Riding The Rails

I heard someone say that “life isn’t a series of mountaintop and valley experiences (ups and downs like a roller coaster) as much as it was like riding on a train track.” The point was that, rather than either having highs and lows, it (life) was more like riding on the rails of a train- good and bad paralleling or happening all at the same time. When I heard it I really didn’t see it. But as the years have passed and I remembered that quote I definitely see it now. We are seeing God do more in and through us now, than any other time in our 15+ years of ministry. There are amazing things happening here in Brazil that only God can take credit for. But, at the same time, there are difficulties happening in our life that are harder than anything we’ve experienced before.

Now, I’m very hesitant to even say what I’m about to say because it’s very personal. But I think that by being open and transparent, people can not only relate but can be encouraged because of it. Because that’s the problem with a lot of people in ministry. They put on this facade that makes everyone think that they have a perfect life with no problems. And what that does is make everyone else think that because their life is jacked-up, that they must be doing something wrong and that they’re not spiritual enough. And that’s not good. Because all of us have problems and all of us have issues in our lives. And no matter how much you plan and how much you pray and study God’s word, problems are gonna come. So, having said, that... here we go.

OK. Here we are on the mission field following Jesus and serving Him to the best of our ability. God is doing some amazing things that astound us almost daily. The ministry is growing and we’re seeing people being impacted by the Gospel. That’s the good rail (remember the quote earlier). The bad rail is this... Wednesday night (1 week ago) our oldest adopted son, Marlon, ran away from home. We’ve been having some serious behavioral issues with him over the last 3 years and things have been getting progressively worse. We’ve disciplined and shown mercy all at the same time. We’ve loved him and embraced him in spite of his behavior. We’ve tried to lead him toward Jesus as the solution for all the things that are troubling him. Not in some fanatical hyper-spiritual way where we try to cram Jesus down his throat either. Just in practical ways. Sure we talk about scripture and pray, but our main way of parenting (him and all 8 of our children) is by living-out our own relationship with Jesus and our faith in front of him and loving him despite all of his issues. But in spite of all our efforts he just does what he wants and rebels against all our efforts. I don’t want to say what the issues are (specifically) but believe me, it isn’t good! Now you may or may not think it’s weird that I’m airing my son’s dirty laundry in a blog. And I really thought twice (or 20x’s) about it. But if you know me you know that being real and honest about life is just me, and I really feel like this can help someone, and that’s the only reason I’m doing it. We’ve been a huge advocate for orphan ministry and adoption over the last 5 years (and we still are, duh!). And we’ve talked and counseled with people over the years who have serious issues with their adopted children but feel lonely in the midst of their situation and that feel like failures... and that just isn’t right. For someone whose taken the time, effort, money, emotion and everything else involved in adopting to feel like they’ve failed because of something their adopted child does is heartbreaking and it’s wrong. And that’s the reason why I’m posting this. I can honestly say that we’ve done everything within our power to be the parents that we need to be to all 8 of our children. Are we perfect? Absolutely not. Are we heartbroken because it doesn’t seem like we’ve made a difference in Marlon’s life? Yes. But that’s where we’ve got to guard ourselves from what the enemy wants to do... shut us down! He wants to get us so emotionally wrapped up in the fact that we failed (which we haven’t) and he wants us to be in total despair about the whole situation. He wants us to stop the wheels of progress as we try to impact other orphans and kids that we’re trying to reach as well. But we’re not gonna do it! And if you’re dealing with similar issues, hold your head up and keep moving forward because it’s not your fault.

I’m just like you. I’ve gone through it in my mind over and over. Wondering where I missed it. Did I miss God? Could I have done something different to change everything that’s happened? Honestly, I have no answers and I’m at a loss. But that can’t stop what we’re doing (you or us). As parents, we can only lead our children (biological or adopted) to Jesus. We can’t make them follow Him or even make them do everything we say (even though we think we can). Ultimately, as they get older, the decision is all theirs. So we’re going to keep following Jesus, keep pressing forward, keep loving Marlon, keep doing what God has called us to do here in Brazil and leave the outcome up to God. This is His (God’s) deal anyway, right? And you need to do the same. Because chances are, you’ve got other kids who need you right now and you’ve got to keep doing what you’re suppose to do... be a parent.

