The Willem

Papa Duck is Proud.

// November 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Prayer, Reflection

One time, at church camp, Naomi Platt called me Mama Duck. I’m not about to adopt the nickname and she’s not about to read my blog, but I recognized what she was saying.

I had all my junior high boys lined up behind me that entire week, following me wherever I went and doing whatever I did. They spoke how I spoke, they laughed how I laugh, and now, they evangelize like I evangelize.

This week I’ve had three reports back from disciples I had in Yakima who are doing big things.

One is evangelizing at work constantly, being a witness to those around him of the healing power of God and of His overwhelmingly generous provision.

Another is starting a prayer group focusing on the unreached parts of the world. He said he wants me to be involved with one of the many wonderful internet chat options (I’ll probably be using Skype, as that’s the only one I use regularly). He’s also getting others in our church and town involved, as well as a few people from his travels across the country.

The third is a funny story. Here’s a kid who, as long as I’ve known him, has a passion for Mormons. Seriously, this kid’s goal in life is to save Mormons. I, on the other hand, have a soft spot for atheists, as many of you know I spent most of my life claiming to be one.

Today, I had our guys Bible study in the middle of a mall food court. We were interrupted by a couple of white Mormon missionaries who honestly just seemed like they needed some company. They have no friends here in Mexico. They don’t speak Spanish. They miss their families and friends back home. One even SAID “I’m just a lost guy in Mexico, man.” We befriended them, exchanged numbers, and I expect to be spending some time with them when we get back from the December break. I was thinking of my little duckling all day after that. Thinking of his heart for them and how it’s a beautiful and clear reflection of God’s heart.

What do you suppose he did today? He stirred the pot, of course. He took on some atheists and did exactly what Jesus would do: he loved them by challenging them. Now, he’s still learning how to facilitate those conversations tactfully and purposefully, but he’s bold enough to engage in them. I could not fully describe how much I was beaming when I found out. My little duckling is flying today. Flying with purpose and with boldness.

Afterward, I pulled him aside (aka I messaged him on facebook) and we talked about how it went. We talked about how each conversation has eternal effects and each word spoken, including the tone and placement, has eternal consequences. We talked about purposely and intently forming our rebuttals and our statements of faith, as well as delicately and tactfully forming our controversial arguments. It was awesome.

To say that I needed to hear those reports would be an incredible understatement. Because of my passions and my strengths, I often feel inadequate here in Mexico. This isn’t to say I’m useless. Rather, the ministry I invest the most into and that I’m most drawn to is that of personal development and spiritual maturity. Usually, the only people I can communicate that with are the Engage students and, frankly, they’re tired of hearing old man Jongejan blabber on about “maturity” this and “eternal consequences” that and “representatives of Christ wherever we go” blah blah blah blah blah. I don’t yet have the Spanish vocabulary or comfort level to challenge our Mexican Nationals, and our students no longer (I’m not sure many of them did to begin with) respond to my prodding, so I often simply resort to plodding along with everyone else doing stuff that doesn’t necessarily speak to my heart.

God’s provision is a funny thing. We often think of financial provision only, but He is our provider of so much more. He covers ALL of our needs, every day. He provides the breath in our lungs, the food in our bellies, the sun on our faces, and yes, He provides the reminders that our hard work has produced fruit. Fly, my wee ducklings. Fly.

Scare the Hell Out of ‘em!

// November 9th, 2009 // No Comments » // Life, Reflection

That was the goal for the Hell House. Not necessarily to scare people, but certainly to scare the Hell out of them, and to scare them out of Hell.

For the Halloween weekend, we completely transmogrified (thank you, Calvin & Hobbes) our youth center into the set for a 5 act drama, wherein we depicted the errant life of a Mexican teenage boy who, instead of going to church, goes to a party, gets crunk, crashes his car, dies, goes to judgment, and is sent to Hell. The storyline also included a funeral, but that obviously didn’t have our main character doing anything. The set took hours upon hours, over a week to set up and we ended up opening late our first night so we could finish everything last minute.

My role was originally going to change each night, but due to unforeseen scheduling complications and the fact that Brittany simply doesn’t make a passable silhouette for God, I was a party participant and God every single night. Because there were two very short scenes between the long party scene and long judgment scene, I had to run out of the party and around the entire youth center to get to my position before the group came in. A couple times, I didn’t make it in time, which ended up being pretty comical.

