“I celebrated my re-birth last night. Listen well, my re-birth! I invited a diverse group of people — simple, intellectual, neighbors,” shared "Josephine." (Among them was a couple from the Dijon church who invited her to the Noël worship/brunch.)
As people stood around munching and jawing after the Christmas celebration, I was introduced to "Josephine," “This is Paul the guitarist, our bluesman; he is a missionary.”
I really hate when people present me this way as it so often colors the conversation in somber hues (you will see why in a moment).
Josephine’s visage twisted from smile to grimace, “Ah, a missionary. Leave Africa to the Africans!” What I mistook for racism turned out to be anti-clericalism (a prevalent ideology in France).
“I knew missionaries when I lived in the Cameroon. They liked the young black girls. Those missionaries,” she spewed the word out of her mouth, “liked the pretty young girls a lot.” (A wry smile smoothed her facial contortions communicating the salacious and lascivious activity of these missionaries).
The Christmas conversation went on… “I agree with what the gentleman shared (an elder in the Dijon church had shared of man’s failings and need of a Savior as the significance of Noël), I just do not attend church.”
“Well, church attendance is not an obligation. I find it helpful to be part of a community where we encourage one another in the faith,” I commented. “Ah, but I am quite content living alone,” she clubbed.
“Where do I go from here?” I wondered.
“Do you ever read the Bible at home?” I thrust. “The Bible! It is open in my home all the time,” she parried. “That’s good. Do you ever read it?” I pursued. “No, why should I?” she countered. “It has quite a number of interesting things in it,” I advanced. “I help people, not too much you understand; one can be overbearing. I just do not need what is in there.”
I wanted to ask her how she knew that if she had never read it when she plowed on… “You never attended school with the sisters (Catholic nuns), did you?” as she tugged on her own ear miming winces. “No, I do not need that,” she asserted. (Note the assimilation of teaching and modeling with the content of Scripture.)
“So what do you as a missionary do?” Josephine queried. “I lead a pastoral team here in Europe. We…” She broke in, “What does that mean?” “We have people who…” I continued when she interrupted me forcefully, “Who sent you? Who is your boss?”
“Ultimately God and the Bible. The Protestant church* is not like the Roman Catholic church. We do not have a hierarchy,” I explained. “So you are set up like this, right?” she replied.
My explanation did not fit her plausibility structure; she processed none of what I had just said. Josephine began to lay out an organizational flow chart with folded napkins.
Hopefully, my voice did not betray my exasperation when I interrupted her artwork. “You do not understand. We Protestants are not like the Roman Church. Each church is autonomous. Yes, I went to seminary and teach as I go around, but I ultimately encourage people to read the Bible because each and every one of us has the responsibility and privilege of reading and interpreting it for her/himself.”
Touché ! The expression on her face showed that I had scored a point. She shifted by telling me of her past, death of her husband, her car accident, depression and how she was reborn through art. “I am now content in the morning, happy in the afternoon, satisfied in the evening. I have peace.”
“You said you believe what the gentleman shared this morning. Yes, peace is found in Jesus-Christ,” bringing things back to the essential.
“I have peace and am rich,” she plowed on, “not financially mind you. And I am glad you didn’t talk about money; no one passed the basket. Grrr, I detest when they do that… give, give, give. I am glad you didn’t ask for money.” Another point for our side.
“And my friends really enjoy coming here every week. They need the encouragement of your community. You are helping people in need. That is good.” A positive impression has been left. That too is good.
As I reflected on this talk with Josephine, had the actions and words of church people hardened, deafened and blinded her so that she could not read Scripture? Hmmm, a warning to Christians everywhere.
In any case, her comprehension of religion had led her to the decision to not read Scripture. Yet Jesus came so that the blind might see, that the deaf might hear, and to give hearts of flesh in place of hearts of stone.
This is the miracle of Christmas—religious and secular man twists; God straightens. Man hurts; God helps. Man is not only in darkness but creates it as well; God is light and Jesus is the light of the world. Joyeux Noël to one and all!
