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This is our one Television indulgence, outside of the occasional "Big Game". We will be gathering with other avid fans for LOST and supper tomorrow night.
Where will you be?
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Our Guilty Pleasure
Tomorrow night the fourth season of LOST premiers. We are anxious to see where this season goes. One thing we know, this season will be cut short thanks to the greedy writers in Holywood. Only eight episodes so we hear.
This is our one Television indulgence, outside of the occasional "Big Game". We will be gathering with other avid fans for LOST and supper tomorrow night.
Where will you be?
This is our one Television indulgence, outside of the occasional "Big Game". We will be gathering with other avid fans for LOST and supper tomorrow night.
Where will you be?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Pre What?
This weekend our training begins. Our missions team will be retreating to Leuders, Texas for our first training module. This is a monumental moment for us because our team has been in a stage typically known as "formation" for the past two and a half years. The formation will undoubtedly continue as things turn to a more mental and spiritual focus.
Most of us are oblivious to what the weekend will hold. This particular stage of our training is known as the PreMAC weekend. Which means Preliminary Missionary Assessment Conference, I think?
Over the Christmas break we each filled out this huge application called the MBIF. Another Halbert acronym meaning Missionary Biographical Information Form. In addition to this 18 page form there were three essays. It should come as no surprise to Halbert that we are a bit jittery as to what awaits us this weekend.
Some of us are envisioning some sort of spiritual gauntlet. Or maybe the missionary version of American Gladiator.
Starring . . .
Gary the Green Mean Machine and company, including Sonny Tsunami Guild, Steve Alligator Allison, and Kent the Comanche Smith.
Each will be a part of the grueling weekend. Bible trivia, relational evangelism simulators, restoration history jeopardy, who knows? As the saying goes, hope for the best but expect the worst. If we are fairing well they might turn it up a notch. Encounters with the demon possessed, the lame beggars of the Big Country, or even one of Abilene's modern Pharisees, all of which could enter into the picture.
Check back next week to find out what all went down at our PreMAC weekend.
-Wes
Most of us are oblivious to what the weekend will hold. This particular stage of our training is known as the PreMAC weekend. Which means Preliminary Missionary Assessment Conference, I think?
Over the Christmas break we each filled out this huge application called the MBIF. Another Halbert acronym meaning Missionary Biographical Information Form. In addition to this 18 page form there were three essays. It should come as no surprise to Halbert that we are a bit jittery as to what awaits us this weekend.
Some of us are envisioning some sort of spiritual gauntlet. Or maybe the missionary version of American Gladiator.
Starring . . .
Gary the Green Mean Machine and company, including Sonny Tsunami Guild, Steve Alligator Allison, and Kent the Comanche Smith.
Each will be a part of the grueling weekend. Bible trivia, relational evangelism simulators, restoration history jeopardy, who knows? As the saying goes, hope for the best but expect the worst. If we are fairing well they might turn it up a notch. Encounters with the demon possessed, the lame beggars of the Big Country, or even one of Abilene's modern Pharisees, all of which could enter into the picture.
Check back next week to find out what all went down at our PreMAC weekend.
-Wes
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
The Great Architect
"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I (Jesus) will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 18:18
A book that I am reading (recommended to me by Guy Muse) lead me to this verse. I have been thinking a lot lately about how church should be done, and how I can contribute. I have been plagued recently by some of the things in church that I am currently frustrated by. It should be noted that I mean the church as an institution. It should also be noted that the things pestering me seem to be built by man instead of by my Jesus.
This verse comes to me as a reminder that I am not supposed to be the builder of the church. Jesus is. Jesus is to be the mastermind behind this beautiful and historic architecture. So what does that make me? A foreman, a surveyor, a contractor, or just some regular construction worker?
Because Jesus is the builder it doesn't take much off my shoulders, but the load does look different.
Trusting Jesus to build the church is something that I am not very experienced at. So I am beginning to ponder what I should be doing in the meanwhile.
Here's my start . . .
Pray- Pray more. A lot more. Even when I'm sleepy and especially when I'm tired. Whether it seems pointless or powerful; futile or instrumental; draining or inspiring; I must keep on praying.
What else can we do that will allow Jesus to build the church instead of us?
Your thoughts are welcome and appreciated.
-Wes
A book that I am reading (recommended to me by Guy Muse) lead me to this verse. I have been thinking a lot lately about how church should be done, and how I can contribute. I have been plagued recently by some of the things in church that I am currently frustrated by. It should be noted that I mean the church as an institution. It should also be noted that the things pestering me seem to be built by man instead of by my Jesus.
This verse comes to me as a reminder that I am not supposed to be the builder of the church. Jesus is. Jesus is to be the mastermind behind this beautiful and historic architecture. So what does that make me? A foreman, a surveyor, a contractor, or just some regular construction worker?
Because Jesus is the builder it doesn't take much off my shoulders, but the load does look different.
Trusting Jesus to build the church is something that I am not very experienced at. So I am beginning to ponder what I should be doing in the meanwhile.
Here's my start . . .
Pray- Pray more. A lot more. Even when I'm sleepy and especially when I'm tired. Whether it seems pointless or powerful; futile or instrumental; draining or inspiring; I must keep on praying.
What else can we do that will allow Jesus to build the church instead of us?
Your thoughts are welcome and appreciated.