We had a great many hiccups throughout the weekend, which to me signifies that the enemy didn’t like what we were doing. Instead of getting down and broken, though, our entire team managed to keep spirits up, devise quick solutions, and laugh about everything.

hiccups:
The curtain hiding God (and also showing His silhouette) fell. Repeatedly. Every day except the last.
The lights going out on the Judgment scene.
Music/ipods missing, starting at the wrong times, playing the wrong tracks. Every night.
Not being in place on time.
Bottles breaking in the party scene.
Lightbulbs breaking all the time.
The power went out one night.
Rowdy kids.
Hannah got egged at the entrance door. Also, she’s slightly crippled right now and had to be the bouncer.
Physical, mental, and spiritual exhaustion.

Solutions:
We bought tape. We bought other tape. We finally drilled to nails into the ceiling and strung up the curtain. One night, there was no taping it, so we wrapped me in it for every group after I ran in from the party scene. This was by far the most ridiculous hiccup.
We figured out that it was just going to keep happening, since the only place we could plug in the lights was poorly placed. I just plugged it back in after each scene, but the first one was a scramble.
We laughed. What else could you do?
Samesies here.
Played it off like it was a real party and gave the person a hard time, then swept it up between groups.
We gathered up all the broken lightbulb glass and put it at the car crash. Nice touch.
There was no power on the whole block, so we prayed for God to reveal His power and that we needed no light aside from His, that if we had to change our story to whatever story He wrote for us, we would be willing and happy to do so. We then started preparing to do the night without power, but when Matt and Mike went home to get all the backup supplies, the power company showed up and made it happen.
Hannah is straight up a champion. I have no idea how she did it, but she kept kids from stampeding, killing each other, or killing her, all the while yelling and singing and entertaining them in Spanish for four nights. She was amazing.
Prayer.

We had a ton of friends throughout the city helping us out on various nights. Jensen played Satan one night, Isai supplied us with party music he made, Adrian stuck it out with us all four nights in the party room and in post-Hell prayer, Uriel helped with partying and prayer, Alina was a guide for a couple nights and the sister of the main character two other nights, Brittany helped us party, pastors showed up to help with prayer, even one of our Spanish teachers showed up one night. Oh yeah, and God kinda helped us out I guess.

Some of the most entertaining moments were due to groups interacting with us at the party scene and, from what I heard, in Hell with our demons and Satan. However, the best moments for me were during setup and prayer each night. We came together as a group, many of us not initially believing this would be successful, and threw our full support and our whole hearts into the project. We knew that if even one person over the four nights was reached and transformed and came to know God intimately through a new relationship with Jesus Christ, then our efforts were well worth it.

Setup and makeup for the demons cracked me up every single night. Initially, Loree was our only makeup artist. As the second night drew near to the opening, we discovered that there was yet much to be done. What happened at that point? Oh yes, you guessed correctly. I joined the makeup crew. Here’s a little-known (I usually like to keep it that way, but this is worth spilling here) secret about my past: my sister and I went through modeling classes, including makeup application, lighting, commercial spots, and runway stuff when we were kids. I managed to retain all of that information and, coupling it with what I learned in theater in high school (where I was the only straight guy who could do both my own and other guys’ makeup), I set to work making Mike terrifyingly beautiful. He looked like Heath Ledger’s Joker, no joke. This guy looked terrifying every night. On the second night, I put a hole in the middle of his throat –complete with dripping blood– on top of the cheek scars and generally horrific demon look. On our final night, Loree was getting frustrated and was exhausted, so I ended up finishing everyone’s makeup after she got the base stuff on them all. I have been trying not to boast lately, but they looked fantastic. Rachel, Jen, and Justin all looked awesome (HUGE assist from Stacia, Rachel, and Katlyn on making Justin into an incredibly stunning Satan), but Mike was my pride and joy. I slit his neck with makeup. No joke, it looked like someone had slit his neck and let it scab over, but that it had opened up and dripped in a few spots. I think this is the best art I’ve ever done, oddly.

