Enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend with the fam, and another good weekend is coming up. This coming Sunday our church will get to see Benjamin Loera and family. Benjamin is one of the missionaries we support. He lives in southern Mexico, and operates the "Alas De Dios" children's home. I visited the Loeras last year and can testify that they work hard at what they do. They've more than doubled their numbers since I was there, and have begun a construction project as well. This is no mean feat, considering that the "staff" is made up of Benjamin, his wife Magvis, and their daughter.
Mexico is a little hard to understand, spiritually speaking. It is still overwhelmingly Catholic, but evangelical churches are doing well in many places (and so are cults, by the way). But believe it or not, there are still people in Mexico who have no meaningful access to the gospel. Mexico is a big country, and some communities are well isolated from the others. In practice this means that they don't have lots of outside contact. Their religious views go way back, are fervently held, and are very tough to crack..
I've grown to love the country of Mexico over the past few years, with its pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and untamed jungles. There are small, rustic farming communities, and mammoth, ultra-modern urban centers. I love the food, the culture....everything. In Mexico you'll find some of the warmest, most giving people anywhere. But the plain fact is that there is much spiritual darkness there, and much, much work remaining to be done.
If you're interested, here is a good fact sheet about it.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
DNA Test
How time flies. It's been a year since I walked the aisle during the SBTC annual convention and committed our church to adopting an unreached, unengaged people group. What followed was 12 long months of prayer, focused study, and in-depth conversations, and now we are finally seeing a path forward. Some things are becoming clear to our FOCUS group, and the unity among us has been further confirmation that we are going about this the right way. Part of this whole process has been identifying the "DNA" of our church. What are our strengths/weaknesses? Where might we best fit in? And though we haven't decided where, exactly, we will serve, we all agree that we will serve, and that God will use us to accomplish His global purposes.
On another note, I've been spending lots of time lately planning the missions camp. I just received my brochures that I had printed up. If you'd like one (or more), let me know and I'll get it out to you post-haste.
As I write this I'm preparing for a little Thanksgiving merriment with my family. I don't get to spend every holiday with them as I once did, so I cherish the times when I can. There are very few things in this life that are more valuable than a supportive family, and I have it. It's true: the best things in life are not things.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Status Quo We Can Believe In
So the elections were held last week, and I for one am really confused. A majority of Americans think that we are on the wrong track, yet the president gets a second term, and the House and Senate remain under the control of the Republicans and Democrats respectively. I think it's safe to say that we can look forward to 4 more years of posturing, finger-pointing, and a general lack of seriousness about the mess we're in.
(Did you know that the U.S. government adds another 1 trillion dollars to our national debt every 9 months?)
On a brighter note, this week our staff was in San Antonio for our annual state convention meeting. I am grateful for our Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. It is a great fit for me: theologically conservative, forward-looking, and mission driven.
The whole event was capped off by a sermon from Charles Stanley. I so admire Dr. Stanley; he has had his share of hardship, disappointment, and harsh criticism, and still he soldiers on. At 80 years of age, he is nearing the end of a faithful ministry. The world is not worthy of men like that.
(Did you know that the U.S. government adds another 1 trillion dollars to our national debt every 9 months?)
On a brighter note, this week our staff was in San Antonio for our annual state convention meeting. I am grateful for our Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. It is a great fit for me: theologically conservative, forward-looking, and mission driven.
The whole event was capped off by a sermon from Charles Stanley. I so admire Dr. Stanley; he has had his share of hardship, disappointment, and harsh criticism, and still he soldiers on. At 80 years of age, he is nearing the end of a faithful ministry. The world is not worthy of men like that.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Change We Can Believe In?
But this little indulgence of mine is often very, very frustrating. As Exhibit A I give you the 2012 political season that (mercifully) will be over tomorrow. Looking for serious discussions on the problems America faces? Yearning for in-depth analysis? Good luck. Modern campaigns, especially presidential ones, are slick, made-for-TV productions that are scripted to a fair thee well. Even the "debates" are largely just party talking points delivered live. The result is a focus group tested, billion dollar beauty contest that, IMHO, is quite unworthy of the office.
Now, I could fire off several more paragraphs lamenting what I think is wrong with today's politics: the lack of civility, the dishonesty, the shallowness (not to mention those infernal campaign slogans!). But what would be the point? Politics has always had its ugly side, and that won't change anytime soon. But it leaves me feeling queasy anyway, and ashamed that we aren't demanding better.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Retreat
Ever since I arrived in Brownsville, I have thought, "If I can just get past the next thing (whatever that was), I can breathe a little". Silly me!
The week of October 15 our staff was away (sort of) for our annual retreat. I barely turned on my computer, so of course I'm behind on my posting. Last week was catch up for me. I am spending a lot of time working on the missions camp. It is coming together quite well; now I'm trying to get the word out.
