Blog post July 20

all setup in the training center this morning.  Had a wonderful lunch with our brothers here.  anxious to meet the students and get to the material.

Brother Soon / pronounced "sun" who is the director of all the "seminaries"in the area met us at the hotel and drove us to the training center.   His father was the former leader of the Christians in this area, and was recently released from apprx. 20 years in prison.   The center is about 1.5 hours from the major city of Zhengzou (Jeng - joo).  The trip here was pretty nice, driving was a bit scary, which is normal for here.  Appearantly, the lines on the road don't have any actual meaning ...

 Our interpreter, Grace, has told us much about how the persecution has shifted recently in China.  She says there are so many Christians now that the government has no ability to really control them very well, so the persecution has lightened up quite a bit.  It also is very localized.  In some areas, Christians can meet openly whenever and wherever they want, and in other areas they have to be more discreet.  

In cases where the authorities do interfere, she said it's mostly just taking names and pictures, and maybe some verbal harassment.  

The accommodations here are very nice.  much nicer than I had been prepared for.  they do have beds for us (very firm) and the rooms have a sort of air conditioner that works pretty well!  John says this is much nicer than the norm.  I feel a little spoiled actually.  

will write more soon.  . .

Picture below is our meeting area (not air conditioned)

Modern watering hole

Its funny how in an airport the power plug area is like the watering hole for animals in the desert.  It shows how we are so dependent on our technology.  "What if my iPad goes dead on this flight?". Gasp! 

I'm just one of the thirsty zebras jockeying for position... so I can't really talk.  

The thought of not being able to just pick up my phone and talk with my wife over the next 3 weeks is hard.  I cant just shoot a quick txt message to say "hi" or to see what the kids are up to.

It's good in the sense that it forces me to trust those I love to the God I serve.  What does it say about my confidence in Him if can't truly leave them in His care?

Time to unplug and board the plane. . . Until next time
Ken

Pre-trip thoughts

Thursday morning I leave for three weeks in Chi**.  I am extremely grateful to the many people who have given $ or provided other forms of support so I could go.  This blog will be my way of keeping track of my daily activities and also of sharing these activities with you.  Although I will not likely be able to publish my updates while there (for security reasons/ as well as accessibility), I will publish just as soon as I can.

I am excited to teach and train, but also nervous.  I'm really not nervous about customs, security, or any of those concerns.  I guess what makes me nervous is the thought of my western, middle class American "comfortable" Christianity up next to the commitment, sacrifice and dedication of these brothers who risk so much for the name of our Lord.  I'm going to teach, but I have no doubt that I will be the one learning the most lessons. 

Please pray for a fruitful trip for the kingdom.  For those of you who saw me Sunday and are concerned for my health, praise God I'm feeling much better.  Continued prayers are appreciated!  

I hope to update when I get in country.  Until then . . .

P. Ken

The Monster is Us!

The recent atrocities that have come to light against the women in Cleveland have taken my breath away.  I keep saying things like, "How could this happen in America?" and "What kind of monster does this?"  I've watched the news reports and countless mental health experts talk about what kind of mental sickness this man has, and how he could have / should have been treated.  I have been quick to join with them in their diagnosis of Ariel Castro as nothing short of a "Monster." 

During a time of reflection this morning, a stark reality hit me.  This "sickness" that Ariel Castro has is something . . . we all have!  It's called sin.  It's dark, ugly, and evil.  His brutal acts are simply taking sin to extreme ends.  These horrible acts exemplify to the ultimate degree what it means to treat others as objects for our own gratification.  Here's the part that's hard to stomach - we all do it.  Certainly not in the way that Ariel Castro did, but who among us hasn't "sold" someone on something to benefit ourselves?  Who hasn't put another down in order to lift ourselves up?  Who hasn't mocked someone less fortunate to highlight our success?  Who hasn't made fun of another to make ourselves feel better than them?  Who hasn't looked with lust at another, who ultimately is someone else's spouse, and even child?  Who hasn't used guilt or emotions or even sexuality to manipulate others to do what we want?  Who hasn't tried whatever means possible to control others to get our desired outcome?  Who hasn't failed in what Jesus said summed up all commands towards other people - to love our neighbors as ourselves?

