Kelton Crouch - The World Race 2008

Serving a Holy God

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Serving a Holy God

For my quiet time today I was going through the book of Daniel and reading about the life of Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. (Their Babylonian names were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.) I am so surprised at the guts and determination these guys had that sometimes flew in the face of culture, kings, and royal decrees. Even when face to face with the king of the most powerful nation on the earth, they did not back down from their convictions and refused to bow down before an idol and violate commandments 1 and 2 of the law God gave us.

Exodus 20:1-6
1 And God spoke all these words:
2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 You shall have no other gods before me.
4 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

We trust in the Word of God, but sometimes our convictions fall short and we compromise in small (and sometimes large) ways. If our faith was a matter of life or death, I think that we would have fewer Christians, but more committed ones. For some countries this is true like Muslim nations or China for example. Here Christians are persecuted, but our numbers are still growing.

And back to my point. These men's convictions were so strong that they defied the most powerful ruler of the time and risked death because of what they knew to be true. Do you believe what you know this much? Would you risk being thrown into a furnace to stand by what you believe? You could come up with a bunch of excuses I think but to stick to your convictions would be very difficult.

But these men remembered the truth that they were created by God to worship God and they were not compromising that belief to serve man or image. They understood their standing in God's eyes and knew pleasing and honoring Him was the most important thing. When they were thrown into the furnace they were met by a heavenly being. It could have been an angel or the pre-incarnate Christ, but God showed up and they didn't die.

And this leads me to my final point. We are created by God to have a loving relationship with him and bring him praise. I was reading in Revelation 4 about the 24 elders who bow down before the throne of God and worship him. They say in verse 11, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

We are created by God! We are made and sustained by the author of life who is God Almighty. He is the Rock we cling to as Christians and in Him is our hope and life. We do not live on bread alone as the world does but on every word that comes from Him. We are not our own we were bought (by Him) with a price. We no longer live, but Christ lives in us. We are chosen. We are loved. We are heirs to the throne of God. We are his. We love, because He first loved us.

If you have given your life to God and accepted Christ into your life take heart!

Guys we have an eternal inheritance because of the price that Christ paid on the cross for us. With this being said, lets approach the throne of God with boldness. We are God's children.

What is it like being back home?

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I am writing this blog to share what it has been like being back in the States after seeing 14 countries with the WR and then 4 with a group of racers. 11 months and 18 countries opens your eyes to what life is like in places where modern conveniences are not a part of daily life. I have lived in a tent, on a boat, in hostels and hotels and now I see things differently. Life is not about living comfortably it is about knowing who you are.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galations 2:20

The world race is not about living but about dying - dying to the old way of doing things so that true life can be found. I found this new life and it was only through the pain of leaving everything that is comfortable and getting out of my comfort zone. I had to deal with a lot of things that I had on the inside and that is what made me grow. In the states, I had a good job and good friends, but there was still something missing. That something was knowing who I am.

Pain is a good thing. It forces us to deal with something and become stronger because of it. How else will we grow if we do not deal with the things that we keep buried in our lives and try to push out of mind?

During the World Race we talked about being initiated and living in Kingdom, and this is all the same thing. If you know who you are the lenses that you see life through are finally clear. God is your help and your life and living in Christian community is what sustains you. I still struggle with problems, but life is clearer now. God's will is clearer and his voice is louder.

I really am wrecked for the ordinary now.

Considering the World Race? Be careful... You will die, but then you will finally know who you are and you will find true life.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Journey is nearly complete

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday morning at 3:30 am most of our squad left for home. That's right, the January 2008 World Race squad has crossed the finish line and are on to bigger things. I am with Matt and Michelle from my team and a few others and we are going to Israel and Egypt and I will be home on December 8. This picture is from our final debrief dinner and it was so cool to see everyone dressed up. We had an awards ceremony and mine was Mr. Versatilty because of my long hair and traditional clothing that you may have seen in some Indian pictures.

Our mentors for the sqad had a lot of encouraging things to say and I am really stoked to be coming back to share everything that I have learned with you all.

Support my Teammate

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hi guys, my friend Matt needs to raise more support so if you would like to support him, he would greatly appreciate it. Here is his blog.

