Going Fishing this Spring

Summer is one of my favorite times of the year.  I enjoy getting out to the beach, getting on the water, working outside.  Fairhope is a great place to live if you love the warm weather and the sun.  This summer we’d like to celebrate some of these things in The Gathering with you.

Have you ever noticed how much Jesus talks about FISHING in the Gospels?  We see Jesus on the Sea of Galilee several times.  He called fishermen to be among His first disciples.  He used fishing boats for a pulpit. Jesus used fish in His miracles--from coins in their mouths to miraculous catches to feeding thousands of people with just a few fish.  Why so much emphasis on fishing?!?

I’m excited as we are in a series in The Gathering called “Going Fishing: The Fishing Stories of the Gospels.”  Whether you fish or not, I think you’ll find something encouraging, challenging, and edifying in these studies.  That’s because Jesus’ fishing stories weren’t about fishing; there were about LIFE.  I encourage you to bring a friend and come to worship.  Fishing poles in worship will be optional! :)  The series runs through May 20.

Which brings me to another thing: this summer we want to encourage you to “come as you are” to worship.  In May we begin Casual Summer in The Gathering contemporary worship.  I know that there are many things that my draw your attention this summer.  My prayer is that faithful participation in worship will continue to be one of those.  So if you’re headed out somewhere on Sunday, come to church first.  Come in your jeans or your shorts and feel uninhibited in worship.

Later in the summer we have more great series planned, so stay tuned, stay plugged in, stay involved!  I look forward to worshipping, to studying, (even to fishing), and to enjoying the upcoming summer with you!

Ecuador Medical Mission Team--April 20

Ecuador Medical Mission Team

April 20

The Least of These

Have you thought about the "least" these people in our world? Jesus certainly does. He proved that in His life and work in ministry on Earth. He was about God's business in serving and ministering to the people that seemed seemed to have forgotten. Among these were the sick, the poor, the lame, the blind.

This week we've seen our team serve some of these same people here in Ecuador. They have looked past their impressions or even preconceived ideas. Instead they have looked for Jesus in each face they've seen.

Today our work in Quito drew to a close. We were blessed to serve hundreds this week with medical care, dental care, and provided glasses. These children, youth, and adults were able to get the referrals they needed and all medicines and vitamins for each.

We won't have the opportunity to serve in this exact same way again. But this experience encourages us to look for the least, the last, and the lost that are within arms' reach in our own contexts back home. Those that we seem to pass each day on the way to work. The ones we forget about that live near us. The ones that Jesus would spend time with--the least of these.

How about you? Who are the least of these in your own context? Are you ready to serve as Jesus did? Are you ready to use the gifts and graces that He has given you to serve? It doesn't have to be across the world. Maybe it is to be across the street. Maybe it is across the hall. Wherever it is, ask God to show you who you can serve and how. He'll show you. He wants to show compassion and love to His children. And He wants to use YOU to do so.

 

We have been very blessed to work with SIFAT (Servants In Faith and Technology). To learn more about their work and how you can also be involved visit www.sifat.org.

In Ecuador we've worked at sites where Compassion International is making a difference in the lives of children as they release them from poverty in Jesus' name. Visit www.compassion.com

In early blogs, we mentioned the work of Dr. and Mrs. Paul and Flor Fellers and Bayside Medical Mission. Visit them at www.baysidemedicalmissions.com

To learn more about the ministries of Fairhope United Methodist Church, visit www.fairhopeumc.org 

May we all take seriously the word of Christ in His call to serve and to bring life, life more abundantly (see John 10:10).

Matthew 25:31-46

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.


34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

 

Ecuador Medical Team 2012--April 19

April 19

Quito

Medicine can do so much. There's only so much that medicine can do.

I couldn't be more proud of this team. They have done a remarkable job in service to God's people so far this week. They have done an excellent job with every aspect of the experience: the travel, the food, the time with one another, and most of all time in the clinic. They have shown amazing love to these beautiful people in Ecuador.

We have seen people for well check ups. We have also seen them for life-changing illnesses. We have been able to share medical care and offer them the medicines and procedures they need, anti-parasite medications and vitamins for all. We can definitely say that we have made an impact on the people of Ecuador. There is much that medicine can do.

