My Blog

Exploring Outside My Box and Trying Not To Revisit It

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:22:35 -0500

So, here I sit at the airport in Charlotte, NC, where we await our final flight to the city of Mobile. I feel tired, but accomplished; exhausted, yet encouraged. As I skim back across my memories of Europe, it is easy to remember the famous structures and cathedrals, yet hard to recall those subtle moments where I witnessed God.

In one month, I have laid eyes on the Mona Lisa, the Statue of David, and the poverty stricken areas of Paris. I have seen places where Paul walked and taught, and also the places where women are bought with money. I have witnessed homelessness and prosperity. I’ve had the privilege of meeting Jews, Muslims, Christians, Catholics, agnostics and religious critics. I have heard stories of rejection, confusion, happiness, complacency, and contentment. I have seen God revealed through sunshine and through gray clouds, through the ocean’s rumblings and the authority and dominance of the Swiss Alps. I have heard waves demolish rocks in Lido, Big Ben strike noon, and also the shy, subtle words of a little French girl. I have smelled the aromas from the kitchens of Italy and Greece to the questionable stench in Venice to legalized marijuana in Amsterdam. I’ve ridden on planes, trains, boats, but no automobiles. I have tasted the fine, sweet gelato in Rome and the stale breakfast on an airplane. I’ve swum in the cold waters of the Mediterranean and climbed to the top of Athens’s ancient Acropolis. I’ve been in one country for over twenty-two years, and been so frustrated that I grew silent. I have discussed politics, religion, culture, food, drink, sports, music, school, goals, dreams, insecurities, childhoods, and nonsense with people whom God made in His own image and placed in my path.

These experiences, however, only paint a tiny iota, one small portion, of the beautiful and majestic painting of our loving, gracious, and fiercely-pursuing God, who wants us even though we would rather follow a list of rules, and who accepts us on behalf of His Son even though we are too prideful to receive His mercy and forgiveness.

Thanks to all who made this trip possible for me.

The Boot Sometimes Has A Kick When You Least Expect It

Sun, 31 May 2009 23:17:24 -0500

Our tour through Italy has been one that will forever be etched in my mind. I am learning things that will influence the way I live for years to come. I am so far away from what I am accustomed to, yet the more I travel, the more God is revealing His beautiful creation to me. It generates a desire to see more of it, because in these magnificent sights God is revealing more of Himself to me, and the more I see the more I am unlocking the mysteries He has for me to discover. It really drives me to continue traveling and see other areas of God’s earth.

While we were in Rome, I began talking to a guy named Joel, a thirteen year vegan veteran who is employed by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) in Virginia. Joel is the kind of guy who looks for alternative and responsible ways to living a more ecological and organic life, something that I believe we as Christians are called to do. I was so infatuated with his work and job specifics that I curiously asked him a multitude of questions, like what he did, his motivations, his goals, and his convictions. We then discussed non-profit organizations and the opportunities they present to help the poor and the oppressed, like The Simple Way (I had already finished Irresistable Revolution) and other food pantries. He even told me his sister lived in a community house in downtown Philadelphia, helping the poor, much like what Claiborne’s house does. He then proceeded to tell me that he used to work with the poor through an organization, where they would cook food and take it to the homeless, feeding them and spending time with them. I finally asked, “Does religion or spirituality motivate you to do this?” to which his quick reply was, “No, my sister and I are not religious at all.”

If there was ever a time where I would have cried on this trip, it would have been soon after that moment. I was heartbroken and frustrated. How can someone so passionately involved with the poor and oppressed have no motivation from Scripture? His views aligned almost exactly with what Jesus calls us to do! From where did he derive his motivation? Joel left the next day, so we were never able to continue our discussion, but I pray that the more he involves himself in these companies and agencies, the more God will passionately pursue Joel and love him with an unconditional love.

Paris, Florence, and The New Friends Involved

Wed, 27 May 2009 09:51:24 -0500

I have been traveling all over Europe, and I am still loving it. The more we are on the move and seeing new sights and places, the more I learn and the more I feel alive. We’re only halfway through the trip, and it has already been life-changing.

Our time in Paris was very beautiful and exciting, getting to see structures like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. I also met some new friends from Texas A&M who were fellow TOMS supporters! We were able to share stories and through that I was greatly encouraged and hopefully so were they. However, most of the time was spent reading or going to a William Fitzsimmons show, in which I arrived right when he finished playing. I tried.

