Between Cultures

Traveling a week to the Dominican Republic affords me a certain perspective on culture I might not otherwise enjoy.  One country is developed and the other still developing.  One is the richest in the world and the other is not.

There is poverty in my home country too, it just looks different in a developing country as anyone who has seen both types of poverty can attest.  It may surprise some, but there are parts of Dominican culture that I prefer to the states.  For one, busyness doesn't seem to be worn as a badge of honor there like it is here.

GO ministries, the organization I work for, has a strong emphasis on mutual transformation.  This is usually in regards to individuals or churches.  I wonder what would happen if cultures dared to try something similar.

What could we learn from other cultures if we weren't so busy saying how we're the best country there ever was?  What would we have to offer if we served as peace makers and known as a culture that truly listened to others?

Every country has strengths and weaknesses to be sure.  I'd encourage anyone who is willing to get out there and explore some of the world beyond our nation's borders.  We might just learn something in the process.

A Full Heart

I'm about to board a flight back from the DR right now.  Do you ever have those moments where your heart is so full all you can do is say, "Thanks God!"  I'm having one of those right now.

Every time I come down here I feel more at peace.  I'm excited to see people I know and who know me. 

This time I was extra spoiled by seeing one of my best friends down here.  Ryan recruited me to GO and it was great reconnecting with him.  He was leading an exploratory trip for those interested in partnering with a church planter down here.

I spent a total of 1 day with them and had a great time meeting them.  They were genuinely curious and wanted to know more about the work local church planters are doing on the island.  I had wonderful conversations with one in particular who said he'd be willing to let me bounce ideas off him since he used to work at a bank in Florida.

I met once again with Julio, who is fast becoming my best Dominican friend.  They invited me to dinner and I gladly accepted.  We all laughed hard when she said she was going to make tacos but was tired so she ordered a pizza instead.  Anyone else relate to that?  :)

I prayed for dinner and for their family and then Julio prayed for my family before I left.   It was such a special blessing for me.  He also busted out his guitar and he and his wife sang a worship song.  I closed my eyes and tried to take a mental snapshot like a friend once taught me.

I met with several people who want to start businesses and we discussed next steps.  This job is what I was made for.  I couldn't be more excited to do what I'm doing.  I'm so grateful to be living my dream job.  There are of course parts I don't particularly like as there are with any job.  But the privilege of doing exactly what I was put on this earth to do is truly an honor.

A Father's Heart

Recently I've been thinking about God as Father more on a regular basis.  It's hard to imagine He's even more over the moon about me and my son than I am about my son.  He is though, infinitely more.  Sometimes it's easy to forget that He's for us.  He wanted us enough He was willing to send His Son to die for us.  And if He is for us, who can be against us?

Could I give up my son like God the Father did?  Definitely not.  I wouldn't be willing to sacrifice my son for anyone I don't think.  Perhaps that makes me an immature believer but other than Abraham there aren't a lot of examples of people willing to do that outside of God Himself.  

I long for my son to know the love of the Savior like I do.  I want him to search after Him with all his heart when he's older and understands more.  Stef and I are both crazy about our kid, but we know he's only on loan to us for a little while from the Father.  Then, God willing, he'll move out and grow some wings of his own one day.

For now though I'll cherish the times when I rock him to sleep and think about how God wants me to crawl up in His lap and be completely at home there.  We are given access to approach His throne with confidence, what kind of King is He?  That He allows ordinary sinners full access to Him and His love and acceptance?

He wants us to cast all our anxiety on Him.  When times are difficult, He longs for us to run to Him.  To crawl in His lap and find comfort there.  He holds us close even when we feel He is far away.  God is crazy about us, what a humbling and awe-inspiring thought!

Leading Your Family

This is certainly not a popular sentiment these days, but I believe men are called to lead their families well.  Often this idea has been abused by men to lord it over their wives and children.  The kind of leadership we're called to is just the opposite.  It's a self-sacrificing manner of leading.  We are to love and lead our families like Christ loves the Church.  That's a high calling.

Will we as believers step up and lead our families well?  Will we put their needs ahead of our own on a regular basis?  Will we consider their well being before our own?  I know I often fail at this but it doesn't make it any less of a goal.

When I first got married a little over 4 years ago, I thought sacrifice meant jumping in front of a bus to save my wife's life.  While that may be the case on a very rare basis, more often than not it's just serving and doing things that lighten your wife's load around the house or with the kids.  The chores that I hate to do, that's what I'm usually called to do, not jump in front of a bus or slay a dragon like in the movies.

And I need to do those chores with a cheerful attitude.  Easier said than done, right?  Some of the ways I try and lead and love my wife well are continually praising her.  Telling her how I feel about her is something I do on a regular basis.  This is easier for me than other men but no less necessary for any relationship.  

A few years ago I found my wife's three love languages were words of affirmation, gifts and acts of service.  We laughed because those three were tied for top spot.  Now I have plenty of ways to love her.  I can see that as impossible to do everything or I can see it as a plethora of opportunities to love her well.

I often pray for God to guide me to be a husband like Christ and a Father like Father God.  Thankfully I have plenty of examples given throughout Scripture to emulate.  My highest calling isn't serving as a missionary in whatever capacity, my highest calling is living on mission in my own home first.  If I can't lead my own home how can I possibly expect to lead outside of it?

Family Time

This last week we've been in Tennessee visiting Stef's family.  I often remark how blessed we are that we get along so well with both sets of inlaws.  My parents adore Steffani and her parents like me too thankfully.  Which is a good thing since her dad owns guns...a lot of guns. 

Stef has 2 younger brothers as well.  The middle one, Jake, has a wife and three kids so David had great fun with his cousins.  They all loved on him and were super excited to see him.

It was nice being around that many family members and having others keep an eye on him at times so Stef and I could relax more than usual.  Our boy is spoiled with love.  He's my parents' first grandbaby so they're over the moon of course.  Then on her side he's got all the cousins to boot on top of Stef's parents who love him to pieces as well.

My job has me traveling one week a month to the Dominican Republic.  I love it down there and would just assume move there.  For now we'll enjoy the time spent with extended family more.  We're 5.5 hours between each set of grandparents which we're incredibly grateful for.  Stef said she doesn't have another international move in her for a while so I'll be content with our current setup.  Contentment is key wherever you find yourself in life.