And just a quick update on Marlon... he came home yesterday (for the 1st time in a week) and demanded his documents (so he could leave the mountain and go to work somewhere). Of course we said, “no” because he’s only 15. And of course he immediately left very angry as we just stood there wondering what the crap was going on. Then, 45 minutes later, we heard he had been in a motorcycle accident and was knocked unconscious and bleeding somewhere on the mountain, so I went and found him, rushed him to the place on the highway where there’s an ambulance and they took him to the hospital (20 minutes away), where he still remains as I sit here writing this blog. He’s suppose to be released at noon today. So we’ll see what happens next. Exciting , huh? Please pray for Marlon and for us. We really need God to give us wisdom.

The doctor told me last night before I left the hospital that after they did the CAT scan that nothing is wrong with his brain. But the first thing that went through my mind was, “I don’t know... you may want to check again!” : )

Wanting a Mountaintop Rather Than These Rails,

Jim

PS - The picture up top is of Marlon  and the other one is of him getting wheeled away on a gurney into the ambulance. I couldn’t resist getting a picture. I figured he would want it for his scrapbook one day. And that’s what happens when I’m your dad... everything you do ends up documented in a photo or on a blog: )

Being Willing to Go Isn’t As Important As Being Willing to Stay

Have you ever done something that God asked you to do and it took a huge step of faith to do it, but after a while (maybe even years) you packed-up (or gave up) and left the assignment? And, after you left, you regretted it because you thought you may have left too early? I hate it when that happens, don’t you?

I use to be a runner. No, not the kind that wears those skimpy shorts with the slit that goes up way too high-up on their thigh, and that you see running on the side of the road real early in the morning. I’m talking about the kind of runner that fled at even the slightest opposition or difficulty. If it was hard, I’d quit. If somebody was giving me a hard time or making my life harder than I thought it should be... I was out of there! I probably had 30 different jobs as a teenager because I would always quit when I didn’t like something. 

But, as I got older, I carried that same mindset into adulthood. And even after I became a Christ Follower I would do the same thing. It didn’t even matter if I felt like God had asked me to do it or not, if it wasn’t comfortable... see ya! I was gone. 

As humans we’re like that though. We strive for situations that make us feel comfortable and we always seem to choose the path of least resistance. But here’s the thing, when we do that we can’t grow! We won’t mature, we won’t develop character, we won’t ever do anything dynamic or extraordinary. And when we do that (run) we miss out on what God has for us. Sure, you have to “fight flight” (hey that’s sounds pretty catchy... fight flight) all the time because, if you’re normal, you don’t like struggles and pressure. I mean, who wants to live in difficult situations all the time? Not me, that’s for sure. But as I look back over my life (and I’m gonna be 47 in June) and see all the times I “ran” from situations, I notice that there was zero growth and zero payoff when I did that. But when I look at all the times that I decided to “stick around” and fight through difficult situations, man... that’s where God was able to do things in my character and in me personally that could have never happened otherwise. Especially in ministry. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to resign a ministry position because of things that were happening in my life. I always felt like a different ministry position would be better and that the another  ministry position would be easier. But, thankfully I’ve never quit or fled from a ministry position (yet, lol!). Thankfully I worked all that “running” stuff out in my early 20’s because I feel like the payoff has been great in my life. (If you think I’m messed up and that I’ve got problems now, you should have seen me before! haha!) I’m glad that I was able to shed that “running from difficulties” mentality. 

OK. Here’s why I’m writing this today. It’s extremely difficult living here in Brazil. It’s difficult in every area (spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, maritally... you name it, it’s hard) and everything is a constant struggle. And we left everything we had back in the States (except for the basics that we shipped here in our crate). We left family, friends, our church, our house, a paycheck, our cars and everything familiar. We sold most of our stuff at yard sales (even stuff that held sentimental value), we gave stuff away, we left it all. And we did it willingly. We didn’t feel like God owed us anything for it either. We were willing because we knew that Jesus was leading us to Brazil. But we never expected it to be this difficult. A few weeks ago something happened and I was super discouraged and the thought flashed through my mind, “man... it sure would be nice to be back in the States serving at a local church.” And then I started imagining me and the family doing just that. And I let my mind wander a little and then I felt like God spoke to me. And this is what He said:

 “Being willing to go isn’t as important as being willing to stay.” 

Ouch. When I heard it, I felt convicted. Sure, we left it all. But that can’t ever be a checklist item like we accomplished something great and now it’s time to move on to the next item on the list. No, I’ve got to be willing to stick through until the assignment is finished. That’s when all the fantasies in my head of being back home in a local church vanished. Because my life is suppose to be about Following Jesus, not following what I want to do, right? And being willing to stay and finishing the assignment is way more important than leaving for the next one.

