Mercy

Mercy.

That’s the operative word for me in all of this.

Processing this entire incident has been a little bit strange. I sometimes get the idea that I should “feel something”. Make great changes in my life because I was inches away from being a greasy spot on a Mongolian road. There’s a part of me that trembles every time I see these pictures, and another part of me that looks with the casual interst of a stray cat.

I remember it well. Most of it, anway. I can still very much hear the sound of rubber peeling off the tire and see the treads being thrown all over the road, shooting past the car. I can remember consciously trying to stay calm in attempts to keep the car on the road. I don’t remember hitting the brake, even though I’m fairly certain that I locked them up, which was what sent us into the skid that finally took us off the road and flipped the car. I remember turning upside down quite vividly. I remember the relief I felt when I heard everyone in the car respond verbally that they were okay. I remember being somewhat concerned when I realized that there was a lot of blood coming from my own head, wondering if I’d managed to scalp myself. I remember being quite grateful that there was a poiliceman on the scene (even though I must have seemed very dazed and shell-shcoked to him), and even more grateful later when I found out that he was a top guy in the Mongolian Secret Police.

In the processing of what happened, I question if there was, or if there was not suppoed to be some kind of serendipitous moment in it all. Am I supposed to change my life forever? Do I now write a “bucket list”? Do I need to now do something profound with my life? Again, there is a part of me that seems uncannily unconcered; another part that stands in amazement.

I know I was shown mercy, as were my children and the Manchester family in the car with us. I know mercy is renewed every morning - but on this day, mercy abounds from the ground up. The Mongolians all see the car and ask, “How many died?” To which we reply, “None. God, in His mercy required none of our lives. We can continue to live and serve for a while longer.”

Here’s the interesting thing about the place where this happened. When we returned the next day, we found that this vicinity contained many of the tell-tale blue flags, tied to the trees and the nearby bridge. We then found out the that two other cars were in accidents in this same are within 24 hours of our incident. The next week, a team member was traveling through that area and reported that the road was closed because a shaman was performing ceremonies in the middle of the road. Obviously spiritual activity in this area is somewhat profound. I think of these verses in Mark 10:28–31

And do not fear those who kill the body
but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him
who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
And not one of them will fall to the ground
apart from your father. But even the hairs
on your head are numbered. Fear not, therefore;
you are of more vlue than many sparrows.

My hair count should be little easier to keep up with … as I’m fairly certain that I lost a few in the spin and subsequent road burn on the scalp. However, I think of this passage and know that God is a merciful God. If we have enemies who try to take our lives, He will stay his hand … and we will not fear. And even if it were our time to go, we still will not fear, because we live in the mercy of the cross. So it is as we sang in church last Sunday:

The body they may kill
God’s truth abideth still
His Kingdom is forever.

I believe this.

I wish to live this for whatever days I may have left and I’m so grateful that eveyone in the car, my children in particular, has the opportunity to live this in their remaining days, as well.

So we have a few more.

That’s mercy.

And I’m grateful.

Friday Photos: Summer Teaching

I have the opportunity to teach a seminar this week on the subjuect of Spiritual gifts. It was great fun to do this out in the countryside (sort of ... Gachuurt is about 20 minutes outside of the City). 

Here was the view from where I sat: 

The conversation was stimulating.  The view was breathtaking. All in all ... it was a good day. 

The Gospel and Garbage

The Gospel and the Problem of Trash

This weekend was spent with Church Leaders working through a thought provoking process called “The Pastoral Circle”. It’s a simple pattern for properly thinking about ways the church should engage with the problems and issues of society. The process involves discovery of the issues, personal biases surrounding those issues, social analysis, theological reflection and planning on how the church will engage. While it’s a simple pattern,the process is involved. But, it’s extremely helpful.

The Gospel. The Church. Mission. Cultural and societal engagement. These are topics with interest me deeply. Indeed, in many ways they are subjects on which I’ve dedicate my life. It was refreshing to once again explain how the Gospel affects and impacts every part of the life of a believer. The issue which was raised during our time together this weekend was one which thrills me to no end.

The Gospel affects everything.

