Further Along The Way

Covenants

2010-03-17T08:21:00.001-07:00

Recently, the General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, Dr. Roy Medley spoke about the importance of the Church Covenants as a means to define and represent the faith community. He suggested that we need a new covenant for the age we are in, defining for the 21st Century what it means to be a community of faith and followers of Jesus. A daunting prospect at best.

A few weeks later, Rev. Glynis LaBarre from National Ministries (ABC-USA), contrasted the nature of contracts and covenants. A contract is a legal, business agreement that defines the relationship between parties. The contract is based upon reciprocity, ie, I will do this for you, when you do this for me.

A covenant does not necessarily define relationships, but instead makes promises. The Old Testament covenant of God with Israel were promises made by God. The New Testament covenant in the blood of Jesus were also promises. When we enter into covenant we accept those promises and make our own. The promises are based upon the strength of character of the promise maker. They do not depend upon whether the other party fail to keep their promises. God's promises are faithful. They are not built upon a kind of reciprocity - on our behavior. They are based in the strength of God's character.

When we enter into those promises, we find ourselves changed by them. We become defined by those promises and the promises we make. In the covenant, as opposed to the contract, there is no penalty to violating a promise. There might be consequences, but not penalty. Penalty would nullify the promise of the promise maker which in God's case is "immutable."

What would be some of the covenant promises we would make as a people of faith?

Golden Triangle of Discipleship

2010-03-11T08:09:00.000-08:00

During the season of Lent, Eastwood has been focusing upon what I have called the Golden Triangle of Discipleship. This paradigm for following Jesus includes the traditional element of study as one part of the triangle. But by itself, it presents an inadequate model for following Jesus. A more complete model of discipleship includes worship and service also. Together these three areas of worship (heart), study (head), and service (hands) provides an effective pattern for discipleship.

Curiously, this model is approachable from any angle suggesting that discipleship more than a "head" thing. From a missional perspective, discipleship begins in service, with worship and study introduced to strengthen the discipleship witness.

I guess the point is to start somewhere and know that the journey of discipleship will develop the heart, the head, and the hands.

May the grace of Jesus continue to be with you in your journey.

r.t. miller

Latest from China

2009-12-01T06:48:00.000-08:00

Ni men Hao,

I spent another day with the radicals. After class, Ana and I went with her classmate Nathan to lunch and to run some errands before we went to his house for about 2 hours. It was great. We got to be in a warm home. His wife made us coffee and trail mix. We sat at the dinner table and "did our hw". Afterwards, we went with Nathan and his secretary to a migrant school and picked up a girl who will be getting scholarship money from Nathans non-profit organization. After we picked her up, we drove to her home in another part of town where Nathan and his secretary interviewed the father and the daughter. They asked them things like "What are your dreams? What are your dreams for your daughter?" Things like that...

It was a great afternoon though because Ana and I learned so much about the underworkings of Suzhou, about the MASSIVE gentrification of land owned by low-income families. They are building new sky rise apartment buildings everywhere, hoping that Chinese will see it as a good investment and purchase them. This displaces the migrant workers to the north and to the south, making their commute longer. Nathan says its the migrant workers who make this city run. They do all the jobs no one else wants to do.... Remind you of some other minority group? Anyways, I'm still taking all of the afternoon in. It was very filled. I only just got back to my dorm room and its 8 30 pm.

Hope you and Pau Pau are doing well. I talk about you guys all the time.

Love You MUCHO!

Sarah

Latest from China

2009-12-01T06:47:00.001-08:00

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:39:23 -0800

Hello Hello!

My internet has been out, that is why you haven't seen me on Skype or received an email. Today is Monday, November 30. I haven't been sleeping well. I think I'm getting anxious on coming home on Dec. 21. It's coming soon. I'm excited to see everyone, eat American food again, and sleep on a mattress and no longer wooden planks.