I just spent over 1100 words not telling you the most important parts of the Hell House (La Casa del Terror) experience, so here’s the good stuff. I expected maybe 20 kids a night. We had 106, 102, 106, and 126 people on four nights. I didn’t know if anyone would give their lives to Christ. Our count showed 294 people praying for their salvation over the weekend. We handed out 400 Spanish Bibles to a neighborhood in desperate need of hope. When we heard the final tallies, I broke down. I was blowing snot bubbles while tears streamed down my face, and all the while, I laughed. The Lord filled me with such joy that He would be so gracious as to use us in such a way. I, a sinner for sure, was no more deserving of His grace and mercy than any of the people I met that weekend, yet He used me to reach them and establish His relationship with them, expanding His Kingdom.

After those four nights, after the previous two weeks, we were dead tired. And yet, as much as we all wanted to go home and sleep for a week, we knew the hard work had just begun. The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18b-20a says “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” It doesn’t say “get people to say a simple prayer and then return to living exactly as they have.” Jesus tells us to make disciples, to baptize, to teach. That means that our work is just beginning, and that we have an incredible task ahead of us. It’s time to get to work.

A Tale of Three Kings

// October 31st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Reflection

A Tale of Three Kings is an eye-opening expansion of the story of King David’s life, incorporating King Saul and King Absolom as well. Gene Edwards, a long-time Baptist pastor and evangelist, has done a masterful job portraying King David’s true character, including how that character may have developed throughout his many times of trial. The book is presented in an entirely unique style for the “Christian Living” genre, opting to invite the reader in to a play or show, rather than simply presenting a straightforward message. This theme helps to capture the reader’s attention and helps to provide an immediate level of comfort, making the headlong plunge into King David’s world that much easier.
In the prologue, Edwards declares the intent of the book to be a vehicle of healing for brokenhearted Christians, with a specific emphasis on those harmed by the Authoritarian Movement in Evangelistic sects. The reason for this emphasis is easy to see after the first several chapters, as he set up such a clear depiction of King Saul as an overbearing, self-serving madman who would let nothing stop him from gaining and maintaining absolute control of “his” Kingdom of God. Much like King David could have been, many Christians have been harmed, broken, and embittered by the Authoritarian Movement; Edwards’ intent is to open eyes to the wounds both felt and caused, to facilitate healing of those wounds, and to truncate the perpetuation of the harmful cycle (as we see King David attempting to do by his handling of King Absolom’s rebellion).
I found myself continually impressed and surprised at the insight being pulled from King David’s actions, thoughts, and words. While Edwards doesn’t quote scripture throughout, he follows and depicts the narrative of King David’s life, with details added at every turn. He does not claim these details to be historically accurate or scripturally holy, but they help in both painting the heart of King David and in increasing the reality of the events in the story. Of particular import were the dialogues between King David and his family, his friends, his advisors, and himself.
Another feeling I gleaned from the text was the sorrow and respect King David felt both for King Saul and for King Absolom. At no point did he speak ill of either man, wish ill for either man, or act malevolently towards either man. I found myself feeling the same way: instead of having anger or bitterness towards those in authority over me when they acted in a way I disagreed with, I remembered their appointment by God, which led me to respect them appropriately.
I genuinely enjoyed Edwards’ writing style and the book as a whole. He was easy to read without feeling unchallenged intellectually. Any time an author can publish a work that is easy to read, but challenges the reader to grow intellectually, spiritually, and relationally, he has done well. I will be looking into other titles from him and am looking forward to his unique presentation of other topics.
After describing King David’s youth and rapidly progressing to the heart of his interplay with King Saul, Edwards depicts the scene in which King Saul is throwing spears at King David, which leads to a fateful question we must all ask ourselves: “What do you do when someone throws a spear at you?” In today’s world, of course, we are not frequently confronted with this exact question, as spears aren’t necessarily a part of everyday life. However, the premise still applies: what do you do when someone is hurling insults, attacks, and the like at you? Furthermore, what do you do when that someone is in authority over you? If you’re King David’s friends, advisors, family, almost any member of humanity, or anyone of the order of King Saul, you chuck it right back, clearly. This is, of course, the normal reaction of the world.