One of the important issues in the church today (at least in my non-essential opinion) is the fact that Gospel is not just a message to be proclaimed every once in a while on a Sunday. In many of our churches the Gospel is relegated to a moralistic Sunday School story (Jesus-died-on-the-cross-for-our-sins), rather than THE story that changes everything. I don’t think we are (shall I just speak for myself? I don’t think I am …) adequately stunned by the staggering implications of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In the West, we tend to practice (and export) the less-than-stunning, sterilized, Sunday School version of that story.

As a part of the process this weekend, the students were required to think about where they live (the geographical location). They had to talk about what they love about their home … and the things they would like to see changed. From this, each group connected to a specific problem. They covered everything from divorce to alcoholism in youth to garbage.

Here was the classic moment. To understand this, you have to understand that the term “Gospel” is literally translated “Good News” in Mongolian. So, I asked the question.

How do we connect the “Good News” to the problem of trash?

Some blank looks.

Then one student hesitantly said, “Well, the Good News is good …. and trash …. is bad?”

So we thought together about creation, stewardship, the Fall, the results of the Fall, the reason Jesus had to come and die, and the results of the death and resurrection of Jesus … as it relates to trash, the human condition and the stewardship of the Earth. We talked about Thomas Chalmers of Glasgow, and how he practically applied the Gospel in the poorest of neighborhoods - and saw those neighborhoods transformed through the power of the Gospel. It was an enlightening and enjoyable session. The Mongolian church leaders moved a step closer to what I believe to be a Biblical vision of the Gospel and the Kingdom.

Let me qualify … I am not a post-millennial reconstructionist. But, then again, I’m also not a pre-millennial, pre-trib, dispensationalist. The Biblical vision of the Gospel and the Kingdom is much bigger than our theological containers. I believe that until we begin to connect the Gospel with garbage, we’re not even beginning to touch the atom-bomb impact of the Cross on this planet.

This past weekend of teaching has convinced me that those of us working in the context of modern day cross-cultural mission also need to connect Gospel and garbage. Unless that connection at least begins to take place in our own minds, I’m fairly certain we’re fooling ourselves, and more tragically, fooling the good people who send money every month for our support. Mission has to be more than a numbers game and “Good News” is not just positive information in a newsletter. I think we’re way too easily satisfied with superficial "decisions for Christ" and church attendance. If the personal transformation that should be taking place in Jesus disciples is not transforming the environment around us (families, finances, the environment … finish out the list!), we need at the very least recognize that we are doing more tilling of the ground and seed planting … and a lot less “harvesting” than what we’d like people to give us credit for. I think honesty is important here, for the sake of all involved. Even if that means people at home are a little less “excited” about the work. (I really don’t like the word “excited” anyway … it sounds like the necessary ingredient for a riot, but that’s probably just me). If “the Gospel” is indeed “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16), surly the impact will be bigger than a splash at a meeting? I sincerely hope so.

I’m fairly convinced that the soteriological “all things new” of 2 Corinthians 5:17 is connected to the eschatological “all things new” of Revelation 21:5. And this does mean that the Gospel will affect the garbage.

We should not be satisfied until it does.

 

Friday Photo: Full House (and a video bonus!)

We've moved the Grain of Wheat Open Mic night to every Saturday night now.  This - along with the warmer weather - has made for a great turnout the past couple of weeks. Here's a photo from last week's event, along with a video for your viewing pleasure!  Happy Friday!

Full House

Remember Zamyn Uud

 

A New Project!

We’re excited to come along side a small group of believers in Zamyn Uud, Mongolia. They are a part of one of three churches which exist in the entire area. The thing about this small group of folks is that they don’t think small. They’ve already started a very cool daycare center for physically and mentally disabled children and want to do the same kind of thing for area senior citizens. Their vision is to show the love of Christ to the people of their community. They’ve started two cell groups and begun other works in three other locations in southern Mongolia. These folks are about the Kingdom, and showing the love of Jesus to as many as possible.

We’re going to try and help them build a two story building on land they’ve already acquired. The building will provde :

• a place for the children’s daycare


• a place for the planned Senior Citizen care facility


• a place for leadership training and discipleship


• a lighthouse and an oasis in the Gobi Desert

Please check out the short video I put together for this project and let me know if you want more information. We’re looking for partners in this project and want to see God raise up $40,000 through His people to make this vision come to pass.

Thanks for your partnership with us!