Serving Christ in México
Most of us have tried to learn a language at one point or another. For many this attempt came in the form of a required class in school. We had to learn French (or whatever language) and would show up to class (maybe?) and endure the lesson. Trying to learn a language without the motivation necessary usually ends up as an exercise in futility, as many teachers can attest to, including and perhaps especially, my own.
Continue reading “That We Might Speak”
This is the fourth of a four-part series on the Spirit of God in the book of Acts
Part One – Part Two – Part Three
From Ephesus Paul presses on to Jerusalem. In both the cities of Tyre and Caesarea Paul is warned by fellow believers not to go to Jerusalem. In the preceding chapter, Luke mentions that Paul had also been warned “in every town” of the chains and suffering that awaited him in Jerusalem. Even though it is the Holy Spirit warning him, Paul resolves to forge ahead and finish the work set before him. It seems the Spirit is not forbidding Paul to travel back to Jerusalem, rather, he is making him fully aware of what lies in his path. This view is supported by the end result of Paul’s Jerusalem visit which accords with God’s plan for Paul: a visit with Caeser in Rome.
Continue reading “When the Spirit Moves – Part 4”
This is the third of a four-part series on the Spirit of God in the book of Acts
Paul’s vision of gospel advance is as large as his knowledge of the known world. This vision, together with the guidance of the Spirit will bring Paul to the epicenter of the Empire and before the world power.
Continue reading “When the Spirit Moves – Part 3”
Thus far in our time in México we have not been able to settle into a routine. We are getting there though. More and more details are falling into place and our house is slowly transforming into our home. But if you asked what a typical day has been like, we couldn’t really tell you.
Continue reading “A Day in the Life…”
This is part two of a four-part series on the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts
Zealous and pious Paul did not stand a chance against the Holy Spirit. The brilliant reality of Jesus struck Paul blind and upon receiving his sight back in Damascus he is filled with the Spirit. The effect of Paul’s dramatic conversion brings peace to the church and as it increased in number the believers were “encouraged by the Holy Spirit.”
Continue reading “When the Spirit Moves – Part 2”
At our training at MTI in Colorado we learned to think about life, and specifically life on the mission field, in terms of paradox (i.e.“pair o’ ducks”). There are “yay ducks” and “yuck ducks” and they often swim together. It’s ok to be both happy and sad at the same time. The past couple of weeks have been full of both yays and yucks.
Continue reading “Yay Ducks + Yuck Ducks”
This is the first of a four-part series on the Spirit of God in the book of Acts
The book of Acts is a thrilling account of gospel advance in the years following the ascension and session of Jesus.
After Jesus’ short, but powerful ministry on earth he departed to take up his rightful place at the right hand of God the Father. While on earth, Jesus had declared and demonstrated his righteous reign as king and saviour of the world, yet there was still much work to do. Continue reading “When the Spirit Moves – Part 1”
Let us run with endurance…
– Hebrews 12:1
The Christian life is not a one-time decision for Christ or a profession of faith. Rather, it is a holding fast until the end. It is a persistence; a continual turning to God and pleading before his throne of grace. Any faithful reader of God’s Word will understand this basic truth. As we follow Jesus and seek to shape our lives according to his, there can be no delusion that we have arrived and only need to maintain the status quo. Continue reading “Not A One-Time Thing”
We have now been here in Querétaro for three weeks.
In many ways, it has been a very different experience than our short visit almost a year ago. The most obvious difference is the permanence of it. While it is unlikely we will spend the rest of our lives here, we have committed for six years and our mindset is to settle in and inculturate as best as we can into our mundo nuevo. Continue reading “Un Mundo Nuevo”
Mark 15:1-15
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.
As the sun slowly crept over the horizon on the morning after Jesus’ trial, Barabbas was bound as a prisoner with a bleak future in front of him. Perhaps he was hoping against hope that he would benefit from the governors custom of releasing a prisoner at the Feast. Or maybe he had given up hope and was trembling at the thought of being hung on a wooden cross. Whatever was going through his mind, surely he was not expecting to find freedom at the expense of his Messiah. Continue reading “Barabbas and the Great Exchange”
