Dear friends and family,
There are no words to describe the experience so far. We spent two days in Jordan, where we experienced their famous hospitality. Everywhere we went people asked us to sit down for tea and would wave to us with smiles...definitely not the reception I expected! While you're on the internet, Google image "Petra, Jordan." That was an incredible place. At one point in history, this location was the fortress of the Edomites--whom you will find all over Scripture in the Old Testament.
I only have a few minutes so I'll highlight my most memorable moments. We stood in Jordan at the top of Mount Nebot, where Moses died. Here we read the promises to Abraham of the land, and looked out over locations such as Jericho. The first night we arrived in Israel, we swam in the Red Sea and chilled by the beach. At night, a few friends and I got coffee and sat by the Red Sea with an amazing breeze and 75 degree weather. Yesterday we stood on a 10th century Israelite fortress--from the time of David and Solomon! Incredible. Today, we looked out over the valley where David battled Goliath, and the Israelites defeated the Philistines. Then we picked up stones in the brook below where David would have taken stones. Studying these locations with a Harvard trained archaelogical lights the research fire in my heart and then unleashes the faith within me. My faith is burning like a Wisconsin bonfire :) (think Manitowish Waters!) I have many many more thoughts, from many more amazing locations...but I will leave them for when we can chat in person. We are slowly making our way to Jerusalem, which makes my heart beat faster. I cannot wait to walk in the footsteps of my Master. Please pray for my own heart to be cemented in faith and truth. Love and blessings to you! Shalom lacha!
Love in Christ, David
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Israel 2011!
Hi friends and family! Here is an itinerary of my trip to Israel with Dr. John Monson (PhD, Harvard) and a few TEDS students. Dr. Monson grew up in Israel until his college years, and has guided thousands of students through the Holy Land. I am looking forward to spending two and a half weeks in the land of Jesus. This is both an academic research trip, and also a study tour of the land. I am excited about both faces of the trip.
Hypothetically, if you want to get to know your girlfriend, or best friend better, one of the best ways to do so is to visit where they grew up--hear all about their childhood and the circumstances surrounding their life. My whole life is lived for this purpose: To know Jesus and to make Him known. Thus, I am taking this trip, so I can know Jesus in a deeper way. I am praying this trip makes me know Him a little better, so I can share Him more faithfully with other people.
I hope to update this blog a few times while I'm there! Blessings!
May 13, Friday: Arrive Amman – Overnight Medaba, Jordan, Mariam Hotel;
May 14, Saturday: Overnight – Petra, Jordan, Petra Palace
Route: Medaba, Nebo, Dibon, Arnon, Kerak, Petra
Notes: Cool morning, warm afternoon walk into the Petra monuments
May 15, Sunday: Overnight – Eilat, Israel (on the Red Sea), City Park Hotel
Route: Petra, peek into edge of Wadi Ram, cross to Eilat
Notes: Morning walk, long drive, afternoon swim
May 16, Monday: Overnight –Be’er Sheba, Leonardo Hotel
Route: Morning swim, Mizpeh Ramon, Avdat (site and walk), Be’er Sheba museum (time?)
Notes: Hot day in the desert!
May 17, Tuesday: Overnight –Be’er Sheba, Leonardo Hotel
Route: Ashkelon (tell only), Lachish, Maresha, Azekah, Qeiyafa, Beth-Shemesh, Lahav)
May 18, Wednesday: Overnight – En Boqeq (on the Dead Sea), Prima Oasis
Route: Tell Sheva, Tell Arad, Masada, Ein Gedi, En Boqeq
Notes: Long hike on Masada, climb to Ein Gedi.
