an appropriate prayer for me in this time of change and transition...please pray with me.
"Lord, we pray for humility of mind to discern you in our visions and our dreams. We pray for wisdom to know what to do with your revelations. We pray for innocence to trust that you are walking with us. Amen."
found in the book of Common Prayer- A Liturgy For Ordinary Radicals
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Neuva Guatemala-Reflections!
Here is the sermon that Taylor, Dan, and I gave the Sunday after we returned from Guatemala. Enjoy!
http://vimeo.com/21701306
http://vimeo.com/21701306
Friday, February 18, 2011
Meaning
So I just realized that I have yet to explain the meaning behind the title of my blog.
Agape. Tsandza. Love.
If you know me well you should, not only know what these three words mean, but also how I apply them to my life. In case you don't know I will give you a little hint...it's all about love.
Agape, or agaph, is the Greek word for love. The Greeks realized that there are a number of different ways that the word "love" can be used. Instead of overusing the word "love," like we commonly do, they came up with three different words that can be used to express their love towards different things. In fact the city of Philadelphia got its name from the word philia which means friendship. The word agape is used to explain the greatest love of all. Agape is more than just affection, this is a love that is willing to sacrifice itself for another. This is Jesus' love for us. Two and a half years ago I had agaph tattooed on to my forearm as a reminder that I am loved. I am loved so much that Jesus gave up his own life for me. I also got this tattoo as a constant reminder to express Jesus' love to all people. A few weeks ago I was helping out at church by distributing communion during one of our church services. One by one people approached me with their hands out stretched, waiting for their piece of bread. As I gave each person a piece of bread I looked into their eyes and recited my line, "This is the body of Christ, broken for you." Half way through distributing the communion I realized just how beautiful this sacrifice truly is. Jesus died for everyone! There are over 6 billion people in this world just right now...and he loves them all, equally! I have now gotten in the habit of reciting these lines in my mind daily as I pass by friends and strangers alike. "This is the body of Christ, broken for you. This is the blood of Christ, shed for you." I strive to daily acknowledge this gift of love that has been given to all people while doing my best to love others the way that Christ loves me.
Tsandza is the SiSwati word for love. In the summer of 2009 I was able to fulfill a life long dream by going to Swaziland Africa. Swaziland is a small country, about the size of New Jersey, just above South Africa. This country has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the entire world. The United Nations has estimated that by the year of 2050 the entire country will be wiped out because of AIDS. The statistics are disgusting. The people of Swaziland are consistently surrounded by death, pain, illness, hunger, and poverty. But, similar to Nueva Guatemala, the people of Nsoko, Swaziland have taught me so much about the power of faith, the importance of love, and the hope of eternity. "I saw what I saw and I can't forget it. I heard what I heard and I can't go back. I know what I know and I can't deny it. Something on the road cut me to the soul, Your (their) pain has changed me, your dream inspires, your face a memory, your hope a fire, your courage asks me what I'm afraid of, and what I know of love" (I saw what I saw by Sara Groves). The people of Nsoko have change me so much. I love them dearly and a large piece of my heart will forever belong to this community. I have plans to return to Swaziland a year from now...but until then I will tell people of this beautiful place, and the incredible tsandza that is even more prevalent than the HIV that is killing the nation.
Love. I truly hope that everyone knows this one! love, it's what drives me, inspires me, encourages me, strengthens me, and defines me. Need I say more?
Agape. Tsandza. Love.
If you know me well you should, not only know what these three words mean, but also how I apply them to my life. In case you don't know I will give you a little hint...it's all about love.
