Washers of Feet

Have you ever had your feet washed by a person who didn't expect anything in return? It takes quite a person to have an attitude like that, a humble and patient person who genuinely has an authentic desire to serve out of love and joy. That's something were all called to work on. I don't think I'll never be that good in this lifetime, but it's not a bad desire.

When the topic of service pops up in conversation, I'll sometimes look around to see if there is a lack of ambition in the eyes of people. Sometimes I notice it more than I wish to. I think to myself, "They're missing out on so many opportunities to grow! Why does serving make people uneasy? Why do people skirt off the topic when they are asked to serve?" This is something that kind of baffles me. I'm sure it's more than just laziness... There's a deeper reason, but I just don't know it yet.

As my Pastor said, people like doing the 'cool sexy thing' when it comes to serving. People like doing the cool thing, and I suppose I don't blame them. People, if they chose to volunteer, generally want to be part of huge events and be noticed for volunteering. I think that's a given, but it seems like that's the only reason some serve. We all like pats on the back, especially if it's work that looks good and produces eye candy.

The average volunteer doesn't want to get dirty on their knees, weeding out a yard with their bare hands by themselves. People generally don't want hard, laborious work that tires the muscles, especially if they're by themselves.

Maybe it all comes down to a person's fleshly desires. On one hand the volunteer can serve in a neat project where people will give them props and they'll feel good because they're part of the 'cool sleek thing.' On the other hand, the volunteer can go into a home to provide for a less fortunate old woman who does nothing but nag and complain about life's unfair and disproportionate values. The volunteer has two extreme options here, and I guarantee that if they analyze both options, they will begin to lean towards the more pleasurable opportunity. What a tragedy that many feel this way! There needs to be a shift, a change in priorities!

I don't recall Jesus being a volunteer on any amazing projects, like repairing the Temple or anything like that. Maybe he did stuff like that, but the Bible doesn't point that out. On the contrary, it talks about Jesus helping the needy and poor, the down trodden and beaten. If Jesus was indeed involved in cool projects, the writers of the Gospels chose not to include that. They saw something more important, more insightful than Jesus doing the 'cool new sexy thing.' They pointed out through many stories that Jesus was involved with one-on-one encounters when serving people. He did a lot of hard dirty work. As far as Jesus and serving goes in the Bible, one of the biggest things they point to is the fact that he was incredibly humble. Jesus the King was most of all a humble servant.

That's the kind of attitude I want to have. I want to serve out of Love and Joy. People could do incredible things if they didn't really care about getting any credit for it. If a person serves and get's credit, good for them. If a person serves without getting even an ounce of credit, then I would say that they are even more blessed. I encourage everyone to follow Jesus's example. Let's serve in all ways, and not expect any credit. He got on his knees and washed the feet of his freinds. He served with humility. let's do likewise.

Lessons from Philippians

A person could learn a lot from this book. This was posted because I was going through a few pages of my notebook, and I caught a page that I had forgotten about. Here are a few things that I jotted down from reading the Book of Philippians:

*Verses on bottom

Be confidant, God who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

God can even use false motives (not that we should fine with false motives). God can take evil and use it for good. He's that powerful.

Conduct ourselves in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel.

At times you need to suffer for Jesus. If you are following Jesus, then you should expect suffering to come to you. "It's granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also suffer for Him,..."

Don't do anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Look for the other person's interests, not just your own.

Our attitudes should be the same as Christ's (A servant):
He was the very nature of God, and didn't consider equality with God something that had to be grasped. He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. He was found in appearance as a man, humbling himself. He became obedient to death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and even under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, all the the glory of God the Father.

Do everything without complaining or arguing.

Realize that sin and anything un-Christ like is absolute rubbish in comparison to knowing Christ.

Forget what is behind and go strain forward toward the prize (which I would say is Him!)

Take note of leaders and watch them, you may learn something.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Let our gentleness be evident to all.

Pray about anything and everything! And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus.

Think about stuff that's true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, anything of excellence and anything worthy of praise.

You can do all things through Him who strengthens you!

Our God will supply every need of ours according to His riches in glory to Jesus. Don't you remember what Jesus said? He said, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

1:6
1:15-18
1:27
1:29
2:3
2:4
2:5-11
2:14
2:8
3:13
3:17
4:4
4:5
4:6-7
4:8
4:13
4:19 (Matthew 6:31-33)

Little Sister

You ever get some day's that seem to roll over really well, even with little effort? (And yes, it's possible!)

Yesterday went better than expected. I got to spend most of the day with my little sister. My mom handed us some cash and we went to the mall to get some supplies like a new pair of shoes (sweet!), and some little trinkets for the little lady who would be with me. Half of the cash went into the new shoes I needed, and the rest went into lunch, my sisters stuff, and a few "little things" that some how added up to $20. Either way, it was great to actually spend some quality time with my sister because it seems like we don't do it much together. She often mentioned that I spend more time with my friends than I do with her, and I'm her only sibling at home now. As much as I didn't want to hear it, she was absolutely right, so it felt really good to spend some one-on-one time with her.