May 19, Thursday: Overnight – Jerusalem, Prima Royal
Route: Qumran, Jericho, Taiybeh ridge; Bethel/Ai, Gibeon/Nebi Samwil
May 20, Friday: Overnight – Jerusalem, Prima Royal
Route: Jerusalem intro, OT walk; Citadel Museum, JUC Vespers; Mea-Shearim, Wailing Wall
May 21, Saturday: Overnight – Jerusalem, Prima Royal
Route: Jerusalem Approaches: Yad v'Shem, Bethlehem, Herodium, Wadi Qilt overview
May 22, Sunday: Overnight – Jerusalem, Prima Royal
Route: Church, Jerusalem NT walk, 2T model, free time
May 23, Monday: Overnight – Netanya (on the Mediterranean), Blue Bay Hotel
Route: Yad V’Shem, Beth Shemesh, Neot Kedumim, Jaffa; Haaretz Museum, Netanya swim
May 24, Tuesday: Overnight – Tiberius (on the Sea of Galilee), Rimmonim Mineral Hotel
Route: Caesarea, Carmel, Megiddo, Nazareth, Sephorris, Plain of Tabor
May 25, Wednesday: Overnight – Tiberius (on the Sea of Galilee), Rimmonim Mineral Hotel
Route: Hazor, Huleh, Dan, Golan, Kaztrin, Beth-Saideh, En Gev
May 26, Thursday: Overnight – Tiberius (on the Sea of Galilee), Rimmonim Mineral Hotel
Route: Around the lake: Boat from Tiberius to Capernaum, Tabgha, Chorazin, Beatitudes, Arbel
May 27, Friday: Medaba, Jordan – Mariam Hotel
Route: Beth Shean, Harod Valley, Jezreel, Bridge, Um Queis, Ajlun, Jerash
May 28, Saturday: Depart from Amman, Jordan to Chicago, USA
Monday, March 1, 2010
Joy and Circumstances
Sharp contrasts often bring out the greatest truth. Recently, a dichotomy has struck me as reflecting one clear truth. Trinity is located in the 31st richest county in America, thus Porches, BMWs and Mercedes are more commonplace in the neighborhood than any other brand. Because of this, I could either live on campus or many miles away. Through my interactions with people living in the area, life is hurried and attitudes sharp. Baristas can't get coffee orders correctly, waiters are 'incompetent' and traffic lights beg for horns to sound. I see little happiness, but much wealth. It seems that money doesn't bring joy. Yes, yes, we've all heard this our whole lives, but deep down don't we doubt this? We're often like the discussion between Perchik and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Perchik says, "Money is the world's curse." To that, Tevye replies, "May the Lord smite me with it, and may I never recover!"
On the other hand, I attend a Hispanic church that doesn't own its own building. Last year's operating budget was around 10,000 dollars, compared to many other churches in the area that have millions upon millions. When you walk into the service, all you hear about is God's faithfulness and his provision for His people. God's love for his children is written on their faces. It seems my Hispanic brothers and sisters have found a secret that the area hasn't found: True joy comes from knowing God, and walking with Him. This is just as true when we have much, and when we have little. The famous Bible verse Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength," is often quoted as a means to a football victory or in bearing job stress, but the author had a different purpose. The context of this verse is contentment in every circumstance. Before 4:13, Paul says, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." What is this secret? Knowing Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection. I don't pretend to have modeled this, as most of my life I have known only plenty. Yet, the truth remains. Whether God's plan involves plenty or little, being connected to Him is what brings the joy. I hold onto this truth with white knuckles.
On the other hand, I attend a Hispanic church that doesn't own its own building. Last year's operating budget was around 10,000 dollars, compared to many other churches in the area that have millions upon millions. When you walk into the service, all you hear about is God's faithfulness and his provision for His people. God's love for his children is written on their faces. It seems my Hispanic brothers and sisters have found a secret that the area hasn't found: True joy comes from knowing God, and walking with Him. This is just as true when we have much, and when we have little. The famous Bible verse Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength," is often quoted as a means to a football victory or in bearing job stress, but the author had a different purpose. The context of this verse is contentment in every circumstance. Before 4:13, Paul says, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." What is this secret? Knowing Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection. I don't pretend to have modeled this, as most of my life I have known only plenty. Yet, the truth remains. Whether God's plan involves plenty or little, being connected to Him is what brings the joy. I hold onto this truth with white knuckles.
