Lighting a Fire

"Life is a continuum of little sparks.  Every once in a while one lands perfectly and sets the whole world on fire."

Great movements often begin with a single idea.  One single moment in time, one second, when a person takes an idea and refuses to let it die.  Life is breathed in as the dream is allowed to take shape.  Just as a spark needs air to become a flame, a dream needs momentum to become a reality.  We have a flame.  We're trying to start a fire.  

Normally at this time of year we would be preparing for our summer intern program.  In fact, one week ago we were doing just that.  Last week we accepted a group of college students who chose to give three months of their lives to lead homes and serve the people of México.  However, the number of teams we hoped would register to build this summer didn't come in. Without teams to build homes, we don't need interns to lead them. Therefore this summer, we are being forced to cut programs that are an important part of Casas por Cristo.

The majority of our staff is here because of summer internships that changed our lives forever. Now these college students will not have this same opportunity.  This is not just about building homes; it is about so much more.  When we gave our interns the bad news, they humbly and graciously understood.  Then they e-mailed us and said that they refused to accept this as an answer. This is where the spark became a flame.

In just a few days the end of one dream has turned into the beginning of another.  Although we cannot offer scholarships, housing, or vehicles like our normal program, these interns are refusing to let this stand in their way.  The burden on their hearts for the people of México did not disappear with the lack of homes that we have to build.  Feeling called by God to serve and show the love of Christ to families in México, they will not accept spending their summer doing anything else.  Unwavering in the face of worldly setbacks, they have started raising money to build as many homes as they can themselves.  Renewed by their vision and passion, our staff has offered to let them live in our homes, to feed them meals on the weekends, and to do whatever it takes to make this dream a reality.

Why would these college kids be able to change everything?  Why would they not?  It only takes one spark of light to dispel darkness.  They are willing to give everything to show the love of Christ to families in México.  We are asking you to come alongside them and help make their dream possible.

They have already raised enough money for three homes to be built.  Their hope is to bless 11 families this summer, by building one home a week from May 9th through the end of July.  If you would like to help their efforts we are asking you to give HERE. Choose TRIP PAYMENT in the program area.  Make sure to write INTERN BUILD in the comment section.  The only homes they will be able to build will come from donations they receive.  

*Thanks to a generous supporter of our ministry, any money given within the next two weeks will be matched dollar for dollar to go towards these homes being built.*

This is where flames become raging fires that can’t be put out.  This is the gospel being lived out.  Aimee, Rachel, Kevin and David are unapologetically giving everything they have to proclaim the name of Christ to a city that so many others have forgotten.  Will you join them?

The Athlete

2 Timothy 2:1-7

2Ti 2:1                         You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

2Ti 2:2             and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2Ti 2:3                         Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

2Ti 2:4             No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

2Ti 2:5                         An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

2Ti 2:6                         It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

2Ti 2:7             Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

According to the rules… In other words, if you cheat, you don’t win. But what are we competing for? Why should we play according to the rules?

There are two ways to read this text. Often when the church teaches about a text that tells us to obey the rules, they try and scare us into following them. “DO these things and DON’T do these things to make God happy with you. What they are really saying is Do and Don’t to appease God.

Appease: to pacify: cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of; propitiate: make peace with.

The problem with this is that it is not biblical Christianity. What makes Christianity not a religion and different than any other deity belief system is that we don’t have to do anything for God to love us and show favor on us. God showers mercy on the wicked and the righteous. We do not control God by our actions. It is God who reconciled us to him.

Rom 5:8     but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

While we were enemies of God, while were dead in our trespasses, while we were rejecting our creator, while we were blaspheming His name, while we were satisfying the desires of the flesh, while  we were lusting, steeling, lying, cheating, abusing, destroying, perverting, CHRIST DIED FOR US.

Rom 9:16        So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

Nothing that we have done, do, or will do will affect Christ’s love for us. But this seems to be a hard concept to apply even though I understand the principle. The “you get what you earned” principle has been so burned into my brain that it is difficult for me to truly walk in the freedom of what grace and mercy really is.

