Martyrs in Iraq

Voice of the Martyrs 

Doing Missions when dying is gain.

they need me

Could you imagine a world where Christians lived the way God called them to?

What would it look like? Maybe people would start to say, "I like those Christians. Maybe they aren't all that bad." 

I understand that we are going to be hated by the world for our beliefs...but are we hated for the right reasons? 

A book by David Kinnaman, unChristian, reported that most nonbelievers said that Christians were, "hypocritical," "insensitive," and "judgmental." Is anybody surprised by this? I think it is only fitting that people think of us like this considering the way we act. I don't like it, but it's true.

Christians are arrogant jerks to say the least. 

But if we started to live radically, maybe we would start being disliked for the right reasons. I would love it if people hated me because they thought I was a weirdo. If the only thing I ever talked about was Jesus and was totally overwhelmed by this overwhelming god. People would inevitably think I was a psycho. I think it better to be considered a psycho rather than a "cool" Christian. 

At the same time, if I was radically living the way Jesus tells Christians to, maybe I could make a legitimate difference. God tells us to love the poor, care for the widowed, protect those who need protection. What if I did all of those because it came to me naturally? This should be the norm. Radically following Jesus. 

I pray that radical would become the norm. And that Christians were leading the fight against injustice all around the world, including at home. It is so much easier to be Christian overseas. Why am I not being one in America? There are people all around me who need Jesus just as much as the drug traffickers in Mexico. Just as much as the entrepreneurs in Japan. Just as much as a sex-slave in India. Just as much as the child soldier in Africa. Everybody needs me to be a Christian, dare I say they need me to be a radical Christian at that? It is pathetic that I have to add an adjective to explain what a true Christian is. 

Dollar For a Drink

Click here for an inspiring story about a daring 16 year who is not afraid to be counter-cultural.

Ryder Cup!

Do work USA! 

Tiger who?

Living on "The Fringe"

I just finished watching the second episode of a new TV series called The Fringe. The final minute or so there was an extremely profound quote that I think would be good to explore.

"The inherent pitfall of being a scientist is trying to maintain the distinction between God's domain and our own."

I feel as if the inherent pitfall of being a descendant of Adam would be not understanding the distinction between God's domain and our's. What even constitutes as "our" domain? In one of my classes we had a topic floating in the air about the reality of dying to ourselves. If you want to take it one step further you could say we are already dead. "Dead to sin, alive in Christ." 

Calvin puts it this way, "we are just sojourners in this world. Our true home address is in heaven. " [I read that today and don't have the book with me...it probably shouldn't be in quotes now that I think about it...]

So when you look at it like that, we don't own anything! We must live in this world as sojourners. I'm not saying that disciples of Christ should sell all they own and live like homeless people begging for food, but I am saying that they should give all they have up. 

Genesis 22 shows the perfect example of this idea. Abraham was so enthralled with his son Isaac that God made sure that Abraham's allegiance was still devoted to God. He asked him to make the ultimate sacrifice; his son, his most beloved possession. 

That is the total surrender of our possessions.

God has commanded us to be in this world as nomads. We own nothing but that which is awaiting us in Heaven. That is a radical call! It is something that I need to learn more of. I just don't want this to be an ideal for me; I need this to be words that are spoken through my actions. I must die to myself every morning and say, "God, I am just a wandering fool that is willing to do whatever it is that You ask of me." 

That is the true meaning of living on "the fringe". We are always one heart beat away from heaven. So let us not waste that final thump of life on the sensual. But instead,  Let us become gloriously broken and destroyed by our sin as we call on the name of the Lord for help. Let us use our last heart beat to pump as much of the Gospel into this pitfall we call Earth as we can.

The Payoff

I don't really have much time to blog, but I can't help myself. I'm addicted to writing my thoughts down on a webpage that nobody will ever read...It's odd.

But the reason why I am writing to myself today is because I just finished reading a chapter in The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This chapter was all about the gospel and it's implications for the believers. It was a challenging chapter that talked about suffering because He first suffered for us.

Bonhoeffer said that the way to overcome suffering is through suffering alone. It didn't make sense to me at first, but he continued to say that Jesus commands us to pick up our cross and follow Him. Now I see the suffering...

But how do I get over suffering through suffering? It still is a conundrum.

"My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Yeah right Jesus. I'm not really feeling the easy burden and yoke as I'm studying to, Lord willing, become a pastor one day. Hours and hours of reading each day isn't easy by any means! But the byproduct of the suffering that comes through my studying is what gets me through the suffering! 

