Beyond The Gates

145

beyondthegates — Tue, 29 May 2007 17:52:53 +0000

Psalm 145:8-11

” The Lord is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in loving-kindness. The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works. All your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and Your godly ones shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom. And talk of Your power.”

The first two verses often enter my mind when I am in a time of need, seeking to find God and understand His mercy. They affirm the character of an Almighty, yet all gentle God that covers His entire creation with mercy and loving-kindness. However, it seems that a key piece of this scripture is many times lost. In verse 9 we are able to identify ourselves as heirs to mercy as the Psalmist writes that God’s mercies are over all His works, humans being the chief of these. That is not the last time the Psalmist refers to God’s chief creation, though. A mere 3 words later we are again recognized but this time it is accompanied by responsibility, privilege, honor and worship. “All Your works shall give thanks”, you see, we are not only partakers of mercy and grace but also vessels of praise and adoration. A few words later the writer gets more specific and notes that “godly ones” shall bless God. Without fail, God’s word then dives into application in the following sentence, “they (being us) shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power.” Clearly and concisely, we are instructed how we, as God’s workmanship, are to give god glory and bless Him. I believe that within these verses God is providing us with an element of accountability and challenge. In reading verses 8 and 9 we come to a point of dependence and identity in God. We understand a bit more clearly who He is and the protection and assurance we have in Him. These verses, when understood in the purest of light, drive the reader to their knees in worship and comfort in the creator. A point of vulnerability. God chooses this moment to test the true level of our thanksgiving by continuing with the following verses. If we, being brought to our knees, truly are in awe of a God that desires to bestow on us unconditional grace, then should we not be thus compelled to bless Him by speaking of His kingdom and by making known His power. The very power that finds us in our most vulnerable state. You see, it is not our immediate response to verses 8 and 9 that God is looking for, rather it is how we handle the following verses. The verses that require even more trust, vulnerability and desire than the former.

I am confident with what you and I will do about the first two verses, but what are we willing to do in response to the latter?

Final week.

beyondthegates — Mon, 28 May 2007 14:57:35 +0000

Wow. I am now just days away from loading my stuff onto a bus and saying farewell to Sevilla as we head up to Madrid to fly home. It is hard to believe that we are meeting the end. In some ways, time has flown and in others its like we have been here forever. Home will feel a bit more like a vacation and I am curious how long it will take me to realize that there will be no more walking through a bustling city that more than quadruples our country in age. No more cobblestone roads, Gothic cathedrals, riverboats, or flamenco bars. There are many mixed emotions running through me as I begin to pack my things. I have barely had time to think about so many elements of this place that I will miss dearly. To say the least this has been a learning and trying year. I feel like God has grown me in a way that could not have been not if I had stayed home. Home. A very relative concept a of late. I can’t tell if I am leaving home or going home. In any case I am looking forward to spending the summer thinking about this past year and letting all that I have experience seep into my identity as it molds me and develops my character for the new roads ahead. I ask that you pray for God’s direction for the next steps in my life and that I will be able to meditate on this year in a way that causes me to redefine who I am in Christ and where I need to be.

tick tock

beyondthegates — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 12:50:34 +0000

Time flies. In just a few days we will head north to Badajoz and work with a missionary there, then a weekend in morroco for a vacation with some friends here. Right after Megan and I will be flying to Jordan for a few weeks and when we get back we will only have 15 days or so before we go home. Its a bit surreal to think about it but its bittersweet. Focusing on what needs to be done has to be the epicenter as we finish out here. So much has happened, and there is so much to look forward to beyond this year, but right now, finishing string is number one. We have a futbol sala tournament, a few more English clubs, and a worship night before we leave. As well as spending our last days with friends we’ve made over the year. Pray that we continue moving forward but stay consistent until the end. Grace and Peace. Eric

Faith…

beyondthegates — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:48:45 +0000