Dear Supporters and friends

Here I am sitting on a white sand beach off the coast of Thailand. I sit here in awe of the time that has gone by rapidly this past year. Nearly 11 months ago I was in my living room packing and repacking my bag to make sure I had everything I needed. The anxiety and excitement is still fresh in my mind. Those feelings of the unknown being one flight away. I still remember that morning I said my last goodbyes and gave my last hugs like it was yesterday. Well folks, that was 10 months and 14 days ago.

I am currently neck deep in my process of debriefing this past year's adventures, challenges and victories. Our amazing coaches are here alongside us to walk us through it all. I'm amazed at the journey the Lord took my through. Deep down I knew I would be at this point, but as I ran, crawled, and limped this year, I see the newness that is Matt Peters. I have a new sense of what victory is all about. I'm talking about victory in my old patterns of downward spirals, my pride, and of course the bonds of self image that held me back for so long. I have come through this World Race a new man! A new warrior!

The World Race has been everything I ever imagined it to be! A challenge, a place of discovery, an opportunity to experience God in a new way, and an environment for true community living. I stand now at the finish line with my hands held high in triumph of the race that was. I passed. I completed. And I'm standing at the end of it all in better shape than when I came into it. I have more questions than ever before, but also have much more peace than ever before. I know my Saviour Jesus Christ. I know my Father. And I know the Power of the Spirit. I have seen lives given to the Lord. I have seen people healed. I have seen captives freed. I'm still praying for the dead to rise! That's the new hope and faith I have!

So friends, I want to ask for help with one last thing. My finances are currently sitting at $12, 800. As a trip cost, I am still in need of $1000!

That's it, just $1000

I know the Lord has this last part of my trip in His hand. But he's asking me to reach out in humility to you for your help. So if you are able and willing to give any amount, it'll make a big difference in the Kingdom of God. For if it wasn't for you this whole year supporting me, I wouldn't be where I'm at. For you have sent me and I went. I thank you! The kingdom of God is a different place. I have found out who I am this year. Another confused life that has grasped his inheritance from God. So thank-you!

To send a cheque, please mail it to: c/o Matt Peters; Box 46, Arnaud, MB, Canada, R0A 0B0

Stay tuned for some last recap blogs from the years travels. In Christ Alone,

- Matt Peters

Walking in Authority

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We are in our final debrief now and are 3 days away from finishing this year's race. Wow! It has been an amazing year with God teaching us amazing lessons of patience, freedom, and authority. We have been through difficult times but now God is finishing the work that he began in us this year. I know the lessons are not over, but God is now my final authority in a different way than when I lived in America. I have seen the power he has displayed in deeply personal and supernatural ways. Just last night 4 girls from our squad prayed over a girls leg who was badly messed up from a fall and had swelling and possibly more internal damage. After praying for her the girl's leg was healed! It was smooth afterward and you couldn't see the bruise anymore. Even though this sounds strange to us to see someone healed immediately, it shouldn't this is normal stuff for Jesus to do and he is the one who lives in us now. We have the full power of the creator of the universe in us and it is expressed in the amount of faith we possess.

By the way, there are several people on our squad who still need to raise more money to reach full support. They are Matt Peters, Angie, Steve, Nate, and Jen. If you would like to invest in the Kingdom of God please consider my friends.

The picture above is Rusty, Matt, and I at a temple.

Video of the Year, by Kimberly Daniels

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Never Going Back to OK from Kim on Vimeo.

Vietnam Ministry Update

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Support Update

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hi Friends. I have just reached the total needed for the race! This year the race cost $13,800 and I have just gotten enough to cover that. I really am so grateful to everyone for supporting me on the mission trip adventure of a lifetime. I have learned so much out here and God has shown me a lot about myself, the world, and my identity in Him. I know I wouldn't have learned these things so well if I had stayed home, even though it was hard to leave.

There are a few things though that our support amount does not cover such as training camp flight tickets, insurance, and vaccinations. The amount left to cover those expenses is $740. If you would like to help me with this, please click on the link to the left.

I have been so blessed by this year and can't wait to see you all when I get home!