I enjoyed hearing her say, "Thank you" at random moments. It makes a man feel fuzzy on the inside, if that were possible...

The second day was no different. I spent some more time with her at the mall again. This time we didn't do much shopping, and I was thankful for that. I'm at that stage where I'm seriously watching how I spend, which is a good thing I suppose.

We recounted the uselessness of little trinkets in the local Hello Kitty store, considered the recklessness of a man who ran through the walk ways with hands flailing in the air, and observed nature at it's finest with two little puff ball puppies scrapping it out in a play pen. Apparently there was a dispute between them on who would play with the third puppy.

I love those little times where my sister would open up to me with inquisitive questions like, "Teach me more about this stuff...", "Why do some people etc...", I have a friend at school and..." To me, they are the evidence of a young woman growing in the world around her. She's finding her way around, and I plan on helping her do that. I've loved growing closer to her, and I don't plan on stopping.

So about College and Starbucks...

"Hey Jorge, thanks for calling. I have one more question I wanna ask. You mentioned that you were going to college this fall?"

"Well, if I get accepted, yeah."

"Umm, ok. We only hire people if they can stay for one year or more. By the time you go to college this fall, it'll be too soon, only six months."

"Oh... ok... So if I don't get accepted, then uh, can I call you back?"

"Yeah! We'll definitely have a place for you here if you want to call back, so don't worry. I'm sure that if you do go to college, other stores will gladly take you!"

A lot of things rested on whether or not college was my soon-to-be future. I was hoping that God would somehow plop me into an apartment in Chicago where I could study and hopefully be thrown into a future of vocational Ministry. After all, that's why I signed up for Bible School.

I was almost convinced that God wanted me to go to Moody, or at least something like it. In the last year things seemed to click together, guiding me to this decision. I thought God was going to let me go and "broaden my horizons" in this field. But I knew in my heart, deep down, that there was always a possibility of the college saying, "No." So I allowed room in my heart to accept that possibility. It's a good thing I did too...

A week after the Starbucks interview, I finally received a letter from the Moody Bible Institute. I put my finger in between the flap and the letter, and just before I tore it open, I stopped. Putting the letter on my lap and looking out my window, I prepared my self for what might be a great day, or a sad one. "God," I prayed, "I don't know what's in this letter, but what ever it is, please prepare my heart to accept what your desire is in all of this."

I didn't get accepted. I re-read it all just to take it in again. Now this is the part where the person starts asking "why?" They get to a certain point where their emotions pour out. But for some reason I was actually fine with it. I was fine with not going to Moody because God seemed to imply that there was another place that was more important for me to be. After I read it, I put it back on my lap and said, "Thank you God, for not letting me go to a place you didn't want me to be."

I put the letter to the side and continued with my day until I sat down for dinner.

"Hey mum, how was your day?"

"Ok. Work was heavy. You?"

"It was fine, I guess... Umm... Yeah, I got a letter today."

"Oh yeah? From who?"

"College."

Looking surprised, "Oh really? Did you read it?"

"Uhh yeah. I didn't get accepted."

I've had to break the news to a number of people, all of who were upset. But that's ok, because I'm at peace with it.

This is the beautiful part about having a relationship with God. Trusting God to help make life changing decisions will take the stress off your back. Your not really worried about big things, because you already know God has it under His control.

In the end things still turned out just fine. I got a new job at Starbucks (and I am not disappointed by any means!), I get to stay home with my family, I get to still see my friends, and I can still be part of my church.

So I didn't get accepted... That's ok. There's always next year right? Besides, It's not like I have to go now. I know some people who went to college in their 30's and they're doing just fine. I am not worried.

The God who formed the mountains with his finger tips, and holds the seven seas in the palms of his hands... Amazingly that God is my Father, and He will see me to the beautiful end. Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. :)

Sacrificial love (in a small way this time)

There's always an opportunity to share Gods love. Even in the waking hours of the morning.

I was working at my job all night and I looked forward to getting home for some sleep. I stopped by the bank to deposit my check and filled up on gas and drove home. It was 6 AM, the butt-crack of dawn.

As usual, I always check my Facebook just before I go to bed. Ironically, there just happened to be my friend from around the world who conveniently began chatting with me.

She began with, "How are you doing?" along with other general ice breakers. With that, she began asking questions about my faith and about my stance on certain issues. Now let me explain something here. I'm tired, and I really want to go to bed. After lifting boxes all night, my bed was feeling really comfortable. But I realized that I was being extremely selfish. This was a golden opportunity! This person wants to know stuff about God, and I have answers! The only thing holding me back from showing her Gods love were my selfish sleepy desires.

So as tired as I was, I happily answered her many questions. Was I exhausted? You bet. But did I enjoy it? Absolutely. I slept happily that morning. :)

There is a joy that I get when I am involved in Ministry. I just need a different job so that I can be more free to get into it. Ha!

