Monday, August 07, 2006
PRAY FOR THE CHILDREN
At Children's Cup we're a week into 40 days of prayer for the children. We so desperately need your prayers to strengthen us, to guide us and to open doors for us here in Swaziland & Mozambique. Pray with us as we lift the needs of the children we try to serve. Please consider committing yourself to pray with Children's Cup for the next 30 days or so. Follow the link and check it out
Learning to Recieve
(This is something I wrote a couple of weeks ago)
I sat and had my feet washed today…it brought a thought to me. It was a little bit uncomfortable…you know my feet are not the most beautiful example of podiatric symmetry, cleanliness…basically after years of soccer I’ve got feet that are pretty beat up. I’ve lost toenails I don’t know how many times and my feet have been stepped on countless more times. Anyways, I felt a little awkward…so of course I let the dude from the AIM team wash my feet instead of the girls. Anyways, I was so involved in myself, and even if my feet were beautiful feet it still would have been a bit awkward for me. I want to relate that to the radical love of Jesus. I’m not so sure, well actually the more I think, I’m pretty sure we’re not ready to receive that kind of love. We don’t know what to do with such a love, it is an invasive love, it brings things to light, it disciplines (whoa, yeah I said it, it is true) it is a love that forces you to do something, it is a love that takes you for a ride, it is a love that changes everything, and change is uncomfortable, it is a love that forces you outside of yourself, it is a love that asks to be copied, to be reflected. Just as those guys washing my feet was an example of what Christ wants to do for us and did do for us…Christ’s love is so radical, it is uncomfortable at times, it does not makes sense, it is beyond ourselves…I love saying that -- beyond me, bigger than me -- for me to be a part of and truly receive that love and life…I need to step beyond myself, outside of myself…I need to let go so I can truly receive Christ’s love. How much do we miss, how much do we let slip by because we are concentrating on ourselves. We serve a great God, a God that does things that others wouldn’t even think of…he is a creative, improvising, innovative and usually an opposite God…he does things different, can we receive that, can we reflect that, can we let go and walk where he asks us to go??? It may be to hold a baby that has been left for dead, it may be a teenager that is reckless and hurting, it may be to a person that has wronged us…what looks like an impossible situation, a situation that can’t work, may be just where he wants to take us…Like our Savior, our God, Jesus washing the disciples feet, can we humble ourselves and do something so totally radical in this crazy world...I really think it involves first being able to receive that radical love. Do I trust him, do you trust him? Receive, and then reflect baby!
I sat and had my feet washed today…it brought a thought to me. It was a little bit uncomfortable…you know my feet are not the most beautiful example of podiatric symmetry, cleanliness…basically after years of soccer I’ve got feet that are pretty beat up. I’ve lost toenails I don’t know how many times and my feet have been stepped on countless more times. Anyways, I felt a little awkward…so of course I let the dude from the AIM team wash my feet instead of the girls. Anyways, I was so involved in myself, and even if my feet were beautiful feet it still would have been a bit awkward for me. I want to relate that to the radical love of Jesus. I’m not so sure, well actually the more I think, I’m pretty sure we’re not ready to receive that kind of love. We don’t know what to do with such a love, it is an invasive love, it brings things to light, it disciplines (whoa, yeah I said it, it is true) it is a love that forces you to do something, it is a love that takes you for a ride, it is a love that changes everything, and change is uncomfortable, it is a love that forces you outside of yourself, it is a love that asks to be copied, to be reflected. Just as those guys washing my feet was an example of what Christ wants to do for us and did do for us…Christ’s love is so radical, it is uncomfortable at times, it does not makes sense, it is beyond ourselves…I love saying that -- beyond me, bigger than me -- for me to be a part of and truly receive that love and life…I need to step beyond myself, outside of myself…I need to let go so I can truly receive Christ’s love. How much do we miss, how much do we let slip by because we are concentrating on ourselves. We serve a great God, a God that does things that others wouldn’t even think of…he is a creative, improvising, innovative and usually an opposite God…he does things different, can we receive that, can we reflect that, can we let go and walk where he asks us to go??? It may be to hold a baby that has been left for dead, it may be a teenager that is reckless and hurting, it may be to a person that has wronged us…what looks like an impossible situation, a situation that can’t work, may be just where he wants to take us…Like our Savior, our God, Jesus washing the disciples feet, can we humble ourselves and do something so totally radical in this crazy world...I really think it involves first being able to receive that radical love. Do I trust him, do you trust him? Receive, and then reflect baby!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Kids Minister to King
If I ever had any doubts about whether or not we're making a difference here in Swaziland...well those were shattered this past weekend. It was awesome, I got to see first hand 350 children minister to the king of Swaziland through dance. These are the orphans, these are the children that otherwise may have been forgotten, these are awesome people that God is and will continue to use. It was powerful...during this national day of praise this group of children stood out...their worship...authentic, annointed, and majestic. We had a 3 day camp that was part of a national camp. It was hectic, it was crazy, it was a time of little sleep and lots of children...but man, God can use this generation. Two ways of looking at this situation in Africa...1 a continent disintegrates and falls apart because their is a rouge generation that has been orphaned. The second way of seeing this situation requires belief, requires love, requires effort, requires servants , and requires Jesus. The second way of seeing this is that an army of orphans will go around this continent sold out for Jesus, radically in love with God...bringing healing, hope & restoration to a continent, to a world...what do you see? for yourself, for your situation, for your life????