Phat Srey Nook

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So we have been working at the AIDS orphanage for two days now and there is a little girl there who really has stolen my heart. Her name is Phat Srey Nook and she is probably about 5 or 6 years old. While most of the other students are busy playing or building something with Legos she just sits off to the side and just stares. Even if there are kids around she is usually just sitting there. As far as I can guess she is autistic or has some kind of of emotional or learning disability. She loves attention though and just wants to be held by one of us adults. Sometimes she laughs but most of the time she seems to just not be there. She won't laugh when you tickle her or play with her and stuff like that. Sometimes she smiles, but if you set her down, she zones out and looks really sad. It is really a blessing to work with her and I am so glad that we are here in Cambodia working at this orphanage.

This is our last week of scheduled ministry for the World Race and we will be going to Bangkok on the 10th of November for our final debrief.

Luke 18:6 says, "But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." It would be amazing if we could all just accept God in child-like faith. So many times the cares of life makes us numb to things, but God meets us when we cast all of our cares on him and trust him like a child does his parents.

AIDS Orphanage

Mon, 3 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So here in Cambodia, we have three ministry options that teams are doing. 1) AIDS orphanage 2) Sharing at a Bible League and 3) working with people in the slums or Phnom Phen. I am working at the AIDS orphanage and it is just so cool to work with these kids who are all HIV+. They were born with the virus and the children they are 2-14 years old and after they reach 15 or more can be eligible for a scholarship to a university. They all go to school in the afternoon except for the very young ones, but they really promote a good education AND they learn English. It is very difficult for these kids to get a job when they graduate so to know English really helps them in this.

Yesterday we just played with them, but today we are going to prepare something to do with them like get some coloring books or something. It is so cool to hang out with the kids because they are happy in spite of the fact that they mostly don't have parents and have an incurable disease. It is just such a blessing to be there.

Just to change gears for a minute, God has been teaching me so much this year about my identity in Him. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." Left to our own thoughts and devices we can have a cynical view of the world and ourselves, but when accept Christ we are ushered into a new life and a new kingdom, the kingdom of God. We don't have to worry about all the troubles in the world because we don't belong to the world.

Love you all!

Trusting God

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This year has taught me a lot about finding my security and validation in God's love for me.

Psalm 31:5 says, "Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth." Jesus quotes this Psalm as his last words on the cross. Even after quoting Psalm 22:1 saying "My God My God why have you forsaken me?" Jesus still finds his security in the Lord. Jesus knew he was not abandoned by God. If you look to the end of Psalm 22 you will see that Gods righteousness is praised and proclaimed to all the nations.

Our problems may seem big to us and we may have seemingly huge concerns, but in the grand scheme of things they are not too important. This is because we have a relationship with God the Father through Jesus. He has pulled us out of our old life which was bound to this terrible world and we are now considered sons and daughters "citizens" of another eternal kingdom. That is why we are not dismayed and downcast by the problems that come up in life. This is not to say we do not have problems, just that we have someone to bring them to and find peace.

Sight Seeing in Thailand

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On our days off we get to go sight seeing and see some really cool stuff!

How To: Clear a Field

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One of the things we had to do this month is clear two fields of overgrown grass and brush with sickles. Here is an instructional how to video by my buddy Eli.

Yi Birthday Video

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We had a great time this month with the family that we stayed with. The Grandmother of the pastor's wife was so fun to be around. She is 76 and would talk to us all in Thai even though we don't know it. It was her birthday when we were out at their house, so we had to sing happy birthday for her.

Thailand Update Video

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hi Friends. This month we were working in Kanchanaburi, Thailand building a church. It is the rainy season, but it only rained about a third of the time we were there. God has been so good to us, and it was one of the best months of the race for me. It was so nice to be in the mountains and not have to run around a lot and drive to our ministry site. The church we built was right next to where we stayed.

Video Update

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hello Christ Fellowship Family. This video was made for you guys.

Door Decorating Contest Pictures

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So we have a door decorating contest for Christmas in India. BTW last night we had carolers. Anyway, Me, Nate, Robby and Rusty had our theme be "Have a very RAMBO Christmas."

These are some of our elves.

This is a Hindu Grinch.

When we come home after a long hard day of ministry there is always a fire started in the fireplace. You can see that we have each team's portrait on the mantle along with a miniature rocking horse.

The top of the start touches our ceiling so I would say our tree is about 10 feet high.

Frosty is here too and he is at the North Pole.