Agape, or agaph, is the Greek word for love. The Greeks realized that there are a number of different ways that the word "love" can be used. Instead of overusing the word "love," like we commonly do, they came up with three different words that can be used to express their love towards different things. In fact the city of Philadelphia got its name from the word philia which means friendship. The word agape is used to explain the greatest love of all. Agape is more than just affection, this is a love that is willing to sacrifice itself for another. This is Jesus' love for us. Two and a half years ago I had agaph tattooed on to my forearm as a reminder that I am loved. I am loved so much that Jesus gave up his own life for me. I also got this tattoo as a constant reminder to express Jesus' love to all people. A few weeks ago I was helping out at church by distributing communion during one of our church services. One by one people approached me with their hands out stretched, waiting for their piece of bread. As I gave each person a piece of bread I looked into their eyes and recited my line, "This is the body of Christ, broken for you." Half way through distributing the communion I realized just how beautiful this sacrifice truly is. Jesus died for everyone! There are over 6 billion people in this world just right now...and he loves them all, equally! I have now gotten in the habit of reciting these lines in my mind daily as I pass by friends and strangers alike. "This is the body of Christ, broken for you. This is the blood of Christ, shed for you." I strive to daily acknowledge this gift of love that has been given to all people while doing my best to love others the way that Christ loves me.
Tsandza is the SiSwati word for love. In the summer of 2009 I was able to fulfill a life long dream by going to Swaziland Africa. Swaziland is a small country, about the size of New Jersey, just above South Africa. This country has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the entire world. The United Nations has estimated that by the year of 2050 the entire country will be wiped out because of AIDS. The statistics are disgusting. The people of Swaziland are consistently surrounded by death, pain, illness, hunger, and poverty. But, similar to Nueva Guatemala, the people of Nsoko, Swaziland have taught me so much about the power of faith, the importance of love, and the hope of eternity. "I saw what I saw and I can't forget it. I heard what I heard and I can't go back. I know what I know and I can't deny it. Something on the road cut me to the soul, Your (their) pain has changed me, your dream inspires, your face a memory, your hope a fire, your courage asks me what I'm afraid of, and what I know of love" (I saw what I saw by Sara Groves). The people of Nsoko have change me so much. I love them dearly and a large piece of my heart will forever belong to this community. I have plans to return to Swaziland a year from now...but until then I will tell people of this beautiful place, and the incredible tsandza that is even more prevalent than the HIV that is killing the nation.
Love. I truly hope that everyone knows this one! love, it's what drives me, inspires me, encourages me, strengthens me, and defines me. Need I say more?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Why go back?
Hot. Dirty. Unsafe drinking water. Black beans. Scorpions. Out houses. Wood plank beds. More black Beans.
The living conditions in Nueva Guatemala are far from ideal. In fact, most Americans will do just about anything to avoid the things listed above. So, why am I returning to Nueva Guatemala for the third time?
A welcoming community. Beautiful relationships. Laughter. Joy. Faith. Hope. Love.
It is hard to go to Nueva Guatemala and see only the negative side of these people’s living condition. There is an unexplainable joy in this community even though the residents of Nueva Guatemala experience a number of hardships daily.
The main point of our congregations partnership with this community is to build relationships. We have sent a delegation representing our church to Nueva Guatemala almost every year for the past five years. We go expecting to help these people, teach them more about Christianity, build relationships and encourage them in their daily lives. But every trip I feel as if I have left getting more out of the experience then I gave to the Guatemalans. This resilient group of people has taught me so much in the last few years. They have taught me the importance of finding joy, not matter what my circumstances may be. They have shown me the importance of relationships and community. They continually express love to us. Finally, they have encouraged me to live by faith.
I excitedly anticipate my return to Nueva Guatemala. I cannot wait to be reunited with my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ. I look forward to playing with the children, helping the women cook, visiting the homes and the farms of the families, and worshiping God alongside the members of this community. Most of all, I look forward to seeing God continue to work in this community and in the hearts of the members of our delegation.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Prayer of the Voyageur
Help me, Lord, to leave my hurried life behind.
Help me now the quiet life within Thy templed trees and lakes to find.
Give me eyes to see each task upon the trail.
Give me faith to know Thy eyes will never fail.
Grant me patience when the portage paths seem long.
Grant me grace to share with friends in word and song.
Plant clean wings upon my feet which now with laden shoes are shod.
Silence me, O Christ, I would be still and know that Thou are God.
Amen.
Help me now the quiet life within Thy templed trees and lakes to find.
Give me eyes to see each task upon the trail.
Give me faith to know Thy eyes will never fail.
