It's been an eventful couple of weeks so expect a number of new posts in the next week or so as I have time to process through things and write down my thoughts. My roommate Tom's been in and out of the hospital and my girlfriend, Amy, came to visit for a week on a vision trip with 19 students from UW-Madison. But for now I wanted to give everyone a quick update on Gameboy.
This past week, one of our fellowship students Will and I met up with Gameboy over lunch. We talked about how Thanksgiving was coming up soon and how Amy was here visiting. Eventually we transitioned into talking about church and about how God uses the Bible to teach us and speak to us.
Gameboy wants to believe in Yahweh as the One and Only True God and Jesus Christ as His Savior but he seems to be waiting for an experience.
An experience with God.
Actually, Gameboy's desire to experience God before he "believes" is a common one here in this country. Heck, all of us want to experience something or "feel" it before we give our lives to it.
Will and I explained how we experience God on a day-to-day basis in the decisions that we make, what we choose to do with our days, etc.
Gameboy's next question was an interesting one:
He said, "But the Bible is unchanging. The decisions you make change. So how does God speak to you through the Bible in different kinds of situations?"
We explained that when we have the Spirit of God living inside of us, He teaches us not simply by gaining knowledge from Scripture but by actually teaching our hearts and our minds through what we read. The three of us could read the same story in the Bible but all learn something different from it.
But I wanted to clarify that certain things are always true, and some things should be true of all Christians.
All Christians should care about the things God cares about, love others, and try to become more and more like Jesus. No exceptions.
Next, when Gameboy asked how Will or I had practically experienced God in our decision-making, I told him two stories. The second of which was how I ended up in East Asia.
I told him, "Even though the words in the Bible always stay the same, from beginning to end it is clear that God cares about the entire world and wants Christians to show Christ's love not only to the people close to them but people everywhere. There were many things I could have chosen to do after I graduated but I felt like through the Bible, God was telling me that it would be good to go to East Asia, learn the language, experience a new culture, and make new friends and love them well in the process."
There are certain students that just "get it," and when they do, it often makes for interesting commentary on the Church because they are able to see things for what they really are, no excuses. They see how things are supposed to be if we're truly following the Bible and then how things really are in the world.
It's black and white to them.
If we truly believe in this God that we preach, our lives will reflect that and we'll live according to God's Word.
And they're quick to notice when there's a discrepancy.
Gameboy is one of those students.
In a single phrase, Gameboy begged a question that should pierce the hearts of Christians everywhere. He said,
"If the Bible tells Christians to show Christ's love to people all over the world, why aren't more of them doing it?"
He genuinely does not understand why, if God loves people all over the world and commands His followers to do the same, more people are not taking action.
All I could say in response was, "They probably should, shouldn't they."
But I also tried to assure him that even if Christians all over the world aren't picking up and moving to different countries for extended periods of time, many invest their time praying for the nations of the world and releasing financial resources to those in need.
But I couldn't help but leave that conversation with a bitter taste in my mouth.
The truth is, most "Christians" probably do little, whether through praying, giving resources, or just picking up and going abroad to help show the love of Christ to people outside their borders.
It's the "super-Christians" that do that sort of thing. The "super spiritual" ones who give their money or their time to minister to the needs of others around the world.
But as Francis Chan emphatically points out in a recent sermon, "Show me in the Bible where there's this distinction between unbelievers, Christians, and 'super-Christians.' You either are, and you whole-heartedly follow God, or you're not."
But the problem goes even deeper.
There seems to be not only a lack of compassion and action globally, but also domestically.
In a country where an estimated 3.5 million people will experience homelessness in a given year and only about 9% of churchgoers tithed at least 10% of their income in 2004, something has to give.
I'm by no means saying that one of these statistics is causing the other, but it's certainly not helping either.
Maybe I'm preaching to the choir, but even for myself, I need to constantly be re-evaluating how I'm doing in this area. What am I doing to help others experience Christ not only to the students in this country, or the needy I walk by every day in this country, but also to those in need all over the world?
