Sunday, January 28th, 2007
We had just finished our chicken leg and rice lunch, with a birthday cake dessert (Chad’s cake), when the sky opened up, and a deluge began. The talk of lunch was about Jehovah’s witnesses, Mormons, and the like. About how when you get to the core doctrine/ beliefs of these religions, they are really radical, but that most who follow these religions have no idea what the religion is really based on, or what the core doctrine is. If they really knew, that they’d probably second guess their belief system. And in the same respect, because they don’t know what they really believe they are like most Christians, who, if they really knew and followed what they read in the Bible, they’d either be far more radical, or they’d back away from the religion altogether. So in America, most religions are the same, they all follow some form of belief, and they all do it pretty half-@#%%ed.
You know what I’m trying to say. That, in essence, if we all really followed who are respective gods are, the US wouldn’t look so much like a melting pot.
So what’s better? Trying to follow something you don’t really believe in, or really believing it and looking like a fool? Or looking like a radical?
Wow, what a tangent?! We took the camion (pick up truck with flat bed in the back) home so that we wouldn’t get soaked through. I wet my hair under the gutter spout. Fortunately Scott and I have reserved a room at a local Posada (which means motel, for all you Red Sox fans who want more ammunition against the Yankees). We were able to get a discounted rate for $15 for the night. Pretty nice, huh? So, I’ll get to take a shower in a real shower tomorrow, and sit in AC, and sleep all day. That’s how I play hard after working hard. Although, I must say, we’re a little landlocked today, as the rain just continues to pour down. But we do have a church service tonight to attend… to intercede for, to work with the kids, to essentially work. It’s not the same as attending a service at home. We don’t just sit in a pew and call it a night once the final song is over. We are laying hands on people, we are holding babies, teaching the kids, preaching sermons, etc. Not for our glory, but for the Father’s glory. God is doing the real work. We just get to be a part of what He’s doing.
So we’re learning a bit more about community. About who we are. About the ministry of Christ. And how all of them fit together. Our team struggled a little bit with knowing what our spiritual gifts are, but a the same time, ministering in areas where we may not think we are gifted, or even in areas that we are not gifted. All because we’re not doing anything in our power, or for our glory. All ministry is done out of selflessness, selflessness to the local community, but also to our own teammates. We can’t always be where we think we’ll best fit. Wemay have to work outside of the box we put ourselves in. Sometimes it may mean working with a children’s program when you think you should really be out on the street inviting people to church. But, at the same time, we need to recognize our giftings and allow eachother to flourish in them. I know I don’t have the guts to bring all the drunks to church, but Shauna does. And there’s been some awesome fruit!
So, tonight, I painted little fingernails in pretty shades of pink. I danced to Spanish worship music with a six year old boy. I got play-do under my fingernails. And I ate a kids version of communion… peach juice and animal crackers. And I loved every minute of it.
Sometimes it takes nail polish,cookies, and hugs to show God’s love.