Grant me patience when the portage paths seem long.
Grant me grace to share with friends in word and song.
Plant clean wings upon my feet which now with laden shoes are shod.
Silence me, O Christ, I would be still and know that Thou are God.
Amen.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
again!?
So this is just an extension of my last entry...sorry but the idea of simplifying has been on my mind a lot lately. As I have mentioned before, I really feel that I need to live off of less and not become so attached to my possessions but the past few days these feelings have just hit me in the face.
A few days ago I rediscovered a quote that goes along the line of
A few days ago I rediscovered a quote that goes along the line of
The best thing to do with the best things in life is to give them away.
The following day I was at a bible study and the subject of living simply came up yet again. As Americans, we can not only live, but we can thrive, in life with a whole lot less that what we currently live off of. God will supply us with what we need. Further, how can we, as Christians, devote or lives to Christ when we have all of these distractions around us?
The following night I sipped on some tea while playing cribbage with one of my room mates. At some point during the night I looked down in amazement at the small quote on the tag to my tea bag.
True wealth is the ability to let go of your possessions.
After thinking about this quote and having some great conversations with friends I have come to realize some things. One, I think that God does want me to enjoy my wealth...but with that said...there is a very fine line between enjoying your wealth and indulging in it. That line...I have crossed. Two, I don't think God wants me to live off of the bare minimums...well at least not right now. I do think that God wants me to not become attached to my possessions. For example, I got this really cool sweat shirt poncho thing (the swoncho) the other day and I really like it. I don't necessarily want to give it away but if someone had a greater need for my swoncho I think I would be able to let go of it. I do want to be able to continue to get rid of some of my things and live off of less stuff...but more importantly I want to know that I will never have such a strong attachment to a possession that I can not live with out it. I want to rely on God, I want to love God...I do not want to rely on my stuff, I do not want to love my stuff.
"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need."
-Philippians 4:11-13
All three of these events kinda felt like a slap on the face....okay maybe not a slap...but definitely a real obnoxious tapping on the shoulder....but I am thankful for these reminders of what should be important in my life. I hope this tapping never ceases.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Action Jackson
Yesterday I sat in the Cabin Coffee house for six very long hours working on homework with a friend of mine. We were working on a paper...and man were we unmotivated. The happenings around us were just so distracting and we both seemed to enjoy people watching over our social issues paper....but for some reason we stuck with it. The change of scenery was refreshing and neither of us felt like braving the cold to find a quieter homework spot.
About five hours in we both decided that we needed a bit of a break so we started strumming on the guitar that was sitting in the corner of the coffee shop. After a matter of minutes we were greeted by an older gentleman who wanted to play a song on the guitar for us. I handed over the guitar to this new friend of ours with a smile and listened as he played some obscure Willie Nelson song. After playing a few songs he handed the guitar back to me...I quietly strummed one of my favorite songs as he introduced himself to us. Action Jackson. We made some small talk with him...learning that he is from White Earth reservation and currently works on cars in some local garage here in Bemidji.
After a bit of small talk Action Jackson asked us if we could spare a couple of bucks. Honestly, I did not feel comfortable just giving him money...who knows what he would have spent it on....but I was more than willing to buy him a warm dinner. We headed to the front of the shop. Action Jackson ordered. I payed. He got his food. We went back to our paper.
I have so much....for the past few years I have really felt that God is calling me to simplify...to live off of less. This stuff that I have surrounded myself with is nothing but a distraction, getting in the way of my relationship with God and with my family and friends. Although I want to simplify, I want to sell everything and give it to the poor, I struggle. It is hard to give up this stuff that I am so attached to. Every month or so I go through my closet getting rid of clothes that I have not worn. I try to buy less....and when I do shop I try to make my purchases form thrift stores, local businesses, or companies who use their income to support people in need. Finally, I give my money away often....donating money to organizations like the mocha club, compassion international, charity water, and my good friends in Nsoko Swaziland. But all of these things are still fairly comfortable. It is easy to toss a few t shirts in a garbage bag and pass them along to a good will. It is easy to find some sweet kicks from TOMs Shoes, buy them, and feel good about myself. And it is easy to make a quick online payment to an organization that is doing great work in some developing country. All of these things are great....and honestly I am proud of my ability to be aware of my consumption and try to help others through my purchases...but I still want to do more. And this next step has been real difficult. Giving up my comfort so that others may simply live sounds easy enough but it has been a surprisingly difficult challenge. I think the hardest part of this is that I am so removed from the extreme poverty that is a reality to so many people.