Today, we were also reminded that there is only so much that medicine can do. A poignant lesson came when we saw a middle-aged woman who complained of insomnia. As we asked more questions we realized that she has suffered a great deal. She lost her father and fifteen-year-old daughter in tragic incidents. She was unable to find work. The weight of the world was upon her. He problems were not physical, but spiritual. Our doctor offered some of the most profound healing I have heard in a while. "I've studied medicine a great deal. I also know that there is much that I don't know. In your case, my medicines won't help. This healing can only come from Jesus Christ.". We called the leaders of the church to come pray with her. We offered her encouragement and a community of love and support that she so desperately needed. It was the right medicine and a much needed time.

There is much that medicine can do. But there's only so much medicine can do. My prayer is that we will continue to offer both types of healing wherever we may go and to whomever God may bring our way.

 

Ecuador Medical Team 2012- April 18

April 18

Quito

What's the difference?

When you see someone, what do you see? Do you see the things you have in common? Or the differences? Here in Ecuador it is often easy for us to see those differences. The differences in skin color, hair, language, customs, foods, etc. Differences abound.

But the members of the team are challenging themselves to see the similarities. The similarities in our families, our friends, our children, our parents, OURSELVES. It isn't difficult to see the similarities when we open our eyes. I think about the parent who rode 4 hours by bus, one way, with her pre-schooler today. He has a rather serious orthopedic condition. She wanted to see our Dr. Fellers because she wanted to continue a relationship they'd built. Quite simply she wants the best for her child. That's a similarity many of us could see.

I also think of the way that we share a common grief when children suffer. We have seen children suffer at no fault of their own. This continues to break the teams's collective heart. And it spurs the team on to our work. Certainly we share this similarity in our own relationships.

Above all, we have our common love of God and His love for us. Though we may worship in different churches, different denominations, different languages--we share this common love of the One God and His love for us. This unites us beyond any external differences and breaks down barriers. Only God can break these walls with this much love. It is a joy to witness and to partake.

How about you? What did you see today? Differences? Similarities? May God open all of our eyes to the common love He has for us. Look around you today in your own context and the people you'll see. You'll be amazed at the similarities that God will show you.

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012--April 17

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012

April 17

Quito

Tonight Hutch, during our nightly devotions, gave a great reminder to the team about the power of leaving a legacy. We have all received a legacy from our parents, our grandparents, pastors, teachers, coaches, and other leaders. They make up so much of who we are, what we do, and the decisions we make.

 

Today, in the work of the clinic, the team saw the effects of legacies. Some of those legacies are healthy families. Some are much darker: babies having babies, difficulties in marriage, unhealthy parenting, and the exploitation of the youngest of God's children. The team was able to shine light in these darkest of places. The light of Christ shone upon these and others. This light came in the way of love and compassion. It came in the beginning of physical healing. It came in the way that the leaders of this church are now able to minister to these beautiful people. If we had not come, those lights may never have shone. Today we began BREAKING legacies. We began breaking destructive legacies and working to replace them with lasting, loving legacies.

 

It causes us to pause. What are the legacies we are leaving? Are we shining the light of God's love on those to whom we are passing our legacies? Are we willing to stand up to those who are passing on these destructive legacies? Are we willing to shine light in these dark areas? My prayer is that we all would so let the Love of God shine through us that we may an impact on this generation and those to come.

 

 

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012--April 16

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012

April 16

Quito

Today was the team's first day of clinic. The work was exhausting and rewarding. That is often the case when you are working in the gifts that God has given you. You work hard and you are tired, that good tired. It is the good tired that comes when you finish strong in the race, work hard on a project, or pull together with your team to do what seemed impossible-until you tried. Thats's exactly what happened today, all of the above.

 

We saw about 100 patients in the Villaflora region of Quito. We saw kids, youth, and adults of all ages. They all had a chance for a visit with a physician, an eye exam, and a visit with the dentist. In addition, they all received the medications they needed, vitamins, and anti-parasite medications. We have relationships with medical personnel here in Ecuador that allows us to make all necessary referrals.