Am I praying for those losing their jobs all over the world due to the current economic crisis? Am I praying for those who have lost loved ones in India? Am I using what resources I have to give to my local church or to those in need?
We serve a God who loves the world. He loves justice. He cares for the oppressed.
And He's chosen us to be His ambassadors to a broken and hurting world.
It's high time we DO something to live up to that calling.
-CK
*Please pray for Gameboy! At the end of our conversation, he said, "I know how important and significant this decision [to trust the Lord with my life] is, so I do not want to rush into it." I told him that I agreed and it meant a lot to me that he would take it seriously.
At this point, words have done all they're going to do and it's just a matter of waiting for our living God to breathe life into Gameboy and allow him to experience Him. It's only a matter of time until we have a new brother!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
A Conversation with Gameboy (a student, not the gaming device)
It's been kind of a long week for reasons I'll elaborate on in another post, so on Thursday instead of trying to meet someone new, I sent a message to a guy I've met with a few times, Gameboy, and was really excited about back in October. I hadn't had much interaction with him since because he's been very busy, but I figured even if the rest of his day is full, he has to eat lunch. So eat lunch we did.
I was stressed and had a lot on my mind throughout my lunch with him and wasn't really focused on making the transition to talking about spiritual things. Bu as we got up to leave I knew that I hadn't been very bold and that God had FINALLY given me an opportunity to meet up with this guy and I didn't take advantage of it.
So on our walk back to the basketball courts after lunch I finally just asked him, "So have you thought any more about the stuff we talked about last time?"
His answer, "I think I am starting to believe, but I need to read the Bible to learn more. Maybe we can study it together and if I have questions you can help me?"
Um...yes.
The last time we had gotten together, I had the opportunity of bringing two of our fellowship students with me to help share with him and they had told him about our gathering at the end of the week.
He asked, "All of your friends that get together to talk about the Bible, they are all Christians?"
When I answered yes, his response was, "And they all learned from you?"
Ha! Not quite. I explained to him that most of them were Christians before I even came here, but the next part of our conversation floored me and is the reason I'm writing about my time with him.
He asked me, "Why did you tell me about Jesus?"
As I prepared to give him my answer, he began to answer his own question.
"Is it because I have guilt in my life and need to be saved from it so that I can go to Heaven and have a relationship with God? Is it because you love me very much and want me to be able to experience the same thing that you have?"
Though I still can't fully comprehend this conversation and the weight of his words, I hope that I never forget what he said.
I've heard it said that in this country, most people hear the words "I love you" only twice throughout their entire lives. When they get engaged and when they get married. So that Gameboy even mentioned the word "love" to describe our relationship completely blows my mind.
Clearly the Gospel is doing something in him that is way more significant than words that I tell him or writing on a sheet of paper.
On my own I am completely incapable of loving this guy that I've met only 3-4 times. But praise the Lord that even amidst the junk in my life and the mess that this week has been, Gameboy didn't see me but the love of Christ shining through me.
CK
I was stressed and had a lot on my mind throughout my lunch with him and wasn't really focused on making the transition to talking about spiritual things. Bu as we got up to leave I knew that I hadn't been very bold and that God had FINALLY given me an opportunity to meet up with this guy and I didn't take advantage of it.
So on our walk back to the basketball courts after lunch I finally just asked him, "So have you thought any more about the stuff we talked about last time?"
His answer, "I think I am starting to believe, but I need to read the Bible to learn more. Maybe we can study it together and if I have questions you can help me?"
Um...yes.
The last time we had gotten together, I had the opportunity of bringing two of our fellowship students with me to help share with him and they had told him about our gathering at the end of the week.
He asked, "All of your friends that get together to talk about the Bible, they are all Christians?"
When I answered yes, his response was, "And they all learned from you?"
Ha! Not quite. I explained to him that most of them were Christians before I even came here, but the next part of our conversation floored me and is the reason I'm writing about my time with him.
He asked me, "Why did you tell me about Jesus?"
As I prepared to give him my answer, he began to answer his own question.