What about you? Are you being tempted to leave an uncomfortable situation right now? If you are, is it because God is asking you to or is it because you don’t like the present situation? Only you can decide that one, so whatcha gonna do? 

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

                                                                       James 1:2-4

Fighting Flight,

The Dunn’s

It’s Not Only About the Masses, It’s About the “One”

As I was laying in bed the other morning I started thinking about all the stuff we’ve got going on. Laying there, I started going down the mental checklist in my mind and was prioritizing everything that needed to get done. Then I started thinking about where we were and what we were doing. Me and my family are actually in a foreign country, we don’t speak the language, we’re in a remote part of Brazil instead of a heavily populated city, and in my mind it doesn’t make sense! I mean, it would make more sense for us to be in the big city (where i’m more comfortable) starting a “city church” with a lot of audio/video stuff, where we reach people through technology, marketing and programming... like I’m equipped to do. Not tucked away in the mountainous jungles of some obscure state in the 5th largest country in the world. A place where, rather than having thousands or millions of people crowding the streets, where I live people are spread out all over the mountain with acres and acres that separate neighbors from each other.

As I laid there thinking about how this doesn’t make any sense and the reality of where I was, 2 things hit me:

The first thing was that God likes doing things that don’t make sense to us. From what I can tell, it’s because that way He gets the glory for it rather than us. Because there’s no way we could do it without His power and His ability. Think about all the people God used in the Bible. Abraham was a century old, with no kids, and God told him that he was going to be the father of many nations and he eventually was (and is). Moses was a stutterer but God wanted him to be the mouthpiece for His people. David was a shepherd kid, not royalty, but God wanted him to be the king. All the disciples were jacked-up in their own way. None of them were religious leaders, but God chose them to literally turn the world upside down with the Gospel. And what about Paul? It would have made more sense for him to be sent to the Jews not the Gentiles. He was a Jewish leader, trained to be a leader of the Jewish people. What better or more equipped person than him to reach the Jews for Christ? But no, God sent him to the Gentiles instead. It doesn’t make sense... to me, that is. But to God it does. The same with us. Why not have us somewhere where we can operate in “the lane” that we know and where we’re trained?! I don’t know? But God does and that’s why He sent us here. Because for us to be successful for the Kingdom, it’s gonna take His strength and ability to make it happen.

The 2nd thing I thought about was that God cares about “the one” just as much as He cares about the masses. Sure, He could’ve sent us to some big city somewhere (preferably in the US) to start a church where we could use all the gifts and experience we already had. We could have gone somewhere where the population was booming, but He had other plans. And it’s because He loves the one guy whose never heard about Jesus that’s tucked away in a remote part of the world just as much as the guy who passes a church on every corner in his hometown. It was weird (and I hope I’m conveying this effectively), but it really gripped my heart the other morning as I laid there thinking. It’s like I could feel the love that God had for “individuals” rather than just “crowds.” And it was enough love to have Him move a family from the US, to the other side of the equator, just to give people an opportunity to hear about Jesus and the Gospel. These people could live and die and hardly anyone would even notice or care. But God cares. They’re important to Him. And that’s why it’s OK that we’re here and not some place where I feel more comfortable... because God cares about the One.

Passionately Following Jesus,

Jim 

PS - The picture at top is of our house. It's the one way back in the distance (not the one in front)... we're definitely out there in the middle of nowhere, huh?

