The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17
These days for our family have been about the challenge of faith. Do we believe? It is easy to say we do, but our actions and anxious hearts tell a different story at times. If we stop long enough to consider and believe in the goodness of our God, LIFE colors our experience with deep joy and lasting peace. However, when we stop believing our world turns gray and the beautiful becomes mundane. Today the invitation is given, will we believe?
In the last update I introduced you to Chuck. This young man is seeking truth! He recently visited our apartment (and brought a friend) to view "The Passion". We had been discussing the story for weeks, but seeing it with his own eyes made the message all the more real.
That day we gave him a copy of the Word and challenged him to read, beginning in John. A few days ago (in a follow up meeting) Chuck was excited about the progress he had made and bought questions from his reading. He is amazed by it all, but still isn't ready to accept that this way is THE way.
As we left the meeting that day I gave Chuck an invitation. What if he were to take the rest of September (23 days) and focus all of his attention on JC? He confessed that everyday he spends time in worship of something. I challenged him to read from John and worship only JC for the remaining days of this month. I told him that if JC is one among many then nothing would change, but if He is the ONLY then it would be undeniable.
I gave this invitation without thinking! On the way home I second guessed the whole thing, wondering if I had stepped my bounds. What if nothing happens? What will the ramifications be? What if?
Then I realized that it wasn't me who gave the invite. This "taste and see" method isn't my normal mode of operation and came from my mouth involuntarily. I hadn't put His reputation on the line, HE had! At that moment my heart filled with faith and I believed He would be faithful to finish what He had started!
So now I give you an invitation. Would you join me in asking that Chuck would seek and find that He is all we have found and confess Him to be? If you just took a few minutes each day for the rest of September to make this request, what might He do?
In hundreds of relationships over our time here, this is where the conversation stops. We haven't seen anyone cross this barrier. All will agree that He is good and that He is even special, but to say that He is the ONLY is a place our friends are just unwilling to go. We have come to realize that this wall won't come down with a persuasive talk or nifty illustration. All my best plans and preparations are useless against it. There is only one who has the power to do it and it sure ain't me or you! Please join us in asking that HE would do what only HE can!
While we await this 2nd birth we recently got to celebrate A's 1st! She had a big day with the girls and we all ate at this Mexican restaurant in town. The waiters didn't know that every good Mexican place makes the birthday girl wear a sombrero. We took the liberty to do in ourselves!
Independence day is a big deal here. Everyone flies a kite that looks like the Indian flag. Above is the picture from our balcony. The most amazing thing is how they are able to fly them around all the chaotic power lines and with no wind!
We also recently experienced Ganesh Chaturthi. This is a ten day festival to celebrate the birth of the elephant headed deity named Ganesha. This year we encountered it face to face because we now have a temple just outside our door. This place of worship is actually on the street corner and normally out of the way, but for this festival they made a tent and extended the temple into the street. This was required to make room for the massive statue and all the people who ended up coming to give worship.
The tent blocked the way to our house and everyday we had to negotiate the narrow space left for traffic. C was really bothered by the whole thing. He came up with a plan to stack copies of the WORD around the statue so high that you couldn't even see it. He was sure this would turn every ones attention toward JC!
This temple is led by a family of priest (or pundits) who have been in charge of the activities for many years. I got to meet and share with the youngest brother (above) and left wondering what he really thinks about the man made statue behind him.
Baseball season at the US embassy began last weekend. This year C gets to hit from a pitcher. Daddy is coaching and got the call to pitch. I actually ended up having to ask another coach to close because I couldn't throw the poor kids a strike to save my life!
C played really well and had a great time making new friends! Our team has kids from every corner of the planet and half the time you can't understand anyone because of all our different accents. We just smile and wave with a little arrogance in our step, after all we are at the US embassy playing OUR sport.
B spends most of the time asking that his dad would be humbled!
Mom tries her best to carry all the gear and watch all three of us at once. It is hard work!
After the game we took the boys and a couple of their buddies to McDonalds. It's way different here (we walked through a crowd of people begging outside the door, we shared seats with large groups of people on both sides of us, and OF COURSE there is no beef in any of the hamburgers) but a happy meal is a happy meal any where in the world.
At times it feels like all our pieces are spread across the floor and we don't even know where to start, but then we look in faith and see the amazing things happening just below the surface!
It looks like there could be more changes ahead for us. As time passes, His desired direction clarifies. We are excited about it and were recently reminded that the one we follow never promised to be predictable, but we rest on the fact that He is good. His invitation isn't to an organization, it's to an adventure! The journey requires faith, but His promises are sure. I can't wait to see what's around the next turn, can you?
