16 years ago I was sitting in the yard of an apartment complex in Metro Atlanta with about 15 men who were addicted, barely homed, abandoned by their families, and rejected by society. Alongside me was about 15 other young men whom I had the honor to lead in our attempt to minister to these men. There was also a woman who seemed to be in her late 60's but was probably older than that. She had become a hero of mine. 5 years before this, I had met her in another neighborhood in Atlanta when she was running a program for poor children. Her heart for those kids was incomparable.
This time she was leading us as we served these men. We organized a small worship service with these men, sat around and listened to their stories and applied meat to flame, then partook. She had asked me to tell my story, but I was scared. Months earlier I had just learned a lot more of my story than I knew for the first 20 years of my life.
I shared my story with these men. I had given my testimony before, and tried to doctor it up so it sounded sexier, but my life was pretty plain...and that's good. Even the best behaved child of the covenant still needs the Savior, people need to hear those stories as well.
But this time, I just told the truth, this new information about my life. It was beautiful. My story encouraged these men, tears were shed by all and I felt better about how God could use filth to further His Kingdom.
Afterwards, this woman, who I watched the day before sit and pray and over and heal a boy convulsing with rage (some might say cast out a demon, I'm not sure), laid here hand on my shoulder and prayed for me. I don't remember much of her prayer, but I remember very specifically, "...we know that he will be a great preacher." I was 20 years old, and really had no intention on preaching. I would follow in Jerry's footsteps all the way. Youth Ministry until I couldn't walk anymore (that didn't happen, I beat him out of it). Preaching was not part of the plan. She didn't know who she was talking about.
And then yesterday. It wasn't great, but I'm satisfied that the Gospel was preached. Now what?
Monday, May 1, 2017
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
God's Love, It Blows Me Away
It has been two months since Greg and I were in North Africa and we realize that some of you may not have gotten much of a report about our trip. The time has flown by since we got back, but that has given us time to reflect on our endeavors.
When we arrived, we were greeted with some horrible news about a terrorist attack in Sousse, Tunisia, which obviously put our everyone on edge, but God is sovereign. We quickly realized that if that had happened the day before, our trip might have been changed, and He had things for us to do that week.
What a great evening we had that first night, running around trying to observe the busyness of the city. But it wasn’t busy, because everyone was still celebrating the breaking of the fast, because it was Ramadan. We eventually found a bakery downtown and sat at a table on the street and were soon amazed at the busyness that was 11pm.
Our next day was filled with a planning meeting for our English Camp. Our meeting was a the home of one our friends co-workers with their families, another co-worker couple, 3 interns, another American short-term visitor couple, 3 young ladies from the school we were teaching at, Greg and I. We planned day by day, and sang the two songs that I got to write over, and over, and over, and over and over again until we were sick of hearing them. But, like our song says, “God’s love, it blows me away.” During one of our break times, I was just noodling on the guitar and we ended up busting out in Redman’s “10,000 Reasons.” Spontaneous worship. Ain’t nothing like it.
Camp was great. Every morning we would let the kids into the courtyard and just freely whip around frisbees, without any major tooth damage. We opened camp with our 2 songs, one about visiting America to the tune of Bieber’s “Baby,” and another one that we wrote using the Bible story of the day. The kids went to English class for 2 hours then came to games with me. I was given a schedule for games and modified them to things that work with American kids. Then Greg got to teach Bible stories to 35ish North African children. “God’s love, it blows me away.” His love reaches across the world and shows itself in the form of water balloon battles.
In the evenings, we would shop, sightsee (I can now say I’ve seen some really old things), relax, abide, whatever we wanted. By night time we were done and we would call our families at home and go to bed. Greg was awakened every morning at 3:30 to the sound of call to prayer from the loudspeakers of the several mosques surrounding our hosts’ home. I gladly slept right through them.
After a week of camp we celebrated the US Independence Day by going to the beach, playing bocce, and had a cookout with friends. On the 5th, Greg and I had the greatest home improvement experience that anyone could have. Our friends wanted screens put in their windows, but screens are not a common commodity, so we built them. 1 trip to the store. They work. No mis-measuring and breaking supplies, everything worked on the first try. They needed a new doorknob, we fixed it. 1 trip. “God’s love it blows me away.”