-Wes
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
1000 Better Things
Today at lunch Ellen and I went to a nearby park. I really enjoyed our time together especially with the way my day started off (I’ll get to that shortly). We sat on the park bench eating our sandwich, chips, and fruit. It is kind of chilly out today, so the bright sun on our backs felt especially good.
While we sat there a homeless man walked up with his cart full of belongings and settled in at a bench nearby. I looked over and waved at him, wanting him to know that we appreciated his presence. He walked over and was grumbling about the way some people in our city had treated him, saying, “You sure do have a bunch of faggots here . . .” He is new to Abilene from Hollywood. Very curious who and what he might be talking about and a bit nervous because he was clearly disgruntled, I peered up at him from our bench. He explained that he was not going to “stress these rich folk” that are trying to push him around; instead he would just push back. After getting that off his chest he moseyed back over to his bench for a cigarette. Short of words, I just listened and looked at him sympathetically. As he walked away I thought of all the things I wished I would have been prepared to share with him. Moments later he left the park. With a wave from his cigarette hand, he signaled goodbye to us.
After he left I recognized how similar our day must have begun. I was rattled this morning by some discouraging words from someone I am acquainted with. I will say no more than that because I do not wish to bring any further discouragement upon myself, so let your imagination go. I can however say that there were a 1000 better things my acquaintance could have shared with me today.
As my friend in the park walked away this afternoon, I wished I would have had the presence of mind to share with him this one thing, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
It was what I needed to hear this morning.
While we sat there a homeless man walked up with his cart full of belongings and settled in at a bench nearby. I looked over and waved at him, wanting him to know that we appreciated his presence. He walked over and was grumbling about the way some people in our city had treated him, saying, “You sure do have a bunch of faggots here . . .” He is new to Abilene from Hollywood. Very curious who and what he might be talking about and a bit nervous because he was clearly disgruntled, I peered up at him from our bench. He explained that he was not going to “stress these rich folk” that are trying to push him around; instead he would just push back. After getting that off his chest he moseyed back over to his bench for a cigarette. Short of words, I just listened and looked at him sympathetically. As he walked away I thought of all the things I wished I would have been prepared to share with him. Moments later he left the park. With a wave from his cigarette hand, he signaled goodbye to us.
After he left I recognized how similar our day must have begun. I was rattled this morning by some discouraging words from someone I am acquainted with. I will say no more than that because I do not wish to bring any further discouragement upon myself, so let your imagination go. I can however say that there were a 1000 better things my acquaintance could have shared with me today.
As my friend in the park walked away this afternoon, I wished I would have had the presence of mind to share with him this one thing, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
It was what I needed to hear this morning.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Januvery Busy!
We had a wonderful Christmas break spent with our families. Ten full days away from our daily routines and schedules was definitely refreshing for us.
There are a few things that transpired over the break that we would like to update you on . . .
*The Lukkasons called on Christmas Eve to share with us that they desire to join our team, bringing our total team members to seven people (five family units).
*Our team will begin training with Halbert Institute of Missions (ACU) this semester. Towards the end of this month we will attend the first of several retreats centered on preparing us for our endeavors. These retreats are referred to as “Modules” and are spaced out over the next two years or so. During the semester we will have routine mentoring meetings with Gary Green, Latin American Missions Coordinator for Halbert. These times will be spent expounding on the principles encountered during the Module.
*Blanco, our puppy, recently suffered a strained knee but seems to have fully recovered.
*We celebrated our first anniversary last weekend (December 30th) while on a mini vacation with my Dad, Kelly, and baby Sadie. We enjoyed the scrumptious cuisine at P. F. Chang’s together. It was the first time for both of us and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
*Wes’ grandfather, Pop, was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for an early morning surgery the next day. Recently a growth was discovered on one of his lungs, so Wednesday’s surgery entailed a biopsy and the growth’s removal. Early tests show that it was an airborne infection that attached itself on his lung and decided to stay a while. He is now recovering and is expected to be released in a few days. Please pray for his recovery.
*Ellen begins her final semester of graduate school next week!
We hope you all had a blessed Christmas and New Years!
There are a few things that transpired over the break that we would like to update you on . . .
*The Lukkasons called on Christmas Eve to share with us that they desire to join our team, bringing our total team members to seven people (five family units).
*Our team will begin training with Halbert Institute of Missions (ACU) this semester. Towards the end of this month we will attend the first of several retreats centered on preparing us for our endeavors. These retreats are referred to as “Modules” and are spaced out over the next two years or so. During the semester we will have routine mentoring meetings with Gary Green, Latin American Missions Coordinator for Halbert. These times will be spent expounding on the principles encountered during the Module.
*Blanco, our puppy, recently suffered a strained knee but seems to have fully recovered.
*We celebrated our first anniversary last weekend (December 30th) while on a mini vacation with my Dad, Kelly, and baby Sadie. We enjoyed the scrumptious cuisine at P. F. Chang’s together. It was the first time for both of us and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
*Wes’ grandfather, Pop, was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for an early morning surgery the next day. Recently a growth was discovered on one of his lungs, so Wednesday’s surgery entailed a biopsy and the growth’s removal. Early tests show that it was an airborne infection that attached itself on his lung and decided to stay a while. He is now recovering and is expected to be released in a few days. Please pray for his recovery.
*Ellen begins her final semester of graduate school next week!
We hope you all had a blessed Christmas and New Years!
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