Pictures with Rajish's Family

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So Eli and I have been visiting a family that lives two blocks over. Rajish gets home from work about 9 pm and we usually hang out til 11 or 12. He is really cool and we have been able to talk about a lot of stuff because he knows pretty good English.

This is a picture with his entire family. He has a younger sister Roni who is 18 and another younger sister Jothi who is 12. It is so fun just going over to their house and joking around.

This is him and his sisters.

Eli can be hilarious sometimes.

This past Sunday Rajish mom took us all to some historic places around Delhi. We went to this place with a minar which is in the background..

Qutab Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing '27 Hindu temples'.

Rajish took this picture and I think Eli has his eyes closed.

Good times.

Rajish can be a ham sometimes.

This is on the way to the lotus temple. The Ba'hai faith's most beutiful temple is here in Delhi, India.

We had just gone to a Hindu temple before this where I got the mark on my forehead. Don't I look Indian!

The lotus temple is a prayer temple and you cannot bring cameras or cell phones in. They don't let you talk either so it is very quiet when you go in.

Desert Island

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Have you ever heard the one question, "What one thing would you bring with you if you were stranded on a desert island." Usually you can only pick one thing and you will always get someone to give the answer of a Bible. I asked the people I was traveling to ministry with today and they said therma-rest, internet, lipstick, and Becky Miller said she would bring a friend, although we told her that isn't allowed. Sometimes people get creative and say a survival guide or boat building manual. I think we would all try to bring something we think could keep us entertained the longest or that would help us escape the Island.

Well, what if you brought nothing at all. Do you think you could stay sane? That is the answer that you will never hear anyone say in response to that question. "I don't need anything." You have to bring something. The point I am making is that would just being able to talk to God be enough for you, or would you have to have entertainment. Would you be fine with having nothing?

Sometimes, we need to be fine with the desert. Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and he did it without even having food! Not only that but the devil was on his case big time with temptations I would have fallen into. Jesus fasted and prayed and after that time period he was ready to start his ministry.

So what happens in the desert that is so good? We come to the end of ourselves and are forced to deal with the demons that keep us under normal circumstances trying to silence them. We have to face our insecurities and deal with them. How scary is that? Now I wouldn't say that Jesus had demons to deal with, but we all have problems that we run from and try to suppress by having our constant drug of entertainment and busyness. The desert exposes those things and it is the best thing in the world for us.

You see the extra religious Jews of that time held to fasting two days a week as a way of drawing closer to God, although they turned it into something you could do that would bring you closer to God by merit, and that is not how God works. In Isaiah 58, God tells us the kind of true fasting that he honors.

6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness ^[a] will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and mallicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. 13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, 14 then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."

Muslims also say the same. They fast during the month of Ramada-n from sunrise to sunset. That is a forty day fast and it is one of the 5 pillars of the Muslim faith. If only we could learn the same discipline in our faith and have it be sincere and not just for show and approval (false validation).

My point is that fasting and the desert are important places of growth. So face those internal demons! That is all they are and you have the power to overcome them in Jesus name. Spend time with God. Thank him for all you have. Ask him to show you what you have in your life that is coming before Him and he will.

Pray for the Burmese Refugees

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So, how many people have seen Rambo 4? I got to see part of it in South America when it was coming out. I was really suprised when it was centered around Rambo and a group of missionaries who were trying to get into Myanmar aka Burma to spread the gospel and provide medical assistance. The movie starts when Rambo is in Thailand I think and is approached by the missionaries to drive them up the river in his boat to Burma. He refuses at first because Burma is war torn and the military have strict control and like to kill Christians but then he is convinced. The movie is very graphic in its portrayal of the violence, but from what I have heard from the Burmese refugees here there is a lot of violence.

Apart from being Christians, the Burmese people suffer many problems. A few years ago they had an election and the candidate who won assumed their presidency. The military didn't like this so they put this person under house arrest and took strict control of the country. In each state of Burma a few rebel groups have been formed to fight the national government because of this. The way that these rebels finance their armies is by going into a village and demanding money from the people who live there. So the chief of the village will assign each of the village families how much they will pay. This kind of thing will happen a few times a year. If they have found that they have been supporting the national army they will persecute that village.

