Why we do what we do

Published
by
Keith
on December 16, 2008
in Ministry and ccc
. 1 Comment

Here’s an interesting story of one man’s life. He got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ while at Michigan State University, probably in the 1950s, and was forever changed.

Just a regular college student who saw his life change while in college, became a missionary pilot with SIM, taught school, took care of his parents, served others. The article says that he was in Nigeria in the early 1970s but I don’t know if we overlapped or not. I never met him.

God used this today to remind me why we do what we do. Helping people find purpose and meaning in life, that gives their life a direction that serves others.

Saying “thank you” in all things

Published
by
Keith
on November 26, 2008
in Personal and Thoughts
. 2 Comments

I was ticketed yesterday while driving in South Carolina. “Improper lane change”. The officer said I had changed lanes in an improper manner. I feel like screaming, “Did you not see my traffic indicator blinking before I changed lanes?” And “Did anyone have to swerve or stomp on their brakes to avoid a collision?” He felt that I pulled between two cars with insufficient space.

Part of me has to acknowledge that he is right. It was a little tight. The traffic was heavy and the only way to get around the 18-wheeler I was following in the right lane was to move into a pretty full left lane. I wondered why he didn’t ticket people for not using the left lane for passing-only rather than camping out there.

I also felt like pointing out his own improper driving. I mean, who is he to call my action improper when he had just committed an improper action. When we passed this officer, he was just finishing ticketing someone else. This offender was parked on the right shoulder. The officer pulled around the car on the right, on the grass, and rejoined the highway. He wasn’t chasing anyone, just rejoining. I thought policemen were supposed to stay behind the vehicle as it rejoined traffic, using their flashing lights to make sure cars safely rejoined the highway.

Self-righteousness welled up. Other cars were doing wrong things, why pick me? You, Mr. Officer, are not a paragon of proper driving so how can you pick on me?

Other thoughts swirled.

God is sovereign. Nothing happens to me by chance, it is all part of God’s shaping me into the image of Jesus Christ.

Give thanks in all things. Rejoice always. I even preached on this back in July, calling it 10 Words to Live By.

I remember what long-time friend Don Myers taught me once about the Spirit-filled life, “It only works when you work it.” It doesn’t help to only know to give thanks in all things. It is beneficial in my life when I obey, when I follow God’s principles and actually give thanks in the midst of an unpleasant circumstance.

This morning, I read some thoughts from another friend, Judy Douglass. She wrote yesterday in a private message:

I believe thanking God does many things.  Here are three:

The first is that it expresses my trust that God is God and God is good.  Even when it doesn’t feel like it or look like it.

Second it gives me a more peaceful heart–sometimes just a little, sometime a great deal.

Third, I believe my saying Thank You opens a door for God to work in amazing and unexpected ways.

So, after a long night of laying awake thinking of smart remarks to make to Mr. Officer, I am writing this post as part of my saying to God this morning, “Thank you for the ticket. Thank you for what you want to do in my life through this ticket. Thank you for Mr. Officer who is participating in your plan to mold me into the image of Jesus Christ.”

After all, it is Thanksgiving and Kay and I drove to North Carolina to participate in thanking God with Jennifer, and with Daniel and Michelle and Abby and Lucy. It’s just a part of giving thanks that I was unprepared for, but I’m now getting around this giving of thanks also.

Adventure in Barcelona

Published
by
Keith
on November 21, 2008
in Travel
. 0 Comments

Well, I had an adventure tonight.

I thought I’d see the famous street La Rambla on a Friday night, and go to Starbucks and buy a Barcelona mug. I used Google Maps in my hotel room to plan my journey.

The map says it’s 3.1 km, about 2 miles. Kay and I walk about that much frequently in Orlando and it takes us about 25-30 minutes. I thought that would be a good walk. I forgot that in the city, you do a lot of waiting for red lights! So after about 30 minutes, I was about halfway there. I was at the place labeled El Triangle. I was not making much progress, it was 9 pm.

Standing at El Triangle, I saw a Starbucks. The University of Barcelona is across the street, and college kids in Spain need Starbucks too. So, I stopped my journey about halfway there.

Then I decided to take the Metro (subway) back. I like adventures. I studied the route map on the wallof the subway station.

Barcelona Subway map

Barcelona Subway map

To get from Universistat to Hospital Clìnic looks really simple.

  • Take the red L1 line from Universistat to Catalunya, 1 stop.
  • Change to the green L3 line.
  • Take the green L3 line from Catalunya to Passeig de Gràcia to Diagonal. 2 stops.
  • Change to the blue L5 line.
  • Take the blue L5 line from Diagonal to Hospital Clinic. 1 stop.

For some reason I still don’t understand, when I got to the Diagonal station and followed the signs to the blue L5 line, it led me completely outside the station. No L5. I still don’t know what happened. I went back into the Metro station and tried to find any more L5 signs, but the only ones pointed to the exit. So I ended up somewhere in Barcelona, above ground, with no idea where I was. If you’ve ever used a subway map, you know they have little resemblance to reality above ground. Supposedly the Hospital Clinic station was only one subway stop away. But I didn’t know which direction nor how far.

