funny turns true

a while back in one of my beth moore studies we talked about spine issues and rib issues for the church. spine issues are things you can't bend on like salvation, the trinity, Jesus being the only way to heaven, the authority of the word of God, etc. rib things issues are things that in the scheme of life are really just interpretations and (often denominational) preferences and traditions. these might include the modern day existence of certain spiritual gifts, types of worship, and other issues that come up.

i was talking about this with my girls the other day. i said spine issues are dangerous. if you break your back, you could die. rib issues aren't such a big deal.

one of them added wittily, "unless you puncture a lung!"

we all laughed, but then i realized she's right. so many problems occur (church splits, broken relationships, creation of denominations...or non-denominations) because we allow small misunderstandings to become big ones. we allow cracked ribs to become as serious as a broken back; WE are the ones that puncture lungs, leaving churches and people lifeless.

Jesus prayed that we would be one. i know i'm just as guilty as everyone else, but sometimes i think we are more focused on the growth of our church and our cause than on the kingdom of God.

interesting reading

for work i have to read a few books and i just finished up addicted to recovery. it has been very eye-opening. here are a few thoughts:

• self-esteem is at the heart of our rebellion and is therefore certainly not a solution to our problems
• we are determined to avoid talk of sin and rebellion as the source of our bad feelings...it is only when we take our rightful place before our Creator that we find any real pleasure in life
• psychology is a false gospel, leading people to a false hope and false peace
• true gospel is God-centered...gospel delivered by psychology is man-centered
• the Bible teaches we sin by choice...psychology that we sin because of what someone has done to us
• we try to forgive others not because God commands it, but to reduce our anxiety and depression; we sing praises not because God is worth, but because it will make us feel better
• the wisdom of man is relative, situational and ever-changing. it is prone to error and cannot be trusted (in comparison to the wisdom of God)
• a Christian cannot counsel an unbeliever except to state truthfully that one outside Christ has no hope.

so many of the classes i took in college i believed as truth. i never even second-guessed their validity, their ability to stand up next to the gospel. even "Christian" counselors can be guilty of leading people astray. we need to make sure we are firmly planted in the Word of God; it is applicable for every situation we face; we need to call sin what it is (SIN) and stop placing blame. we try to solve problems, to help people, but we need to realize that without Christ, they are helpless and hopeless.

Leti

this little girl was full of life...and trouble. she loved everyone and everytime someone took a picture she said, "aver"- "show me." here we are drawing before church starts.
one afternoon we played a game where she'd make a face and i'd take her picture. these are just 3 of the 15 pictures that i took.


there were other times when she was tired, or just wanted to be held. one of the older kids is holding her here and about 5 minutes later she was in my arms.

What does God want you to do?

Friday afternoon we drove to La Bufa. It is a high point in the city of Zacatecas, Mexico. We had to obviously drive up the mountain and as we were climbing I was just amazed at all the we could see. I was then reminded of my very first mission trip when Strap took us up to Griffith Park and had us look out over LA and told us to think about the number of lost people out there. He asked, "What does God want you to do?" Steve had told us earlier in the week that only 1% of the Mexican population is Christian. To look out over this city and to know that most of them will never know the Truth was breaking my heart. Then to think about the world, even more so. I don't know what God wants me to do. He said "Go" and I went. He tells us all to go. We are without excuse. Romans tells us that the world is without excuse as they can see Him in creation. But how can they know if no one tells them?

Santo Nino

On Thursday we went to the "Home of Santo Nino," the Holy Child. It is the 3rd most visited religious sight in Latin America. Supposedly years ago a rancher was lost in the desert and dying when a child came to him and gave him food and water. He built the church below for the child.

People who want Santo Nino to answer their prayers carry rocks up the hill. The larger the rock, the more likely it supposedly is that your prayer will be answered.

The whole town worships this saint. The tarps are covering up their outdoor shops where idols are sold. You can also by a small religious icon if you believe that Santo Nino has given you a miracle.

These icons are given to the church there to make murals. This one has over 20,000 pieces--over 20,000 people believing that Santo Nino answered their prayer and gave them a miracle. There was an entire room with these murals.

There was also a building with letters, pictures, notes, children's clothing, etc brought by people as either an answer to prayer (to Santo Nino) or requesting prayer. Room after room.

This was eye opening to the powerful grip that Catholisism has on people's lives. It is illegeal to witness/hand out religious tracks in the town where this is. Steve and Amber used to have weekly Bible Studies there and the church would ring the bells so that people would close their shops and shut their doors. This town reminded me of the story in Acts 19 where Paul and the disciples were witnessing in Ephesus and the silversmith and the townspeople were enraged that they were taking away business from Artemis/Diana.

The Children's Home

This is the outside of the children's home, where 29 kids are right now. They were so well behaved and it was great to see how the older ones take care of the younger ones.

They are on summer break right now, so they spend most of the day playing. They were able to entertain themselves very well. We ate breakfast and lunch with them most days were were there. We were able to help out, getting laundry done, cooking, cleaning, fixing things around the house.

Lena and Jaquelin taking a little siesta on the front porch. When the sun was out it was warm, but it actually rained most afternoons, cooling things off.

Azucena (like Suzanna) and I became friends. She's 12 and has an older brother at home. She has a speech problem due to being tongue tied until recently.

This was our whole team, plus Steve and Amber Benedict (and little Marisela)

Beautiful Old Mexico

Lots and lots of cactus...as far as the eye can see

We were several thousand feet above sea level; the sun felt warmer and the clouds closer

yes, those dudes are wearing sombreros. we were in a cowboy town and many rode their horses for transportation and cows used the road to get home

this is a snapshot of the "mision biblica" where the missionaries Steve and Amber bring people to church (they pick them up in vans) and Steve preaches and teaches. we were able to paint the inside of the sanctuary on Tuesday