"Is it because I have guilt in my life and need to be saved from it so that I can go to Heaven and have a relationship with God? Is it because you love me very much and want me to be able to experience the same thing that you have?"
Though I still can't fully comprehend this conversation and the weight of his words, I hope that I never forget what he said.
I've heard it said that in this country, most people hear the words "I love you" only twice throughout their entire lives. When they get engaged and when they get married. So that Gameboy even mentioned the word "love" to describe our relationship completely blows my mind.
Clearly the Gospel is doing something in him that is way more significant than words that I tell him or writing on a sheet of paper.
On my own I am completely incapable of loving this guy that I've met only 3-4 times. But praise the Lord that even amidst the junk in my life and the mess that this week has been, Gameboy didn't see me but the love of Christ shining through me.
CK
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Worship Leading
I had the opportunity to lead worship at our international church here this morning. Six songs, two services, and an early morning - but that's par for the course with worship leading.
Nothing too out of the ordinary. I think it's universal that people refuse to clap and move around a little bit until they're "given permission" to do so. (It's also universal that people are always late to church!) From what I'd seen of this particular congregation in previous weeks, I really didn't think they had it in them when nearly everyone in the room started clapping and smiling after a little encouragement to do so!
The music was far from perfect but we had fun and I think the church was able to meet with God during the musical portion of worship and left encouraged.
One of the cool parts of leading here that you don't always experience in the States is that, not only is the congregation very diverse, representing nearly 50 different countries throughout the world, but so are the teams that you play with. Today we had a vocalist from South Korea, a drummer from the Philippines, a guitar player from Canada, a Korean-American bassist from California, and a couple white guys from Wisconsin...(me and Tom).
Here are a couple pictures from this morning. God bless!
Nothing too out of the ordinary. I think it's universal that people refuse to clap and move around a little bit until they're "given permission" to do so. (It's also universal that people are always late to church!) From what I'd seen of this particular congregation in previous weeks, I really didn't think they had it in them when nearly everyone in the room started clapping and smiling after a little encouragement to do so!
The music was far from perfect but we had fun and I think the church was able to meet with God during the musical portion of worship and left encouraged.
One of the cool parts of leading here that you don't always experience in the States is that, not only is the congregation very diverse, representing nearly 50 different countries throughout the world, but so are the teams that you play with. Today we had a vocalist from South Korea, a drummer from the Philippines, a guitar player from Canada, a Korean-American bassist from California, and a couple white guys from Wisconsin...(me and Tom).
Here are a couple pictures from this morning. God bless!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Counting the Cost
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." -Matthew 10:37-39
I'd always heard stories of believers in foreign countries that begin a relationship with the Lord only to have their families essentially disown them, but I've never actually come across this in my own relationships with any of the Christians that I have ever met.
Until now.
Last night, a third-year student in our fellowship and a friend of mine, we'll call him "Phil," had a conversation with his parents about how he was going to be baptized in a few weeks. His father didn't really understand "why" but also had no problem with it. "It's just a belief..."
His mother on the other hand was furious.
For generations upon generations in Phil's family, a certain tradition or culture had been formed regarding morals, values, rituals, and beliefs, some including Buddhism and ancestor worship. For someone in the family to depart from this tradition or culture is in many ways, to opt out of the family altogether.
Phil came to know the Lord last year and is the first Christian in his extended family. Even though I have run into many students whose parents and grandparents are Christians, his are not and believe that Christianity is something that has made the younger generation stray from their more traditional, cultural beliefs.
Phil is faced with a choice: Either give up or hide his faith in Christ that has drastically changed his life and that he is so passionate about or enter into a long, trying journey of trying to love his family despite their unwillingness to accept him.
Phil is choosing the latter. He will still be baptized in a few weeks and I will be there to support him.
Phil has hope for his family and trust in the power of God to change his family, to mend relationships within the family and to reconcile them to Himself.
I sat there praying with Phil about his situation and talking about our families and the hope that we have in God, nearly in tears at seeing his faith and trust in God's character to do something that seemed nearly impossible. Buddhism. Ancestor worship. Tradition. Culture. Phil has faith that God will overcome all of those obstacles.