Fortunately, my PDA has Google Maps Mobile installed. I was able to figure out how to navigate the 1.3 km to my hotel. It took about 20-30 minutes.

But I’m back in the hotel. Safe and sound.

Tomorrow, I’ll strike out for La Rambla again. I don’t know if I’ll walk or Metro. I’ll decide tomorrow.

Lunch in Sitges

Published
by
Keith
on November 18, 2008
in Travel
. 1 Comment

I’m sitting in a restaurant at 2:15 pm Tuesday afternoon. We are 6 hours ahead so it’s 8:15 am in Orlando. I’m in Sitges almost a day before others arrive for the internet ministry conference. So I’m on my own today.

The missionary life of travel is a bit different than tourist travel. I’ve done both. In missionary travel, I am frequently on my own to navigate in a language I don’t understand. Today, I arrived in Barcelona and took 2 trains and a taxi to my hotel in Sitges, about a half-hour south of Barcelona.

Later, I went out for lunch. The following is my humorous experience ordering lunch in Spanish. I thought you’d enjoy it.

I’m glad you could join me for lunch. No one else has arrived for the conference yet so i’m wondering around alone for now.

I just ordered completely in Spanish. I got rissoto something or other for the first course. I recognized rice. I thought “you can’t go wrong with rice.” BUT this rice has little shrimp or prawns. I don’t like shrimp. So that’s what “con gambas” means!

I walked around for an hour, enjoying the sights and looking for a less expensive restaurant. It’s about 65 and partly cloudy.

This restaurant had a “fixed plate menu” that was the most reasonable I found. BUT it was only in Spanish!

If the waiter and I communicated, I’m having filet of sole next. We’ll see!

A “fixed plate menu” is pretty normal in Europe. Choose from several appetizers, several entrees, 2-3 desserts.

I arrived in Barcelona about 7:30. Navigated the 2 trains ok with the help of a lively group of high schoolers who must take the train to school. One thing about being on your own, you have to be willing to ask for help. Often!

Arrived at Sitges train station and got a cab to the hotel. Arrived about 8:30-9 at hotel.

I got my room early. I’ll be sharing with David Oliver from Barcelona when he arrives.

I decided to sleep 3 hours. Then showered. Felt good! I’m feeling really well.

YES! It’s fish! And its good! The flavor is really tasty.

Finished the sole.

I’m having something “caramel” for dessert. I recognized that word. And I ordered café con leche. I hope I remembered correctly from my last trip to Barcelona. It’s what I told the waiter. Where’s my Spanish-speaking son Jonathan when I need him!!!

OK. Dessert is some kind of custard. It’s ok.

YES! I got the coffee right!

I had thought about borrowing a friend’s Rosetta Stone language course this fall to prepare for this trip. Should have.

I had a whole row to myself on the plane. On a 767, that’s only 3 seats. But I lifted the arms up and laid horizontally. It was great! I slept about 3-4 hours of the 7 hour flight.

Well, café con leche is finished. I’ll figure out how to pay and walk around some more. I’ve taken lots of photos.

Thanks for lunch together.

Internet Ministry in Western Europe

Published
by
Keith
on November 17, 2008
in Ministry and Travel
. 0 Comments

In a couple of hours, I’m off to Spain. I’m going to Sitges, about an hour south of Barcelona on the Mediterranean. Yes, I know. Most of you are stuck in winter, but someone needs to go, so it’s me! Here’s the Hotel Sebastian Playa where I’ll be staying.

I’m meeting with 19 leaders in internet ministry from across Europe. These leaders have found the internet to be very effective in reaching out to seekers in the skeptical, post-modern world of Europe. People want authentic relationships based on transparent communication. Shame is a huge factor in lives today. Young people desperately desire acceptance.

Some of the topics we’ll discuss include:

  • creative ideas for student-oriented websites and how to publicize them
  • making the most of Facebook to discover spiritually interested students
  • how to follow up students who come to faith on the Internet
  • understanding eLearning and using it for online follow-up of new believers
  • recruiting and training eVolunteers to handle email responses
  • ministering to eVolunteers and moving them toward greater involvement
  • making the most of an Agape Innovation website / forum to share ideas
  • linking evangelistic websites to local universities where you have a Student Ministry
  • best practice for getting contacts from website visitors
  • how to manage contacts (those making a decision for Christ / having a question) coming from a website

Wow! With an agenda like that, there won’t be much beach time!

Here are some more websites that you might use to learn more about the ministry in Europe.

Main AgapeEurope website

Pray for Europe

Knowing God evangelistic websites

Student evangelistic websites

Good things can come out of bad times

Published
by
Keith
on October 26, 2008
in Thoughts and ccc
. 2 Comments

The news is full of horrible economic information. This morning, I was writing to a friend who is in a period of great apprehension and confusion. I wrote a little, but then I started recalling that God is God, all the time. I found this page of the names of God very insightful.