*When talking with people I often use the broadest possible categories to facilitate discussion rather than get side tracked by tangential questions of ecclesiology and convictions.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Mr. Boh: say "thank you"
Dear Mr. Boh,*
The day is fast approaching when I will be back in the land of the philosophers. It will be good to share face to face! So that the most important does not get swamped by travel prep, however, I thought I would shoot off a few musings about my gratitude to the Divinity.
The other day I was once again flying and read a book review (Boh, you will not believe this) about a book on gratitude. They will certainly not translate that one in the language of the philosophers!
Yet, I am increasingly realizing that one of the most important things one can do in this existence, just as our parents taught us when we were little, is to say, “thank you!” So I would like to take the time to thank God—Father, Son and Spirit—for…
PROTECTION
Over the past five months my journeys have caused me to cover about 32000 kilometers (here they use miles = 20,000) journeying to and through the land of ecclesiastic plenty. I am a militant travel mode pluralist having taken buses, trains, 14 different planes, and driven 8 different types of cars.
All without accident or incident.
In the book of the Diety’s self-revelation, a lyrist who loved greatly the Divine One recorded a composition, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways… ‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.’” (Psalm 91:11)
Ah, but you may query, “What about the man you told me about on the phone just yesterday, the one you saw being pulled from a nasty car wreck by five emergency crew workers?!” Well, that could be me in the future, but I know that he has protected me in the past and say, “Merci beaucoup” to the God most high in the present.
PROVISION
Over the past five months, like many government and university workers do, I have been seeking funding for my work. Along the way, I met people who are unemployed, others who have taken pay cuts, while others have escaped the economic crisis unscathed, and yet others who have actually prospered through it!
Being underfunded, I have experienced a sweep of emotions. At times I wondered, “Will I be out of a job due to lack of funding?” I brushed against the angst of the unemployed, yet knew that God would provide; I just did not know how, what or when. I wondered if I would need to take a pay cut like my good friend, a salesman in Ohio. I realized that the Lord “gives and takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
At times I felt financially poor and began to count pennies (Boh, those are akin to our centimes). At other times I enjoyed the prosperity of fine dining and private swimming pools thanks to well-to-do friends.
But you know Boh, sometimes my pride felt assaulted by the generosity of these friends, even though they gave without proviso and with complete joy. You know how it is in our land (of the philosophers), when someone does something nice for you, they hold it over you or expect pay back. But I believe the Great Professor is teaching me a hard lesson, to be content in lack (or in my case what is comparative lack) and in abundance supplied by the generous.
“In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.” (Psalm 37:19)
“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:10)
Thank you oh Great Provider! My attitudes have been refined by ordeal, and in spite of my heart’s dross, You have provided full funding and abundance to be enjoyed.
PEOPLE
I have saved the best for last. For the Father has given me traveling companions. My favorite companion, my wife, and I have interacted with countless people over the past five months. I remember…
You know Boh, there is much to be learned from the people of this land. In 1863 their great president, Abraham Lincoln, designated a day to give thanks to the Giver of all good gifts, the Creator, God Almighty. And so I wanted to slow down in order to say “Thank You” to him too.
I can’t wait to see you face to face,
Your friend
* Mr. Boh is a composite French friend who has recently become a Christian. While thoroughly fascinated with the person of Christ, he is completely unfamiliar with the evangelical subculture much of which seems very alien to him.
The day is fast approaching when I will be back in the land of the philosophers. It will be good to share face to face! So that the most important does not get swamped by travel prep, however, I thought I would shoot off a few musings about my gratitude to the Divinity.
"Musing" by Jeff Moriber www.jeffmoriber.com
The other day I was once again flying and read a book review (Boh, you will not believe this) about a book on gratitude. They will certainly not translate that one in the language of the philosophers!
