjoy life because after all, my Father thinks I am amazing. How incredible is that? The Creator of the galaxies thinks I'm amazing. He should, He made me.
I learned a little about shopping that Saturday. I learned about accessorizing and mixing colors and what should NEVER be worn in public EVER! I learned that 15 year olds really do care about what their dads think. I learned that if I care about what my heavenly Father thinks, then nothing else matters.
I think I'd like to go shopping again this weekend and this time I'm buying.
In His grip,
Greg
That's what "they" say but I just had the most wonderful day with my 15 year old. She's bright. She's fun. She's beautiful. She loves me. She didn't always love me. When she was born, her first six months of life were spent doing what babies do AND wailing bloody murder every time I came near. Something inside her little infant psyche was totally freaked by the sight of me. That didn't last long though, thankfully. She's been daddies girl ever since. It does help that I don't wear socks with my flip flops too.
Anyway, she got some birthday money this year and I told her I would be willing to take her shopping. That was a risky offer because what the heck do I know about SubUrban Outriggers and Abbott and Costello and Fitch and leggings and all that stuff? But I wanted to be with her and to my surprise she said yes and even appeared to be mildly excited about it too.
She had the money, always a plus! We had the plan and it was a gorgeous day. We looked at summer dresses and shorts outfits, fun t-shirts and jumpers. We looked at tank tops (very modest ones!!), skirts and high waisted belts. She actually tried on some of the things that I picked out AND LIKED THEM!!! I AM THE MAN!! One of my favorite comments of the day was, "Dad, I don't care what anyone thinks about what I wear. I just want to wear what I like and have fun!!" I loved that.
The most fun was the dressing room. I waited outside the door with an arm full of clothes, waiting and watching as other 15's preened in front of the mirrors hoping they were choosing the things that would make them lovable. I had to shift into my James Bond dad mode because the clerk said no more than 6 items in the room and I had enough tops and bottoms for three rooms easy! But, then she'd slide open the door and stand there with that look. It's easy to see it. It's that hopeful look, that slightly nervous look that says, "Daddy, do you like this? Do you think I'm pretty?" And that translates to, "Daddy, do you approve of me? Do you love me?" With each change of outfit I got more and more captured by the connection between us. I told her how beautiful she was and how much I loved her. I could have shopped all day.
It was obviously clear, she didn't care what anybody else thought about what she was wearing but she cared about what I thought. If I cared no one else mattered.
God talked to me about that shopping day this morning. He said to my heart as I prayed, "Son, do you care about what I think so much so that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks?" It was a tough question. I wanted to say yes but I admit that sometimes what people think often carries more weight than what my heavenly Father thinks. If my daughter had treated me that way, I would have been devastated. I realized that if I care what the Father thinks more than anything else, then I won't care what others think. I won't bother with reputation or status, impressions or conformity. I'll just be free to enjoy life because after all, my Father thinks I am amazing. How incredible is that? The Creator of the galaxies thinks I'm amazing. He should, He made me.
I learned a little about shopping that Saturday. I learned about accessorizing and mixing colors and what should NEVER be worn in public EVER! I learned that 15 year olds really do care about what their dads think. I learned that if I care about what my heavenly Father thinks, then nothing else matters.
I think I'd like to go shopping again this weekend and this time I'm buying.
In His grip,
Greg
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