Sunday was nice. I went to Suzhou International Fellowship (www.sif.com) and then to a home church that was conducted purely in Chinese. SIF was nice, large, non-denominational. Catered only to foreign passport holders. A gentleman in Ana's class picked up at the front gate along with his wife and their three kids. They were really kind to me. After SIF, they took me to this house church on the other side of town. It has been approved by the government, but is a bit more individual than the other 3-Self churches in Suzhou. It was a really interesting experience. The crowd was vastly different than that of the SIF congregation. They were the people from the villages, most were poor. The service was held in a small room, it was coldddd, but the room was PACKED. In fact, flowing out. We came late and sat in another room with about 15 other people and then another room was filled with chairs where people were also listening. I sat on the stairs. It was beautiful. The Chinese were quite vocal during prayer time. You could hear the emotion in their voices as they spoke to God. I wish you guys could've have been there to experience it. I'm not sure if I'll go back to the Chinese church, as it was hard to understand but I'm glad I went yesterday.

The people I was with on Sunday are quite the group of radicals. I both like it and dislike it actually. I like it because it always inspires me to be a better person, but on the other hand, I feel like I've let them down because I'm more complacent than they are. I've only got a few more weekends here in China, we'll see what God has got up his sleeve....

Hope you guys are well. Update me when you're able. I'm enjoying this verse for today:

"Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." -Colossians 3:12

Love, Sarah

You Know You're in China ...

2009-10-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

Sarah is now two months at Suchou University outside of Shanghai, with two months to go. Adapting well, she is she riding the bus and eating in local establishments in this city of 6 million people. There is no blogging allowed and no face/book. The government is fearful it might engender another revolution.

She is running daily to work off steam and recently she was asked to run in a track and field event at the university. Preparing for the 4 x 1 - that is the 400 meter relay in which she will run 100 meters, she was laughing saying: You know you're in China when they run track and field using sections of toliet pipes instead of a baton.

Here are some others. You know you're in China:

- when you see people everywhere.
- when you are glad you weren't hit by a bicycle
or a bus while crossing the street.
- when people ride the bus carrying two baskets of eggs
and two squirrels in a cage.
- when people run backwards on the track
to balance off their yin and yang.
- when you can buy vacuum packed chicken feet in the local 7 - 11.
- when a man tries to sell you "undies" on the street.
- when babies wear open bottomed pants
and are encouraged to poop on the street.
- when people grow out their little pinkie fingernail
to clean out earwax.
- when you can get a great lunch for less than a dollar.
- when you find 10 barbershops on every corner.
- when you can belch at the table and no tipping is allowed.
- when they practice four major sporting events on the same tract:
baseball, soccer, track and field, and jumping rope.
- when you see people everywhere
(oh, I wrote that twice - there are alot of people)

She has a great sense of humor that balances the rigors of the classroom.

Labor Day

2009-09-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

About seven miles from where I grew up on the southside of Chicago is a community known as Pullman. Now absorbed as a neighborhood in the City of Chicago, but in the late 19th Century, George Pullman the builder of the Pullman Railroad cars fashion an independent "ideal" community for the workers at his plant. He provided housing - different streets and different kind of homes for the various strata of workers and management. He had his own newspaper and prevented other papers from being sold in his community, he build one church in the community for the workers. In the center of the community, he built a hotel which is still there today, named after his daughter Florence. It was a real company town.

But the workers were becoming disenchanted with his paternalism, exploitation, and oppressive nature of the community. In late June of 1894, the workers boycotted Pullman, leading to the two month long "Pullman Strike" that idled 125,000 railroad workers nationwide. Grover Cleveland ended the strike by sending the US Army and US Marshals into break it up - which they did after killing 13 workers, wounding 57 people. 6,000 workers did $ 340,000 in property damage (6.8 million in today's dollars).

In an effort to make amends with the labor unions of the day and to stave off further strikes and protests, Grover Cleveland proposed a national holiday known as Labor Day. It passed through Congress without opposition and was enacted into law in 1894. For his part, Grover Cleveland would lose the next election. Pullman would die a few years later and in 1898 the town of Pullman became part of the city of Chicago.

The Labor Movement would continue to make great strides for the American workers, providing them a decent wage for a day's work, workplace safety standards, and benefits that we take for granted today. But we are in a new age. In our global economy, what role will labor unions play? What hope is there for the American Worker? I have alot of questions, but few answers these days.

The King is Dead

2009-07-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

As a student of culture, I am fascinated by the public response to the death of Michael Jackson. Driven by a media frenzy, many are left scratching their heads - Why? Similar to the world's response to the death of Princess Diana twelve years ago, I was left me wondering if MJ was indeed considered an American version of royalty - the King of Pop. Curiously, I don't remember the same kind of stage craft around the death of the King of Rock and Roll - Elvis Presley.

