March 10, 2010
By Bruce | March 10, 2010
Deb and I at the market this morning, for those of your enjoying spring weather ahead of us!
Men’s outreach last night, was a fun time in our basement. It’s been a combination of Christian men from a few different churches, and a few Ukrainian friends from the area. Only three of us were foreigners, which makes for a refreshing scene, mixing in with the Ukrainian culture and language. Dan usually leads these times and the group really appreciate his zest for life and humor, I’m the designated slave / side kick. Pray for these meetings, that the guys would embrace the short ‘messages’ each time, and more importantly, embrace Christ.
Can you guess what this is hanging in our furnace room? Neil bought a hunk of meat yesterday, and has cured it, hanging it to dry. His African roots coming out already, it’s beef jerky, or what they call “biltong”.
Our basement smells like dirty wet socks, soaked in vinegar, but I’m told it will taste great when complete:)
On March 24th a group of Ukrainian delegates (Mayors, officials) will be in East Texas. Through some neat contacts, they will be stopping into our office in Kilgore for lunch. I’m scheduled to skype video conference with them and share about our involvement here in Ukraine. It’s a cool opportunity to build some more relationships using the Sister City model, and potentially work (future) in other towns. One of the Mayors is my age, and been Mayor for 10yrs already.. from a town just 3-4hrs south of RZ. They are in Texas learning about economic development and city government models.
Thanks for checking,
Bruce
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March 5, 2010
By Bruce | March 5, 2010
Hi Everyone-
Took a picture today of the family, it’s been a while since we’ve had a group shot, the kids are growing like weeds.
Been studying this week (in between breaks with Cypress) the Nature of God, His attributes etc. Particularly this week the ‘Omniscience’ of God. Tracing back through the bible everything that God literally says that He knows, or reveals to us specifically that He knows. That’s not the only way to study something, but for me it was refreshing to be very practical with what He does ’say’ He knows (comforting and convicting!). We all believe that God knows ‘everything’, but what does it mean that he “knows’ , and what exactly ‘is’ everything? It’s been almost 10yrs since I put much energy into studying this topic, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s neat how our study methods change (hopefully for the better) as we grow in our understanding of God’s word and how to ‘rightly divide’ it. I’ve been opposed to putting to much ‘emphasis’ on systematic theology in my personal devotion, it never really produced the kind of ‘fruit’ that I think pleased God in my life. It mostly produced pride and a desire to debate and win. There are so many scriptures that I ‘do’ understand and still have yet to implement perfectly.. thinking of all the moral teachings for example in the epistles, or Jesus words to the disciples in the gospel.. I don’t think we should spend to much time as believers getting wrapped up in the mystery of God’s nature as to neglect the very practical teachings we want to pretend we don’t see sometimes. However, studying God Himself, what makes Him tick (according to the Word), should surely stoke the flames of our heart for Him.
Consider this quote from the prince of preachers, Charles Spurgeon -
“It has beeen said by someone that, ‘the proper study of mankind is man.’ I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God’s elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.
“There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is the subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, ‘Behold, I am wise.’ But when we come to this master of science, finding that our plumbline cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass’s colt; and with solemn exclamation, ‘I am but of yesterday, and know nothing.’ No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than the thoughts of God…” - Charles Spurgon 1855
He was around 20yrs old when he wrote that.
I hope you can find some time to study God’s attributes, we have been doing this in church and it’s been a refreshing study, opening my eyes and heart to His greatness again.
Bruce
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March 1, 2010
By Bruce | March 1, 2010
Someone told me it was officially the first day of spring in Ukraine today. I’m not sure about that, my street is a block of frozen snow with train track like grooves to follow. It’s still below freezing here, but very bearable compared to a few weeks ago. It will be a joyful day when all of the snow does melt, and the green spring truly does make its appearance. I can stop yelling, “shut the door” every time I feel a gush of cold air in the house.