The byproduct? Joy.

I find so much joy in spending my entire day reading theology, discipleship, studying Greek, and not being able to do things that I enjoy like exercising, watching every game of football that's on TV, and hanging out with my friends until the late hours of the night. But it's the little things that I find in God that make me happy with what I'm giving up.

Jesus suffered for me so that I can suffer for Him. I don't need a social life! The only life I need is one radically committed proclaiming the Gospel and sharing the joy that I find in Christ Jesus my Lord.

Special Music at it's Best

Click here for the coolest offertory you will ever witness. I'll happily...no...joyfully tithe during something like this!

Death By Love

Mark Driscoll, one of my favorite pastors/speakers/authors is coming out with a new book all about how the love of Christ has broken us free from the bonds of sin. It is written in the form of letters. It is sure to be one worth reading.

Biden's interview on Meet the Press

Clicked here for an interesting video on Biden's view of abortion. This is postmodernity at it's greatest.

Thoughts on Hell

I have begun to read a book titled Hell Under Fire by my theology professor Dr. Morgan and many other contributors. I can't say the subject of Hell has ever really caught my attention. Call me a late bloomer, but the only overall thoughts that I had on Hell before reading this book are simply put, "I don't want to go there."

I knew all that was said about it. The common weeping and gnashing of teeth line I had heard quite a bit growing up in church, but it never quite resonated with me. Hell was just a place to me. A place that I know, unfortunately, most people are going to end up.

But this book has kept referring to Hell as eternal punishment or eternal torture. This book is written for scholars...so I don't claim to know half of what they are saying (literally: I haven't seen half of the words these authors have said...it's pathetic). But those two phrases I understand. And from what I've learned so far in the book, I know them well now. 

eternal torture...

Just think about that for a moment. Not just torture, but torture for all eternity. I can't imagine.

I had to stop reading a few times just because I couldn't get out of my mind how many people are heading in that direction. I felt like swearing. It seemed like it was the words that could suffice. Actions could not explain how mad I was; words can't do it justice either. Eternal Torture kept echoing in my head. It still does...it won't stop. 

And I've come to the conclusion that I will pray these thoughts return if they do cease. I'm not sure it's right to use Hell as a motivation to witness and pray for the lost, but I will. I know one thing for certain, that it is wrong for me not to witness. So even if I do have the wrong motivations (not saying I do or don't...just uncertain), I will continue to use them because I know God will be glorified in the end. No matter how many people end up suffering, the end result is that people will bow before Him. I pray that it is not forced upon them. I pray that they will, in the end, do it willingly and humbly before Jesus Christ. 

The Cross's Symbol

I just finished watching the last 5 minutes of a documentary on crucifixions. It seemed as if they were talking about the miserable death that comes by the torture device (Yes, it is a torture device). But I was disappointed when the last line of the program was, "The cross should be a symbol that says, 'You should never treat somebody like this.'"

Are you kidding me?!

Now don't get me wrong, I agree that we should not treat anybody in a hurtful way; neither physically nor emotionally. Christians are called to love everybody. The cross even shows that! "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (-John 15:13 ESV) Yet the idea of the cross's new meaning from Channel 269 (DirecTV) ticked me off. The cross has such a deeper meaning. It carries with it the idea of grace, hope, and a future in Christ! I'm so thankful that is the meaning instead of the one that the historian from the History Channel came up with. 

How Can We Know?

Summer is coming to a close...which means I will come to a long stretch where I can do nothing but read, write, study, sleep, and eat. It has been a good summer where God has challenged the way I think and live my life. The last question that God has brought to my attention comes from Corinthians. After reading the opening chapter of the first letter, I began to ask myself how I should look at other people who say they are believers, yet don't act the part. Are they saved or not? So let's get started...

There is no doubt in my mind that these people, in Corinth whom Paul is writing to, are saved through the blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is evident through the first half of the chapter. Paul makes that very clear. 

But the rest of the book shows the people to be drunks, adulterers, liars, etc.. So what does this mean? These people are saved and act like this?! It just doesn't make any sense. 

Paul says that these people are saved. Even though they act the way they do. So how are we supposed to think around the "Christians" in our society. In chapter 2 verse 14 Paul explains what a natural, or unsaved, person does. He "does not accept the things of the Spirit of God." 

Now...what are the things of the Spirit of God? I might be wrong on this one because I have not studied exactly what Paul is talking about, but on first look it appears as if Paul is talking about wisdom. Most of the second chapter revolves around the idea of wisdom. So it would not be a long shot to think that he is still talking about it here in verse 14. 