As Princess Diana's death overshadowed the deaths of other luminaries like Mother Teresa and Victor Frankl, so MJ's death overshadowed other deaths and news coverage. Not even the death of American presidents (save JFK) garner this kind of public attention.

So what is it that has enamoured so many about Michael?

First, his music defined the GenX generation that came to age in the 1980s. Moon walking, sequenced glove, and music/dance videos became part of the culture. In some respects he recast and continued the civil rights message of the 1960s. I thought Al Sharpton's eulogy captured the heart of this theme.

Secondly, I find it curious how many "white guys" border on being hyper-critical of Michael and this media circus. On the other hand, women and many "so-called" minorities seem to express more compassion and mercy about this broken man.

Next, in regards to the actual funeral and accompanying hype - Michael lived on a big stage. His art/craft was exhibited on the world's stage. His foibles and flaws were also showcased on the world stage. It make logical sense that his funeral would take on similar magnitude.

As an artist, Michael was extraordinary. As a person, he was broken vessel. Try as he might, he never was able to recapture his lost and broken childhood. As an adult, he lived in a place called Neverland - a place for "lost boys." Maybe this too resonates with many of the people who mourn his death. I hope he finds peace in the next life. RIP

Anyone Seen Jesus Alive and Well These Days?

2009-05-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

I was feeling Eeyore-ish.
Counting losses and re-running no-win scenarios.
I attempted to spin the pain of loss and fear of failure
with the words of Paul: when I am weak, then he is strong.
You know – the stuff pastors do.
Yet I was unconvinced.
The valley remained cloudy, the forecast seemed bleak.

Reluctantly, I attended the scheduled meeting
and offered an uninspired devotion.
We prayed.
Then the question was asked:
“Anyone seen Jesus Alive and Well These Days?”
I thought – “not lately,” but held my peace.
Others began:

A seven year old boy prayed for his father to attend church
Two weeks later he was there.

An estranged family gathered at a memorial service
Heard words of resurrection hope
and experienced reconciliation and restoration.

There were stories of healings from around the state.
I said to myself, I guess Jesus has not yet made it to Medford.

Yet still, I was warmed by the conversation.
I could have easily left the meeting,
But I was attracted to this good news.
The clouds began to disappear

As we ended in prayer,
I was reminded of the first witnesses of the resurrection
surprised by seeing Jesus
in unexpected times, people, and places.

This is the season of Easter
- a time of surprise
- a time of resurrection hope.

Anyone Seen Jesus Alive and Well These Days?

(Published in the May 18, 2009 issue of the Eastwood Baptist Beacon)

God, the Grave Robber

2009-05-21T05:53:00.000-07:00

A Prayer to the God beyond God

Architect, Body-Moulder, Breath-Giver
Mountain-Thunderer, Goatherd,
Sky-Dweller, Dream Stalker,
Freedom-Fighter, Desert Shiek,
Bridegroom, Wine-Grower, Potter,
Law-Giver, King-Breaker, Jealous Husband
Judge, Ruler, Priest
Father
Flame, Wind, Gentle Voice,
Grave-Robber, Spirit-Giver
Islam knows you
as the joy
that can only go
ah

- John Shea, taken from The Hour of the Unexpected, Chicago: The Thomas More Association. 1992. p. 70.

Good Friday, 2009: In the Name of Love

2009-04-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

Upon invitation of some friends, Leslie and I attended a local Good Friday service at the First Church of the Nazarene. Richard Bath joined us as we entered into their worship center. The band was warming up on the stage and we found our places - center stage five rows up. Behind us was a contingency from Fountain Plaza, eight friends I worship with twice a year, including dear Marie. As the lights dimmed, the choir came in, taking their places. There was no program to read, no bulletin, only a phrase flashed across the video screens: In The Name of Love. My mind raced to the U-2 song and I mentioned it to Richard. A singer took center stage, the band began to play, and we were off.

The program was tightly woven together, albeit too loud and raucous for my tastes. (It was a strange contrast to the contemplative Maundy Service we participated in the night before with Taize music.) The music director had a strong and beautiful voice as did the other soloists. The choir was animated and zealously praising God. The pastor, David Grinder, got up and delivered a evangelical appeal at the end of the service.