Deb’s father is here, Neil. He arrived last week and has made a welcome addition to the kitchen. He’s the chief cook and bottle washer! Noline, Deb’s mom arrives next month. Neil has started taking over the building project and making his authority known among the workers. It’s a totally different way of thinking over here, as you’ve already read. Neil is starting to experience this first hand, and we can’t help but smile. The lady that he is buying their house from, visited the other house we are finishing (for them), and politely inquired if they could continue growing their potatoes at Neils house. They are having a hard time ‘letting go’ of this other house, and it’s going to take some careful hand holding over the next few weeks to solidify the deal. Everything thus far has been on a handshake and trust, if they were to totally change their minds now, after we’ve completed their house and invested a lot of time and money.. we wouldn’t have a leg to stand on legally. It will be ok, but it is nothing like the structured deals in the West. Here, you need to care about their potatoes.
Thank you for praying for Deb, her back is a little better but still causing some issues. With her dad here we have considered going away for a few days and getting her some real rest.
Tucker celebrated his 7th birthday this weekend. He’s a great son, we really enjoy him. Deb made home-made donuts, and they actually tasted like the real thing, I was quite impressed. The kids gobbled them up, reminiscencing the good ole days in Texas. He then opened a few little gifts and had home-made pizza (how about i stop with the home-made, you get it right?) and cake. It’s been very special to watch our kids interact over the last few years. They are very kind to each other, they watch out for one another, genuinely ‘like’ to hang out. It’s a lesson in God’s joy when we love our neighbor, especially those in the family of God.
Work has been going well, trying to spend more time every day working on something related to the business. The guys are a great friends and I’ve been delegating increasing amounts of ‘rope’ as I seek to be involved in only major decisions. I don’t share a lot on my blog about work, but it’s a significant part of our life here, and ability to go about ministry efforts and helping others. I thank God for the work, and the situation we are in, though it does continue to challenge my capacity to function in both ‘worlds’, I’m blessed with people that I can trust and who understand our calling.
Pray for Valik, he is a young man whom God has been working on very obviously the past few weeks. He won’t mind me posting this, not that he can understand English. He has come to home groups, and church and heard the gospel from several of us. He has been opening up to the truth, convicted of sin, recognizing his need for a Savior. He is still wrestling with some things, but we are praying as a body for complete salvation, the kind that convinces him thoroughly of sins forgiven! It has been so encouraging to watch God Himself draw and work on this man’s heart. It definitely strengthens our faith and draws us to more prayer, what a spiritual battle we are in every day.
Just recently launched www.missionsnetwork.com . If you get a chance, visit the site. We are on Facebook as well, and have 200 people in the ‘fan page’. Our heart is to see churches, business, and christians everywhere with a heart for global missions to connect. We want to start adding more mission projects, missionaries, and update with prayer requests and trip opportunities. Pray God sends us the people and places that He wants us to promote.
Needs:
Land Downtown for Ministry Center
Housing for Sergei & Lesya (couple from NY, they are Russian/Ukrainian and want to move here)
Ladies Outreach in two weeks
UTSIM language school needs a place to function (kicked out of public school room)
Documents for Neils house, that the ‘deal’ would go smoothly
Debs back to be healed
Thanks for checking in,
Bruce
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Be Missional, Just Don’t Forget the Missionaries!
By Bruce | February 23, 2010
3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. Col 1:3-6
There’s a popular new concept arising within the western church that is gaining traction. Like most popular concepts, it sounds good, is easy to digest and feels right. At least, it feels right on the surface. It goes like this, “Everything in the life of the believer is mission,” or, “we are all missionaries.” The terms is being ‘missional’, it’s as widely defined as it is defended and critiqued. I don’t have a doctorate in theology, but this missional ‘challenge’ challenges what I have studied about missions, and the role of the church. I think we need to be very careful.
I say, ‘new concept’ because historic Christianity as far as I have studied, has had a very definitive view and pattern toward reaching the globally unreached. When something comes along that seeks to ‘enlighten’ the church or help it ‘get back to it’s roots’, our collective hairs on the back of our neck should stand up, step back and attempt objective study. We should be additionally wary of concepts coming from the west that could be used to promote easy living and non-sacrificial service.