This, for sure has not been an extensive update, and there are many more stories to tell, but again, for the security of our friends, the internet is not the best place to post these things. So, please, ask us questions. We would love to share how God moved in our lives into the lives of our new friends in North Africa and how exciting it was to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to children who don’t know who He is. It was incredible on our last day at camp, looking out over the 35 children all singing, “God’s love, it blows me away.” Thanks for sharing that love with us, and thanks for sharing His love with North Africa. Please continue to pray for our friends, their families and the governments of North Africa as they are all trying to figure out what it means to allow freedom of religion. Continue to pray that our friends find ways to meet and interact with North Africans, so they can share how our God has given them the opportunity to live forever with us praising Jesus and singing “God’s love, it blows me away.”Thursday, June 25, 2015
Departure Day
Greg and I are sitting here in my office, and realized that our prayer schedule ends today. We appreciate the amount of support that we have received over the last month, with all the likes, and shares and words of encouragement. So, with that said, we'd love for you to keep supporting us. We have put together another prayer calendar for the days that we are gone.
If you could spend just a little more time in prayer during these next 10 days, (wow, we just realized its only 10 days, there is no June 31st) we sure would appreciate it. These prayer request also include our families here in the US. Please start every prayer praying through either or both of the following scriptures:
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.
11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you could spend just a little more time in prayer during these next 10 days, (wow, we just realized its only 10 days, there is no June 31st) we sure would appreciate it. These prayer request also include our families here in the US. Please start every prayer praying through either or both of the following scriptures:
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.
11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then you could pray for the following each day.
28th - Set up of camp, worship - both in North Africa and Hebron, Carrie's parents leave for Florida, leaving her with less support, Marissa's mom's wedding and the new relationships starting.
29th - Camp - Prodigal Son, City Tour - God grants us vision for our friends and a love of the city they live.
30th - Camp - Consider the Birds/don’t be anxious, Pray that we would form quick relationships with the students and families so we can be invited into homes within a few days.
1st - Camp - Parable of the sower, That bridges will be built above language barriers - Andersons to Harrisburg - safety in their travel to & from the Capitol of the Commonwealth
2nd - Camp - Exodus, Visit homes of students - God would use us to reveal himself to our hosts and their lives would be forever changed because of His love
3rd - Camp - Jesus calms the storm, Debrief with staff - a clear plan for future ministry would be formulated after spending the week with students and families
4th - Beach Day - Great encouragement of our missionary friends over the next few days. Hendrickson kids with a friend as Carrie is at a friends wedding, pray for Brendan and Tara's marriage. Pray for our country, that God would reveal Himself to the governmental leadership.
5th - Worship - both in North Africa and Hebron - that God would be lifted up in both places and everywhere in between, rest and relax
6th - More encouragement for our friends - relax day
7th - day of travel, safe trip home, that God causes a huge movement in the Christian church in North Africa.
Thanks for being there for us and with us. We, you and I, are God's Church. Open your eyes and ears to where he wants to use you.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Africa
 |
| Greg Anderson and Barrett Hendrickson |
I have a friend in North Africa who is sharing the Gospel with people in an area of the world that is hostile towards Christians. God has called him, his wife, two daughters and son to serve Him by living in and amongst Muslims in a place that does have a great recent past when it comes to the treatment of Christians. His purpose is to show the people of North Africa the love of Jesus by living in their city and conducting regular, everyday business with them, hopefully finding a place where the Holy Spirit opens their ears to the presentation of God’s love for them.
I hope this letter finds you in a place where you know that as well. Nothing is more important than recognizing that God loved us so much that “for our sake God made Christ to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
One of the ways that we show we are God’s righteousness is by living out that faith, and telling people who Jesus is. My plan is to visit my friend in Africa. While to some, it may not seem like the greatest time to go, I believe it is time for me to step out of my comfort zone and open my worldview to include what being part of the persecuted Church might look like. 