Well, I am currently sitting in Starbucks in town, waiting for our weekly English Bible study to start. It has been quite adventurous these past few weeks and I feel like I am sprinting just to stay caught up. Its not a bad feeling though, being busy, always having something to do. However, it does teach you something. I have been more challenged by the idea of “active faith” and discipline these past few weeks than I ever have in my whole life. About two and a half weeks ago I moved out of my house in down town Sevilla, in hopes of finding Spanish roommates somewhere. Tim had found a place in a zone called Bami, over by where the girls live. I headed out to the suburbs to stay at the Acton’s while I was on the hunt for a flat. With Dave’s help, we called about 20 different places and time after time it fell through. I searched both main campuses for housing signs, we called residencias, Spanish families, and about anything else that showed up, but nothing in the city was working out at all. Then we went to the university out in Burmujos where I was staying and we saw one sign of someone looking for a housemate. After a short call Dave said I could see the house the next day and by five pm I was moving in. It has been a relief and an answer to prayer having a house. It ended up being a brand new townhouse, my own big room, wireless internet, and a private pool… all of which were hard to come by in the city. I have also started private Spanish classes, Distance Learning Spanish through Liberty, and am finishing up my other online classes, so it is pretty crazy. Not too mention the three short term teams that are occupying the next three weeks. Again, it has been busy bit good. As I have been studying through Hebrews my concept of Faith is being expanded and deepened greatly. When we stop to really understand who our Faith is in and why Christ is worthy of our complete existence, it is a powerful thing. It has been encouraging to realize that I serve a sympathetic God who has been subjected to the same things I have been tempted by. Rather than scolding and pouring guilt on my back, day after day He picks me up, brushes me off and says “Brother, I know…” I am also taking on a new understanding of the grace and peace that is manifested in its perfection through Christ. I am in such need of His grace that it is impossible not to experience it. And there are so many things happening in my life and so many potentials exist right now that without the peace of God I would not be able to maintain consistency. All though I struggle so many times every day to stay above reproach, I still feel God is bringing me to a level I have never been. It is in the brief moments when I feel my life in it’s entirety is fluid with the love and power of Christ that I truly understand not only the necessity, but His ability to change this world. I pray that I will be counted worthy to take part in such a task every day given to me.

A few weeks in a flash

beyondthegates — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 11:30:59 +0000

Again, I apologize for the belated post. Things have been moving right along since Christmas. I guess the best way update you all is to go in order. Christmas was a lot of fun, although very different than being home. All the interns went over to the Acton’s house for a big Christmas meal and we all exchanged gifts and had a good time. The few days between Christmas and New years were pretty uneventful as most of our friends were gone for the holidays. On January 1^st I left for Granada, a city a few hours away, in route to meet a friend from home in Germany. Granada is a gorgeous little city the rolls into the Sierra Mountains. It was a pleasant change to see snowcapped mountains in the background of the city. The next day after serious flight delays (I can’t complain because the plane ticket was 15 dollars) I finally met up with my buddy Craig in Frankfurt, Germany. We spent 4 days visiting small towns and big cities along the Rhine River in Western Germany. It was incredible and quite an adventurous trip. Half of the nights we were in hostels and the other half we slept in public transportation facilities, although not recommended in the dead of winter. The following week was spent back home in Sevilla. We thought that this was our big week to be at the University but as it happens the new semester doesn’t start until mid/late February. This past week Megan and I took a trip to London and it was awesome. It was incredible to see how much history is there. We covered a lot of ground and saw everything from the Magna Carta to Big Ben to the one of the first Gutenberg Bibles. The purpose of the trip, though, took the show as we saw The Phantom of the Opera last Thursday night. Coming home, we missed our flight to train problems but we were able to practice Spanish and befriend a group of 4 Spaniards. There were three ladies and a daughter that did not speak any English and we ended translating for them as they rebooked, found a hotel and tied up some other loose ends. It was a lot of fun and encouraged us in our language progression. Also, big news in Burmujos as the Blacksten’s (The family that is working with the Acton’s) got in this past weekend. They are an awesome family and I can’t wait to get to know them as we begin working together. This week has been busy so far as I am trying to balance loads of school work with the work needed to be done here. Also, we are all moving out of our house and trying to find Spaniards to live with in order to develop our language skills better but I am yet to find a house. I am hoping to find one within the next week so we will see how that goes. Well, that was the past few weeks in a nutshell and no worries; I promise you will hear from me sooner next time. As always, Grace and Peace- Eric

Have we been missing Christmas?

beyondthegates — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 11:24:45 +0000