A natural person does not accept wisdom, so an unnatural, or saved, person would. I think that is our answer. It is all about being able to accept being wrong! Humility is a showing characteristic of our salvation. We show humility every time we worship God. As seen in Revelation 4, the 24 elders throw their crowns at the foot of God and worship Him! They show humility. Worship is a way of telling God that He is more important than us. It is also the sole reason we are on Earth. 

We also see this idea being set forth, by Paul, in chapter 5. There is a man who is doing such a sinful act that they throw him out of the church. The man says he is saved, yet doesn't act like it. So Paul says they will throw him out in order to save him from his flesh (v. 5). And praise God, in 2 Corinthians we learn that he did repent from his sin (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). 

This is still a difficult idea for me to grasp. Hopefully as I further dive into God's Word the answer will become more and more clear to me. 

Side note...I put in quotes the word Christian referring to people who do not appear to be saved. I have no remorse in putting quotes around it. In fact, there should be quotes around myself sometimes. I feel as if it should serve as a reminder that we are sinful, wretched people who do not deserve God's gift of salvation. But God is full of grace and mercy and we can rely on the fact that He has forgiven us of all our sins! I cannot wait to get to heaven and worship at the throne.

Obamassiah

Whether you like Obama or not...you have to laugh at this!

Awesome parody. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNFNG3AGO_g&feature=related

R.I.P. Golf

The headlines shouldn't be reading, "Tiger is having reconstructive knee surgery." It should be reading, "Golf is having reconstructive knee surgery; out for the season." It is absolutely absurd how important Tiger Woods is to golf. For those of you who know me, you know that I'm a golf addict. I know a ton of players on the tour and can tell you if they are good or not. I might even be able to tell you their world ranking...but since Tiger's been gone, I haven't watched one event. Granted, I have been overseas for 3 weeks. But I did have the opportunity to watch the PGA Championship, one of the 4 biggest tournaments the year, and I didn't watch any of it. In fact, it's Monday...and I still haven't even checked to see who won! This is ridiculous for somebody who loves golf as much as me. I can only imagine for the guy who just likes golf. I guess I'm not a golf fan, I'm a Tiger fan. I'm okay with that. After all, Tiger Woods is my male celebrity crush (I say that completely heterosexually).

So until next season, I probably won't be watching much golf. 

Go Tiger! 

Something Spiritual

I alluded to the fact that there were security issues with my blog being written while I was over there because the Government monitors all internet activity and it is very possible that they could read my blog and deport me, my team, and the IMB Missionaries there. So I chose to talk about things that were secondary agenda to me. Luckily, I'm back in the states where I can openly talk about my beliefs. So here is what really happened.

When I used to think of Muslims, not too many good thoughts would come to mind. I would have the usual thought of; terrorists, extremists, and the idea that they hate America. All of those views seem to be valid with what we are fed from the media. Just an example, when we were in LAX we put on our dishdashas (traditional Muslim attire) and a guy walked past us and under his breath said, "terrorists." That is not what he found out by himself. That is what the media chose for him to think.

What we are not fed and therefore not given the choice to think is what these people are truly like. Now when I think of Muslims, I think of; overly hospitable, nice, and family oriented. I think it is absurd that we go through our days and hear nothing positive about this people group. They act more like Christians than Christians do. I hate to say that, but it is true. When was the last time you gave out your number to a perfect stranger and told them to call you if you needed anything? I don't think I ever have, yet these people do it daily. I learned a lot from them. 

God is doing some amazing things in the Middle East. People are coming to the Lord in masses. There is a movement in Iraq that is so new right, they can't even number the amount of Believers. That is exciting! Who doesn't want to be apart of that?

I'm sorry to say that I cannot tell you of any tangible evidence of our mission trip. The fact is; witnessing to Islams is a slow process. The average amount of times the gospel is shared to them before they start to believe is 25. It usually ranges from a 5-7 year evangelism process. So unfortunately, we were not able to see anybody come to the Lord this trip, but I have faith that people we came into contact with will eventually be forgiven of all their sins. It is only going to take people who give up their time and make their way over to the Middle East and tell them the Good News that they have. And if God would call somebody like me, I know He will have people going over who will do a far better job than I ever will be able to. I think that God just wanted to show me what He is doing overseas because I am not very good at the whole evangelizing thing.