I, and another friend named Greg are going to visit our friend. Our trip will occur this Summer from June 25th to July 7th. We pray that our presence will provide good encouragement to our friends. Living in this area is joyful but difficult for this family. They will benefit by having friends come and work with them in their context. Specifically we will serve the local community by participating in a kids summer camp while we are there. This camp will focus on kids learning English and sports. Greg will be teaching English while I will be helping by leading music and teaching sports. There are others coming from different parts of the the United States and Europe to participate in the camp as well. All this is to build bridges for this community to the gospel.
I am specifically writing you for prayer. We need individuals who will pray for us and our friends. Please pray that our wives kids will continue to be awesome here in Pittsburgh while we are serving with our friends. Pray for God to make His will incredibly clear in our lives. Pray for the people that we come in contact with, that they will “have ample cause to glory in Christ” because of our being around. (Philippians 1:26) Pray for peace in this area that has had recent turmoil. Pray that our friends would be encouraged and feel loved and supported by our church community. Pray for the ongoing work in this part of the world.
May 27-31-logistics of camp
27-That the building will be open and a great place for students to go
28-That students will show (get rides, walk...ext.) up to learn English
29-Pray for God’s hand in the set up going on now to prepare for camp
30-Pray that there are enough materials and equipment gathered for camp.
31-Pray that all the equipment and materials are ready and useful
June 1-6-security of camp
1-Pray for a general security of camp
2-That God would make camp a safe place for students
3-Pray that there would be openness about Christians sharing their faith
4-That God would provide safe arrivals and departures to and from camp (students and staff)
5-Pray that the police are open and available to protecting camp if needed
6-There would be no problem for the American camp staff getting into North Africa
June 7-13-how to share Gospel stories
7-Pray that God is equipping the leaders and Interns to do His mighty work
8-Pray for the workers, that God will give them a clear mission and plan how to share the amazing message of Christ’s love.
9-Pray that God is changing and preparing those coming from the US to share the Gospel.
10-Reassurance and peace that God will use them to do His work and spread the Gospel.
11-That the Holy Spirit will be present and clearly seen as the workers look for ways to share the Gospel with locals.
12- The stories used will be understood by the students and parents
13- That fear, and satan would be quickly pushed aside, allowing the staff to speak of Jesus
June 14-20- Interns-energy, leadership, focus
14-That God would bring high energy to all leadership
15-Pray that God would fill leadership with His presence
16-Pray that God would give wisdom to leadership in being aware of their surroundings and able to make quick decisions.
17-Pray that God will prepare the interns for a summer in their new surroundings
18-That while learning English, students and family will see the love of Christ in the camp staff
19-The time between arrival and the start of camp will be restful and jetlag quickly disappears
20-Pray that evenings after camp will be great time of rest and reflection
June 21-25- Contacts with families of students.
21-Pray that the frustration of communication would be minimal
22-We and more importantly the workers, are/is welcomed as part of the community
23-Relationships would be started with the staff and students/families
24-Pray that we would be invited into homes to share meals with students and families
25-Many North Africans would come to know Christ through our time together
7-Pray that God is equipping the leaders and Interns to do His mighty work
8-Pray for the workers, that God will give them a clear mission and plan how to share the amazing message of Christ’s love.
9-Pray that God is changing and preparing those coming from the US to share the Gospel.
10-Reassurance and peace that God will use them to do His work and spread the Gospel.
11-That the Holy Spirit will be present and clearly seen as the workers look for ways to share the Gospel with locals.
12- The stories used will be understood by the students and parents
13- That fear, and satan would be quickly pushed aside, allowing the staff to speak of Jesus
June 14-20- Interns-energy, leadership, focus
14-That God would bring high energy to all leadership
15-Pray that God would fill leadership with His presence
16-Pray that God would give wisdom to leadership in being aware of their surroundings and able to make quick decisions.
17-Pray that God will prepare the interns for a summer in their new surroundings
18-That while learning English, students and family will see the love of Christ in the camp staff
19-The time between arrival and the start of camp will be restful and jetlag quickly disappears
20-Pray that evenings after camp will be great time of rest and reflection
June 21-25- Contacts with families of students.