Now the government army also does the same thing with a tax. They will demand money from a village and I think it is in the form of a tax. Now the army will also try to find out if the village has been supporting rebel armies too and if they have been, they will be arrested or even worse. If the rebel armies have found that you have supported the national gov they will be angry. So there is constant persecution from both rebel and national armies in Burma and many people have decided to escape and live in other countries, but this is a problem too.

Burmese people who live here in Delhi India face constant persecution because they look different and don't speak Hindi, although they know English. Because of this they are hated. (Will racism ever end?) When these people try to find jobs, they usually can only make about half of the minimum wage in India, which is $75 a month. So them make hardly any money and usually it isn't even enough for the rent that they have to pay and may face getting evicted.

They also are persecuted by people in and around their apartment complex and face the constant dangers of beatings or being raped because they look different and can't speak Hindi. So even when they are walking around to the market or to their job they have to be careful. Some of the Burmese teenagers I have met have told me about the beatings they have gotten, so this information is first hand.

Not only all of this but they have to get a United Nations certificate that lists them as a refugee so that they can travel to other countries where there are settlements for refugees. A lot of the people we have spoken to have been waiting for months to get this certificate. With it they can go to Australia or other countries where they are going to be treated better.

So I just want to tell everyone about this so that you can pray for them and their protection. Also pray that their certificates are processed quickly.

This year has taught me that a lot of the world does not live as comfortably or pleasantly as we do in America. We have it very well and don't even know it. Life is hard here and people have a lot less. It is given me such a great appreciation for what we have and an appreciation for people everywhere in the world. I am learning to be less materialistic and find more of my validation more in God and less in stuff and the people around me. I don't care as much what people think of me because I know I am really God's son and have an inheritance in heaven and a new life here on Earth.

Initiation Part 6

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Initiation Part 6

So that is only the beginning! Now I am dead. Where do I go now? This year is all about initiation and has been a fairly short discipleship period. Jesus took three years with his disciples. And many of the them deserted him after that time when the soldiers came to get him in the garden. It is not about getting it perfect, it is about living your life for God.

We have a lot of people searching for the abundant life, but they cannot receive it because they haven't died. How can you fill something that hasn't first been emptied? I believe this is why so many people don't pay attention to sermons in church and don't really walk in the power of God. They haven't died yet. They haven't come to the end of their pain, grief, and ego to give it all up to God. Pastors try to preach sermons of life when people really haven't died yet.

This is where true life begins. There are lessons to be learned after initiation, but those will be at another time. Death is the first step along the narrow path and probably why Jesus said so few people really find it.

I urge you to ask questions and seek God. Jesus said come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest. It takes a lot of energy, time, and money to maintain our ego, but just let it go. You will find a peace in Christ that just consumes you. You will find God's love.

Initiation Part 5

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So now that we are ready to embark on the road that leads through fire. What is the way? How do I get to the other side. And what Is the fire?

The fire that I am going through right now is not having any modern comforts such as computer, Ipod, or even electricity sometimes. We are not in a stone age society right now and I could easily go get an Ipod or watch a movie if there is time, but I know that this is right where God needs me so I can listen to what he wants for my life. I have been learning to stop and wait upon the Lord and it has been a very fruitful time. I know that when I do get a computer and stuff in the United States, I will not let it become an idol.

So what do I mean by it being an idol? Well it is so easy to entertain ourselves to death. We don't like having free time in our schedules and always like being busy. Why are we so afraid of silence? I think it is because in those times we can be lonely. We don't know how to listen to God and so we feel empty and that is the worst feeling in the world. So we go right back to partying, planning trips, and eat fast food a lot because we are so busy.

So where am I? I am in silence. I am reflecting. I am not busy, but I am not alone. I worship the living God and He comes and meets with me. He helps me through the trials that come every day.

So what are the lessons to be learned in the time of initiation? Rirchard Rhor names five.

1. Life is hard.
2. You are not that important.
3. Your life is not about you.
4. You are not in control.
5. You are going to die.

Whoa! what a hit to our ego! What a proof that we have an ego. I love being in control. Isn't that what self help books teach us? Always be in control. The way to get ahead is just try harder.

We are all a part of the same race on this planet. We are all humans, but we are always trying to get ahead of our fellow man. Why are we always trying to be in control. The same is true of nations. Why do we go to war? Why do different social groups despise each other? We all want that control and that is intoxicating!

