Life is Short. God is Good.

The primary supervisor for my PhD at the University of Edinburgh, Professor Marcella Althaus-Reid, passed away last week. Argentinian, she was an incredibly spirited, passionate person. She was dedicated to academia and cared deeply for her students. Although our differences in Theology were deep and wide, I think we met in the middle because of our faith in the Lord.

Dr. Althaus-Reid fell ill again in 2007 and was away from the University on an extended absence. During that time we were out of contact, and I never got to share with her the great news about Asher’s birth, or photos of him. Long before I was pregnant, she once told me, “You will never regret to put your family first.” [I hope you can hear the lovely latino accent there.] I hope to hold on to that wise advice for the rest of my days.

I include below a picture of Asher that I wish I’d been able to share with her. Thank the Lord for opportunities to interact with people who are radically different from you, but who share a common bond in love for the Lord Jesus. Seize the opportunities such relationships bring to grow, to learn and to challenge yourself to really think about why you believe what you believe. You might see Jesus’ love in places you never expected.

xCC

Can you spell Kyrgyzstan?

I complain way more than I should about living in Scotland. I’m working on it. The weather leaves much to be desired, and sometimes so does the customer service. And things are pretty darn expensive. Except for groceries at Tesco. But I was reminded today of how much I have to be thankful for. Besides my tortilla chips for 18 pence a bag.

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A friend of mine is a missionary in Kyrgyzstan, and some new laws have been passed there that, if they were passed in Scotland,  would make church planting a much more difficult task than it already is.

 

The new law stipulates that …

1. Two hundred adult citizens permanently living in Kyrgyzstan will now be required to register their membership before a religious community can apply for state registration, compared to 10 in the current Law. It says 10 registered religious organisations will be needed to form a ‘religious association’. (So groups of less than 200 won’t be granted permission to assemble).

2.The Minister of Justice can only register a religious organisation/church after local authorities, and then regional authorities, have approved the membership list, and local authorities have the power to decide if a particular religious organisation is needed in their area.

3. [This is the kicker for me.] There is now a ban on children being involved in religious organisations, which puts an end to children’s ministries such as summer camps and Sunday Schools, and even means parents cannot take their children to church with them.

Fortunately, an investigation commission visited my friend’s Christian Children’s Home, and they received high reviews. Pray that the favour will continue.

I cannot IMAGINE not being able to bring Asher to church. Or trying to minister to anyone who has a kid — how do you convince someone to join you for church on a Sunday morning? What do they do with their kids?

The Sermon in a Nutshell: Even if popsicle stick crafts and stained glass painting aren’t your idea of a good time – be thankful that those special childhood memories were made possible by your delightful local VBS!

xCC

And then Mel Gibson cried out, Freedom……

I think a lot of people really love babies because they seem to have so much freedom. I mean, I really love how free Asher is.  He can spit up on people, and they don’t care. He cries when they walk up, and they just think “shame, he needs a nap.” He poops in the car when we’re hurrying somewhere, and who can blame him? We were at a special baptismal service with about 150 people when he let one rip BIG STYLE a couple months ago, and not one person was offended. However, one guy a couple rows up was shaking uncontrollably trying to keep himself from bursting out laughing. I mean, look at this face — is this the face of responsibility?

 

I think, though that there’s a deeper freedom we long for as human beings, and it’s not just the freedom to poop in public. Martin Luther King, Jr. and millions of other folks, have quoted Jesus as saying “The truth will set you free.”  But I don’t think some knowledge of the truth will automatically, magically change your life. And I don’t think I’m disagreeing with Scripture here.

Jesus actually said, (talking to the Jews who had believed him) “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”(John 8:31 & 32) So essentially, it’s not just about me seeking to know the Truth in order to find the ability to walk with freedom every day.

The Amplified Bible says it this way: “If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.” I easily get caught up in the Western way of thinking, assuming that gaining knowledge is going to bring about transformation in me. But it’s actually in the application of that knowledge that I will really find the kind of freedom Jesus was talking about. If I do what He said to do, and only say the things He would want me to say, then I’m His follower, and His truth is going to change me.

In the meantime, I look forward to enjoying Asher’s temporary ‘freedoms’ for a while longer. But I hope to train him to know the true freedom that comes from doing what Jesus said.

The Sermon in a Nutshell: Doing the truth brings freedom. I suppose the meaning and significance of freedom is a topic for another day. But in the meantime, don’t worry. I won’t be pooping in church anytime soon.

xCC

My Inaugural Blog

So. I’ve caved in to some peer pressure, a little encouragement, and the desire to let friends and family  know a little more of what’s happening with life in the UK.  And here’s my first blog!  I wanted to call the site “baconandavocadoplease” but Mark didn’t like it so much. Alas.

Anywho. The good news is, in honour (yeah … I’ve decided to use British spelling because it’ll get too confusing switching back and forth) of my soon-to-be brother in-law (yay for all those hyphens!) I’ve arranged a special Inaugural Top Ten List that I hope will tickle your blog-enjoying fancy. [Note: You will probably enjoy his blog more than mine. He’s funny.]

The story is, I’m currently back in the Original Washington, North Carolina, enjoying some time with family, connecting with ministry partners and friends, and attempting to raise additional support for our ministry in Edinburgh. And ya know, I think it’s pretty darn nice around here.  This trip has been especially delightful.

Just yesterday, I was working out at the gym, and I noticed a gentleman in Sperry Topsiders (boat shoes) pumping some iron a wee ways away. I smiled and thought, “yeah, I’m back in the south.” Ending my workout, I was on the treadmill and I noticed one of the gym staff personnel come over to speak to the older gentleman sauntering along on the treadmill beside me. And what did my ears hear above the U2 lyrics from my iPod?

“Mr. So and So, You’ve got your cowboy boots on!”

And so it was. I couldn’t make out what Mr. So and So said, but he looked down and smiled and I’m sure explained how comfortable he was. This 60 or 70-something hard worker was in his dungarees and his cowboy boots. Working it on the treadmill. Awesome.

Yeah, I’m back in the South. And it’s good to be home.

Down Home, Down the Street

 

 

Top Ten Reasons Why It’s Great to Be Back in the South

10. (Since you already know it) Seeing cowboy boots on the treadmill at the gym.

9. Mountain Dew. Although I’m really avoiding it and trying to go for water, it’s great to have ridiculously caffeinated options.

8. The novelty of shopping for groceries at a place called “Piggly Wiggly” will never wear out. I’m sticking with the pig.

7. It’s nice to occasionally let “y’all” roll off my tongue and have no one think anything of it.

6. When I first arrive, it’s a multi-sensory overload, but still, you gotta love the Walmark.

5. It’s nice to have a complete stranger call you “Sugar” every once in a while.

4. Bill’s Hot Dogs.

3. It snowed when we got here, and two weeks later, it’s 70 degrees and I’m debating whether the baby needs a light jacket for his stroll.

2. Piggly Wiggly, people!!

And finally…

1. This here’s where my family’s at, y’all!

The Sermon in a Nutshell: I’m not moving back next week or anything, but as a famous Kansian once pointed out, “home is the place like no other.” Or something like that.