21-Pray that the frustration of communication would be minimal
22-We and more importantly the workers, are/is welcomed as part of the community
23-Relationships would be started with the staff and students/families
24-Pray that we would be invited into homes to share meals with students and families
25-Many North Africans would come to know Christ through our time together
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Some Butter
I went to
an event on Sunday night that was brilliant in it's simple, attractive method
of evangelism. As you may know, in the
past year, I've been trying to push myself and the people around me to tell
stories of how Jesus has shown up in our lives within the recent past. So on Sunday mornings before our worship
services, our little pre-game meetings I ask, "Does anyone have a Jesus
story"
When
these meetings started, it was like pulling teeth to get people to talk. I know I thought to myself, a lot, "was
that really Jesus, or just nice."
But as we kept meeting we started seeing Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the
power of God at work in our lives, in big ways, but also in the small, minute
details. As a result, our meetings are easy now, and we sometimes have to cut people off, so we can start the worship services on time.
The whole
purpose of these meetings was to get people to recognize the work of God in
their lives, and to start talking about Jesus.
If we talk to each other about Jesus, and make it a regular part of our language
with fellow believers, maybe it would become habitual. Maybe it would become
part of our everyday, every minute language, so that, maybe, possibly, God
would open the ears of someone outside of that fellowship and reveal Himself to
someone who doesn't know him, and we could have a great big story to tell some
Sunday morning about how God moved in a powerful way in the life of one of our
friends, and now we have a new believer.
So back
to this event on Sunday night. PRISM, a ministry in Oakland, where Pitt,
CMU and Carlow University are, universities that draw many international students, has an open house every Sunday night, where they
serve a $1 dinner and invite foreign students to come and practice speaking
English around a table. This week's dinner was
prepared by people from my local church and I was asked to go and eat and talk
to someone who speak some very little good English. (see what I did there?) That's it.
That's all that is expected.
I
remember taking German in high school and realizing the only phrase I could
speak pretty well was, "wurtest du das licht an machen." (would you
turn on the light) It reminded me of the
Wonder Years when Kevin
was daydreaming about Madeline: (the clip is in Spanish, to make things
more confusing)
MADELINE: J'ai attendu toute ma vie pour toi.[Subtitle: I've waited for you all my life.]
KEVIN: Voulez-vous de beurre?
[Subtitle: Do you want some butter?]
MADELINE: A l'instant je t'ai vu, je n'ai su qu'il etait personne d'autre.
[Subtitle: The moment I saw you I knew there was no one else.]
KEVIN: Voulez-vous de beurre?
[Subtitle: Do you want some butter?]
MADELINE: Mon coeur est toute pleine de toi.
[Subtitle: You fill my heart.] [MADELINE fingers her heart necklace.]
MADELINE: J'ai en pensé à toi. (Very unclear pronunciation)
[Subtitle: .. You haunt my mind.]
KEVIN: Voulez-vous de beurre?
[Subtitle: Do you want some butter?]
PRISM
gave us 5 questions to talk about. Our
subject matter was "worry." So we discussed what worry is, what you
worry about and things like that, so that the student would just be asking if
I'd like some butter.
The last
question was about the Sunday before, there was no dinner because it was
Easter, so we were to talk about what we did for Easter. I was paired up with a Chinese student who
spoke great English, is not a believer in Christ, and asked great
questions. "What's with the
eggs?" "What is the traditional meal?" and the swing the door
wide open so that the Gospel and its influence in my life can be presented,
"If Easter is about Jesus dying, where does the Easter Bunny come
in?"
Fifteen
minutes later, he still doesn't believe in Jesus, but he challenged me on what
we practice as American Christians, and what it looks like to an outsider. In those fifteen minutes he learned a little
more about the story of salvation through Christ, and that the Hendrickson
children know that the Easter Bunny is a fun game, but Jesus' death, and
resurrection are real.
Jesus
stories. Look for Him. Share those stories with the people you know,
so that it becomes habit, and you can't help but let the work of the Holy
Spirit come flying out of you.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Wrecked
After a month of Beyond, I've been wrecked. The good kind of wrecked. God is moving. He is alive and living in the world today. He's not just living in the world, but He is living in and through me. Everything I do, everything I read, everything I see reminds me of His grace. I've been wrecked.
