Life is Beautiful

SPOILER ALERT!!

I think reading the back of a movie case is cheating and watching trailers is borderline, so writing a review myself would be hypocritical if the movie weren't 12 years old.  

Reading through Philippians and journaling our thoughts was a recent assignment of our small group that met with some resistance, but one I enjoyed so much that I continued to study the book in Spanish the following week.  

Philippians is overflowing with thoughts that are applicable nearly every day.  After reading 4:8 -- "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  I texted my Netflix friend and said "maybe we should start using Phil 4:8 as our standard."  Since the Changeling gave me nightmares, and Step Brothers wasn't particularly edifying, we started ordering on this new set of guidelines, with our first arrival being Life is Beautiful.

Years ago, I stumbled across Life is Beautiful randomly on TV and was convinced it was an adorable romantic comedy for the first hour.   By the time I realized there was sadness to be felt, I was engrossed beyond the point of return.  The beauty of a father's incomparable love for his little boy was worth the bitter-sweetness of the ending.  But Guido's single-minded devotion to providing an abundant life for his child, to the extent of sacrificing his own life is only incomparable if we fail to compare it to our own Father who made the exact same choice for each of us.  

I hope our next pick, Fireproof, has a lighter ending...

Also check out WALL-E and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, these reviews highlight Christian meanings in other popular movies.

Savoring the Snowflakes

I'm sitting in Seattle, watching it snow flakes the size of half dollars, reading Philippians in Spanish. Waiting to take a ferry to an island for a week with veterinary missionaries from around the world. Looking forward to soaking up their advice on resettlement, training on participatory teaching methodology, and any tidbits about Bolivia I can absorb.

Yesterday, I spent a fascinating day in Pike Place Market, enjoying the company of a CVM staff tour guide, and a veterinarian from Brazil. We slipped into one of my favorite subjects--the class Perspectives on World Missions--and started talking about Hudson Taylor. Knowing he was striving to head to the mission field eventually, he started sleeping on a wooden bed without a mattress, and whittled his food intake down to a piece of bread and an apple a day, to prepare for the hardships of other cultures. The woman who was sharing this story said her response would probably be the opposite; to relish in the comforts of home with even greater appreciation knowing they're soon to be stripped from you.

I've landed somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. As, I try to cut back on my purchases, and downsize my material goods, I also linger a little longer over each luxury of home, including snow, realizing it could be my last for a very long time. The vet I'll be working with in Bolivia is here for the Training Of Trainers conference and this morning he said this was the first time he'd seen snow in eight years. If these gorgeous flakes turnout to be my farewell snowfall, I'll try not to let them melt unnoticed.

Trash Bags

"America spends more annually on trash bags than nearly half of the world does on all goods.

One billion people in the world do not have access to clean water, while the average American uses 4-600 liters of water a day.

More than half of the world lives on less than 2 American dollars a day.

40% of people in the world lack basic sanitation...

Church is not ultimately about attending large gatherings.
Church is people.
People who live a certain way in the world.
People who have authority in the world, but authority that comes from breaking themselves open and pouring themelves out so that the world will be healed...

In a world in which there are 27 million slaves, 4,500 people in Africa will die of AIDS today, and 840 million people will go to bed hungry tonight because they cannot afford a meal, Jesus wants to save our church from the exile of irrelevance. If we have resources, any power, any voice, any influence, any energy, we must convert them into blessing for those who have no power, no voice, no influence."
-Jesus Wants to Save Christians, A Manifesto for the Church in Exile,
-Rob Bell and Don Golden

From two different sources today, I've heard the phrase, "be a part of the solution not the problem." I pray that Mosaic is a part of that solution here in Baltimore. 3 weeks ago we gave away our entire benevolence fund to the congregation during Sunday morning service to share with our neighbors. Tomorrow morning we're kicking off a 2 week long serving frenzy. These acts are not solutions unto themselves, but we hope will be tools to help us build a community of believers who will convert our power, influence and voice into blessings for those without.

Feel the Love

This week has been full of friends. Ranging from 8 weeks old to over 90 years. Ones I've known from high school, college, this year in Baltimore, or have only met this week.

Last night a group from Mosaic delivered over 100 handmade Valentine cards and some flowers to the residents of a local nursing home. After sharing God's love with these very appreciative new friends at St. Elizabeth's, our Mosaic group went to dinner and became better acquainted ourselves.

Earlier in the week I took a trip to West Virginia to bond with my beloved snowboard for possibly the last time in many years. Our assorted crew consisted of a couple from Mosaic, friends and family of theirs, and a co-worker of mine. After four solid days on the slopes, many tasty meals, a few minor and major ailments, and some hysterical laughter over Brian Regan, Jim Gaffigan and Anchorman we were bonded.

Probably my favorite reunion of the week was a 36 hour trip to Greenville, SC via Raleigh Durham. I got to catch up with two of my best guy friends from the past 10+ years. Through jogging, car games, exploring, not-dancing, and eating many scrumptious treats I reminisced with Brian. And then, for a short but sweet moment, I had the pleasure of meeting Rusty's new wife.

All of these relationships, both lasting and fleeting, make me more appreciative of my very best friend, who will outlast them all and never be out of earshot; "Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends." -John 15:13

Living Hope

This is a story from some missionaries I know in Ethiopia. I love the way it sums up our call to serve the less fortunate in the words of a little girl.