I don't know if I've ever done anything at FBC that I'm more excited about than this camp. We're able to offer it for only $200 per person. That gets you lodging, meals, and ministry supplies for your projects.
And now a word about the speakers. There'll be no dry lectures in our missions camp! We've put together an impressive group of folks who not only know their stuff, but are actually living it. You'll be stirred as you hear how God has used these men, often in difficult situations, for His glory around much of the world.
As is often said, some things are better caught than taught, and so it is with missions. So we'll be doing, as well as learning from those who have done. If you are a leader in your church, and would like to light a fire under your group, you may want to consider it.
“Give me the Love that leads the way
The Faith that nothing can dismay
The Hope no disappointments tire
The Passion that'll burn like fire
Let me not sink to be a clod
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God”
- Amy Carmichael
The week of October 15 our staff was away (sort of) for our annual retreat. I barely turned on my computer, so of course I'm behind on my posting. Last week was catch up for me. I am spending a lot of time working on the missions camp. It is coming together quite well; now I'm trying to get the word out.
I don't know if I've ever done anything at FBC that I'm more excited about than this camp. We're able to offer it for only $200 per person. That gets you lodging, meals, and ministry supplies for your projects.
And now a word about the speakers. There'll be no dry lectures in our missions camp! We've put together an impressive group of folks who not only know their stuff, but are actually living it. You'll be stirred as you hear how God has used these men, often in difficult situations, for His glory around much of the world.
As is often said, some things are better caught than taught, and so it is with missions. So we'll be doing, as well as learning from those who have done. If you are a leader in your church, and would like to light a fire under your group, you may want to consider it.
“Give me the Love that leads the way
The Faith that nothing can dismay
The Hope no disappointments tire
The Passion that'll burn like fire
Let me not sink to be a clod
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God”
- Amy Carmichael
Friday, October 26, 2012
Paul Kurtz
Does the name Paul Kurtz ring a bell? Don't fret if it doesn't; it's not exactly a household name. But it's fair to say that this man helped shape the world you live in.
Kurtz was a long time university philosophy professor, and is perhaps best known as the co-author of the Humanist Manifesto II, and editor of Free Inquiry magazine. He was an atheist, and was widely admired by sceptics, scoffers, and "free thinkers" the world over.
Paul Kurtz died Saturday at the age of 86.
Not being a regular consumer of atheist propaganda, I had not heard of Paul Kurtz until I watched a debate a few years back between he and Norman Geisler, on the subject of secular humanism. I later listened to another of his with William Lane Craig on the possibility of goodness without God. I think Geisler beat him, but his performance against Craig was embarrassing (if you think I exaggerate, click here).
Now, Paul Kurtz was no ignoramus. He held a Ph.D. from Columbia University, and authored or edited over 50 books. But he suffered the same handicap from which all atheists suffer: the complete inability to account for the physical world without a Creator. Or to give any compelling reason why your morality is binding on me (or vice versa), with no God to make it so.
Atheists often congratulate themselves on their clear-headed, logical thinking, with dogged insistence that they are just following the evidence. But the Biblical view is not so sanguine. The atheist doesn't want God to exist; He can't exist. That's why the atheist can look at the night sky, or the human body, or a thousand other wonders of creation, and solemnly declare that there's no evidence for a creator.
No, God does exist, and has made His existence obvious. And that is why we do missions. The world must hear that this God who made them loves them, and wants them to love Him in return.
Kurtz was a long time university philosophy professor, and is perhaps best known as the co-author of the Humanist Manifesto II, and editor of Free Inquiry magazine. He was an atheist, and was widely admired by sceptics, scoffers, and "free thinkers" the world over.
Paul Kurtz died Saturday at the age of 86.
Not being a regular consumer of atheist propaganda, I had not heard of Paul Kurtz until I watched a debate a few years back between he and Norman Geisler, on the subject of secular humanism. I later listened to another of his with William Lane Craig on the possibility of goodness without God. I think Geisler beat him, but his performance against Craig was embarrassing (if you think I exaggerate, click here).
Now, Paul Kurtz was no ignoramus. He held a Ph.D. from Columbia University, and authored or edited over 50 books. But he suffered the same handicap from which all atheists suffer: the complete inability to account for the physical world without a Creator. Or to give any compelling reason why your morality is binding on me (or vice versa), with no God to make it so.
Atheists often congratulate themselves on their clear-headed, logical thinking, with dogged insistence that they are just following the evidence. But the Biblical view is not so sanguine. The atheist doesn't want God to exist; He can't exist. That's why the atheist can look at the night sky, or the human body, or a thousand other wonders of creation, and solemnly declare that there's no evidence for a creator.
No, God does exist, and has made His existence obvious. And that is why we do missions. The world must hear that this God who made them loves them, and wants them to love Him in return.
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