 

Despite the loud and busy atmosphere, the team worked hard and did a great job. Loud and busy, they realize, just means that there are children (of all ages) whom God loves all around us. And they are within our arms' reach to serve and love. The most important encounters we had today were the spiritual ones. People came to our team members for help in their marriages and spiritual lives. We are blessed to do so.

So the team members lay their heads down tonight with that good sort of tired feeling deep down in their bones. We do some expecting more great things tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012--April 15

Ecuador medical mission 2012

Quito

 

April 15

 

The team's first day on in Ecuador has been a cultural experience. The day began with a tour of the Mitad del Mundo monument and indigenous museum. We got to see examples of some of the native tribes of Ecuador, see some fascinating science demonstrations on the Equator, and grow together while doing it.

 

After the tour and lunch, we worshipped at Mama Yoli's in the Atacucho barrio of Quito. This is the site of our 2008 medical clinic. We worshipped at the Methodist Church Aqua de Vida. It was a lively service. We were blessed with dancing and singing by the children and folk dancing. They wanted us to see more of Ecuadorean culture and the ministry to the children and families in their community. It was a blessing. The work of Lord there is growing and it is exciting to see.

 

During the service, a member of the church brought flowers to the members of the team. The bouquet was like one that we'd find in the grocery store in the States. She pulled flowers out of the bouquet and passed them out to the team members. By the time she got to me, she had only baby's breath left. She passed that out to me like any other flower. Some people may look at baby's breath as a cheap filler. At that moment, however, it was much more. It was an offering of thanks. The church doesn't have extra money to buy us flowers. And they used every bit of the gift the best they could. I felt grateful for the offering. When she handed it to me I thought of the widow's mite from Luke 21. They smallest of offerings was given, and received, with gratitude. I wonder if I do that often enough? How often do I give of the smallest parts of me? How often do I receive the smallest parts with gratitude? It is this attitude of the heart that makes the offering not the smallest, but among the greatest.

 

Tomorrow we begin work in the clinic. May this attitude infect us all.

 

 

 

Ecuador Medical Mission 2012, Day 3

Ecuador 2012
Day 3
Portoviejo

Today is a clinic day. While the doctors and others run the clinic, I have offered to help in any way I can. I most stay in the background until I'm needed.

That allowed me to spend time with a local pastor. He serves a church here in town. It sounds like a growing, dynamic congregation. His heart is to serve his people in their discipleship and their learning to serve others in some very real and practical ways. They are working on developing their DNA in that realm. Another important part of their DNA is the multiplication of this model. They feel that to become manageable and effective, they must plant more churches in this same way. I applaud him for his vision of ministry: multiplication undergirded with service and service undergirded with multiplication. We had great discussion and the sharing of ideas about how to continue ministry, each in our own contexts, and encourage one another along the way.

Speaking of service, I stumbled upon an intereststing conversation about justice today. I was talking with a couple of 20 somethings about what it means to bring justice. Can justice be found in our world? How does justice come? For that matter, what does justice mean at all? First of all, biblical justice does not mean as we think of it terms of the court system. It is not necessarily a blinded woman balancing scales. There is a place for that. But that is not the kind of biblical justice we mean. Biblical justice seems to side with the poor, the disenfranchised, the oppressed, the outcast. Look at the people with whom Jesus spent His time. Jesus was faulted for spending his time with the lowly and the outcast. He was faulted by people who were supposed to be defending the causes of these "lowly" people. Instead these religious leaders were casting stones at the oppressed, lame, blind, and outcast. What about in the modern church? Do we side with the religious leaders of New Testament times and put our noses up and those who are "beneath" us? Or do we side with Jesus who decided to extend an open hand to all God's children? Jesus was about the work or healing relationships, setting the oppressed free, helping others see their captivity and then releasing them from it (or maybe the other way around). He took the side of the poor, the downcast and the brokenhearted. Shouldn't we do the same?

In order to truly work for justice in this world, we must practice the justice that Jesus practiced. We have to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. We must be on the side of those that society has forgotten (or wants to forget). That means that we must be willing to do so in the places at our doorstep. It means that we must be willing to go even to the furtherest reaches. It means that we must begin to model, in our own lives, the things that Jesus did.