Twas the night before Christmas in Gesses this year,
the stars were all out and the sky was real clear.
We couldn’t have a shower our water was low,
just a quick sponge bath of places that show.
Nicole put out the diapers and hung them up tight,
we rarely get cows visiting at night.
The children were sweating, curled up in their beds,
visions of ice cubes danced in their heads.
The lights went out at quarter to nine,
our batteries were finished like most of the time.
We just settled in for a long hot night,
when the rats on our ceiling began to fight.
I just stared up above then heard more clatter,
it came from outside but what did it matter?
Too many hyenas, scorpions and snakes,
"I’m staying inside for goodness sakes!"
First it was drums and then came the flutes,
wild and loud came the bangs and toots.
The singing grew and feet pounded the earth,
as our neighbors were filled with joy and mirth.
We lay there together as the noise droned on,
it was only nine but soon it was one.
The silence came in the dead of the night,
It wasn’t overwhelming but felt just right.
Then over the mountain came the glorious sun,
morning was upon us, the night was done.
We sat with our coffee this Christmas morn,
watching the sun come like a Savior born.
Our kids soon awoke and we all sat on the floor,
then we realized there was a long line at our door.
Sick people, sick goats, wounds and more,
Who wants on Christmas morning such a big chore?
No time for presents, carols or coco,
days like this can drive us loco.
No time for us what can we do,
then Emily said something innocent yet true. Remember when sick people came to Jesus,
He said He’d heal them and never leave us.
So here in the heat of our Christmas morn,
our daughter reminded us why He was born.
To be inconvenienced and pulled from all places,
to look with love on those needy faces.
It may not be perfect or what we desire,
but Christmas in Gesses has lit a strong fire.
To give to those who can’t even ask,
is more for us than an overwhelming task.
It is the way He has called us each to live,
and for this end His Son He did give.
So together we stand to fight the good fight,
Merry Christmas to all and to all a flute filled night.

For more about their ministry here's the Schwenks' website: http://www.cvmusa.org/livinghope

Tyranny of the Urgent

I haven't posted anything lately not because I haven't done anything or learned anything recently, but because I have. In the hustle and bustle of the Thanksgiving--Christmas eating/celebrating frenzy, shuttling a team of 20 down to Mexico for a week of veterinary surgeries, visiting the soon to be distant relatives for a couple fun days in Colorado, then returning to a plate full of catching up and getting behind again I got busy. Not to say that I'm not usually busy, but for once, I recognized it as a problem.

As chores with deadlines or people waiting on them took precedence, subjects of actual importance took a backseat. I realized I was getting behind on my Spanish study and my Bible reading, but I wasn't neglecting more instantly-gratifying activities such as blogging, planning service projects, or keeping up with Facebook. And I remembered an article entitled Tyranny of the Urgent. "The momentary appeal of these tasks seems irresistible and important, and they devour our energy. But in light of time's perspective their deceptive prominence fades; with a sense of loss we recall the important task pushed aside." So I slowed down, worked on the preterite tense in espanol, finished a book, and refocused my priorities, because even "...frenetic service for God can become an escape from God." And escaping God is the last thing I want to do.

Allowing margin time has never been a strength of mine, but I appreciate its benefits when I can. This week we got an invite with short notice to fill in for a cancellation to serve dinner at the Ronald McDonald House. Tonight, a group of Mosaic chefs was able to take advantage of that opportunity and enjoy an evening with some lovely families, because we left a little room for God's timing in our plans.

But I think the perfect balance of scheduling is when you're able to accept a request at 7am on your day off to babysit momentarily so that Mom and Dad can go deliver a baby. Last Wednesday, I was so blessed to have the flexibility to play with Reagan Love Kuhl all day while Carl Herman Kuhl V (Quint) was brought into the world. From what I've seen he's a sweet precious tiny thing with a full head of blonde hair. From what I hear he likes to make a lot of noise at night.

Growing Together

In a couple weeks Mosaic will begin a new trimester of growth groups. In my opinion, last season was a huge success! People who were strangers the month before went from being acquaintances to friends. We shared clothes, meals, cars, GPS's, Wii's, burdens and praises. We studied a book, prayed, served, bowled, and started doing life together. We weren't afraid to have differing views and we were quick to forgive when voices were raised. We shared intimate details on personal topics in the pursuit of transparency and community.

Small group night is often my favorite of the week. It takes reading a book to a whole new depth. It transforms goofing off and hanging out into a purposeful experience. Many evenings a headache, traffic, or a bad day at work will nearly keep everyone from showing up, but once the group is gathered, the host is usually hard-pressed to get his house back.

Three weeks from today we'll start a new group studying the book Get Uncomfortable by pastor Todd Phillips of McLean Bible Church's Frontline service. A short, but eye-opening look at what the Bible has to say about serving, and how God feels about poverty. I've read it before, but I look forward to the fresh prespectives of the group that will highlight scripture in ways I never would have noticed alone. We'll watch movies, listen to music, discuss ideas, take fieldtrips, and use our new insights and new friends to better serve our community, and the world. I get excited just thinking about it!

Get Uncomfortable from threadsmedia on Vimeo.