She said, "Don't force me! Such a thing should not be done..."

"...But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her."

Those are some pretty strong words right there, but that's exactly what this guy did. While King David was still alive, his oldest son Amnon took fancy to his half-sister, Tamar. The law back then condemns such vile things; 'Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father's wife, born to your father; she is your sister', (Lev. 18:11). Now as disgusting and ridiculous as this is, Amnon apparently thought it'd be fine to trick her into thinking he was bed-ridden.

Basically the story goes down like this: Amnon goes crazy over his half-sister, Tamar. So he basically tricks her into thinking that he's ill. So she's doing the nice sister thing by baking him food. As soon as she comes to feed him, he grabs hold of her and basically say's that he wants to sleep with her. She starts to protest because she doesn't want that kind of icky relationship (what girl would?). Amnon ignores her and then rapes her... But it doesn't end there. After he's had his way with her, he say's in anger, "Get up! Go!" To which she replied, "No, my brother! Sending me away like this is worse than what you just did to me!"

Now here's a little background to fill in the details: In Israeli law (back then), if you raped a virgin woman, then you were responsible for her well being in one way or another.

If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins. (Exodus 22:16-17)

I get the feeling that King David wouldn't have given Tamar over to the brother who just raped her. So even though King David wouldn't have given his daughter to a brother/rapist, Amnon would have to still pay the bride price anyway.

The reason why this story irked me so badly was because Amnon was going to throw Tamar out like Garbage, which would have only deepened the blade in her wounds. One thing I learned from this story is this:

-Don't have sexual relations with any relatives (Obviously, that's just disgusting)
-If you make a big mistake, deal with it. Don't try to throw it away as if it didn't have any value.
-If you destroy a persons life, do the best you can with the situation (especially if the person you hurt is willing to reason with you!)

When you make a mess, you have to own up to it and do your best to clean it. Take some responsibility!

Eventually Tamar's brother kills Amnon, most likely out of revenge for what he did to his sister. So I guess he got what he deserved. Good riddance. King David didn't need an incestuous rapist in his palace anyways.

*Story is found in 2 Samuel chapter 13

The experience of Jr. High Ministry

If you know anything, the beginning is usually the hardest because you won't know where to start. Like the older wolf on the right, I've been in the same spot when it comes to kids at our church. I love them to death, but as the wolf shows, you have to have patience.

That's a key word right there. Remember this because 40 of these kids in one room can really put some pressure on you.

Starting off wasn't easy. Actually, it was very difficult. Imagine walking into a room with about 40 pre-teens running around frolicking with one another. Chaos was expected as you talked with the kids, and sometimes you had to take a few aside to personally speak to them about their behavior. Even while it was hard, I knew it was going to be worth it one day soon.

Today things have changed a bit. They're better at listening and they've learned to respect their leaders (for the most part). But I don't have a lot of complaints. I actually enjoy it.

Now I'm frequently running about while thinking about the kids and wondering what we can do for them at a personal level. Most of it are just thoughts, but I hope to turn it into action. I spend time with some of them, because getting to know them has actually turned out to be fun, and I like seeing them grow. It's one of the most joyful aspects of this ministry. Teaching is also fun. I enjoy it even more when it's a one-on-one opportunity for me to teach. It's sounds so cheesy but it's a real joy when these kids actually learn things, I love it.

The other leaders have been a big help for me as well. When things got really hard, they encouraged me. When things went well, they still encouraged me. No matter how good or bad things went, they never ceased to encourage me, and I am totally thankful for all of it. It's been said, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." ~Hebrews 10:24-25

If you know anybody in Ministry, please encourage them. From what I've learned, Ministry is one of the hardest things to do because it can really drain you! Keep the encouragement flowing because it really helps us out, I assure you!

Here's a tip: You've got to let these kids know that you care about them. If one kid really likes Pokemon, then talk about Pokemon with them. "Really? What's your favorite Pokemon?", "Why do you like it?", "Do you still play the games?", "Do you collect the cards? How many do you have?" You'll probably hate Pokemon, but if you get excited about what they're excited about, then they'll connect with you at a much easier level. It's not deceitful, it's actually a way of showing love. Your willing to put yourself aside for their sakes. Your willing to sacrifice yourself for them in a small way. Even if they don't realize that whole concept at first, they will at least begin to know that you really care about them.

The most important thing I've learned is this: I fail to do the best when I am not in Christ. Jesus said to his disciples, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." He makes it painfully clear that if your not in Him, then your work will not produce the right results for what ever your doing. Now from what I understand, He's speaking in terms of spiritual results, not financial results. So don't start thinking that if your with Jesus, you'll be financially secure.

All in all, there's a lot I'm still learning, and I enjoy going there when I can. It's not always easy for me, but it's not hard for God to give me the strength I really need to carry on through. I've come to realize that Ministry probably isn't just a job that I do on the side... Ministry is probably going to be my lifestyle. That's something that I don't mind at all. :)