We know what competing according to the rules is not; obeying God’s commands in order to appease him. So then, what are we competing for? Look at John 15:10-11:

John 15:10           If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

John 15:11           These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

If we do not keep his commands, it’s not that his love leaves us; it’s that we are not operating in the love he has already given us. What happens when we abide in his love and we obey his commands? His joy will be in us and our joy will be full! This sounds so appealing because all of the joy that I know on earth is fleeting and not full. Christ is calling us to draw from the inexhaustible fountain that is our Lord and Savior.

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” -Jesus Christ, “John 6:35”

If we are competing for joy, and we break the rules, it sells us short of our joy in Christ. As soon as we can, we need to get it through our heads that we are not as smart or as clever as God. We just aren’t. Let’s take a command from God and see what happens if we cheat. If I decided to not work and just live off of my wife working, it is going to destroy our marriage. If I buy what I want now on credit, despite the fact that I don’t have the money for it, I am going to become a deepening slave to my finances. If I decide to make a habit of pornography, I am going to look at my wife with less attraction, compassion, and desire. If I talk maliciously about my co-workers with others, I will damage the unity of our workplace.

We tend to live for the moment and do things our way despite the destructive power of cheating God’s rules. It boils down to satisfying our desires quicker but never giving us the intensity or consistency of the pleasure we can receive from doing it God’s way. Right now, we need to decide that we cannot trust ourselves. We need to decide to submit our life to godly counsel and scripture. Some of us will let our world’s burn before we do that. It is absolutely essential because our joy is at stake. We are competing for our joy. Be like the athlete who competes according the rules, and then you will be crowned with the crown of joy.

Take time to pray right now that God would reveal to you where you are doing things your way. Ask Him to stir your affections for Him rather than the quick fix of self gratification in sin.  Go after Him, because in Him we will be satisfied.

Guatemala

It was late at night as we landed in Guatemala. We looked out the window hopeful and excited for what we would see. Would this city look like Juárez or Acuña? Would it feel like the México that we know? The lights on the ground illuminated the night sky and brought about the familiarity of Juárez. We tried to make out signs from the airplane but within a moment of landing the windows fogged completely from the outside. Immediately we knew that this was a completely different world.

Guatemala is a country of contradictions. Flying into Guatemala City it’s difficult to see beyond the downtown high rises and the neatly groomed streets. However as you move beyond the city, it becomes apparent that these pockets of modern luxury do not resemble the Guatemala that the majority of its residents know. The four lane streets quickly transform into barely two lanes. Flashy cars are replaced with tuk-tuks, (rickshaw type taxis) and motorcycles weave in and out. As we drove into the mountains the tourism of the city faded away and the indigenous Mayan culture became evident. Streets became adorned with women in their traditional dress wearing vibrant tops and skirts. They carried everything from baskets to groceries wrapped in cloths upon their heads.

The similarities to México begin and end with the Spanish language. The American culture that overflows into the Mexican border is not evident here. Most homes in the rural areas of Guatemala are made from wood and corrugated metal, block, or bamboo. Inside the homes women cook over pieces of firewood and straw mats lay on the floor as beds. The scenery that surrounded us outside couldn’t have been more different from our own. We saw hand-dug wells, women and children making wicks for fireworks, men with machetes harvesting corn, and tortillas being prepared on the side of the road.


As we walked throughout the neighborhoods of San Raimundo, we were met with wide-eyed stares. It was obvious that we were not a normal sight as we traveled the streets plotting points on our GPS, taking pictures and videos of the families, and jotting down their stories to bring home and share. This culture is not inundated with American mission teams coming to help like that of the U.S./México border. For these families in Guatemala, the idea of receiving a home as a gift, from foreigners hoping to share the love of Christ and provide for their needs, seems inconceivable.

We felt this same sentiment of hesitancy from the group of local pastors that we gathered together. However as we shared with them the mission of Casas por Cristo and our vision to serve within their communities, we watched this hesitancy disappear and become replaced by hopeful excitement. Throughout the meeting it became
obvious that worldly barriers were crumbling as the hope of Christ bridging nations, cultures, and denominations in the unity of His love filled the room. Moving forward, this partnership will provide an opportunity for ministry and outreach in these communities. These pastors are excited about the possibilities to share Christ in completely new ways with their neighbors.