Monday, February 22, 2010
What I've Learned from my Hispanic Church
One of the common refrains of my life has been leveraging my life for the kingdom of God. That's why I live and that's why I am studying here at Trinity. Another, seemingly random aspect, has been my affinity for and ability to speak the Spanish language. I've visited Spanish speaking countries many times, majored in Spanish in undergrad and even spent extended time living in Mexico with a Mexican family, while studying at a language immersion school. I've used Spanish to separate myself on scholarship applications and random opportunities, but have never seen it as the gift that it is...that is until recently. I was having lunch with the national director of church planting for the Evangelical Free Church of America, and the topic of my fluency in Spanish came up. His words were like a smack in the face. He said, "You have no idea the gift you have for the kingdom." I was taken aback. I hadn't been seeing Spanish as a gift to leverage from the kingdom, like I have seen the rest of my life.
Fast forward about a month, and I continued to put feel the Holy Spirit stirring in my heart to cultivate my Spanish ability. With language, you either use it or lose it--and it had been over a year since I lived in Mexico. Finally, after hearing the cafeteria workers speaking Spanish, I decided to contact a local pastor of a Hispanic church to visit. Picking the closest EFCA Hispanic church to Trinity, I just showed up one Sunday. As I walked in I thought, "I am crazy! Who just walks randomly into a Spanish speaking church?" Of course, I stuck out like a sore thumb, but it didn't take long to feel welcomed into the family. Before the service, I talked with the pastor (who speaks mostly Spanish) and we talked about pastoral ministry. He had great wisdom saying, "You must go to the people." This was his way of saying, if you truly want to reach out to the marginalized, you need to go to where they are! Spanish is a reality for our country, and in order to reach out to the most oppressed and needy, it often is needed.
After the service, I decided I didn't want to awkwardly stand in the lobby, so I just made my way to my car. No sooner had I walked to my car, but one of the young women from the church ran up to car and said, "Um, we have coffee and donuts inside...won't you join us? Don't leave!" I was blown away by the hospitality. So I parked my car, and went inside and met many new friends. What a marked difference from most of our "Anglo" church culture and the personal space we expect and demand.
To feel out of place and lost in a church service, complete with uncertainty of when to sit and stand during the service, I was reminded of how new people feel in our churches. Next time I go to my English speaking church, I will be reminded of the hospitality of my Hispanic church and how I felt when I was welcomed. I so often forget what it feels like to be new. Let's remember the outcast and the newcomer this week...who knows how God will use our conversations!
Fast forward about a month, and I continued to put feel the Holy Spirit stirring in my heart to cultivate my Spanish ability. With language, you either use it or lose it--and it had been over a year since I lived in Mexico. Finally, after hearing the cafeteria workers speaking Spanish, I decided to contact a local pastor of a Hispanic church to visit. Picking the closest EFCA Hispanic church to Trinity, I just showed up one Sunday. As I walked in I thought, "I am crazy! Who just walks randomly into a Spanish speaking church?" Of course, I stuck out like a sore thumb, but it didn't take long to feel welcomed into the family. Before the service, I talked with the pastor (who speaks mostly Spanish) and we talked about pastoral ministry. He had great wisdom saying, "You must go to the people." This was his way of saying, if you truly want to reach out to the marginalized, you need to go to where they are! Spanish is a reality for our country, and in order to reach out to the most oppressed and needy, it often is needed.
After the service, I decided I didn't want to awkwardly stand in the lobby, so I just made my way to my car. No sooner had I walked to my car, but one of the young women from the church ran up to car and said, "Um, we have coffee and donuts inside...won't you join us? Don't leave!" I was blown away by the hospitality. So I parked my car, and went inside and met many new friends. What a marked difference from most of our "Anglo" church culture and the personal space we expect and demand.
