Rest In Peace, by Clifton R. Smeltzer

Rest is crucial. I’m not just talking about an afternoon nap either.

Without rest our soul becomes burdened and weary. We find ourselves living in survival mode, reacting to life’s circumstances with little room to be proactive in creating positive change in the world around us. Without rest we become hardened to our relationships with God & the people we love.

I find myself in a new season of life that feels both super exciting and overwhelming. Continue reading “Rest In Peace, by Clifton R. Smeltzer”

#2015MexTour

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Part of the team with Pastor Felix (rear) in a remote Oaxacan Cave

What is a short term mission trip about, anyway?

Is it about unusual food and eating routines, trying to get comfortable in a bed that's not your own, and endless hours on the road?  No. That's not what it's about…. These things are, however, the cost of entry.

I think our perception of the purpose of mission trips change, as we change, and as we have more experiences with them.  I know this is the case in my life.  I often say my first ten short term trips were mainly for my benefit, and it wasn't until after the first ten that I began to have something to offer those I was going to see.  While there is nothing magic about the number ten, the idea is that your capacity for contribution grows through experience.  Some, without this understand, give up before they have developed a contribution beyond themselves.  This is sad, and sadly, it's unnecessary. Continue reading “#2015MexTour”

Juarez Field Notes

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West Bound on Interstate 20

We were briefly in Juarez, out to the remote mountains of Chihuahua, and back to Juarez, with breakneck speed.  Or so it seemed…  Vince Corcoran and I joined up with the guys at CasaTriunfo for their annual men's conference, held at El Rancho, four plus hours due west of town.  As a man, it was great to be among men, and can be high level motivation for starting a men's ministry! Continue reading “Juarez Field Notes”

2015 o lo que queda de él… (Actualización)

Jambo / Hello / Saludos a la hermandad!

¿Te das cuenta que ya estamos a ¼ del año de lo que será el año 2015? Tal vez ahora todo lo que podemos decir es, ¿Qué no será este año? Para mí, parece que me han disparado desde un cañón. El ritmo ha aumentado, sin embargo, mi capacidad para soportar el ritmo no está en su nivel para aguantar… pero seguimos adelante. Hablando de ritmo, he estado demasiado ocupado para estar muy reflexivo últimamente, lo que ha causado que mi pluma este en silencio, si entiendes lo que quiero decir. En vista de eso, quiero enviarles saludos y ofrecer una actualización en general.

Continue reading “2015 o lo que queda de él… (Actualización)”