In many ways, I have a lot to learn from Phil.
Go back to that passage from Matthew. I always thought that verse and ones like it were all about MY ability or resolve to be able to "give up" things or about my own strength and will-power to stick by Him even when people don't understand my faith or I go through seasons in my life that are difficult. But after last night I'm thinking it's about something completely different...
Trust.
If I trust that God is who He says He is and that He loves me and cares for me in the way that He says that He does, the "cost" of following Him fades into the background and there's nothing that I wouldn't do or "give up" to be with Him. It would just make sense to put Him before everything and everyone else.
Just like in a marriage relationship, first comes trust, then commitment.
May God reveal more of Himself to me so that I of little faith might be able to trust Him with ALL areas of my life.
CK
I'd always heard stories of believers in foreign countries that begin a relationship with the Lord only to have their families essentially disown them, but I've never actually come across this in my own relationships with any of the Christians that I have ever met.
Until now.
Last night, a third-year student in our fellowship and a friend of mine, we'll call him "Phil," had a conversation with his parents about how he was going to be baptized in a few weeks. His father didn't really understand "why" but also had no problem with it. "It's just a belief..."
His mother on the other hand was furious.
For generations upon generations in Phil's family, a certain tradition or culture had been formed regarding morals, values, rituals, and beliefs, some including Buddhism and ancestor worship. For someone in the family to depart from this tradition or culture is in many ways, to opt out of the family altogether.
Phil came to know the Lord last year and is the first Christian in his extended family. Even though I have run into many students whose parents and grandparents are Christians, his are not and believe that Christianity is something that has made the younger generation stray from their more traditional, cultural beliefs.
Phil is faced with a choice: Either give up or hide his faith in Christ that has drastically changed his life and that he is so passionate about or enter into a long, trying journey of trying to love his family despite their unwillingness to accept him.
Phil is choosing the latter. He will still be baptized in a few weeks and I will be there to support him.
Phil has hope for his family and trust in the power of God to change his family, to mend relationships within the family and to reconcile them to Himself.
I sat there praying with Phil about his situation and talking about our families and the hope that we have in God, nearly in tears at seeing his faith and trust in God's character to do something that seemed nearly impossible. Buddhism. Ancestor worship. Tradition. Culture. Phil has faith that God will overcome all of those obstacles.
In many ways, I have a lot to learn from Phil.
Go back to that passage from Matthew. I always thought that verse and ones like it were all about MY ability or resolve to be able to "give up" things or about my own strength and will-power to stick by Him even when people don't understand my faith or I go through seasons in my life that are difficult. But after last night I'm thinking it's about something completely different...
Trust.
If I trust that God is who He says He is and that He loves me and cares for me in the way that He says that He does, the "cost" of following Him fades into the background and there's nothing that I wouldn't do or "give up" to be with Him. It would just make sense to put Him before everything and everyone else.
Just like in a marriage relationship, first comes trust, then commitment.
May God reveal more of Himself to me so that I of little faith might be able to trust Him with ALL areas of my life.
CK
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Election Aftermath
It's no wonder Gandhi said, "I like your Christ, but I don't like your Christians."
I must say that I've been really, REALLY disappointed with the comments and reactions from a lot of Christians proceeding the election results that made Barack Obama the next president of the United States of America. It was really hard to sit back and watch Facebook comments and updates as many Christians repeatedly reinforced negative stereotypes, over and over and over again.
Regardless of who you voted for (if you voted...if not, stop complaining), certain things will always be true. For example, God is not a republican. Obama does not encourage or enjoy killing babies. He is not the anti-Christ. Your money's not any worse off than before (you probably don't have to look into Swiss bank accounts). And America is CERTAINLY not racist because you believe that McCain lost because he's white. (Honestly!?) Sadly, these were actual comments that I saw throughout the day.
Imagine how this looks to people outside the Church. As if people needed any more reason to despise Christians and to paint them into the "White, middle-class, republican out fighting moral battles" corner.
