Nobody has unlimited resources. The Bible is very clear that following Jesus is costly. The whole notion of cross-bearing discipleship involves giving up something to gain the Kingdom. I love Jim Elliot’s famous quote: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” For the most part, in order for me to gain ground in an area of sanctification – there has to be a loss of ground in my old, selfish desires to satisfy the flesh.

What would my life look like if I really trusted the words, the way, and the will of Jesus, and shaped my life accordingly?

I would be more accepting of others, and less critical of their shortcomings.
I would spend more time entertaining my kids and less time being entertained by my TV.
I would give more money to the less fortunate.
I would pray more and worry less.
I would use more energy doing what Jesus says to do and talk about it less.
I would feel more thankful and less entitled.
I would love my wife more and be less of a jerk.
I would talk more openly about how precious Jesus is to me and deny him less.
I would hide more of the Word in my heart and fill my head with less triviality.
I would pursue more things that stir my affections for Jesus, and engage in less activities that numb me.

II Corinthians 7:1 – “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

It always makes me feel good to vote. I leave the polling place feeling so privileged to live in America, with the right and privilege to cast my vote in the democratic electoral process. For all intents and purposes – we all wake up tomorrow with a new president-elect. No matter how you lean politically, or who you vote for – here are some beautiful reminders that can help keep all of this in a proper, Kingdom perspective:

No matter who wins today’s election:

• Jesus is still the only answer for America.
• Our role in the world as students of Jesus will not change.
• The greatest agent for social reform in our country and the world will be by preaching the gospel, not by passing legislation.
• The tomb will still be empty.
• The cross, not politicians, will be our salvation.
• Abortion and gay marriage will ultimately and completely be defeated only as people embrace the Biblical view of God’s immense value of life and marriage.
• God is still in control.

Friday was a very relaxing day. John and I slept in pretty late, then we headed out for breakfast and some shopping in the market for some souvenirs for family/friends. After that, we pretty much hung out in the hotel resting up for the night’s sessions.

The night went very well. The sessions were somewhat shorter, because this is the night of the big party – where the different countries and regions are represented with the specific culture and food. I preached through most of Luke 9, with the overriding theme that following Jesus can be perplexing at times, especially the last part of the chapter – where it is clear that following Jesus does not always look like we think it might, and it is going to be difficult. I’m not sure what John Bell preached, because I don’t speak Spanish – and I forgot to ask him. But, the students were tuned in, and I am confident that God spoke to their hearts!

So, after we both preached our final session, and we prayed for each person that wanted prayer (especially those who felt called to the mission field), then the party started. It was awesome! Below are a couple of cool video clips of the night.

First is a spot-on Brittish accent that was hilarious!

Next, is at the party following the Missions Conference, where the Colombians show off their spirit and fun-natured side! They are saying: “Somos de la costa y no mas” which basically means “We are from the coast and nothing more!” (The various regions of Colombia divided and gave a presentation on the food, culture, and specifics of their region.)

Okay. True confessions: Juan (from the first video) is really named Mike. He is a missionary from London, England – fluent in Spanish, and with the look of a Colombian. He is in Bogota with his wife, and they are a part of the school. He was great!

Click here to view my pictures from the trip. (All pictures are on this flickr set, not just from Day 2)

Bogota, Colombia

 To get a glimpse of Bogota, Colombia: picture Collin County – which has a land mass of 848 sq. miles, and a population of 700,000. Then compare it to Bogota – which has a land mass of 649 sq. miles, and a population of 8.5 Million. It’s a pretty densely populated place, but a beautiful, clean city, with some of the greatest people in the world!

Thursday, we got out about 10am or so and stopped in a sidewalk cafe across from our hotel. Christian was our guide for the day. The cafe was great. Eggs with tomato & onions, coffee (delicious), and bread.

Then we set out for a day of seeing the city. Bogota is a beautiful place.  First, we went to the downtown financial district to exchange money. The exhange rate was 1,950 Colombian pesos to $1 USD. So, after giving $60 cash, I walked away with $117,000 pesos. I was loaded. So, we went here:

 to take this

 

 up these

to get a great view of the city (see above). Monserrate is the name of the mountain we went up, and it is at an elevation of 10,341′, and once up there, walking around was brutal (for me). I knew I was out of shape, but when these nuns blew past me as I was taking a break to make sure my heart didn’t jump out of my chest…I was embarrassed, and I sucked it up and passed them and got to the top where it was great to take in the sites of the city! It was amazing. I wanted to stay up there for a long time (mostly just to catch my breath and rest!!)

Night one was great. The students at Canzion Institute in Bogota Colombia are amazing! True worshippers, teachable, and very eager to follow Jesus. My message was 2 parts, with John Bell in the middle. I preached Romans 13:11-14, with the main emphasis being that we live in a unique time, so we need to wake up and arm ourselves with the light and life of Jesus, and take every opportunity we can to live our life for the glory of our King. Someday, I’ll post the notes from these sessions here (someday soon). I feel they were able to overcome the obstacle of translation (by the way, my translator, Veronica was very good!). John taught about the compassion of Christ. I understood about 10% of what he said, but the students were really tracking with him! He also showed a video on hunger in Africa that helped to drive his point home. It was awesome.

Praise God! It was great to have the privilege of sharing, challenging, and motivating these beautiful people.

Click here to view my pictures from the trip. (All pictures are on this flickr set, not just from Day 1)

Airport Etiquette

So I’m boarded onto the plane that takes me to Miami at just after 7am on Wednesday morning, all ready for my trip. Here’s where my trip starts on a crazy note. I’m on my aisle seat (specifically selected by yours truly in order to have just a very little extra space for the trip). Enter man/wife (40-50) to give me more of a jolt to my morning than my Venti Redeye! I stand up, move back to give them room to get into their seats A & B, aka window and middle. This is when things get a little nutty. The man is about 75lbs lighter than this heavyweight, and about 2-3 inches shorter. But his attitude was big. Prettyyyy…prettttyyyy big! Here is the conversation:

There is no doubt that it was much easier to ignore the ‘signs of the times’ and all the unsettling bad news that bombards us during seasons like this, when I was young, single, and broke. But now being older with a family, a small business, and a mortgage - I can find myself succombing to the pressure of placing my hope in the politics of the economy, and the kingdom of this world.

I love hymns for many reasons – their theological depth, the deep appreciation for the glory and majesty of God, their substantive lyrics. From time to time, I will write a post about a hymn that really has moved my soul. This is one such song. The story is birthed out of a cry for personal revivial and sanctification. The inspiration is Psalm 139:23-24, which is a great and dangerous prayer to pray. These deep lyrics drive me to a place of total dependence on Jesus, because as I surrender to the searching of the Holy Spirit – I can discover the habits that need to be changed, and the attitudes that need to be changed.

Perhaps the most difficult hurdle to clear on my route of Christ-likeness and progressive sanctification is the way of humility. One of the things that I genuinely feel is a positive attribute that God has blessed me with is a true sense of confidence. Far too often, this confidence is left unchecked and I can be one of the most prideful persons I know. Christ was the most glorious example of humilty for us to follow. One of the books on my reading list this year (that Dr. David Shibley has made a perineal read) is Humility, by Andrew Murray. Here is a quote from that book,  “In the life of earnest Christians, of those who pursue and profess holiness, humility ought to be the chief mark of their uprightness.”

These notes, Bible references, and summaries are taken from a sermon I preached on July 13, 2008, at Four Corners Church.

 

Luke 12:13-34

These notes, Bible references, and summaries are taken from a sermon I preached on July 15, 2007 at Four Corners Church.

Colossians 3:12-17