There is something that I feel is worth being discussed while I'm talking about my trip. It doesn't deal with interacting with the lost. It doesn't deal with smuggling Bibles into the country. It deals with the humbling act of worship. There is something that can't be described when you are able to worship the God of the Universe in a country where His name is not lifted up. Singing with my team and doing Bible studies was amazing. Not because we were good singers or teachers. Not because we had in depth theological discussions. But because God was being glorified! The trip alone was worth it because I was able to worship the Lord. 

People say that going overseas is a life changing experience. I pray that it will be for me too. Right now, I'm beginning to see the importance of living with intentionality. It was so easy to walk around looking for people to talk to and give people a smile that you make eye contact with. Why don't I do that in America? I have made a promise to God that I will start to make an effort in making relationships with unbelievers. I will do that by going to Starbucks to study instead of my apartment. I will make friends in my classes that are not believers. And I will make more of a point to build the relationships with my friends that I know are not believers. It is just one way that I will be fulfilling the Great Commission in America. Hopefully this is just not one of those post-summer camp moments where you are on fire to do stuff like this. 

My prayers are going to be going strong for the IMB Missionaries we met in the Middle East. And it is my prayer that you answer the call to go make disciples. It is not a choice. There is no so called "calling" to be a missionary. It is just a matter of saying "Yes" to God, because He is asking all of His sheep. So you can say "Yes" either two ways; Go or Send.

How much longer?

I'm pretty worn out with everything. Not to mention getting on the internet was a pain. Along with me not getting able to get on AOL to check and send email really made me happy as well. I promise I was in a better mood 10 minutes ago.

I'm still having hints of fun though! This place doesn't even look like the Middle East. It is more like a rain forest than a desert. A few days ago we had a picnic with some Arab guys on a cliff overlooking the ocean. We ate with our hands and the Arabs made fun of me...I guess I wasn't doing something right. Who thought there was a technique to eating with your hands? But at the end of our meal there were about 6 camels that showed up. It was a weird juxtaposition with the camels and ocean. I'm sure you can't see that combo too many places in the world.

It has been harder to find fluent people here in Salalah. Kind of a bummer, but we are making due.

Overseas brings a lot of Spiritual Warfare that I've never experienced in the states. I'll be happy to get it all off my back soon. Even with all the warfare, it is nice to know that the S-man isn't happy with the work we are doing. Speaking of the work...it is a lot different than what I thought it was going to be. And I'm still looking to find peace with my purpose for coming.

Please pray for me and renewed strength. There is only a few more days left and I want to be able to finish strong! There is still a ton of work to be done here. It has been refreshing to see the work that was already in progress. The harvest is ready!

I'm going to go and try to find a way to email people. But in case I can't....Mom, all I want is clean clothes, a good shower, my cell phone, and food that comes out solid. Also, mom and dad....Happy Anniversary! I love you guys.

ME Update 1

My eyes are beginning to open to something so much bigger than anything you can experience on American soil. It is really hard to talk about what I want to say because of problems that come from "closed" regions, but I promise I'll have plenty to say when I get home.

I can give you a few snippets though!

The quote of the trip:
Muhammed *with Arabic accent*: You ever poop in the desert?
Kyle: ...No.
Muhammed: You should try it.
That guy is probably the funniest Arab guy I will ever meet.

The drive to the LA airport was stupid scary! The guy drove like he was half asleep or something. I think he was on some kinda of drugs. He definitely didn't know how to stay in one lane.
Driving in round abouts with 3+ lanes and little to no regard for the one or two traffic laws in place is even scarier....I thought Asians were bad drivers! They drive like experts compared to Indians.

I've never seen a chandelier bigger than the one in the Grand Mosque. The place is absolutely gorgeous.

I'm kind of bummed I haven't been able to use the squatty potty yet. My colon ran into a little problem with the food for a few days. :/ Needless to say, the Imodium has done it's job and my cheeks haven't seen porcelan for awhile.

Off roading in the desert is pretty exciting. It comes in two ways:
1. Get stuck in a Sadan in the middle of the night.
This one is fun! You get to see a man in a Dishdashda named
Muhammed running around in a panic not knowing what to do while
the Amreecas push the car out of the sand.
2. Get stuck in an Explorer during the day.
This one is fun too because Arab's on quads get to laugh at you and steal
your SUV for a good ten minutes while you are stuck in the back seat. Not to
mention he drives off after asking the owner if he was Amreecan. After hearing
a "yes", replies "Goerge Bush." Then precedes to floor it through the dunes at scary
speeds. Nevertheless....amazing!