We went to this country seeking opportunities to help. We have been met with open arms and people hopeful that we would return. We can’t get the pictures of these families out of our minds. We know their stories now, and they have become a part of ours. We want to surprise this community. We want to overwhelm them with the love of Christ and watch their stares of disbelief turn into overwhelming joy and belief in His glory. We want to live out the love of Christ to families that have never read a word of scripture for themselves. We want them to feel what they may never be able to read on paper. We want these children to grow up in homes that serve as tangible reminders of Christ’s love and provision every moment of their lives. We want the love of Christ to be so visible in their lives that despite all that is unknown, this is the one thing without question.

Steadfast, Watch, Glorify

Praying rightly, specifically, and intentionally

Col 4:2            Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Col 4:3            At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison

Col 4:4            that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

If you ever want a quick encouragement, or to find a wealth of wisdom from a text of scripture, go to the end of one of Paul’s letters. Like the end of a telephone conversation cut short, Paul blurts out many but quick truths he wants to get across to the receiver of his message. In this letter to the church in Colossi, Paul gives a quick but deep command to them about praying.

Col 4:2a          Continue steadfastly in prayer…

Steadfastly: Firm: with resolute determination

Could you say that you are firmly, with a resolute determination, praying to God? This is not just a command for a single prayer, but it is a command for your prayer life. If you were praying with resolute determination, does it seem like that would also reflect frequency of prayer? I know that if I am firmly resolute in determination about something, I’m going to be tenacious about it until what I am determined about is accomplished. Are you praying like that? If not, why? Does the answer speak to you about where your heart is whether good or bad?

Col 4:2                        Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.      

Paul tells the church to be watchful in their prayers. So they are to continue steadfastly not only in prayer but also in watchfulness while praying. Why would he say that? Why would someone be watchful in prayer? When someone is watchful, they expect something to happen. People watch the news to see what is happening. People watch sports to see who will win. People watch the stock market to see how the economy is doing. They watch because they expect something to happen. That is why we should watch while we pray with firm, resolute determination. We watch because we expect and trust God to do something. Are you expecting him to move? Are you expecting him to do anything?

Jas 1:3             for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Jas 1:4            And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Jas 1:5             If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Jas 1:6            But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Jas 1:7             For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

Jas 1:8            he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

If we don’t expect him to answer, if we doubt his many promises of answering prayer, James says that we cannot expect God to do anything. Are you watching for God with eager expectation?

Col 4:2b          …being watchful in it with thanksgiving.          

Paul says that thanksgiving is going to come with our watchfulness. This can only mean one thing, God is going to do something. This is crystal clear. There will be thanksgiving when we watch because when we are attentive, alert, and searching for God’s answer without doubt, we will see his answer to our prayer. He has promised to answer them in his word.

Joh 14:13        whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

That is the key. God loves to answer prayer because he receives glory by our thanksgiving. God loves to be our giver. It is more glorious to be the giver than the receiver. God loves to answer prayer because he wants us to know that he loves us; he wants unbelievers to know that Jesus is the true Son of God; and he wants all the earth to give him Glory.

Mat 7:7           "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Mat 7:8           For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Mat 7:9           Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?

Mat 7:10         Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?

Mat 7:11          If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

1Pe 5:6            Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

1Pe 5:7            casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Joh 15:7          If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Joh 15:8          By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Psa 50:14        Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,

Psa 50:15        and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.

Are you praying like Paul commands us to? Are you steadfastly praying, are you watching eagerly, and are you glorifying him when he does answer prayer?  If we do not humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and firmly with determination go after him in prayer, believing that he is going to do something, we are not being responsible with what God has given us. We cannot be self-reliant because self-reliance is spiritual suicide.

Every day, as often as possible, we need to be aggressively going after God in prayer. Do you feel the weight on your heart of how important this is yet? Trust Him. Trust Him. Trust Him.

Pray now for him to glorify himself through answering your prayer and then watch for his answer.

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Fear Faded as Mexico's Risk Never Darkened