I LONG for the day when Christians will be known for their love - not tolerance, LOVE of others.
I LONG for the day when Christians will be known not for their moral views but for their passion for Christ and His Great Commission as they strive to meet the physical needs of a hurting world and bring a message of love, peace, justice, and REDEMPTION.
One of the few bright spots in the day was seeing a comment by a like-minded believer who begged the question, "What if Christians were as passionate about the Great Commission as they are politics?"
Good question.
The reality is that if we want things to change - I mean REALLY change, we as individuals and as the Church are going to have to go DO something about it. Jesus didn't spend his entire life teaching us how to discern the best presidential candidate, He spent his entire ministry teaching us how to love others and commanding us to GO to the world.
So are you going to talk and complain, or are you going to DO something about it?
Give money to places that care for single mothers as an alternative to abortion. Volunteer at those places. Start one.
Go to the store and buy food to make sandwiches and give them to homeless people you walk by every day on the street. Give them warm winter clothes.
Do SOMETHING.
To anyone who has been hurt or insulted by "Christ-followers" today: I sincerely apologize on behalf of my fellow brothers and sisters for the ignorance and quite frankly, hatred, expressed by many Christians throughout America today. We're not perfect, far from it. Our opinions and desire to express them sometimes come out in very unloving ways. I have personally made mistakes in this area in the past as well. I am far from exempt from this.
More importantly, I beg God's forgiveness for the Church and that He would give us grace for representing Him poorly during this election process.
At the end of the day, I personally believe that God cares far more about our hearts and how we love people than who we voted for to be the next president.
Thank God.
CK
I must say that I've been really, REALLY disappointed with the comments and reactions from a lot of Christians proceeding the election results that made Barack Obama the next president of the United States of America. It was really hard to sit back and watch Facebook comments and updates as many Christians repeatedly reinforced negative stereotypes, over and over and over again.
Regardless of who you voted for (if you voted...if not, stop complaining), certain things will always be true. For example, God is not a republican. Obama does not encourage or enjoy killing babies. He is not the anti-Christ. Your money's not any worse off than before (you probably don't have to look into Swiss bank accounts). And America is CERTAINLY not racist because you believe that McCain lost because he's white. (Honestly!?) Sadly, these were actual comments that I saw throughout the day.
Imagine how this looks to people outside the Church. As if people needed any more reason to despise Christians and to paint them into the "White, middle-class, republican out fighting moral battles" corner.
I LONG for the day when Christians will be known for their love - not tolerance, LOVE of others.
I LONG for the day when Christians will be known not for their moral views but for their passion for Christ and His Great Commission as they strive to meet the physical needs of a hurting world and bring a message of love, peace, justice, and REDEMPTION.
One of the few bright spots in the day was seeing a comment by a like-minded believer who begged the question, "What if Christians were as passionate about the Great Commission as they are politics?"
Good question.
The reality is that if we want things to change - I mean REALLY change, we as individuals and as the Church are going to have to go DO something about it. Jesus didn't spend his entire life teaching us how to discern the best presidential candidate, He spent his entire ministry teaching us how to love others and commanding us to GO to the world.
So are you going to talk and complain, or are you going to DO something about it?
Give money to places that care for single mothers as an alternative to abortion. Volunteer at those places. Start one.
Go to the store and buy food to make sandwiches and give them to homeless people you walk by every day on the street. Give them warm winter clothes.
Do SOMETHING.
To anyone who has been hurt or insulted by "Christ-followers" today: I sincerely apologize on behalf of my fellow brothers and sisters for the ignorance and quite frankly, hatred, expressed by many Christians throughout America today. We're not perfect, far from it. Our opinions and desire to express them sometimes come out in very unloving ways. I have personally made mistakes in this area in the past as well. I am far from exempt from this.
More importantly, I beg God's forgiveness for the Church and that He would give us grace for representing Him poorly during this election process.
At the end of the day, I personally believe that God cares far more about our hearts and how we love people than who we voted for to be the next president.
Thank God.
CK
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