Merry Christmas Eve! I hope everyone is having a good time over the holidays. It has been pretty fun out here in Sevilla. To be honest though, last night was one of the first times I was really hit with the “Christmas” feel. I am so used to big pine trees, lots of snow, and the anticipation of all the parties and church services I have grown up with. Don’t get me wrong, Sevilla knows how to decorate, and there are PLENTY of shoppers out buzzing around the streets to Christmas music. However, the whole “Christmas spirit” was feeling a bit surreal to me as most of my surroundings are very different than normal. Last night, instead of sitting in my big, warm, English speaking church at a huge candle lit service, I was sitting in a very small, rather cold, Spanish church in a Suburb of Sevilla with about 10 other people. The Spanish Christmas carols with the accompaniment of prerecorded techno-ish music were a bit different than normal but it made me realize something. I remembered what Christmas was and that I was with people that love Jesus haven’t forgotten Christmas. I think that there is a chance that I could have missed Christmas this year because it is not what it always has been for me. However, I think that God might allow me to experience Christmas is a more refreshing way than I ever have before. I have been deeply challenged to remember that this day means nothing except for what it represents. However, I don’t think it merely represents the birth of a baby, or even a King…rather it represents the first glimpse of a 30 some-odd year life that should be studied, recognized, submitted to, and worshiped. I also do not think that this Christmas we should reflect on what gifts we can give to others or what God has given or will give us… this is Christ’s birthday, of all the days in our year we should most fully give ourselves to Him on this day, and recognize what things we need to give to Christ… Our time, our love, our lives.

A hint of half way…

beyondthegates — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:48:31 +0000

September, October, November, and I find myself in December… A few more weeks until I start counting down instead of up. Wow. It’s a somewhat eerie feeling to think that nearly half my time in Spain is done. I’m not even sure of the entirety of that statement. It means that we pioneered this University ministry a semester ago, that new faces are now familiar ones and that more and more of each day is spoken in a second language. It also means that our time here is short; the need is great, and the radical development of this ministry over the next 5 and half months in necessary. For the glory of God, we must leave this place a different one. There is a string sense of the tides changing in this season. Where the past few months have been trial and error, the next few must be committed to triumph. Where the last few months have been planning and preparation, the next must be committed to action. Where the last few months have been adjusting to an irreligious culture, the next few must be committed to redefining it into a Godly generation. Christ did not merely command us to share the Gospel, more than that, he commanded us to make disciples. I feel that this stage of the game is a fork in the road. Will I go the familiar route and finish out a good year, while still holding on to my comforts? Or will I take the route unknown, completely die to myself and experience something so far beyond my limits that it can only be seen as the living Christ working through me? I pray for the latter, and we are make plans to hit the ground at a full sprint for this next semester. Right now we are just starting the winter break and the University won’t start back up until January 8th. So from now to then we are getting to work and getting things done. Our first objective is to make a calendar of the whole semester. This will be a TON of work as it means that we have to first block out all time we will be unavailable, then we have to pick excursions and plan them, as well as worship times, Bible studies, cooking classes, etc… This will be a big mountain to climb but we are committed to getting it done. Also, another even bigger goal is to have a non-profit organization created before the start of the coming semester. Dave has put together the proposals and currently a lawyer is working with us to form a Non-prof organization called Intercambio Internacional in order to use as a platform to open doors at the University as well as in the rest of the city. Therefore, we are also in the process of building a website for the organization which is all in Spanish. As you can see, things are moving and if we do this right we are on the verge of breaking some serious ground. As the next few weeks fly by “half-way” will become a thing of the past and a whole new mountain of things will come my way. I just pray that when I step of the plane in 5 and half months I will be thinking about the radical change that took place in Sevilla, Spain.

Who bought out Christmas?

beyondthegates — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 21:07:43 +0000

It’s that time of the year and Sevilla is illuminated with the Christmas spirit. I thought that the shopping district in El Centro was crazy in September but now every night makes “black Friday” look like child’s play. The people are buzzing around the city daily and I can’t help but notice the overwhelming amount of families out enjoying the season’s together. It makes you feel good all around. However, last night I was challenged by a statement Dave made. He was talking about how the Muslim king of Jordan was looking forward to celebrating Christmas this year. After a short pause he finished thought by saying (paraphrased) “Wouldn’t we think it strange if a Jewish or atheistic family was to celebrate Purim or Ramadan?” His point was that millions of people are celebrating a commercialized holiday they no nothing about. We have failed to recognize the Christ of Christmas too often. Before there was a tree, there was a manger, before a pile of gifts, three wise men, before we sat around a fireplace, a young woman and brave man slept in a stable. And for what? For me and you to spend another year drinking eggnog, caroling, and opening gifts… only to smile at the employee as we swipe our cards one more time? Or is it time to pause for a moment and ask our friends and coworkers why they celebrate Christmas, instead of Hanukah, and if they know that a couple thousand years ago there was a man born in order to redeem a nation that struggled to stay righteous for hundreds of years. If you feel safe being religious at the Christmas Eve service and commercial in the mall, by all means go ahead, just ask yourself what your doing in that pew anyway. God’s challenge to me, and my challenge to you, is to take advantage of Christmas this year. I mean, it’s only the most famous time of the year that the whole world recognizes, not to mention one of the easiest ways to open up a gospel presentation. So now just count to ten, allow all of the lame excuses to leave your mind, and find someone to talk to.