He is El (sovereign, in control), all the time. (250 times in the Bible)
He is El Roi, the God who sees me, all the time. (Gen. 16:13)
He is El Hanne’eman (faithful), all the time. (Deut. 7:9)
He is El-Kanno (lovingly and jealously watching over us), all the time. (Exod. 20:5)
He is El Shaddai (all sufficient), all the time. (Gen. 28:3, and many other places)
He is El Chaiyai, the God of my life, all the time. (Ps. 42:8)
He is El-Channun, the gracious God, all the time. (Jonah 4:2)
He is El Rachum, the God of compassion, all the time. (Deut. 4:31)
And perhaps my very favorite, He is Immanuel, God with us, all the time. (Isa. 7:14)

John Piper wrote a very intriguing post today: Bad times are good for missions. He lists some reasons:

1. During an economic downturn we are more dependent on God. That is the most fertile soil for creating missionaries.
2. During an economic downturn unreached people around the world do not expect you to come, but to look out for yourself. So they may more likely see your risk as love rather than exploitation.
3. During an economic downturn those who need Christ around the world may be less secure in earthly things and more ready to hear about eternal life.
4. During an economic downturn people at home may be wakened to the brevity of life and the fragility of material things, and so may become more generous not less. And when they give under these circumstances, it will make Christ look all the more like the all-satisfying Treasure that he is.

God did not wake up some morning and say, “Look how big a mess these folks are in. I better sort this out.” It’s all part of his plan, even the difficult or confusing circumstances.

He is El (sovereign, in control) and He is Immanuel (God with us), all the time.

Hrossa philosophy

Published
by
Keith
on October 25, 2008
in Ministry
. 0 Comments

I’m re-reading C.S. Lewis’ science fiction trilogy. It’s been a longtime favorite and I’m enjoying it again. I first read Out of the Silent Planet as an English Literature assignment in 11th grade. At that time, I had no idea who C.S. Lewis was, nor that he was a believer. I don’t think our English teacher did either. But he wanted to teach us about metaphors and similes and Lewis’ book is full of them.

As I read the book that first time, I ran into some amazing philosophy, which I later learned was C.S. Lewis’ biblical-based worldview. I applaud how Lewis embeds his philosophy into simple conversations between characters in the story.

One of the characters is a hrossa (a seal-like creature that can reason and talk) who is named Hyoi.

Hyoi, speaking about memories to the man (hman) Ransom, says

A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered. You are speaking, Hman, as if the pleasure were one thing and the memory another. It is all one thing. … What you call remembering is the last part of the pleasure… When you and I met, the meeting was over very shortly, it was nothing. Now it is growing something as we remember it. But still we know very little about it. What it will be when I remember it as I lie down to die, what it makes in me all my days till then – that is the real meeting. The other is only the beginning of it. (Out of the Silent Planet, p. 73)

Deep thoughts like this are delivered very enjoyably through Lewis’ fun story.

Now, on to Perelandra.

I Voted

Published
by
Keith
on October 25, 2008
in Personal
. 0 Comments

Kay and I stood in line for 1 1/2 hours yesterday. But the weather was cool. And the company of fellow voters was good. The person in line ahead of us was knitting a maroon and white bedspread for her nephew who is attending (you guessed it!) Texas A&M. She was an Aggie also. Pretty amazing to find three displaced Ags standing in line for early voting in Florida!

My identity

Published
by
Keith
on October 19, 2008
in Prayer Requests, Thoughts and ccc
. 0 Comments

John-Wesley In my work in technology, we are implementing a global identity tool so that all staff and non-staff affiliated with our organization are known uniquely and individually. It’s a huge project. It’s the foundation of providing greatly-increased participation in helping launch spiritual movements around the world. So, I’ve been thinking about “identity” a lot lately.

Today, Steve Addison introduced me to John Wesely’s Covenant Prayer. Read Wesley’s covenant prayer through the eyes of our identity, of who we are as people.

I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
exalted for you or brought low for you;
let me be full, let me be empty;
let me have all things, let me have nothing;
I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal

And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

Talk about an identity exchange! Wesley was empowered by his identity in Christ. Identity with Christ energized him with boldness and perseverance.

Causing things to happen

Published
by
Keith
on October 7, 2008
in Ministry and ccc
. 1 Comment

That very special day is here again. Our worldwide day of prayer. As the sun makes its sweep around the globe, fellow staff and volunteers in every nation on earth gather at the foot of the throne to sing praises and to ask God to intervene so that all might come to know his love. Kay and I will soon join with our 25,000 staff worldwide in an entire day of prayer. I always welcome these days, which we have twice each year. These days are very unique.

I recently listened to this short excerpt from John Piper:

God, the sovereign ruler of the universe, has ordained that prayers cause things to happen that would not happen if we do not pray. When James 4:2 says ‘you do not have because you do not ask’, it doesn’t mean ‘you would have anyway even if you did not ask because I’ve got a plan’.

Kay and I are accepting the privilege God is offering to us to focus today on helping cause things to happen that would not happen if we do not pray.

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