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Prayer
At prayer this morning I really felt God lay it on my heart to ask for prayer from those blog readers out there. I just really felt God urging me to ask y'all to pray for the Cup team...that we'd be unified, full of love, expectant of God's goodness, inspired to make a difference each day, pouring ourselves into our relationship with our Heavenly Father and look at our time here in Swaziland as not about ourselves but about God's glory. Thanks!!!
I've seen God work in amazing ways, yet I feel my faith is so far behind his doings. I know the reality of this is that I have awesome people praying for me and our team over here. Where I can't quite explain how he uses me or the other people here, I know it is through the prayers behind us and he himself, Christ, in front of us. Man, I got to sit and think about how cool that is for awhile. Much love y'all!
I've seen God work in amazing ways, yet I feel my faith is so far behind his doings. I know the reality of this is that I have awesome people praying for me and our team over here. Where I can't quite explain how he uses me or the other people here, I know it is through the prayers behind us and he himself, Christ, in front of us. Man, I got to sit and think about how cool that is for awhile. Much love y'all!
Friday, July 07, 2006
World Cup - ??
So who do you think will win? I'm going with my heritage...at least my last name heritage. I am a Mut of all things European. I really need to sit down one day and find out what percentage of what I am. When I figure that out, I'll post my ethnic backgrounds.
Back to the game...I think my boy Totti will either score or set up a goal. I think Italy will take it 2-1 and hold a slight edge on possesion. Look for Pirlo, Zambrotta & Totti to create offensively and Cannivaro(sp?) and Gatusso to defend expertly.
ITALIA BABY!!!!
Back to the game...I think my boy Totti will either score or set up a goal. I think Italy will take it 2-1 and hold a slight edge on possesion. Look for Pirlo, Zambrotta & Totti to create offensively and Cannivaro(sp?) and Gatusso to defend expertly.
ITALIA BABY!!!!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
HIV Test
About a month ago we arranged for there to be HIV testing at one of our Carepoints. Sitting there as we set up for it I decided that I wanted to be tested as well. Not because I thought I might have been exposed but really just to see what it was like. I figured if I was going to encourage people to get tested, I’d better do it myself and be able to share what the experience would be like. There are a lot of misconceptions of what is involved in an HIV test and I wanted to see for myself what was involved; needles, amount of blood they actually take…you know discover things like that.
What can I say, the experience shook me. I sat there listening to the pre-counseling session in SiSwati…I’m not sure if that made me more nervous or less. He was telling the group about the disease and then explained the options involved after one is found to be positive. So I didn’t really understand what was said…so basically had a lot of time to think before the test. It was crazy the emotions, feelings, doubt, fear that came over me while I waited. The crazy thing is I really had nothing to fear or be worried about but still the experience freaked me out. I then tried to put myself in the shoes of someone who did have something to fear. Imagine sitting there waiting for an HIV test going over in your mind all the people you’ve had sex with…thinking to yourself, I wonder about her, or her…I wonder if its possible…what will my life be like…what will I tell my pastor…what will I tell my family…what will I tell my wife…I was going to get married but…I have kids, do they have it…so much goes through ones head, so much fear…so much doubt. I sat there like that for awhile and it was thick, it was rough, just trying to experience what millions are going through…I think I understand why people do not go for HIV tests here…it is scary and for a lot of them it’s a 50% chance their life will be hit by a freight train….HIV (Charles, came up with that train comparison).
Then something happened inside of me. I realized that for me, or someone like me, a Christian, someone with a relationship with Christ, we have nothing to fear. In Galatians it says that Christ has conquered everything, everywhere…that means disease & death. Jesus Christ is hope even when you are looking death straight in the eyes.
Another realization I had is that by getting an HIV test you get to know where you stand. If you do not go for the test it just means you are ignorant of your status…you either have it or you do not…if you never get a test, the disease will still be there whether you know about it or not. The test does not change anything; it just changes what you can do about your situation.
Here are some pics of me getting my test -
- Yes, I was negative...yes, they double check, and yes I was still negative
What can I say, the experience shook me. I sat there listening to the pre-counseling session in SiSwati…I’m not sure if that made me more nervous or less. He was telling the group about the disease and then explained the options involved after one is found to be positive. So I didn’t really understand what was said…so basically had a lot of time to think before the test. It was crazy the emotions, feelings, doubt, fear that came over me while I waited. The crazy thing is I really had nothing to fear or be worried about but still the experience freaked me out. I then tried to put myself in the shoes of someone who did have something to fear. Imagine sitting there waiting for an HIV test going over in your mind all the people you’ve had sex with…thinking to yourself, I wonder about her, or her…I wonder if its possible…what will my life be like…what will I tell my pastor…what will I tell my family…what will I tell my wife…I was going to get married but…I have kids, do they have it…so much goes through ones head, so much fear…so much doubt. I sat there like that for awhile and it was thick, it was rough, just trying to experience what millions are going through…I think I understand why people do not go for HIV tests here…it is scary and for a lot of them it’s a 50% chance their life will be hit by a freight train….HIV (Charles, came up with that train comparison).
Then something happened inside of me. I realized that for me, or someone like me, a Christian, someone with a relationship with Christ, we have nothing to fear. In Galatians it says that Christ has conquered everything, everywhere…that means disease & death. Jesus Christ is hope even when you are looking death straight in the eyes.
Another realization I had is that by getting an HIV test you get to know where you stand. If you do not go for the test it just means you are ignorant of your status…you either have it or you do not…if you never get a test, the disease will still be there whether you know about it or not. The test does not change anything; it just changes what you can do about your situation.
Here are some pics of me getting my test -
- Yes, I was negative...yes, they double check, and yes I was still negative
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