There was a smattering of young people in the congregation, but mostly it was young families with children. I was mostly touched by the visual non-verbal testimonies of the people simply carrying cardboard signs describing the situation of their lives. Then they flipped them over to describe the resolution. Most effective.

Also, in the song that backup the parade of testimonies, the composer that laced the recognizable strains from the U-2 song: In The Name of Love. Very well done.

There was plenty of Christian language, some biblical references (though not cited), and a rock 'n' roll driven program. I remember thinking, if this is what happens on Good Friday, is there anything else left of Resurrection Sunday? Of course that question comes from a traditionalist with a modern mind set. I had entered into a experiential moment sufficient for itself characteristic of the Matrix of life in which we now live.

In the Name of Love.
r.t. miller

Some What Settled

2008-06-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 28

Slowly we are readjusting to life in Medford. Jet lag is still taking its toll, but at least our bags arrived last night. It was evident that Customs had their way with the contents, but all seemed in order.

We thank you for your prayers and encouragement along the way.

rtm

Home Again

2008-06-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 26

After a 36 hour day we arrived in Medford early this morning at 1:30 am. Leslie's brother John who was staying here, picked us up at the airport. While we arrived safely, we are not sure of our checked bags, since they are somewhere between Beirut and Medford.

We are worn, but encouraged by what we have experienced over the last 10 days. We have been surprised by God's people. Daniel and Sarah Chetti have been wonderful hosts.

That's enough for now. Time for a nap.

rtm

Homeward Bound

2008-06-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, June 25

Returning from Baalbek safely yesterday. Ancient ruins there are spectacular. Meet with a Bedouin whose family came to Christ years through the work of Fouad Accad. She operates a school for 700 children, 200 of which are Bedouin and the balance Christians and Muslims.

We leave in a couple hours for the airport and the long journey home. By God's grace we will be home by midnight tonight depending upon connections.

rtm

Baalbek

2008-06-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 24

Yesterday, we traveled to southern Lebanon stopping in historic Sidon and visiting a Baptist church in near the border. This is a beautiful (undeveloped) part of the country with reminding us of parts of Arizona in the USA. The opportunites are great here if only the warring would cease. We met with the gentle pastor of the church whose own home became a missle target in the last war (2006). Still he remains faithful and humble.

He took to a church sponsored water project that provides water for the community, then onto the border that is patrolled actively by UN troops. We then traveled to the site for a new Community Center and Clinic. The land is purchased and the plan is in place. The proposed ministry site will provide a wonderful peace dividend for the area. On the site we prayed for the new ministry and this kind pastor.

Today, we travel through the Beqaa valley to a place called Baalbek. This is an outreach to the northeastern part of Lebanon. This too has been an area that presents great challenges to local followers, yet they remain faithful. Amazing work.

We are well as we conclude our whirlwind tour.

By grace we will leave tomorrow and be in the States on Thursday. rtm

Compelled

2008-06-22T20:10:00.001-07:00

Monday, June 23

Yesterday, we traveled to the middle of the Beqaa valley - the bread basket of Lebanon to participate in a worship service in a local house church. Originally we were to break into two groups, with one going to Tripoli. As it so often happens here, a local feud broke out in Tripoli and that plan was aborted. So we traveled to central Lebanon.

After several hymns in Arabic, Mary Rice from Coos Bay, Oregon led the congregation in Great is Thy Faithfulness and Amazing Grace. I was invited to share using the Ephsian 2 text about Jesus breaking down the wall of hostility. Siting several example of how walls foster feelings of resentment and anger, I gave thanks for Jesus who has become our peace and reconciliation between us and God and subsequently between our own warring ways. It was a wonderful congregation of believers from many different backgrounds. God's witness remains strong.

We returned to the retreat center, resting for a couple hours, then we went to the gratuation ceremonies and a dinner for the graduates of Arab Baptist Theological Seminary. With about 25 graduates from all over the Arab world, I was again reminded how this school is on the front line of faith. Many of the graduates will go to places of persecution and struggle. Question: What is it that compells a person to embrace persecution for the sake of the Gospel? This is a mystery that many Americans have no idea about. Our understanding of persecution might be some negative comment about Christians in the media or perhaps some offense in the shopping line.