Cussing In Church

How do you feel about cussing? No, not “real” cuss words. “Christian” cuss words. You know the ones. It’s where you take a regular cuss word, change a letter or two and BAM! You’ve got a word that can be used just like a cuss word without the sinful weight of the real deal. Here, let me give you an example. Let’s say that you’re hammering a nail and you accidentally hit your thumb. Rather than screaming out some vulgar obscenity, you could scream, “shuck!” It’s a word like a cuss word (actually that one’s a two-fer, double bonus christian cuss word) but no repentance is needed because “technically” it’s not actually cussing. Or let’s say that somebody asks you to do something that you’re really opposed to doing. The old un-regenerated you could just say h*** no! But as a christian (since you can’t cuss) you can say, “hail no!” See how that works? Pretty cool, huh? Unless, of course, you’re from Alabama, then that last one would probably come out sounding just like the actual cuss word, so don’t use that one. But you get the point, right? How do you feel about that?
What about cussing in church? There are some pastors who actually use cussing as part of their talk (i.e., sermon, speech, ??? whatever we’re callin’ those things these days). I remember about 3 years ago I was at a huge pastors’ conference in Atlanta where there were about 15,000 pastors and leaders in attendance and one of the speakers (who was very well known) used an acronym used in texting (hint: it included the “F” bomb) that everyone knew, and when he said it, nobody jerked him off the stage. Actually a lot of people thought it was funny. When I heard it, it took a minute to register, because it was out of no where. Really? Did he just say that? It was awkward.
Then about a year and a half ago I was at another leadership conference in SC and a couple of the speakers (who are very well known) cussed during their sermons. And I mean “real” cuss words too. And everyone just laughed. How do you feel about that?
Now, I feel like I’m pretty cutting edge and I’m definitely not a prude by any means. Actually, I think I probably push things a little too far sometimes... that’s just me. But cussing during a sermon? “Homey don’t play dat.” Seriously. Do we really need to use profanity as part of our delivery of the Word of God? I’m all for being hip and cool as men and women of God, but when is enough enough? Where do we draw the line on trying to be more relatable to people who are far from God? Just something to think about.
For some reason I can’t see Jesus standing before a large crowd (and during his delivery of His sermon) dropping the “F” bomb because He needed to get His point across more effectively. Actually I can’t EVER see Him doing it. And it’s not like He never had the opportunity or He wasn’t ever ticked-off either. Think about all times He was mad at the Pharisees or at the people in the temple. He called them names on numerous occasions and flipped over some tables in the temple, but He didn’t cuss or use foul language. I know, it probably seems like I’m ranting (and maybe I am) but man, as leaders we’ve got to lead! And leading our people by showing them that it's OK to use cussing as part of our vocabulary as we’re communicating the scriptures (or in everyday conversation) just doesn’t seem wise.


Love Ya,
Jim

PS- Michael wrote us yesterday and said that the UFC was in Atlanta this weekend and the Light-Heavyweight Title was on the line. He said he was going to try and go if he finished with Guard Duty (ARMY National Guard) early enough. I should be there too! What the “H” is up with that? And by “H” I mean heck, of course: )

PSS- The pictures up top are of some of the plants and some of the views that we have here on the property. As tough as it is, most of the time here, the scenery is probably some of the most beautiful in the world. Thanks, God.
The picture of the church service is a church we ministered at in Curitiba on Sunday Night. They're a great church that wants to partner with us on Thursday Nights (for our discipleship meetings).

Letting Down My Guard

Just the other day I made the comment that the bugs really aren’t that bad anymore. I haven’t had to put bug spray on before bed in a while, my legs aren’t riddled with bug bites, I haven’t seen hardly any spiders at all in the house... it’s been great. Sure, there’s the normal amount of bugs that you’d expect to see, but nothing crazy like it was when we first got here.
Well, this morning I got up and was performing my daily ritual of things that I do before I even walk out of my bedroom to get my coffee. Make bed- check, pull back curtains- check, turn off fan- check, pull back 2nd set of curtains... as I pulled back the 2nd set of curtains I felt something tickling my arm so I looked down and there was a big fat brown spider walking ... no bounding up arm toward my shoulder. Then, without even thinking, I did some crazy herky-jerkey speed dance as I tried to get it off. I never knew I could move that fast. And who knew that I could contort my body like that? It was amazing. But back to the spider... it totally took me by surprise. The last thing I expected when I woke up was to be attacked by a spider. I don’t know if it was because I hadn’t seen one in my bedroom in a while or maybe I was living in denial... I don’t know? But the fact that I let my guard down and that it was able to take me by surprise is my own fault. A few months ago I wouldn’t have been alarmed, I actually would have expected it. Sure, I would’ve still shook it off my arm and killed it, but it wouldn’t have surprised me like that... no way!... because I would have had my guard up.
It’s kind of like that with stuff I deal with in my life too. It’s like if I have a weakness or an issue in a certain area of my life, I need to ALWAYS have my guard up in that area. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since I’ve fallen into that “sin” or how long it’s been since I’ve given-in to the temptation to do whatever it is that I’m susceptible to. It’s always on the horizon. Because as surely as I get cocky and think that I don’t have anything to be concerned with in that area of my life, Bam! It’s sneaks up and I end up doing something that I didn’t want to do. Now don’t go gettin’ all hyper-spiritual on me, by thinking that you’re above this, because you’re the same as me.
Let me give you an example. Let’s say that I’ve got an issue with anger. And let’s say that when I’m driving is one of the times when anger seems to be able to get a grip on me (because of the way people around me drive). As sure as the the sky is blue, the biggest retard on the road is gonna end up driving in front of me 10mph under the speed limit or someone’s gonna ride right on my butt even though I’m already speeding. It’s just gonna happen. I need to bank on it. But when I see that’s an issue, and I deal with it scripturally, and I get victory over that area, I need to still keep my guard up. Even if I haven’t given in to road rage in a long time, I need to be aware that it’s always a possibility. I need to stay alert.
Or let’s say that you have a problem with pornography on the internet (in all my years in pastoral counseling, this is the biggest issue that people have had, hands down). It’s like, if someone has an issue with it. They repent, they set-up safeguards to prevent it (i.e., no private times of being online, installing covenant eyes software, having an accountability partner, etc.) and they do great. But, for some reason, as time passes and they see that there hasn’t been an issue with this in a while, they forget about that area being a weakness. So they start looking at the computer alone in there bedroom or office and they do fine. Then they start getting confident in their ability to resist. Then one day, in a time of weakness, Hello! There they go again. And they wonder how it could ever happen. It happened because you let it, stupid!
The Bible clearly tells us to