As early as the first century we see the disciples taking the gospels commission to their respective Judea, Samaria and ‘ends of the earth’. I’m thankful they listened, and didn’t embrace the ‘everything is mission’ mantra! If we run this concept of ‘all are missionaries’ through to it’s logical conclusion, then none are missionaries in the classic sense. There would be nothing distinct about those that respond to the call to “go and make disciples in every nation’ and those that reject it. Nobody should argue that we are all called to represent Him as His witnesses (Acts 1:8), all under joyful obligation to preach and make the good news known to our friends, co-workers and neighbors. We are to BE salt and light everywhere we live, move and have our being. This doesn’t however negate equipping and sending of missionaries through the local church! I am not willing to concede the churches collective responsibility, nor the christian privilege to engage in this noble task. If I didn’t know any better, you’d think the gospel message has successfully been given to the world, and as a church, we can now relax and enjoy life, being natural lights among those remaining at our local Starbucks.
I think one of the challenges is in regards to definition. Words seem to be changing so quickly these days, from generation to generation. Once a word loses it’s literal meaning, it takes on a life of its own, subject to cultural interpretation and usage. Its safe to say I think, that when we speak of “Missions” among modern day evangelical, we picture a myriad of social and spiritual activity. From short term trips, to soup kitchen ministry in the poor part of town, to that oddly dressed couple that comes every few years to show us slides from their ministry that looks like something out of national geographic. I’m not writing to defend the exact usage of a word, but I do think it is important to consider its original meaning, and place within God’s community up until this point in time.
Definition: Missionary
The word “mission” comes from the Latin word mitto, which was derived from the Greek word apostello. This latter word means “to send” and from it we get the English word “apostle.” We won’t find the word ‘missions’ or ‘missionary’ in the bible. We will, rather see the evidence of Christs church responding to the ‘Missio Dei”, or “Mission of God.” From the first disciples obedient response, to Paul’s missionary journeys themselves, we see a the supernatural work of Kingdom expansion through those that are ’sent out.’ There are dozens of really great definitions for ‘missions’, I don’t really have one that I subscribe to, that’s not the point. The point is that the principle of ’sending’ is recognized among the church, and we don’t lose this function by way of redefining terms.
Consider just a few of the recorded examples we find from the first 500 yrs of the church. They had the same bible we read today, they didn’t even know about the 10/40 window!!
AD 42-499
42 -Mark goes to Egypt
49 -Paul to modern day Turkey
52 -Thomas arrives in India
100 -First Christians reported in Monaco, Sri Lanka & Algeria
174 -First Christians reported in Austria
180 -Pantaneus preaches in India
197 -Tertullian writes Christianity has penetrated North Africa
250 -Denis is sent from Rome with 6 missionaries to Paris
300 -10% of world pop. now Chistian, Bible in 10 languages.
328 -Frumentius takes the gospel to Ethopia
397 -Ninian evangelizes Southern Picts of Scotland
432 -Patrick goes to Ireland as missionary.
499 -Persian King Kavadh fleeing country meets Christian missionaries going to Central Asia to reach Turks.