Paul writes in II Corinthians 5:14, "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convince that one died for all and therefore all died. An he died for all ..."

compelled, rtm

Dividing Walls

2008-06-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 22

We arrived yesterday morning at the Notre Dame Retreat House up in the hills of eastern Beirut, dropped off our belongings and took off for a local Baptist Church for breakfast and meetings. After our meetings and a wonderful lunch, we toured the caverns at Jeita. Most impressive. From there we travelled to Byblos to view the ancient ruins of the Phoenicians, Romans, and Crusader Castles that still stand.

It was the conversations along the way that touched my soul. This nation and her people are broken from years of wars. In fact, the story of Lebanon has been of one conquest after another. Not only did the above empires come a-conquering, but they were followed by the Muslims, the Ottomans, the French, and recently Syrians and Isarelis. Christians and Muslims alike carry the scars of war, post-tramatic stress syndrome, generalized anger, and a poverty of the soul. In the wake of the war, Lebanon has experienced an incredible brain drain. I know many bright young people whose parents left Lebanon and are successfully making their lives in the States. The message of the day: "If you can leave - go!"

Into this space, God has place the church - ambassadors of reconciliation and peace. What an opportunity for the Gospel to flourish! One of our traveling companions declared that the people of Lebanon are so close to hearing the Good News of God's peace.

Today, Leslie, Sarah and I are going with Daniel to a small church in south Lebanon about 10 minutes from the wall that separates Lebanon from Israel. Think opportunity.

"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility..." Ephesians 2:14

salaam, rtm

Transitions

2008-06-20T20:46:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 21:

William Bridges wrote an insightful book entitled "Transitions" in the early 1980s and recently updated. He identified the various characteristics of transitions and illustrated them quite effectively. The most common characteristic is chaos. Lebanon is a country in transition.

The Baths and the Sniders are families in transition as sons Joel (Bath) and Stephen (Snider) will marry their betrotheds today. Pray for them.

Interestingly today is a transitional day for the world. It is first day of summer, the longest day of the year. It represents a subtle change as the days will gradually shorten until December 21. Our transition is more dramatic (at least from our perspective) as we conclude our time at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary and the Middle East Conference and move to a local Catholic retreat center for the balance of our time here. This blog might go dark until we return to the states depending upon availability of service.

We are well, but worn. These have been full academic days, with site visits and dinners in the evenings. Yesterday we attended the Institute of Divine Theosophy for a dialogue on peace making with Daniel Buttry and a Shi'a cleric. It was a practical application of our studies of the week and Leslie made a Muslim friend (school psychologist). Many Middle Easteners are quite curious about Leslie.

Earlier in the week, Daniel Chetti took us us to a group home for street children, many of whom are Muslim. Again, we were confronted with the trajedies of this country as 35 to 50 children have been diverted here by the courts for care. Many of them are simply cast off by their mothers for a variety of reasons.

In the coming days we will visit several baptist mission sites around Lebanon and I will attempt to keep you posted as time allows. Our traveling mates are delightful and sensitive including Ed Hobart from Massachuetts, Fred Wear from Missouri, Jonathan Hilshire from New York, and Matthew Peters from Arizona. Gary and Mary Rice from Coos Bay round out our team.

Peace be upon you all. rtm

Riding a bus in Beirut

2008-06-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

Leslie writes:

Despite my feelings against writing in a blog I'm going to make an attempt at the urging of R.T. Taking a detour from the Wednesday morning session which I really didn't want to miss, Mary R and I accompanied Sarah Chetti to the Detention Center via bus. As some of you know Sarah C makes weekly visits ministering to women in holding cells. Many of them of them maids from other countries. Her husband dropped us off at a local bus stop. Each of us carried bags loaded with bananas which I later found out were for the women since their diets are mainly composed of Arabic breads. Anyway, because of our load we awkwardly boarded a van. People were probably curious about our mission but appeared disinterested in these foreigners.