We need to become aware of these problems first hand, searching out opportunities to serve and use our resources to help others. I am so thankful that God brought me to the Cabin Coffee Shop on this brisk Saturday evening, I am glad that we took our homework break when we did, and I am thankful that God has given me the ability to provide my new friend with a meal. I pray that God will continue to give me opportunities like this one. I pray that I will not only continue to feel convicted to live a simpler life but that also I have the strength to live a less comfortable life so that others can simply live. Finally, I pray that God will give me the opportunity and the strength to live in a place where I will see this need daily. Not so that I can give people who are less fortunate than I am sympathy and a warm meal but so that I can learn to love others more than I love myself.
I think that that is really what it all comes down to...love. This lifestyle of simiplicity will be nothing but common sense when we learn to love God and others more than ourselves.
About five hours in we both decided that we needed a bit of a break so we started strumming on the guitar that was sitting in the corner of the coffee shop. After a matter of minutes we were greeted by an older gentleman who wanted to play a song on the guitar for us. I handed over the guitar to this new friend of ours with a smile and listened as he played some obscure Willie Nelson song. After playing a few songs he handed the guitar back to me...I quietly strummed one of my favorite songs as he introduced himself to us. Action Jackson. We made some small talk with him...learning that he is from White Earth reservation and currently works on cars in some local garage here in Bemidji.
After a bit of small talk Action Jackson asked us if we could spare a couple of bucks. Honestly, I did not feel comfortable just giving him money...who knows what he would have spent it on....but I was more than willing to buy him a warm dinner. We headed to the front of the shop. Action Jackson ordered. I payed. He got his food. We went back to our paper.
I have so much....for the past few years I have really felt that God is calling me to simplify...to live off of less. This stuff that I have surrounded myself with is nothing but a distraction, getting in the way of my relationship with God and with my family and friends. Although I want to simplify, I want to sell everything and give it to the poor, I struggle. It is hard to give up this stuff that I am so attached to. Every month or so I go through my closet getting rid of clothes that I have not worn. I try to buy less....and when I do shop I try to make my purchases form thrift stores, local businesses, or companies who use their income to support people in need. Finally, I give my money away often....donating money to organizations like the mocha club, compassion international, charity water, and my good friends in Nsoko Swaziland. But all of these things are still fairly comfortable. It is easy to toss a few t shirts in a garbage bag and pass them along to a good will. It is easy to find some sweet kicks from TOMs Shoes, buy them, and feel good about myself. And it is easy to make a quick online payment to an organization that is doing great work in some developing country. All of these things are great....and honestly I am proud of my ability to be aware of my consumption and try to help others through my purchases...but I still want to do more. And this next step has been real difficult. Giving up my comfort so that others may simply live sounds easy enough but it has been a surprisingly difficult challenge. I think the hardest part of this is that I am so removed from the extreme poverty that is a reality to so many people.
We need to become aware of these problems first hand, searching out opportunities to serve and use our resources to help others. I am so thankful that God brought me to the Cabin Coffee Shop on this brisk Saturday evening, I am glad that we took our homework break when we did, and I am thankful that God has given me the ability to provide my new friend with a meal. I pray that God will continue to give me opportunities like this one. I pray that I will not only continue to feel convicted to live a simpler life but that also I have the strength to live a less comfortable life so that others can simply live. Finally, I pray that God will give me the opportunity and the strength to live in a place where I will see this need daily. Not so that I can give people who are less fortunate than I am sympathy and a warm meal but so that I can learn to love others more than I love myself.
I think that that is really what it all comes down to...love. This lifestyle of simiplicity will be nothing but common sense when we learn to love God and others more than ourselves.
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