dos.

i had lunch with an old friend today. we keep in touch, but don't see each other often since i have migrated to nashville. he's really funny, and really intelligent. his sense of humor is british. i wish he had a blog, so you could all experience his wit and acumen.

side note: my vocabulary (or should i say "lexicon") has really been out of control since i got back to texas. i'm not sure what's going on, but i like it.

anyway, we had some mexican food and talked for a couple hours. he recommended some books to put on my reading list...including RUSSIAN LITERATURE. i already feel more awesome, just for putting it on my list. and i recommended some music for him...you know, BEN SOLLEE. it was just really fun, that's all i'm saying.

i like vacation.

here's an entirely different topic:

this past sunday at church, we (the congregation) discussed the topic of missions for a few minutes. and the typical question was posed: "why should we be sending people far away, when there are so many hurting and lost people right where we live?"

i don't think this is a ridiculous question. but i did feel it had an obvious answer.

because Jesus said to. (of course as time goes on, more and more people around the world have been reached with the Gospel, so it's definately appropriate to stay where you are and minister to people in your community.)

but someone else's words were ringing in my ears while people were discussing it.

jim elliot, who else?

i love what he has to say on this topic. it's a question people posed to him before he sailed to ecuador.

enjoy.

(also, i'm not suggesting that anyone who doesn't do missions abroad is disobeying Christ. i just have an interest in missions, and have spent some time pursuing that. what's interesting is that now i feel more of a passion for the brokenness that exists where i am. so i identify with people who want to stay where they are, AND people who want to go. i just don't like people dismissing 'going' with that question. there may be many reasons for you or me not to go, but that isn't one of them.)

"So what if the well-fed church in the homeland needs stirring? They have the Scriptures, Moses, and the Prophets, and a whole lot more. Their condemnation is written on their bank books and in the dust on their Bible covers."

"The command is plain: you go into the whole world and announce the good news. It cannot be dispensationalized, typicalized, rationalized. It stands a clear command, possible of realization because of the Commander's following promise."

"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems. I'll tell you why I left. Because those Stateside young people have every opportunity to study, hear, and understand the Word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever. I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man. When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there, I have no question in my mind why God sent me here. Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the Day of Judgment condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible, they were bored with it - while these never heard of such a thing as writing."

"Our young men are going into the professional fields because they don't 'feel called' to the mission field. We don't need a call; we need a kick in the pants. We must begin thinking in terms of 'going out,' and stop our weeping because 'they won't come in.' Who wants to step into an igloo? The tombs themselves are not colder than the churches. May God send us forth."

God leads people differently. that's why some people stay and are missionaries where they are, and that's why some people go.

"I have not the foggiest idea how or where God will lead you. Of this I am sure. He will lead you and not let you miss your signs. Rest in this - it is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call, or whatever you want to call it. It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond, or what have you. This will sound meaningless to you, unconvincing and 'old stuff,' and that is what it should sound, for it is only a man's counsel. The sound of 'gentle stillness' after all the thunder and wind have passed will be the ultimate Word from God. Tarry long for it."

but i am inspired by the passion for the Aucas that Jim had. they killed him, and he knew they might. it's just neat. and i finished the book today, so this should be the last post about him for a long time.

"Then, after an answer from a prophet, Jehosephat, himself humbled and believing, charges his people: 'Believe in the Lord your God!' And then they broke out in singing! Singing, in the face of such a problem! Lord God, give me a faith that will take sufficient quiver out of me so that I can sing! Over the Aucas, Father, I want to sing."