We arrived to the Center in about 10 minutes. Since Sarah had done a lot of the preliminary work prior to our planned visit, we entered the Center with our passports without difficulty. Men in army fatigues busily walked around -- we walked pass two cells, one with a few men, the second with women then we entered a cell filled with women largely from Philippines and Nepal. As we entered their cell their were murmurs of delight as they saw Sarah and her friends. Immediately they gathered around us, curious about me -- I told them I was Chinese-American and some nodded at their peers glad that their guess was right. Most of them spoke English. We started our time singing familiar praise songs then Mary gave a testimony. As time went on, there were women drying their eyes with tissues revealing the feelings that many of them had--great despair and sadness about being held in a cell with 55 other women with 2 toilets and 2 showers. No beds just 2 " mats on the ground, their belongings in small plastic bags tied to bars. Many of them were tender in age and longingly spoke of their families back home... We concluded our time with prayers for small groups of them. Each of them eagerly listened hungering to hear words of hope for their lives.... many hoping for release from their plight. For me this gave way for opportunity that yes, being free in Christ means being released from our own bondage of sin. Many smiled nodding getting what I was sharing. We bowed our heads in prayer as we prayed for our own release from sin and the joy of being with Christ, victorious!! As we left my heart was heavy but knowing that Christ was there with us gave me an optimism in the dingy setting here in Beirut.

We left the Center and walked on to the streets and waited for a bus for close to 10 minutes. I said to myself, if they could see me now. Here I am standing on the streets with two friends of this "dangerous city" waiting for a bus.... A real bus came along for us to board. We got back Mansourieh and I had to take a nap that lasted for an expected 2 hours. Jesus is victorious. Leslie

Building Bridges

2008-06-18T20:20:00.000-07:00

June 19 - Beirut

We continued in our examination of the complex life in Lebanon with a site visit to the Evangelical Court in Beirut. Coming under the jurisdiction of the civil court, it deals with the matters of marriage/divorce, inheritance and in some cases child custody. With the Western mind set of separation of church and state, it is difficult to fully comprehend this paradigm, but could be likened to the Western form of "family court." However, because of the mandates of Shari'a Law in Islam, a Muslim Court system was established to deal with these matters. To accomodate the Christian and Catholic/Orthodox populations, courts were established to deal with similar matters from their religous perspective.

Earlier in the day we discussed the efforts of reforming Islam from within and the growing influence of Islam in America and Europe. Through various cases studies, the fears of the West were laid bare. One case of interest was the national row caused by the public comments of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams about including elements Shari'a Law in English law. The comments were misconstrued by the media, exploiting the national fears, and creating a furor. Americans share similar fears and have also been exploited by the media.

Thought: More than any other people, Christians have been called to overcome our fears through love. John wrote "perfect love casts out all fears" (I John 4:18). Jesus told us to love our enemies (Matthew 5: 44). Somehow, loving our enemies reduces our fears and enables us to dialogue with with better understanding. I must confess this is often easier said, than done.

grace, rtm

Opportunity

2008-06-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, June 17

From our room in the seminary, we overlook the city of Beirut with the coast line in the distant. It is magnificent to watch the sun bathe the city with light in the early morning. But like all urban centers, this sometimes belies the complexity of life here. Competing forces stress the fledgling democracy leaving the impression of this being a fragile nation. This is reinforced by porous borders and incursions from other nations. With a weak central government, militias rule often the day in Lebanon sometimes erupting into conflict. But it is important to note that what the Western media calls "civil war" is often nothing more than an embellished local feud.

In this light, I am reminded of the word Daniel Buttry used describe this time: Opportunity! Chaos and fear thrives in conflict. But for the willing, rare opportunities are also present in Lebanon, unlike any other place in the Middle East. It is an incredible environment to practice the "peace-making" demands of Jesus, to share the Hope of God with a people seeking a better way, and to work towards reconciliation. Christians have a role to play in this peace process and seminary is centrally positioned for the work.

Jesus said, Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children (sons) of God.

salaam, rtm

Foundations

2008-06-16T20:52:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, June 17

About 35 people from Asia - China, North America, Europe - UK, Africa, and the Middle East have come to this conference. Included are theological students from Fuller Seminary, missionaries, pastors from around the world, and many other followers of Isa (Jesus). The facilities of Arab Baptist Theological Seminary are modern and (for those of you who have been worrie) safe. It is a great environment to engage in this work.

Under the careful guidance of Colin Chapman - a pastor from UK, Father Kacha - a orthodox priest from Iraq, and Daniel Buttry - a pastor from Detroit, we have entered into the theological reflections that underpin our conversation with Islam. Chapman provided a cursory, yet illuminating review of the differences and similarities between Islam and Christianity. Father Kacha spoke about Minority Religions under Islam, particularly the treatment of Christains in places like Iraq. Buttry addressed practical applications for Peace-Making in our Communities.