A bit overdue…

beyondthegates — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 22:53:05 +0000

It has been all too long since my last post, and for that I apologize. Sometimes, I feel too tired from the day to sit back and write, and other times I feel there is too much to share. But now I have some alone time and I want to catch you all up on what is going on here in Spain. First, I must preface today with the past few weeks, or more so, the past few months. The semester is coming to a close in what feels like a whirlwind of language school, long flights, sad days, blessings, mistakes, unity, prayer, and progression. We, my team, have spent the past 3 ½ months pioneering University ministry among the college students of the University of Sevilla. Many times it has felt like more things have sunk than sailed and more time has been spent thinking than acting. However, the truth of the matter this past few months have defined the direction of the next and God has used struggle to shape direction. To be honest, I have learned the hard way how easy it is to get caught up in the external ecstasies of passing materialism. I feel like many days I neglected to make God the paradigm of my life and as a result my ministry was halted. However, there is a hope that has shot through all doubt and discouragement. That hope is that God’s grace so far surpasses my mistakes that I am eternally replenished everyday.

This past Wednesday Dr. Don Fanning, Johnnie Moore, and Onostazia DeLuca arrived in Sevilla. Their visit here was their first stop of many around the world over the next couple weeks as they visit the interns and look for new internship sites in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. It was an incredibly few days, as they left this morning, of fellowship, encouragement and organization. As we shared of God’s work here they were extremely encouraged and challenged by the missions need in Europe and we were equally encouraged as they told of us of the developing programs back at Liberty for those transitioning into missions. It was a unique experience to spend time with them away from there desks, and out of the spotlight at Liberty. Both of these men continually challenge me to be progressive in my thinking and to surrender my desires and life’s plan to God. I think we were all able to see a different side and here some great wisdom and advice that is hard to get in the classroom. My prayer is that they continue to bring programs like these into light and develop the missions department in a way that will most effectively mobilize the willing to permeate the world of need that surrounds us all.

The night is rounding its corner and before the rooster crows I need to get some sleep. I feel a lot more organized right now and I plan on taking time daily to fill you all in on what is going on. Tomorrow I hope to share with you some more of what I started in my first paragraph and move into the new ideas we are excited about this coming semester. Grace and Peace.

Why?…

beyondthegates — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:18:04 +0000

The big question to keep me focused lately has been “why?”. During our team meeting this past week we read over the first three chapters in Acts. As I read and prepared for the meeting a few things really stuck out at me. First, ironically, were the results of those chapters. Things like 3000 souls being saved after one sermon, seemingly endless praise to God, fellowship among believers, and miracles. Such immense glory being given to God through the rejoicing of new life is incredible. Its the beautifully untainted picture of what Christ wanted after he had left his place on earth. So many were so wrapped up in truth that they could not help but praise God and spread His message. Secondly, I noticed the reasons why Pentecost and the “apostolic kick-off” started like it did. Starting in Acts 1:12 Luke notes that after Christ’s ascension the disciples returned to Jerusalem in order to spiritually “gear-up” for spreading the Gospel as Christ had just commanded in verse 8. He says that “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer“. Everyone involved (over 120 people) in the upper room were united under one mind and corporately grew and prayed together. It was obvious that such a task as evangelism could not be completed with nay success without corporate participation. Furthermore, after the people were saved in Acts chapter two Luke notes that they “continually devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching, and to fellowship, and to the breaking of bread and to prayer“. Again, there was success in spreading Christ because there was discipline and unity in growth. Reading through these verses made it refreshingly clear to me that we will not see the results that we are looking for and we will not glorify God without a fervent and steadfast life of corporate and private prayer/devotion. I know that much, if not all of this, seems very elementary but it is easier that it may seem to lose sight in the midst of distraction. When learning a new language feels like its getting to hard I remind myself “why”. When maintaining a prayer life and consistent devotions seems draining I remind myself “why”. When I don’t feel like going out and building relationships because I don’t have time I remind myself “why”. When I neglect my selfish desire’s and remind myself that the reason I exist is to glorfiy God and make him known I truly see the proportional identity I called to live.