Here is the better way: Service to others. Service to the common good. If you are looking only to better yourself then you are selfish and will become more and more unhappy because you will never be satisfied with whatever you have.

Once these lessons are learned death is not so scary. We have overcome our own ego and entitlements so that we are content. What a peaceful feeling it is to be content. Wher I am right now I don't need anything else. I am happy where I am at!

Oh yeah, I live two houses down from the neighborhood dump. There are a few sacred cows that walk around here and people don't really clean up their crap. The house run off water runs along the sides of the streets here and there is trash all in it. So sometimes when we walk down the road, things look and smell disgusting. So how can I say I am content with these conditions? It is because I am finding my validation in my sonship to God. He is my strength. I am not afraid of death because I have already died. But how painful that death is... And the life aftwerwards is worth every second of it.

Taj Pictures

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hello everyone, here I am in front of the entrance to the Taj.

The Taj took 22 years to build

This is a view of the Taj from the entrance. The Taj is really far away. it is just massive.

The Taj is 200 feet high.

The towers lean out at 10 degrees off center so if there is an earthquaqe they will fall out and not in.

The Taj was just built as a tomb for one of an old emporer's favorite wife.

This is a picture in front of the fort that is just down the river from the Taj.

Initiation Part 4

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We need men of action. We need real men. These blogs have been and are an adaptation of Richard Rhors book Adam's Return. In it he talks about male initiation and I am trying to convey some main points so you can see some of the things that he is talking about and some of the things we have learned throughout the year.

We are all being initiated here on the race and it is a painful process as old habits are abandoned and we find our identity more and more in Christ. We are REALLY dying. So how do we die?

First we need a desire to change. For so long life had been monotonous for me and lacking real meaning. Even though I had a good job I knew there was more. I was comfortable, but I wanted to be challenged. It was kind of like a lack of direction and I was tired of it. The AA phrase I think is the best. You have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired. Then and only then will you have the desire to go through the fire to get your healing. But it is there and worth every minute of the pain it takes to get there.

Second we need to have a good attitude. When a group of 27 people are living in 24/7 community there is going to be a lot of emotions, complaining, and bad attitudes sometimes. We are learning to have grace for people in these times. You are going to be in pain too. It hurts going through a change. I wonder if this is how the butterfly feels as it is being transformed in the cocoon. That is kind of like us. THe old is dying off and the we are becoming new but totally different.

Third we need to have a lack of baggage. We need to let things go. We all suffer from past hurts but the way we get over them is to talk them out with people. That is why I am so glad we have mentors and debriefs. We often get stressed out during the month and it is good to get over everything by having people who care about us talk things out.

Friday was independance day here in India. Yesterday was the day that India won its independance from British rule. Ghandi is one of those great men of history who suffered so much for a bigger goal. He was persecuted and suffered a lot for the greater good. WOuld you do that? Would you live your life for something that you could not keep? Would you sacrifice a comfortable life to do something really great in this world. So here is my recomendation for you.

Let go of your ego and any complaints you have about God and follow Jesus Christ. You will find that your life will change and he will complete those longings in your heart you haven't been able to fill any other way.

Forget about having a comfortable life. Who cares how much money you make if you hate your job. Do something ambitious. Do something that benefits others. Life is very short and working just for money or to pay the bills isn't really doing much with this life.

Commit to working through and conquering the pain in your life. It's going to hurt immenseley, but you will be free! Why do you hold on to it? Does it make you who you are? It really is just holding you down and keeping you from hearing God speak to you. There is peace on the other side.

Finally you will find love from God and you will be able to love others. It all starts with Him and ends with Him. You will find love joy and peace in Him - he will complete you.

Initiation Part 3

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Jesus says "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Matthew 28:19

I would like to clarify my last blog and build on it. Sometimes I can say things without explaining them well, and they can be misunderstood. Ben and Chuck asked about being born again and asked how long does this process takes. I am learning more and more that I do not have all the answers. When Nicodemus comes to Jesus all he has is questions. Now Nicodemus was one of the most educated Jewish teachers of his time and he still asked Jesus questions showing that he was open to Jesus' message of good news and was teachable. His heart was open! This is how we should always approach God.