We then took a night train to Florence, and almost immediately God threw people our way, thirsting for love and relationship. It was there that I met Travis, a hockey goalie from Canada who was initially apathetic towards religion and Christianity. From the first conversation to the last day we spent a majority of our time together, and he showed me some really neat magic tricks. We had many talks on religion and spirituality, and God reminded me that sharing my faith was not, by any means, a one conversation “tactic” but rather a continual cycle of sharing, accepting, and loving. He and a few others became a part of our lives, and the time spent was definitely because of Christ.

The day before we left I was outside in the courtyard alone, where I finally finished my Philip Yancey book. I had been telling myself beforehand that when I completed it I would give it to Travis to read. As soon as I was finishing the last few pages, Travis walked through the doorway and outside as well to finish up on some traveling plans. Ha, incredible. I sat next to him and we talked about differences in the Roman Catholic (we were in Italy) and Protestant faiths, and in that I explicitly shared with him the Gospel and how it has impacted my life. I then gave him the book, and it seemed as if no one had really given him anything in his life when he received it from me. We continued to hang out for the rest of the day and as he left for the train station that evening, his eyes lit up as I asked him for a hug and it was then that I realized that no matter what type of mask we all try to wear, we are all aching for love and community.

Please pray for Travis as he searches for questions and that God will reveal to him the answers. We are in Venice now and it is absolutely beautiful. You were right, Joe :)

Also, go buy the new Anathallo album, I haven’t stopped listening to it since we got here!!!

I went to Athens and Paul and I are Facebook friends now.

Wed, 20 May 2009 10:19:49 -0500

Our second city on this trip landed us in the marvelous city of Athens, Greece, and as soon as we arrived there, we figured out that our hostel featured a glorious view of the Acropolis from the rooftop! We spent a few days hiking around that area, seeing places where the apostle Paul visited and preached like the Aeropagus and the Agora. It was amazing to see the Bible come alive, because I have never been to an actual city that is mentioned in the Scriptures, so it was definitely an inspiring experience for me.

One specific conversation and a great chapter in a Philip Yancey book opened my eyes to the idea that judging people who don’t share the same moral values as I do is so much easier than loving them, but Jesus calls us to do the latter, which can be so frustrating at times. This specific person told us a story of growing up in a Christian environment but then became completely ostracized when he began to question those beliefs. It was heart-breaking. He then proceeded to list out the questions he had, not so that we could theologically and morally debate and answer his questions, I think, but because we could understand a better perspective of where he is. Now, my first reaction was to try and persuade and woo him with churchy, cliche answers, but I realized he has already heard all of them! Also, I internally put him on an opposing team in hopes to win a conversation, which Jesus does not intend for us to do.

Yancey says, “grace destroys the us vs. them mentality,” and it’s funny that I read that statement after the conversation. Shawn was not looking for savvy theological and moral reasons for why he should choose salvation. He would not have benefited from manipulation and coercion, to which he had already been exposed. Shawn needed love, true love, acceptance, and grace. These things demand a sacrifice from us, and allows others a refuge and safe haven in Christ.

Now, onward to Paris!!!

From castles to red lights, and from Bible studies to bongs (not that I’ve done all these things) - my time in Amsterdam

Fri, 15 May 2009 04:14:42 -0500

Since I journeyed off the train and walked out of Amsterdam Central, my experience here has been nothing short of incredible. This old town is filled with rows of tall buildings, and the majority of people rely on very old bicycles, trains, and their own two legs for transportation, which I enjoy. The hostel where we are staying is a Christian hostel, but please do not be fooled. The makeup of cultures, religions, and languages are extremely diverse and make for a great time of people-watching, which isn’t creepy, right? Ok, good.

One notable conversation I’ve had at the hostel was with an individual named Amir, a kind-hearted Muslim man who works locally and stays in hostels rather than rent his own apartment. We’ve had a few conversations so far, and while he seemingly went through a whole pack of cigarettes one night, we discussed life in America as well as Iran and the differences and similarities between Christianity and Islam. Things didn’t get too personal until this morning at breakfast. He brought up a great point that even though America is a Christian nation and Iran an Islamic nation, its not the country that decides a religion for a person, and loyalty to a certain country does not mean loyalty to a religion. Finally, towards then end of our discussion, I asked him a personal question. “What’s the first thing you think about when you think of God?” Sweat literally began appearing on his brow as he scrambled to think of an answer. He began writing it off by saying it didn’t matter what he thought, because I may think something else. I told him he was right, and that’s Ok. After failed attempts at eye contact and with a perspired face he said “God is Love, and Love is God.”

Although our conversation ended this morning, I pray the Holy Spirit is beginning to tug at his heart today, that he studies his answer to that question, and digs for truth in the Bible.

Also, someone tell Katie Cooper that we ran into a group from CCU in Colorado here!! We’ve been hanging out with them everyday!