How do we even begin such an endeavor? We cannot do it of our own works or our own merit. We must remember the greatest commandment. Jesus says that is to love God and love our neighbor. How do we serve? We fall in love. We fall in love with God. We fall in love with His people. Then we cannot help but to do the things of love.

 

 

Ecuador 2012. Day 2

Ecuador 2012
Day 2
Crucita

Today was a day of travel. I stayed at the hotel this morning and read and did some writing. Off to the airport around 11. Fly from Quito to Manta. I

n Manta, Flor and our driver, Elvis picked me up and took me to the clinic in Portoviejo. The work there is busy and ongoing. Paul saw several patients for chronic conditions. Even when it seems mundane, the work is important to those who need to see the doctor. We can't loses sight it that. Tonight we stayed in the Fellers' home in Crucita. The home is just a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean. It was my first time to be on the beach in the Pacific. It is a beautiful little fishing community. It was great catching up with our friends. I am spending more time with new team members too. I am excited to see how the team continues to come together.

Tomorrow we go back to the clinic. I'm looking forward to seeing who we will meet. God is at work in the people of Ecuador.

Ecuador Medical Missions 2012 Day 1

Ecuador 2012
Day 1
Arrived in Quito Tuesday night. The trip gave me a tight connection in Miami but I made it. More on that later. Suffice it to say that I have a letter to write to the airlines. On the way down I sat next to a man who is doing similar work in South America. It is interesting the way that God is working in the people in the USA and in the developing world. We are but one small piece of a larger picture of God's work.

Wednesday, I leave to fly to Manta and stay in Crucita on the Pacific coast. There I will meet up with Paul and Flor Fellers and the work they are doing at their clinic in Portoviejo. We have been friends for a while and I'm looking forward to seeing their work and ministry. I am willing to serve in any way they need me. They have many connections in Fairhope and are so well respected. I hope that we can build bridges with the work of SIFAT that is also going on in Ecuador. In this my third trip to Ecuador my heart already breaks for the children we will encounter. I am particularly grieved when children suffer at no fault of their own. They did not choose the situation into which they were born. They did not choose their parents. They only know what is around them. Sometimes that is great. Sometimes that is heart-wrenching. I know that cannot extract them from the situation. Perhaps I can be a small part of the solution for their families and communities. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount. He tells us to extend compassion, show mercy, proclaim forgiveness and to live out our faith in the Holiness He's shown. May prayer today is that we would all do just that. Lord, may we be open to what you're doing.

For more on the ministry of SIFAT, visit www.sifat.org

To learn more about Bayside Medical Missions, visit www.baysidemedicalmissions.org

The picture is a shot from the hotel. This is a park and arena. I love the mountains beyond.

 

What does resurrection mean to us?

“What does resurrection mean to you?”  A friend recently asked that question to several of us.  Many said that it meant that we get to go to heaven, that Jesus died for our sins, that we have hope of eternal life.

No doubt it means all of those things.  But if we only stop there, I think we’ve sold short the power of resurrection.  All of human history revolves around the resurrection.  We note Jesus’ birth as the start point of our calendar, in part, because of the resurrection.  The church exists today because of the resurrection.

So what does resurrection mean to us?  It means that what Jesus said about Himself is true.  That requires us to make some careful study.  In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus speaks to the people of the synagogue of Nazareth, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  This is a clear proclamation of why Jesus came to embody resurrection, even before His death, and to offer the hope it brings here on earth.

In Luke 10, Jesus sends out the 70 to minister in His name.  He tells them to proclaim that the Kingdom of God has come near.   Jesus continued to bring this message of hope of the Kingdom of God in the things He said He came to do: to bring healing to people--mind, body, and soul.  He brought sight to those who suffered from physical and spiritual blindness.  He came to set captives free-even from the prisons that they built for themselves.

What does resurrection mean?  It means LIFE.  It means life here and now as well as there and then.  It means that we can live as a people of hope-in this world and look forward to the next.  It means that our spiritual deaths in this world can be turned around by Christ’s life that he brings still today.  We see this life when we practice the means of Grace which are, among others, faithful worship, regular Bible study, serving others, diligent prayer.   Would you join me in these?  For it is my prayer that this Easter season may you experience the power of resurrection, even but a glimpse, on Earth, as it shall be in Heaven.