I got to see a campaign from it's conception in committee, through its manifestation in the church, to it's evaluation back in that committee and through testimony of others, and it just screams "God." Through that whole process, I've learned to trust.
God has aligned so much for me right now that it is impossible to not see His handiwork. Beyond, my grove, my accountability group, my housing situation, my Disney timeshare, my personal study time. It all has lined up as if God is saying, "you have not been experiencing the full goodness of living your life for Me. But trust Me in this."
The other day, I was talking to my daughters about what they did in Sunday School. They told me that they put money in the offering, to which I said that they didn't have money. Their response was that the teachers gave it to them.
It reminded me of being 8 years old and staying over my friend's house on Saturday night and going to church on Sunday morning. I vividly remember getting into the blue Dodge Caravan, on the passenger's side, (back then, there was no sliding door on the driver's side) with my friend and his two little sisters. Their mother gave us all a small amount of change to put in the offering plate in Sunday School. We would put it all in and never think about that gift again. I remember thinking that it must have just been those parents teaching us to give. I know I've heard stories of a relative getting that money from his parents and maybe putting some in the offering bag and pocketing most of it, leaving church and walking to Bruster's to spend what he didn't give. I think that method is a better example of how we actually give. We take what we think we deserve and give a portion to God and spend the rest on ice cream.
As I've been living life this past few months, I've come up with a better analogy. It's the first one. The one where the mother gives me 2 quarters, to teach me to give and I put all of it in.
When is that 50 cents mine? When it leaves her hand and drops into mine? Does she expect me to give all of it in Sunday School. If that's the case, is it really my money to give, or am I just the delivery method for this mother to give, while teaching me valuable life lessons?
Years ago we had a stewardship campaign, and while I was never (and still am not) a big fan of asking people for money, I did learn things about stewardship. I did come to learn that none of this is mine. It is God's and it is my job to take care of it. The biggest point Carrie and I got from it was that our children are really not ours, but ours to take care of and raise in a manner that glorifies God.
This summer we moved into a bigger house. With 5 potty trained people living in our house, we decided that the 5 minute wait for the toilet in the morning was too much for us. I was always uneasy with this decision. My biggest reason for moving was a stupid inconvenience every morning. But we found a great house in a fantastic neighborhood at the top of our price range. Before I made my first new mortgage payment, as I was cutting grass in our new, smaller yard I was preparing for our upcoming Grove (small group) study by listening to Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. One of his stories was how a man sold his house, gave the proceeds to the church and moved in with his dad. I thought this was more of God telling me I made the wrong decision to buy the house, that was going to be a larger financial burden on us. As it turns out, I believe it was a quick reminder that everything we have is God's, we are stewards.
Now, and please do not take this as me bragging, or lifting myself up, this is all Jesus, we use our house as a place to serve the Lord. Our door is open to our church kids to come and hang out. If they're there at dinnertime, they eat dinner. If they need a place to sleep, there's a bedroom ready. Right as we were ready to make that first new mortgage payment, Beyond came up. Carrie and I came up with an amount of money that we would set aside for gather, give and serve. It was a number that I thought would hurt, not excruciating pain, but we would definitely be set back by. In fact, God even put on our hearts to give a little bit more. We haven't felt a thing. In fact, two days ago, we learned that we were receiving a gift larger than that amount that we gave for Beyond.
Last week I was standing around before a soccer game, because for NCAA tournament games, they make you show up 2 hours before kick-off, and we somehow got talking about claiming our referee income on our taxes. Most guys claim it, but are able to show little profit by claiming things like mileage, uniform purchases and so forth. Some of the things that were in the list of deductions were such stretches I would fear them getting audited. I am not saying they are evading taxes, but it got me thinking about living a life in Christ. In the same way that we ask, "what can we claim we use for refereeing to pay as little tax possible," "what is it that I can claim as being a tool of serving God? How am I making the most of what I am, in order to experience the fullness of life in Christ? If someone were to hear I was a follower of Christ, how would they know looking at my groceries, my automobile, where I spend my time?"