This is all I have time for now. But don't worry mom, I think I have gotten used to the food so I shouldn't be sick anymore (yes...I did get a little sick). I should be able to update in a week or so. We are flying to a vacation spot of the region tomorrow so it should be amazing!

P.S. Sorry I didn't call before I went offroading, mom. But I think you'll understand.

Prayers Wanted!

I'm leaving for the Middle East and I would love your prayers for my team and me!

I'll try to be updating this blog once a week or so...

Uh Oh

I'm getting ready to go to the Middle East next week and I stumbled upon this from George Otis Jr.'s book The Last of the Giants: Lifting the Veil on Islam and the End Times

"Should the Church in politically or socially trying circumstances remain covert to avoid potential eradication by forces hostile to Christianity? Or would more open confrontation with prevailing spiritual ignorance and deprivation--even if it produced Christian martyrs- -be more likely to lead to evangelistic breakthroughs? Islamic fundamentalists claim that their spiritual revolution is fueled by the blood of martyrs. Is it conceivable that Christianity's failure to thrive in the Muslim world is due to the notable absence of Christian martyrs? And can the Muslim community take seriously the claims of a Church in hiding? . . .The question is not whether it is wise at times to keep worship and witness discreet, but rather how long this may continue before we are guilty of "hiding our light under a bushel. . . . The record shows that from Jerusalem and Damascus to Ephesus and Rome, the apostles were beaten, stoned, conspired against and imprisoned for their witness. Invitations were rare, and never the basis for their missions."

The part of the ME where I'm going is a pretty safe place to be. Probably safer than LA. But still...makes me think a little bit. 

Suffering

I was reading this book called the Bible (pretty good, I recommend it). But in 1 Corinthians 15 it talks about Jesus rising from the dead, along with the eye witnesses that saw Jesus after He had been killed.

One verse struck me in the passage. Verse 14 says, "And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain."

I have been asked the question before, "If Christianity is proved wrong, what will you do?" I had no idea how to answer a question like this. I always gave the holy/faithful (some what faking) answer of "that's never gonna to happen". 

But Paul is essentially answering that question here in v 14. He says that it is futile the way he has lived! Why would somebody want to go through the hardships of being a Christian when they could spend the easy life of being a non-believer? And if you are thinking to yourself that your life wouldn't change but the one day a week you go to church, maybe you should think more about what it means to be a Christian.

Being a Christian is tough! We don't get to understand the meaning of tough here in America. We can easily live two lives and put on a facade infront of our "brothers and sisters". Maybe we should all live in the Persecuted Church area for awhile and see what happens to our faith. 

Would you still be a Christian if somebody was beating you upside the head with a bat? Would you still believe if you witnessed your loved one's getting dragged out into the street and beaten? Would you still cry out to God when you have lived in solitary confinement for years? 

Christians in America don't have to deal with the hardships like our Asian brethren. But even without the persecution, what would change about your life if Christianity was nothing more than an SNL skit? 

Why didn't the emergent cross the road?

I found this on Dr. Mooney's blog.

10. Because he did not want to be labeled.

9. Because he was not absolutely certain that he could cross since in order to get to the other side, you would have to go half way, and in order to go half way, you would have to go half way to half way, and in order to go half way to the half way, you would have to go half way, ad infinitum.

8. Because it was not a labyrinth shaped road.

7. Because only arrogant people cross roads.

6. The liquor store was on his side.

5. Because they didn't ordain women or homosexuals to street preaching on the other side.

4. Becuase everyone crosses the road, it must be wrong.

3. Because to cross the road you have to go West.

2. Because it was a one-way street.

1. Because he did not want to be acccused of J-Mac-ing.

Here we go!

Hello blogworld! I am now an official blogger. This apparently is where all of my important thoughts are supposed to appear. I'll try not to disappoint those who think I have interesting things going on up there. And if you are one of those people...you must be really dull. 

I know the blogworld is filled with postmodernity (ie. coffee, long talks that don't generally have a direction, and the philisophical idea that we cannot reach absolute truth). So it seems that I, more of a traditionalist, am venturing into the realm of black rimmed glasses and talks about how cool the new u2 album is. But I think that most of my posts are going to be about loving God and His Word. So innevitably, I will post things that bloggers care about...like beating poverty and loving people. I won't talk about global warming so much...but I love the Earth nonetheless. Why do you have to be green and democrat to love the Earth anyways?

Well, I'm off to go find some funny Youtube videos because that's one part of blogging, right?