To feel out of place and lost in a church service, complete with uncertainty of when to sit and stand during the service, I was reminded of how new people feel in our churches. Next time I go to my English speaking church, I will be reminded of the hospitality of my Hispanic church and how I felt when I was welcomed. I so often forget what it feels like to be new. Let's remember the outcast and the newcomer this week...who knows how God will use our conversations!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Love
When I was younger in my faith, I used to dream of being a leader of something big--big in numbers, big in size, big in the world's eyes. As I grew in age, I was a part of a few large churches...a few that sometimes felt like they wanted to be large for the sake of being large, for the pastor's own kingdom (as I mentioned in an earlier post, "Thorns and Thrones." In college, I was blessed to be a part of a campus movement that was large in numbers--but for the right reasons. As I look back on my college experience, my favorite memories are from seeing the two men that I discipled weekly, grow in Christ. Seeing them increase in faith, sacrifice and vision was worth every ounce of sweat and prayer that I poured into their lives. As I grew in my faith, the Lord changed my heart to see that growth is healthy if it's Gospel growth...If it's growth based on true believers being faithful to multiply their lives into others. Then, God is glorified and movements are healthy. In the same way, Jesus slowly made me realize that being faithful in the small things is exactly what pleases Him.
To be honest, the place I've seen this modeled the best is through my mother. For the 22 years that I've been alive, I've never seen someone with the burning passion for others, shown most clearly through selfless love. Whether it's the neighbor ladies, the subway worker, the technical college student from a broken home, or the transsexual in the airport, the love of Jesus pours out of her into everyone she meets. As a family, we enjoy asking each other how we can be praying for one another. Consistent through the years, my mom constantly asks that God would allow her to love more people, to have more opportunity to connect people with Jesus. We all need to learn what I learned from my Mom and what Jesus taught in his parable of the talents. In many ways, it's a tough parable. I suggest you read it in Matthew 25, if you haven't read it in a while. In it, the master says to the faithful servant," 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" Not all of us will invest our lives in things that will last for eternity, and still others may invest their lives into eternal things that people will never see. In the same way, others may even oppose the ways that we desire to influence others to labor faithfully in the small things--especially in a business driven church model that we often have today! But to be faithful in small things, like the struggling single mom or the broken hearted friend, is to be a faithful servant of God, and to love Jesus Himself. Christians often talk about wanting to hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant," but I wonder if we are willing to live the lives that are worthy of such a statement. It begins today in the small things, in the seemingly fruitless compassion or sacrificial love that no one sees, and will continue until Jesus comes for His own. To these few, "the King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me'"
To be honest, the place I've seen this modeled the best is through my mother. For the 22 years that I've been alive, I've never seen someone with the burning passion for others, shown most clearly through selfless love. Whether it's the neighbor ladies, the subway worker, the technical college student from a broken home, or the transsexual in the airport, the love of Jesus pours out of her into everyone she meets. As a family, we enjoy asking each other how we can be praying for one another. Consistent through the years, my mom constantly asks that God would allow her to love more people, to have more opportunity to connect people with Jesus. We all need to learn what I learned from my Mom and what Jesus taught in his parable of the talents. In many ways, it's a tough parable. I suggest you read it in Matthew 25, if you haven't read it in a while. In it, the master says to the faithful servant," 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" Not all of us will invest our lives in things that will last for eternity, and still others may invest their lives into eternal things that people will never see. In the same way, others may even oppose the ways that we desire to influence others to labor faithfully in the small things--especially in a business driven church model that we often have today! But to be faithful in small things, like the struggling single mom or the broken hearted friend, is to be a faithful servant of God, and to love Jesus Himself. Christians often talk about wanting to hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant," but I wonder if we are willing to live the lives that are worthy of such a statement. It begins today in the small things, in the seemingly fruitless compassion or sacrificial love that no one sees, and will continue until Jesus comes for His own. To these few, "the King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me'"
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