We find comfort in looking at a man like Ariel Castro and thinking - "This Monster is nothing like me!"  His actions should disgust and terrify us.  But most terrifying of all is the grim reality that he has simply followed his sinful desires to their ultimate depraved fulfillment.  It chills me and humbles me deeply to wrestle with the reality that he & I are not entirely different creatures.  His sickness is my sickness.  The only difference is I have both the ultimate & temporary cure for this sickness in Jesus Christ.   

This cure is ultimate in that all my sins are forever forgiven through Jesus' death for me on the cross.  He (perfect) died for me (sinner).  Some say they are seeking the death penalty for Castro.  Romans 6:23 says that "the wages for (all) sin is death."  When in faith I cry out to Him, God exchanges my sinfulness for His perfection.  This forgiveness is available to all, even Ariel Castro.  (pray for me because in my flesh I certainly want him to rot in hell for eternity - an ever present reminder that even now I fail to love him as Christ commands!  I am slow to admit that I deserve the same fate!) 

This cure is also temporary in the sense that the only power I have to live in victory over sin here and now is also through my relationship with Jesus.   Unchecked and unrestrained, our sin nature takes us down the same path that ends with the destruction of our lives and the lives of those around us.  The details of our stories probably won't include kidnapping, murder, rape . . . etc.  Ours may include lies, divorce, infidelity, greed, shame, regret, bitterness, broken relationships, broken families, verbal & emotional abuse, addictions, etc.

Consider . . . 

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.   James 1:14-15

I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. . . .  Romans 7:22-25a

Life and death

I had the joy yesterday of being with a young couple right after their second daughter was born.  Then, a few hours later, sitting with a grieving daughter at the passing of her 85 year old mom.

I feel like I should have some great "circle of life" comments, but I don't. 
New life is so wonderful and miraculous, and death is so . . . quiet.

The silence of sitting in a room with someone grieving is so heavy, and dark.  You feel the need to say something, but remember from your own grief that the best solace is often silent companionship. 

so, here are my wise words about life and death . . .  There is plenty of both, and you're not able to really experience one without the other.

the deeds of my father

This morning before 7am I was on the church roof with my brother Bob and our friend Barry changing swamp cooler pads.  Not exactly the top leisure and recreation activity on most people's 4th of July list!  I would have preferred to sleep in to be honest.  Once we were done, however, I had an extreme sense of gratification.  Not simply because I served the Lord in a tangible, material way.  Not because many people will benefit from a cooler, more comfortable auditorium this Sunday (you're welcome, by the way). 

I felt very gratified because it brought back many memories of watching my father perform many tasks around the church when I was growing up.  My dad loved the church and gave his time, money and talent to ensure that God's house was not neglected. 

My dad died 5 years ago yesterday.  It brings joy to my heart and tears to my eyes to remember the legacy of sacrificial service he left to his two sons.  I changed the swamp cooler pads this morning not because I'm the Pastor . . . not because it needed done and somebody had to do it . . . but simply because that's what my dad did.

What's your balance?

I love gift cards - who doesn't???  One of the things that bothers me, however, is having a gift card but not knowing what it's balance is.  Is there $4, or $40?  Every once in awhile I'll find one in my wallet, and not have any clue as to what's on it.  In a way, it's exciting, but in another way, frustrating becuase I don't know what I can get with it. 

This past Sunday, one of my points was that living life on a mission will cost you your life - and that sounds incredible until we realize that we are all SPENDING our lives on something.  Just being alive is costing you your life.  Today, we will spend 24 hours of our life.  It's gone.  Spent. 

When Amy left the gym this morning, she called me very upset.  A young lady just 24 years old who was a regular in the same class passed away last night in a car accident.  The "balance" of her life expired. 

Now, I am not morbid by nature, but I have no idea what the "balance" of my life is, and neither do you.  We'd all like to think that it's unlimited, but we know that's not the case.  All we know is that we have the current minute, maybe even second, to spend our lives on something that matters, something eternal. 

What are you spending yours on?

Who are you "investing" in for eternity?