I was really impacted by all the joy that the kids and the Adamek family exuded at Rancho 3M. Before we arrived at the ranch, we had been informed that many of the kids came from abusive backgrounds, or had been abandoned. We were told this so that we could be sensitive when speaking with them. The attitude of the kids was completely different than I had expected. The kids were very open and cheerful, and the transforming work of Jesus Christ was clear in many of their lives.

Another thing that touched me was the care that the older kids at the ranch had for the younger children. Some of the children were related, but even the unrelated children treated the younger kids as if they were their own siblings. They all looked out for each other. This is an evidence of God’s grace in their lives, because without God they would only look to their own interests instead of preferring others above themselves.

The best part for me was the way that the “language barrier” dissolved after the first few days. I don’t speak Spanish, and some of the Rancho 3M kids didn’t speak any English, but we all got along very well together. The bilingual members of our team enjoyed translating for us, though I wonder if they were ever tired of hearing ” ¿Cómo se dice…?”

The passion play at Gracia Soberana (”Su Pasión Por Ti”) was a tremendous display of the gospel. The play began with Creation, and the Fall, showing our need for a Savior, and proceeded to the garden of Gethsemane and the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. They mixed scenes from The Passion (film) and songs about Christ with the drama to bring everything to life in a very powerful and compelling display. They constantly returned to the gospel and emphatically repeated our need for a Savior, and after the presentation, the pastor gave an invitation to Alpha. I hope that the presentation impacted the visitors as much as it affected our group. The message of the play bridged any language gap, and it certainly glorified God in the way it was presented.

It was so beautiful to hear “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2: 10) while we were in Mexico, and I’m very grateful for this amazing experience.

Categories: Mx08
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Liane and I had the honor of being able to join Steve Whitacre in a team of 48 individuals, sinners all, saved by the rescue and work of Jesus Christ, and sent by your prayers and financial giving to serve Dean’s orphanage as well as the Latin American pastors college at Sovereign Grace church in Juarez.  A lot has been said about the testimonies on the noticeable the absence of whining and complaining as well as the evidence of humble servanthood.  What struck me was that in addition to all of this was a more pronounced speaking of Christ and a sense that all was done for Him who gave himself for us as a substitute for deserved wrath.  There was less dwelling on sin and more on grace, more on the person and life of Christ, and that in working heartily unto Him we were ultimately reflecting his righteousness in us.  Less about us, and more about Jesus and His glory.  This was reflected in times of morning worship where everyone carried with them throughout the day a sense that we were merely continuing a worshipful response to God… not that we “had to do”, but “we get to do!”  This was extraordinary and something that was an example to Dean and his staff, the staff of the church in Juarez and the orphans themselves, many whom were subject to very sad and difficult circumstances.  What was affecting the kids at the ranch was the life of the Saviour in each of the students and their parents.  Overall, I saw a visible and concentrated picture of our day-to-day life together in this church.  five15, we were merely a reflection of the life of Jesus in all of you.  We are all on a mission together as a church… one toward Heaven.  This picture will remain with Liane and me for decades to come.  Thank you five15 for sending us!

Categories: Mx08
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Don’t forget: five15 BIG MEETING on Saturday. Come for Push Back, Part 5 on Appearance.

You know the deal: Pizza and Ping-Pong at 5:15, meeting starts at 6:30.

See you Saturday night!

Categories: Announcements, Push Back
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It was a privilege to preach yesterday on 1 Timothy 6:17-18. I love the tale of Alexander Selkirk: the real-life Robinson Crusoe who was stranded on a small island in the South Pacific for four years and four months.

We are like Alexander Selkirk in this way: it is easy for us to become comfortable in a world that isn’t our home. By giving, we leave behind the riches of this age (which we can’t keep anyway) and gain riches in the life to come. This is what missionary Jim Elliot meant when he said:

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

One of the things I love about these verse is that they teach us to enjoy what God the gifts God has given us.  (Sound like Ecclesiastes 3:9-13?) The materialistic age we live in teaches us to be discontent with what we have, preventing us from enjoying the many wonders that God has given us. From internal combustion engines to plastic to cell phones to food preservatives, we have a lot to enjoy and to thank God for.

Seeing this also frees us up to be “generous and ready to share.” I said this on Sunday, but I have to say again that I am so proud of five15 for the generous giving to Rancho 3M. More than $5300! That’s amazing. Well done.

There is a wonderful promise attached to that: by doing good and being generous, we can store up treasure for ourselves as a good foundation for the future.

I hope you are making plans now for giving to the Go Forward Fund. I have heard some people say that young people can’t give because they don’t have any money. But I read a report this week that said the average teenager in our country has more than $1500 in expendable income per year — more than most adults. Most of that income gets spent on clothes, movies, iPods and music, cell phones, eating out, and so on. None of that is bad. But ask God what lifestyle changes God might be calling you to. Here are some ideas that I read yesterday about changes that we could make to free up the funds to give more:

• I’m going to give the contents of my spare change jar.
• I’m going to give ½ of all unexpected money I receive this year.
• I’m going to sell stuff I don’t use on e-bay and give whatever I make.
• I’m going to give ½ of what I earn babysitting.
• I’m going to pass up 3 Starbucks drinks a month and give whatever I save.
• I’m going to give my tax refund.
• I’m going to cancel cable for the year and give what I save.
• I’m going to cut my husband’s hair at home and we’ll give what he would have paid for a barber. (I’m not going to let him cut mine.)
• I’m going to donate stock I own.
• I’m going to… (Get practical)

Talk to your parents this week about what participating in the Go Forward Fund might look like for you.

Categories: Monday Matters
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It’s only been 35 years since the first cell phone call was made. On this day in 1973, a Motorola researcher took his experimental cell phone (it was the size of a brick) onto a New York City street (on-lookers were perplexed) and called his arch-rival at Bell Labs (smooth). A new era was begun.

We’ve come a long way in 35 years. My cell phone (also a Motorola!) is smaller than my wallet; many experts believe landlines will soon become irrelevant. All of this is fun and fascinating, but what does it really matter? So what if phones are smaller, lighter, and with more features?

At times like this, we need to remember God’s common grace. Wayne Grudem says it like this:

“Common grace is the grace of God by which he gives people innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation.” Bible Doctrine, 273.

I’m getting ready to preach from 1 Timothy 6:17-19 on Sunday, and verse 17 reads:

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy…“

It’s easy to spend our days complaining about what we have, wishing for something better, or simply going through life indifferent to the marvels around us. We can glorify God much better by 1) giving thanks for his gifts, like cell phones and 2) enjoying what we’ve been giving.

What expressions of God’s common grace have you been grateful for and enjoying recently?

Categories: five15 blog
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