The Israel/Palestine Controversy figures prominently in this conference. We are examining its historical and theological foundations. Some of the well-worn "Western" perspectives have been brought into question, with alternative views provided. It has been most revealing to listen to Palestinian Christians speak about Israel and the "often well-meant" but distorted Western perspectives. My heart is heavy as I ponder their pain.

Text of the Day: "For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and your will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impuritities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you ..." Ezkiel 36:24 - 27.

Question: What does this text mean when looking through the being of Jesus?

Salaam, rtm

Arrived

2008-06-14T23:28:00.001-07:00

Greetings from Beirut,

We landed safely in Beirut in what seemed like a 36 hour day. Amazingly, our checked bags also arrived after four different planes and three different carriers. On the flight from London to Beirut, I began my conference early as I sat between two young Arab men, one a 33 year old Sunni filled with much passion and the other a pensive medical student from Atlanta who is beginning a cardiac residence. The latter young man called himself a humanist, avoiding any religious entanglement. The other Sunni young man was quite conversive especially extolling the virtues of Islam. It was a most informative discussion.

Sunday morning, after a wonderful breakfast at the home of Sarah and Daniel Chetti, we will be leaving soon for the International Church in Beirut - soon.

Gotta go.

Salaam, rtm

Outward Bound

2008-06-13T09:11:00.001-07:00

Outward Bound (June 13, 2008)

Sarah arrived from Seattle last night at 10:30 pm. After a short night of rest we returned to Medford International airport at 7:30 am this morning. After some initial confusion at the ticket counter, we said good-bye to our bags that have been checked through to Beirut, on three different carriers. In will be a minor miracle to find them on the otherside. Our total flight time is 25 hours and we should arrive in Beirut 10:30 am Medford time.

Word of Promise: Genesis 28:15

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

rtm

The Middle East Conference V

2008-06-10T21:56:00.000-07:00

With the working title "Islam, Its Message and Law, and the Future of Our Societies," the Conference will begin each morning with Mr. Nabil Melki leading worship and a devotional thought on the "Relational Images of Mission in 2 Corinthians." After devotions, Rev. Colin Chapman who wrote "the Cross and the Crescent" will examine "Islam in the Contemporary World." After a break, Father Suheil Kacha will lead a discussion on "Minority Religions under Islam." Mid-afternoon, Rev. Daniel Buttry will lead a session on "Approaches to Peace-Making in our Communities." Several difference opportunities will occur in the late afternoon and evening time periods, including a discussion of the Israel/Palestine Controversy, A forum at a Sunni religious center. On Friday, we are to attend a forum at a Shia seminary on the topic of Paradigms of Peace Making.

After the conference, Daniel is arranging visits of several local mission sites. Whew! What a whirl wind! We have stayed up and prayed up; we are weighed up and paid up; our concerns have been laid up and our minds are made up to trust God along the way.

Salaam-Alaikum

rtm

Preparations

2008-06-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

June 6, 2008

We (Leslie, Sarah and me) are part of a ten member vision team attending the Middle East Conference in Beirut in a couple weeks. The conference title is Building Bridges: Christian Muslim Dialogues. The recent warring has ended, a peace agreement is in place, a new president (Christian) of the country has been installed, and the airport is re-opened. Our hosts, Dan and Sara, have been most hospitable. We will be staying at the seminary during the conference and then (I understand) we will be moving to a Catholic Retreat facility in the eastern hills of Beirut.

I am still working on the technical side of this medium, discovering the international rates are too costly. I am hoping to access local Internet service which would allow regular postings on this site.

Meanwhile, with some trepidation and much excitement we are moving forward with our plans, trusting God along the way. rtm

2008-06-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

May 30, 2008
We have been on the Oregon Trail for just less than three years. More than just a geographic change, our move from Los Angeles in 2005 also represented a significant theological shift leading to a deeper understanding of the Trinity, a re-connection a "classical" idea of being evangelical, and an awakening notion of the nature of the church. In terms of faith, we are "further along" the path that has been set for us. We are thankful that we are not where we started years ago and God knows we are not where we will be, but we are further along. We are thankful for traveling companions. You enrich our lives and we invite you to journey with us for a while. Welcome to our reflections along the way. rtm