I've heard so many stories of God wrecking peoples lives in the last month. My hope is that He did it, and they payed attention and kept going the direction He put them. I know that is my challenge as well.
Grace and peace to you.
I got to see a campaign from it's conception in committee, through its manifestation in the church, to it's evaluation back in that committee and through testimony of others, and it just screams "God." Through that whole process, I've learned to trust.
God has aligned so much for me right now that it is impossible to not see His handiwork. Beyond, my grove, my accountability group, my housing situation, my Disney timeshare, my personal study time. It all has lined up as if God is saying, "you have not been experiencing the full goodness of living your life for Me. But trust Me in this."
The other day, I was talking to my daughters about what they did in Sunday School. They told me that they put money in the offering, to which I said that they didn't have money. Their response was that the teachers gave it to them.
It reminded me of being 8 years old and staying over my friend's house on Saturday night and going to church on Sunday morning. I vividly remember getting into the blue Dodge Caravan, on the passenger's side, (back then, there was no sliding door on the driver's side) with my friend and his two little sisters. Their mother gave us all a small amount of change to put in the offering plate in Sunday School. We would put it all in and never think about that gift again. I remember thinking that it must have just been those parents teaching us to give. I know I've heard stories of a relative getting that money from his parents and maybe putting some in the offering bag and pocketing most of it, leaving church and walking to Bruster's to spend what he didn't give. I think that method is a better example of how we actually give. We take what we think we deserve and give a portion to God and spend the rest on ice cream.
As I've been living life this past few months, I've come up with a better analogy. It's the first one. The one where the mother gives me 2 quarters, to teach me to give and I put all of it in.
When is that 50 cents mine? When it leaves her hand and drops into mine? Does she expect me to give all of it in Sunday School. If that's the case, is it really my money to give, or am I just the delivery method for this mother to give, while teaching me valuable life lessons?
Years ago we had a stewardship campaign, and while I was never (and still am not) a big fan of asking people for money, I did learn things about stewardship. I did come to learn that none of this is mine. It is God's and it is my job to take care of it. The biggest point Carrie and I got from it was that our children are really not ours, but ours to take care of and raise in a manner that glorifies God.
This summer we moved into a bigger house. With 5 potty trained people living in our house, we decided that the 5 minute wait for the toilet in the morning was too much for us. I was always uneasy with this decision. My biggest reason for moving was a stupid inconvenience every morning. But we found a great house in a fantastic neighborhood at the top of our price range. Before I made my first new mortgage payment, as I was cutting grass in our new, smaller yard I was preparing for our upcoming Grove (small group) study by listening to Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. One of his stories was how a man sold his house, gave the proceeds to the church and moved in with his dad. I thought this was more of God telling me I made the wrong decision to buy the house, that was going to be a larger financial burden on us. As it turns out, I believe it was a quick reminder that everything we have is God's, we are stewards.
Now, and please do not take this as me bragging, or lifting myself up, this is all Jesus, we use our house as a place to serve the Lord. Our door is open to our church kids to come and hang out. If they're there at dinnertime, they eat dinner. If they need a place to sleep, there's a bedroom ready. Right as we were ready to make that first new mortgage payment, Beyond came up. Carrie and I came up with an amount of money that we would set aside for gather, give and serve. It was a number that I thought would hurt, not excruciating pain, but we would definitely be set back by. In fact, God even put on our hearts to give a little bit more. We haven't felt a thing. In fact, two days ago, we learned that we were receiving a gift larger than that amount that we gave for Beyond.
Last week I was standing around before a soccer game, because for NCAA tournament games, they make you show up 2 hours before kick-off, and we somehow got talking about claiming our referee income on our taxes. Most guys claim it, but are able to show little profit by claiming things like mileage, uniform purchases and so forth. Some of the things that were in the list of deductions were such stretches I would fear them getting audited. I am not saying they are evading taxes, but it got me thinking about living a life in Christ. In the same way that we ask, "what can we claim we use for refereeing to pay as little tax possible," "what is it that I can claim as being a tool of serving God? How am I making the most of what I am, in order to experience the fullness of life in Christ? If someone were to hear I was a follower of Christ, how would they know looking at my groceries, my automobile, where I spend my time?"