Boy I get excited reviewing the history of Christian missions! In my next few blogs I will add more examples, the middle ages would have been a whole darker if not for the obedience and ’sending’ of the local church, even in it’s imperfect state. From the OT writers passionately declaring/praying “so that all people of the earth may know your name!” to the NT peek into heaven where, ‘every tribe, tongue, people and nation” worship around the throne, God has inspired and directed His people OUT, He has sent us on a mission. Let us not overly simplify the concept of missions. Don’t relegate it to something you necessarily ‘like’ or feels right. Sending and going requires sacrifice, doesn’t feel nice (we miss our friends and salsa!), but comes with a comforting promise from our King, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
I don’t think that I’m ‘better’ than anyone because I’m a missionary. But realize this, you and I will both stand before God on a day very soon. We will give account for the life we lived and He won’t grade on a curve. I’m convinced that those engaged in spreading His name and being a part of global missions will be rewarded, if their motivations were truly Christ centered. Those that pray, support financially, and generally elevate this great cause will be rewarded as well. Churches that prioritize sending and planting churches that do the same, have God’s interest at heart and will be blessed. Churches that embrace ‘we are all missionaries’ in an attempt to re-invent the missionary, though perhaps with good intention, are circumventing God’s command to take this message to the nations. It’s great to think and act like a missionary wherever you are, but don’t exchange this for what history has shown works, and God blesses. There are nations and cultures desperately wicked, needing to hear the message of redemption. Who will go if we are all convinced ‘missions’ is about local evangelism only? Don’t allow modern philosophy to cut the arms and feet off of the gospel pattern that, with all it’s failures, has worked! We are to spread the gospel locally AND to foreign lands that he calls us to.
In closing, one of the observations I’ve made being in Ukraine the past two years (in May), is the diversity of missionary experiences. It’s amazing how God calls individuals from all over the globe to different places for the gospel. Some have loving, caring and supporting churches back home, others have ‘went’ more than being ’sent.’ God will make His name known. Too often I’m convinced, He has to do this despite the churches lack of mission focus. How many churches are comfortably convinced the church is a pleasure cruise, instead of a battle ship. Yet, God is God, and He finds a way to inject His passion for nations into willing hearts, regardless of their local churches lack of mission focus. I want to see more missionaries sent out, more churches connected to their missionaries and caring beyond their locality. This is healthy, and gives more energy to the missional cause. Embrace your calling to be missional if this helps you stay focused as an ambassador, just don’t forget the missionaries. If you know someone in your church that has a burden for a country, or believes God is calling them somewhere else, encourage them! Be missional by helping the church fulfill it’s mission.
“Not called!” did you say? “Not heard the call,” I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there. And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world.” William Booth
Thanks for checking in, and for all of you that lift us up in prayer!
Bruce
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Presidential Elections
By Bruce | February 9, 2010
This past weekend marked the run-off election between Yulia Tymoshenko (Western Leaning, Ukrainian Nationalist, she looks like princess lea), and the previous president from 4yrs ago, Viktor Yanukovych (Kremlin kroney who allegedly poisoned his former competition and current President). The orange revolution from 4yrs ago proved to produce very little but apathy and disillusionment among the voters in this new ‘democracy’. Widespread corruption and bureaucratic undermining prevented much of the progression. Ukraine is divided geographically down the middle. The west of Ukraine is almost entirely pro European, the east and south primarily Russian heritage and influence. The general feeling among Ukrainians that I’ve talked to was much like those in the US, ‘their both poor choices’. It’s amazing to me that the democratic system rarely produces a candidate that people are proud of these days. I read this quote the other day on www.christianquotes.org :
“Politics—the art of obtaining money from the rich and votes from the poor on the pretext of protecting each other from the other.” Oscar Ameringer
And this one from Thomas Jefferson:
“Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on [political] offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.”
In any case, I couldn’t vote, but like most of my Ukrainian friends, it’s hard to be excited about two candidates with a track record of corruption. This nation needs more than a moral president anyway, it needs an awakening. People are oblivious to a moral law giver who not only sees, but will render justice to each man according to their deeds. I’ve been thinking of the scripture, “every knee will bow, and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Whether by voluntary surrender and recognition here in this life, or by sheer force in the presence of His divine holiness, every knee WILL bow. It is my, and I would suggest yours too, joyful duty to remind our neighbor of this truth. Now is the time for repentance and turning to the giver of life, He alone can change the wicked heart, and in turn, a nation.
Here’s a clip from today to give you an idea of the political climate. Starts with a throwback from 4 yrs ago. There are planned protests once again as the election was very close, and each side had prepared examples of voter fraud.
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