Now what happens with the rich young ruler? He has all the answers. He says he has followed all the commandments since he was born. WHen Jesus tells him to sell everything he has he walks away downcast because he loves his money and position and can't give them up. His heart was not open like Nicodemus. Is our heart open and are we teachable?

Jesus tells us to make disciples not converts. We need to bring people into the family of God and let them grow and teach them. We need to empower them and get them baptized in the Spirit. We cannot evangelize without follow up. If we don't the parable of the sower tells us that troubles and the cares of this world can strangle the life out of people who have heard the word. There is no life apart from the body of Christ - the true church. You cannot be a lone ranger Christian. You WILL fall.

How long does it take to become a Christian?

I don't know, but I do know a lot of people who have said they were Christians and then went back to a bad lifestyle. I know a lot of hypocrites in the church. They say they have been born again and go out on Friday nights to the club get drunk and do all sorts of stuff. I know a lot of people who say they are Christians and are mean people too. So what do you think the world thinks of this? They think that Christians are fake, and for some people that is true.

The life of a true follower has the following signs - they love people. They are bold. They do good to people. They are selfless. This is a person who has experienced the love of God and is learning to cast their cares on him.

I don't want to answer the question above because I will only be teaching a formula and God is so much bigger than any formula that I can give. A better question is Are you living for God? Have you accepted his son Jesus Christ and falling more in love with him every day. Are you a part of his body? If you are you have found true life like this then arguing about semantics and phrases really loses its meaning, at least it has for me.

I love Jesus Christ and hope you too have found the joy in Him. Only he can set you free from the pain, anxiety, and regret in your life. Jesus said he came to give us life in abundance and I am proof of that although sometimes a poor reflection. My job is only to point the direction to Him.

Follow in Jesus footsteps and you will find true life.

Initiation Part 2

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"Then Jesus said to them all, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" Luke 9:23

In my last blog I talked about how we need to die to become fully alive. I do not consider myself to have made it or died all the way. I am in the process of becoming more like Christ, more like our loving Father. This being said, there is a point at which you can look back and say I am not like that anymore, or I am different now and am becoming more free with every day.

If I were an artist and could paint beautifully, the last blog would be one painted in broad colorful strokes, but we need to find more detail and more practical applications for finding the new life in store for us. How do we get there? I will do my best to paint the picture of how I have gotten here and I will try to paint the picture of Jesus for he is the center of our faith. My goal is not to try to convince you of some fact. My goal is to bring Jesus to you in what I say and write so that he may speak to you personally and you can know him. I am only an artist.

For death to not matter to us, we have to realize that we are truly children of the living God, once we have been enlightened by God himself. For the last several decades the church in America has talked about the fact that we need to be "born again." This is most often viewed as an emotional epiphany of some sort and once this is obtained, you are basically home free and have a ticket to heaven. The more I grow and learn, the more that I see this is only half true. And a half truth that allows you to just have one experience without a change of heart, attitude, and life direction is no truth at all.

The phrase "born again" is a rather new term in that it originated in the southern USA in the mid 1900s. It seems to be a rather selfish term as WE are the ones who have done something great and are rewarded for it. God is the pursuer and he is yearning for a relationship with us. He is the one who has done all the work. Having one emotional experience with God is not enough, we need to walk with him and learn from him. This is not hard because his yoke is light, but it is so easy to slip back into our materialistic American mind-set. (I am preaching to myself here too.)

A term that is far older and I think better is "I was seized by a great affection." God is coming after us and it is only our own selfish desires that get in the way. To live an abundant life we need to crucify these material and carnal desires. For me that has meant giving up my laptop, IPod, and a comfortable lifestyle. I am finding my validation not in comfort, but in dependance upon God.

So back to the beginning, to be unaware of who I am will only leave me wandering in the dark with no goals and only temporal impulses. When I found my identity, I found a purpose bigger than me and bigger than what I can accomplish.

I found the Kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God is not in a building, a synogogue, a mosque, or any other holy place. It is His people that I have learned to live with and love (although that can be hard at times). We are not yet perfect, but we are becoming so.

You see, I am a son of God and he loves me. I am his child. I am God's heir. I am seated with Christ in heavenly realms. I have an eternal inheritance. Nothing can defeat me because God is on my side.