I've heard so many stories of God wrecking peoples lives in the last month. My hope is that He did it, and they payed attention and kept going the direction He put them. I know that is my challenge as well.
Grace and peace to you.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Credibility
It seems like I see it in every news article I read now:
This morning as I was filling up the van with gas, I swiped my card and the screen asked me, "Is this a debit card?" I hate that question. I get it all the time. If I tell the truth, I don't get the rewards of 10¢ <-- (remember that symbol? It means $0.01) per transaction that I signed up for this card to get. No one really cares if I say "no," but I feel like my integrity is diminished by this stupid question. Yes, it is a debit card, but I want to use it as a credit card.
I've learned in my life to tell the truth. It's always simpler that way. You only have to remember the truth and not the lies that you've told. So, in return, I always expect the truth.
When I ask, what you want for your birthday, I want to know. If you say "nothing," I'll be thrilled and expect that you are satisfied with your life and wish nothing from me.
You walk down the street and see someone that you barely know and they say to you, not really ask you, "What's up," or the dreaded Tobias Funke, "How are you," how do you respond? Is it wrong to respond with a question back? "Do you really want to know, or did you just mean to say, 'hi'?" I'm the one who would be perceived as rude, but you just asked a question that you really don't want to know the answer to. I feel like most people who ask that question, especially in a passing situation, are just meaning to say, "hi," but for the life of them, they can't kick the habit of asking a question that they don't mean.
I called someone out on this the other day. (I actually believe this person really does care how I'm doing) She often asks how I am and I respond with the truth. The other day, she asked and I told her, "living the dream." This excited her so much that she commented that it's the first time I've responded with a quick positive answer. I told her that I tell her how I am every time she asks, and today I feel like I'm living the dream.
So every time I read the news now, and see "Said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak," I have to call into question the credibility of that source. Why is it that they are willing to speak when they are not authorized to? How can I believe them when they've compromised a promise to their authorities that they would not speak? Why won't the stupid gas pump just ask me if I'd like to use my debit card as a debit or credit card? I'd be 50¢ richer every day. Mean what you say, say what you mean.
- "Said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak." I don't get it.
This morning as I was filling up the van with gas, I swiped my card and the screen asked me, "Is this a debit card?" I hate that question. I get it all the time. If I tell the truth, I don't get the rewards of 10¢ <-- (remember that symbol? It means $0.01) per transaction that I signed up for this card to get. No one really cares if I say "no," but I feel like my integrity is diminished by this stupid question. Yes, it is a debit card, but I want to use it as a credit card.
I've learned in my life to tell the truth. It's always simpler that way. You only have to remember the truth and not the lies that you've told. So, in return, I always expect the truth.
When I ask, what you want for your birthday, I want to know. If you say "nothing," I'll be thrilled and expect that you are satisfied with your life and wish nothing from me.
You walk down the street and see someone that you barely know and they say to you, not really ask you, "What's up," or the dreaded Tobias Funke, "How are you," how do you respond? Is it wrong to respond with a question back? "Do you really want to know, or did you just mean to say, 'hi'?" I'm the one who would be perceived as rude, but you just asked a question that you really don't want to know the answer to. I feel like most people who ask that question, especially in a passing situation, are just meaning to say, "hi," but for the life of them, they can't kick the habit of asking a question that they don't mean.
I called someone out on this the other day. (I actually believe this person really does care how I'm doing) She often asks how I am and I respond with the truth. The other day, she asked and I told her, "living the dream." This excited her so much that she commented that it's the first time I've responded with a quick positive answer. I told her that I tell her how I am every time she asks, and today I feel like I'm living the dream.
So every time I read the news now, and see "Said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak," I have to call into question the credibility of that source. Why is it that they are willing to speak when they are not authorized to? How can I believe them when they've compromised a promise to their authorities that they would not speak? Why won't the stupid gas pump just ask me if I'd like to use my debit card as a debit or credit card? I'd be 50¢ richer every day. Mean what you say, say what you mean.
Romans 5:12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
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