Yet, I am increasingly realizing that one of the most important things one can do in this existence, just as our parents taught us when we were little, is to say, “thank you!” So I would like to take the time to thank God—Father, Son and Spirit—for…
PROTECTION
Over the past five months my journeys have caused me to cover about 32000 kilometers (here they use miles = 20,000) journeying to and through the land of ecclesiastic plenty. I am a militant travel mode pluralist having taken buses, trains, 14 different planes, and driven 8 different types of cars.
All without accident or incident.
In the book of the Diety’s self-revelation, a lyrist who loved greatly the Divine One recorded a composition, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways… ‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.’” (Psalm 91:11)
Ah, but you may query, “What about the man you told me about on the phone just yesterday, the one you saw being pulled from a nasty car wreck by five emergency crew workers?!” Well, that could be me in the future, but I know that he has protected me in the past and say, “Merci beaucoup” to the God most high in the present.
PROVISION
Over the past five months, like many government and university workers do, I have been seeking funding for my work. Along the way, I met people who are unemployed, others who have taken pay cuts, while others have escaped the economic crisis unscathed, and yet others who have actually prospered through it!
Being underfunded, I have experienced a sweep of emotions. At times I wondered, “Will I be out of a job due to lack of funding?” I brushed against the angst of the unemployed, yet knew that God would provide; I just did not know how, what or when. I wondered if I would need to take a pay cut like my good friend, a salesman in Ohio. I realized that the Lord “gives and takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
At times I felt financially poor and began to count pennies (Boh, those are akin to our centimes). At other times I enjoyed the prosperity of fine dining and private swimming pools thanks to well-to-do friends.
But you know Boh, sometimes my pride felt assaulted by the generosity of these friends, even though they gave without proviso and with complete joy. You know how it is in our land (of the philosophers), when someone does something nice for you, they hold it over you or expect pay back. But I believe the Great Professor is teaching me a hard lesson, to be content in lack (or in my case what is comparative lack) and in abundance supplied by the generous.
“In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.” (Psalm 37:19)
“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:10)
Thank you oh Great Provider! My attitudes have been refined by ordeal, and in spite of my heart’s dross, You have provided full funding and abundance to be enjoyed.
PEOPLE
I have saved the best for last. For the Father has given me traveling companions. My favorite companion, my wife, and I have interacted with countless people over the past five months. I remember…
- interacting with a school of teens passionate about studying Scripture (and wrestling with the book of Job)
- now being supported by a young church that was once only a dream. (My wife and I were part of a small group of enthusiastic people who discussed and prayed for that daughter church to be born.)
- six o’clock (oh Boh, things start Early here!) breakfast meetings with companion missioners to discuss a new church being started in the town of my birth.
- crying in despair on a friend’s shoulder.
- laughing around a summer campfire as we recited Monty Python quotes in turn.
- sitting in a hot tub with friends looking at the stars on a crisp cold evening.
- watching Penn State football games with fellow alumni (Boh, this is a land of paradox—they play “football” with their hands!)
- enjoying the blues with old friends played by old high school friends (Ah yes Boh, we are all aging n’est-ce pas?).
- being impressed by a tremendously busy friend who would drop what he was doing to take us to the airport… numerous times.
- praying with people to the One True God in the name of Christ Jesus through whom we have our fellowship-friendship-companionship.
You know Boh, there is much to be learned from the people of this land. In 1863 their great president, Abraham Lincoln, designated a day to give thanks to the Giver of all good gifts, the Creator, God Almighty. And so I wanted to slow down in order to say “Thank You” to him too.
I can’t wait to see you face to face,
Your friend
* Mr. Boh is a composite French friend who has recently become a Christian. While thoroughly fascinated with the person of Christ, he is completely unfamiliar with the evangelical subculture much of which seems very alien to him.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Mr. Boh: surprises
Well Boh, our time in this land of ecclesiastic plenty is coming to an end. We are looking forward to seeing you and our kids again (who are studying their lives away in the land of the philosophers).
In line with your request for me to share observations with you, I thought I would recount some reflections about the Deity.