Being enlightened is just becoming aware of these truths not only in your head but your heart too. This is where we start running into problems. REAL problems. We have all experience pain and loss in our life because life is hard. Without a guide we will become more caloused the older we grow. The only thing that can break through this calousness is a perfect love and that only originates in the heart of our father God.

Sometimes this love can shine through people or events in our life, but it only comes from one place...

Initiation Part 1

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." John 12:24-25

The other day I was at a shopping center with two squadmates and we had split up a bit so I could look for some pants. When I met back up with them they told me that a Hindi woman had bought them some earings. This younger woman was a complete stranger and she had done something very generous for them. Now I don't know much about Hinduism, but this act was very selfless. (Although later she asked for something in return "to remember them by.")

Most Indians are Hindu and live following many different gods. I heard from a Christian pastor here the there are millions of Gods. Is it good Karma to buy something for someone? I don't know but it seems that doing good will help you out in your next life if you are Hindu.

What Jesus teaches is a lot different. We are called to give to the poor, the fatherless, and the widows, but these are all tertiary to one main point. We need to die to live. You see, we live in a very consumer driven society in America that prizes wealth and power as things that should be obtained and the degree to which you have these the better off you are and the more you have "arrived".

We may find these things to a certain extent, but often we are still empty. We still want more. Why? Why are we never satisfied? Is what we are looking for in these not what we need?

These questions are all an introduction to what I want to share. This year, this "world race" is basically about dying. This process of dying to the old self has two effects. First we are able to find our new life in Christ and find our vision for our life through it all. We have found that living for God far outways living the consumer lifestyle in America. This is a hard process though because bad habits die hard. We are still in this process and every day we have to die again it seems in some small way.

Take George W Bush for example. He is a man who has deep convictions and whether you hate him or love him, you have to admit he is a strong leader. You see he has already been through the fire. He has died. Some candidates and presidents have said what seems popular to be elected and stay in office, but George W does what he thinks is right. That is why so many people hate him. They don't like what he does. So why is George W the way he is and do things that make so many people and politicians mad?

Years and years ago he had a drinking problem. It may have started off simple enough but as time went on it started to affect him and his family. It got so bad that his wife told him that he had to change or else. He died then, but not in the physical. He had to do the very hard work of killing that addiction. That is why I believe he is so strong today. He has gone through the fire and come out a new man with a better understanding of who he is.

The process of dying also has a second effect: you are no longer afraid of death. Consider Martin Luther King Jr. He knew who he was and knew that his ideas were so revolutionary that it WOULD get him killed. But he had determination. His life work was laid out before him and he was chipping away at it, damn the consequences. Do you have that kind of determination? Are you ready for anything? Are you living an abundant life or are you just getting by? Do you have a job that you love or are you just making enough money to pay the bills? Are you fulfilled or are you fixed on a financial or material goal that will finally fulfill you? It won't.

My old church has a slogan, "Change and become..." I think a better one would be "Die and become..." The prosperity gospel is really no gospel at all. There has to be a death to the old self to find the new life that is in Christ.

Have you made that step?

Are you living an abundant life?

Pictures from India

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This is a picture or me and Michael Hindes. He is a pastor and in charge of the whole world race program. He is the one who with his wife are the mentors of our squad. This picture was taken at our debrief in India.

This is the view off the balcony of the AIM house in India where we are living. That bicycle guy is a rikshaw driver and that is the biggest way we get around here in India. A ride is usually about 50-75 cents to get to the market, but if you drive with other people it is usually 25 cents.

This is the view from our apartment too. Even though the airport is like 2 miles away it takes 45 minutes to drive there because the main road is under construction and we have to take a round about way.

At a restaraunt in town.

This is me and Matt Snyder at dinner.

This is the other way to get around India - the metro.

Travelling Thoughts

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I am in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE right now on a connection to Delhi India. This is a muslim nation and there are a lot of people in traditional dress here. It is really cool to see. I don't know if their clothes have changed in 1000 years. Well, I have been really pressing into what God has for me in this time after losing most of my stuff except for my clothes. God has miraculously provided me a replacement passport and Indian visa in two days so that we could still travel. James 12:15 says that a man's life does not consist of the abundance of his positions. Our identity is in Christ, not stuff.