However, King David is not of this world. Those in the order of King David are not of this world. His reaction is not of this world. What was King David’s reaction? “What do you do when someone throws spears at you? Well, you get stabbed to death, of course.” Allowing yourself to be stabbed to death does not, to the world, sound all too kingly. However, Edwards wasn’t speaking of a bodily death. He was speaking of the metaphorical death of the King Saul inside each and every one of us. The explanation of this idea is that “spears will never touch you, even when they pierce the heart.” Allowing yourself to be assaulted and attacked gives God the control of your life, rather than trying to take your life into your own hands. King David displayed not only the patience required to truly respect one’s divinely-appointed authority, but the character necessary to maintain the purity of heart he would forever be known by.
Since then we can determine in our heart not to fight back or take the situation into our own hands, we need the practical steps Gene Edwards so poignantly describes in Chapter Seven. There are three steps to take when you discover spears are being sent in your direction: never learn the fashionable exercise of spear throwing, avoid spending your time with and listening to spear-throwers, and learn to keep your mouth shut. The first two points are rather easy to understand, as doing so would eliminate your position of grace. The last point is often overlooked in today’s church. Speaking out against spear-throwers (be this in protest or in accusation) is simply a verbal spear. Keeping mum can go a long way towards building respect for authority in your heart.
King David was a true sufferer. The man simply knew how to take pain while giving glory to God. Not that his trials were necessarily physically painful, but the emotional and spiritual anguish we all go through are often overlooked and, in some cases, completely ignored. Early in the book, Edwards speaks of God’s want for broken vessels, His possessing very few of them, and His empty university of suffering, whereby men would be taught to truly suffer for their brothers, sisters, and followers. Why is this “university” empty? Is it because the church today has graduated? No. The absence of broken vessels is the culprit. What does that mean? It means that the modern “Christian” is not interested in addressing his brokenness. The average believer shows no interest in humility, which is brought through suffering.
King David was a different story. Not that he sought out this suffering, but he didn’t run from it. He knew God meant to teach him and that God would equip him to face the trials of his life. Edwards describes King David as an example of true kingship, inferring that a true king not only faces suffering for his people, but that he does so with a right heart, a submissive heart. Edwards describes the interaction between a young man and the last living member of David’s Mighty Men. The warrior, when asked, went on to describe King David as the best example of kingship, saying that instead of demanding submission, he was submissive to God. This is how a true king acts, and thereby is how true leaders act. Instead of laying out rules and laws and punishment and demanding submission, a true king and a true leader submit their hearts and lives to God as an example of who and how to follow. King David was submissive in this way, which allowed him to be a blubbering cry baby in a cave and still lead the finest kingdom ever seen on this earth.
Due to his nature, coupled with King Saul’s driving people out from the kingdom, King David accrued followers unintentionally. He never sought, never recruited, and never requested followers, like King Absolom would during King David’s reign. He never spoke out against King Saul or accused him of anything, as King Absolom would. He never even told people he wanted to or would lead them. His submission to God taught others, a band of crooks, thieves, and castoffs, how to submit their own lives and hearts both to the one true king and to the one true God.
Even in David’s Kingdom, those of the order of Saul rose up. Rebellion, though dormant, was rampant in the hearts of men, particularly in Absolom. In his conversation with Abishai, King David states that not only had he known of Absolom’s coming rebellion for upwards of thirty years, but that he intended to do absolutely nothing to stop it. Seeing that Abishai was confused, David reminded him of the story of Korah’s rebellion and that Moses did absolutely nothing to halt it. The moral buried within the dual stories is that being submitted to God’s will is far more important and far more reliable than attempting to control the wills and lives of one’s followers or subjects.
David further hammers the point home in Chapter 23, declaring “…of this I am certain: In my youth I was no Absolom. And in my old age I shall not be a Saul…I intend to be David still. Even if it costs me a throne, a kingdom, and perhaps my head.” Abishai’s next retort sets up David’s ultimate declaration of faith. After Abishai suggests evacuation, David reminds him of what God did to deliver him from Saul as a boy. “[David, y]ou underestimate your adversary.” “[Absolom, y]ou underestimate my God.” While David’s faith will not let him stray from God’s will, he further declares the most significant attribute that defines true kingship when he says “I seek his will, not his power.” To know that God’s time for him to lead may have come to a close and to accept that as God’s will is no worldly deed. David was, in fact, a true king.
Gene Edwards not only conveyed this story with brilliant creativity, he accomplished his stated goal. I don’t see how anyone could read this without experiencing healing. I don’t see how anyone could read this without being challenged to drop the spears, to accept the suffering, and to yield to God’s will, no matter what that may mean in his or her life. A Tale of Three Kings should be read by every pastor, leader, and church attendee, as each has a unique group of followers they need to know how to lead in a Godly fashion, as David did.