TRUST I am learning to distinguish between trusting God for outcomes and trusting God himself. Without a specific promise I may or may not obtain a desired outcome. (E.g. I have no guarantee that he will build his church in a particular locality.) But God has proven himself faithful in specific promises. (E.g. “I will build my Church…” where and when he chooses.)
Where the rub comes is that the reigning ecclesiastic mindset claims (à la Job’s friends) that if we do mission God’s way it will always produce successful results. Jeremiah did things right, yet according to the standard of measurable results he would have been counted as a dismal failure.
Observation: my expectations are often askew, but God is nonetheless worthy of my trust. “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
HOPE I used to hope for things to happen (and still do). But I feel like Frodo, who, when looking into the mirror of Galadriel is unable to discern what the visions mean or if they will indeed take place. Now, because my crystal ball yields enigmatic glimpses, I am learning to hope in God himself. And “He’ll take care of the rest.”
Observation: my desires are often improvident, but hope in my loving Father is a solid thing. “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18
PRAYER I know there are many reasons for God’s times of apparent silence, but they are nonetheless destabilizing. “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1
Then, at times, he moves with alacrity as though awakened from slumber (Ps. 78:65).
At other times prayer is akin to water dripping upon rock. Very efficacious, but not as fast acting as I would like.
Hmm, I guess I wish God were more predictable, but then I would miss out on his very cool surprises. I like surprises.
Well Boh, I must go. Can't wait to see you face to face in just a few weeks.
Contemplatively,
Your friend
In line with your request for me to share observations with you, I thought I would recount some reflections about the Deity.
TRUST I am learning to distinguish between trusting God for outcomes and trusting God himself. Without a specific promise I may or may not obtain a desired outcome. (E.g. I have no guarantee that he will build his church in a particular locality.) But God has proven himself faithful in specific promises. (E.g. “I will build my Church…” where and when he chooses.)
Where the rub comes is that the reigning ecclesiastic mindset claims (à la Job’s friends) that if we do mission God’s way it will always produce successful results. Jeremiah did things right, yet according to the standard of measurable results he would have been counted as a dismal failure.
Observation: my expectations are often askew, but God is nonetheless worthy of my trust. “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
HOPE I used to hope for things to happen (and still do). But I feel like Frodo, who, when looking into the mirror of Galadriel is unable to discern what the visions mean or if they will indeed take place. Now, because my crystal ball yields enigmatic glimpses, I am learning to hope in God himself. And “He’ll take care of the rest.”
Observation: my desires are often improvident, but hope in my loving Father is a solid thing. “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18
PRAYER I know there are many reasons for God’s times of apparent silence, but they are nonetheless destabilizing. “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1
Then, at times, he moves with alacrity as though awakened from slumber (Ps. 78:65).
At other times prayer is akin to water dripping upon rock. Very efficacious, but not as fast acting as I would like.
Hmm, I guess I wish God were more predictable, but then I would miss out on his very cool surprises. I like surprises.
Well Boh, I must go. Can't wait to see you face to face in just a few weeks.
Contemplatively,
Your friend
Monday, October 19, 2009
A letter to Mr. Boh: living in the past
Bonjour Mr. Boh,
You asked me to send my observations and experiences throughout my journeys in the land of ecclesiastic plenty. Well, this letter is more my personal reflections on life and my purpose here in this foreign land, from which I came.
I go here, there, and everywhere sharing about Europe. Maybe it is pretentious or presumptuous, but I believe God wants to use me to:
* bring together 15 European Grace churches into a network, pooling resources to pursue the common vision of being on mission for Christ.
* create a European service / mission agency in order to send more and more and more Europeans from those churches on mission throughout Europe and beyond.
* create a humanitarian organization that will partner with the Fair Trade "Café du Monde" to do good in the world… in Jesus' name.
Ah, Boh, I've told you many times about a verse that inspires me greatly: "the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands" (Isaiah 32:8). So the vision is clear, but that doesn’t mean I see the path that will lead me to the above destinations.
