DEEP // WIDE // LIGHT

It amazed me in Africa that the language barrier was not as thick a wall as I imagined. So much can be said with a smile and a greeting. So much more than I at first thought. But there are some things that don't come through clearly. We were in the American embassy's recreation center in Ouagadougou when I saw a sign for a "Flag Big" and "Flag Small." I was excited, seeing as how I was looking for a Burkina Faso flag to buy. I told Alfred (Alain's brother and the manager of the facility) that I was excited and wanted to buy two big flags. He was happy to oblige, and sat us all down in the lounge in front of the TV and turned on the sports channel while he went to the back for the flags. Here's what he came back with. We laughed really hard, and I think Alfred was a little embarrassed when he took them back to the icebox, but I will never forget the day I asked for a flag and got a beer instead. A bit of advice: when in Burkina, ask for a "drape

God is good. On the plane ride to Africa, during the overnight flight I was sitting next to a man from India and an American who grew up in Togo, west Africa. We had many discussions, but the most helpful thing was "when you go to Africa, don't give them a fish... teach them how to fish." What are the chances that the two who needed to advise me were the two who sat next to me? God is good. Our culture shock is minimal, because Alain and Kara translate everything, get us the things we need, and know the church and local pastors. God is good. Even though many pre-trip plans were made, most of those plans were changed. And the motto of every good mission trip is "be flexible." And we are. God is good. We have internet to update those who are praying for us back home and talk to our loved ones. God is good. And even though we feel overwhelmed when we see the great need of those around us, we praise the God who loves all and rescues those who call on him. God i

Africa. I have wanted to experience it for quite some time now, and I'm not sure why. I think God has been preparing me for "such a time as this" . I do know that He has clearly spoken to me and Marion from the beginning about the fact that He wants us there. And He has provided every step of the way. First Baptist is taking a trip to Burkina Faso in west Africa. The trip will be during the week of Thanksgiving, and we are excited about what God will do in us and through us. But we need your help. If you read these words, then I am asking you to pray. Prayer is what can make or break everything Christians do. I am convinced that churches who don't plan to pray will plan to fail. Prayer can bring drought and bring rain and can change anything. Sometimes it even seems as if God is waiting to see how badly we desire Him as measured by our prayers. Why would so much depend on prayer? Blaise Pascal says God does it because He gives us the "dignity of causal

"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." If you have worked with teenagers for very long at all, then you know all about the post-camp spiritual high. In my context, there is a Neshoba County Fair in late July, and it is always a week or two after youth camp. I have conversations with students every year who feel close to God at camp, but fall into partying and drinking and sin of all kinds at the Fair. One church in our community (at the students' request), is planning a youth trip during the Fair this year to avoid its pitfalls. I think that is admirable (didn't Joseph run from the temptation of Potiphar's wife ?). So how do we deal with the world, when dealing with the world means being tempted by sin? There are a few things to remember. Sin is fun, but not for long. Being drunk leads to hangovers. Sex often leads to disease, loneliness, or unexpected pregnancy. Smoking is murder on the lungs. Drugs are both addictive and dead

It is not often in youth ministry that you see any kind of fruit. The students you love on are in the stage of life that is between childhood and adulthood. They are growing, whether they like it or not, in many ways. And sometimes you can't tell if their parents taught them something or if they learned it in youth group. You can see if that mature decision was because they are growing up or because they saw you do it. But there are rare moments when a kid tells you that your love actually made a difference. I'm sentimental by nature. I keep almost every single encouraging card ever mailed to me. I save text messages that make my day. I save emails that warm my heart. (And I read them on bad days.) The other day, a student told me that my unconditional listening and understanding was me being exactly like the Jesus I was claiming to follow. I was deeply honored (but I didn't cry! I swear!) Later, I worried that I hadn't said enough. After all, my Jesus lov

So I did a study on prayer and fasting for our students.  I thought I'd share it further.  Here's the sheet we passed out. Prayer and Fasting: A Guide  There are a few guiding biblical passages that are important as you fast and pray.  2 Samuel 12:22-23 David replied, “I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said, ‘Perhaps the Lord will be gracious to me and let the child live.’  2 Chronicles 20:3 Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.  Esther 4:16 Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for the three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king.  Matthew 6: 16-18 [Jesus said,] “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the

So we went on vacation suddenly and unexpectedly during Spring Break. We visited the town I was born in - Yukon, Oklahoma. I know, I know, I'm an Okie. I moved to Mississippi when I was six or seven, and I remember very little about my birthplace. The few memories I have are vague. My connection to this town has always been that I really wanted to see it and relive those childhood memories. I'm a bit sentimental like that. I've visited the sites of houses I used to live in here in Mississippi, and enjoyed reminiscing. I even have an empty bottle of root beer that I drank on the morning I turned sixteen, as I watched the sun rise over the Pearl River. When my parents asked if we wanted to go to Oklahoma, I jumped at the chance to see my birthplace. It was fascinating to have fuzzy things in the back of my brain become real in front of me. The fuzzy memory becomes sharply real. The house in which I lived, the elementary school where I went to kindergarten and first

One of the interesting things about Facebook is that it connects me to folks I haven't thought about in years. In recent months, I've connected with several old friends. As we play catch up, we find out each other's stories since we've seen each other last, and more often than not there is a sad story they tell. One such story was a marriage, children, job changes, divorce, and drugs. My response was one of empathy. As I reflect on the circumstances of others, I see myself. We are all needy. And not marginally so. I'm so screwed up, and I feel so unworthy to serve my loving God. A difference between those in the church and those without seems to be honesty. Can I talk about my struggles with those at church? What would happen if I did? Thankfully, there seems to be a movement in American Christianity towards a more honest kind of community of believers. Blogs and other technologies seem to be ways we put ourselves out there more publicly. Thank you, Lord