In sharing this vision, I do not yet have stories of people saved, or even helped because these entities — network, agency, organization — do not yet exist. But that is why I am focusing on them, because they need to be created.
As the sage said, “but money is the answer for everything” (Ecclesiastes 10:19). Ah, Boh, in looking for funding I sometimes feel like Europe’s spiritual needs compete with Africa’s material needs for America's dollar. And who am I to tell people what to do with their money? That is truly between them and God. Africa’s need is great. Europe’s need is great, just in extremely different ways.
So will backers come forth? Financial backers yes, but I need to know that people are with me in prayer, on mission together on the Dark Continent that birthed the Enlightenment.
Ah, Boh, you are introspective so you will understand my self-interrogations. Questions are legion:
Have I been gone for so long that I no longer know how to present a message that makes sense to the people of this plausibility structure? Do I just need better marketing to capture my audience? Is God leading me into a different, more sustainable way of being on mission for him? Question engenders query.
Incessant introspection causes me to live the present badly, yet I believe that God still has good works for me to walk in. And I know that he wants to transform me. So instead of living under the financial Damocles sword of discovering new sources of financing, I am (again) learning to trust in the Father’s love and provision.
So, rather than erratic existence resulting from projection into an unpredictable future, I have been spending more time in the solid past, reviewing God’s historical faithfulness in my life. He really has taken care of my family without respite or pause. Ah, Boh, I remember when…
Well, Boh, thanks for listening to my ramblings, for caring and for praying. Hope to see you soon!
Warmly,
Your friend
You asked me to send my observations and experiences throughout my journeys in the land of ecclesiastic plenty. Well, this letter is more my personal reflections on life and my purpose here in this foreign land, from which I came.
"Stranger in a strange land" by Mike Tracy (miketracy.net)
I go here, there, and everywhere sharing about Europe. Maybe it is pretentious or presumptuous, but I believe God wants to use me to:
* bring together 15 European Grace churches into a network, pooling resources to pursue the common vision of being on mission for Christ.
* create a European service / mission agency in order to send more and more and more Europeans from those churches on mission throughout Europe and beyond.
* create a humanitarian organization that will partner with the Fair Trade "Café du Monde" to do good in the world… in Jesus' name.
Ah, Boh, I've told you many times about a verse that inspires me greatly: "the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands" (Isaiah 32:8). So the vision is clear, but that doesn’t mean I see the path that will lead me to the above destinations.
In sharing this vision, I do not yet have stories of people saved, or even helped because these entities — network, agency, organization — do not yet exist. But that is why I am focusing on them, because they need to be created.
As the sage said, “but money is the answer for everything” (Ecclesiastes 10:19). Ah, Boh, in looking for funding I sometimes feel like Europe’s spiritual needs compete with Africa’s material needs for America's dollar. And who am I to tell people what to do with their money? That is truly between them and God. Africa’s need is great. Europe’s need is great, just in extremely different ways.
So will backers come forth? Financial backers yes, but I need to know that people are with me in prayer, on mission together on the Dark Continent that birthed the Enlightenment.
Ah, Boh, you are introspective so you will understand my self-interrogations. Questions are legion:
Have I been gone for so long that I no longer know how to present a message that makes sense to the people of this plausibility structure? Do I just need better marketing to capture my audience? Is God leading me into a different, more sustainable way of being on mission for him? Question engenders query.
Incessant introspection causes me to live the present badly, yet I believe that God still has good works for me to walk in. And I know that he wants to transform me. So instead of living under the financial Damocles sword of discovering new sources of financing, I am (again) learning to trust in the Father’s love and provision.
So, rather than erratic existence resulting from projection into an unpredictable future, I have been spending more time in the solid past, reviewing God’s historical faithfulness in my life. He really has taken care of my family without respite or pause. Ah, Boh, I remember when…
Old faithful
Well, Boh, thanks for listening to my ramblings, for caring and for praying. Hope to see you soon!
Warmly,
Your friend
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