“be sober minded, be watchful. Because our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8)

He’s just waiting for someone to get comfortable and because he's looking for an opportunity to jump on you. He’s looking for you to forget.
So, when we have weaknesses or areas that we struggle with we’ve got to ALWAYS be on our guard. Because as soon as we let our guard down and forget that we live in the jungle surrounded by millions of insects and things that crawl around... we’ll end up with a spider on our arm and doing some crazy jungle dance, trying to get it off!

On My Guard Again,
Jim

PS - Today's pictures are totally random. The first one is of our 7 year old walking lint roller/Boston Terrier (lulu). The fleas here are terrible and she's allergic to them. She will literally spend hours rolling on the floor scratching herself. In the picture she had just spent some time rolling and scratching on a blanket and ended up with lint all over her butt. Then the next pic is of a giant moth we saw on our front porch (had to throw at least one insect photo in here), the next one is of a doll one of the kids made for MJ. It's made out of a fruit that we have here on the property. It looks like some kind of voodoo doll if you ask me, kinda freaky. haha. Then the last picture is of a man who lives here on the mountain that rides his cow like a horse. Yep, that right... like a horse. Anyway, just some random photos today. Hope you liked them: )

Spring Mission 2012’ Part 5 (Last One)

This is our last blog (there were 5 in all) telling you about Spring Mission 2012’. We hope they’ve been informative and that they’ve given you a good look at what the week looked like for both teams that were here from Georgia. Mission trips are a great way to experience what we do here in Brazil in a short amount of time. This particular trip was a 9 day trip that allowed us to minister in a school, 4 orphanages, a battered women’s shelter, 2 day programs for street kids, in churches, in a couple of parks in 2 local villas, and then we topped it all off with a couple of days of ministry on the mountain, and that’s what we’re talking about today.

Thursday we stayed on the mountain all day. We had a few things to do to get ready for a camp we were hosting on Friday. The camp was for about 40 kids from a local favela (slum) near a church we’ve partnered with in Curitiba. This is one of the camps, that I told you about in an earlier blog, that we’re doing for FREE if the church will commit to bringing the kids in and then continue discipling them once they get them back to their villas. We were super-excited about it too. To have an opportunity to minister to kids that weren’t all “church kids” was something that we really feel called to do and this was our first camp that consisted of ALL non-church kids. (We’ve had camps with a few, but never all.) So, Thursday morning we finished some final things that needed to get done before Friday and we also got the school ready for our Thursday Night Service that was later that evening.

After lunch the teams hit the mountain for some home visits where they prayed for people in their homes and even had worshipped with the ones who can’t make it to the meetings (because they don’t have transportation). It was a great opportunity for them to meet the people we live with, here on the mountain.

Thursday Night we had a packed house at the meeting as the teams lead worship, gave testimonies and as Jono ministered the Word.

Friday we had the mission team help with the camp. They were group leaders and just hung-out and loved on the kids the whole day. To look at the kids we had there, you’d never know the environment they came out of just by looking at them. But, speaking to the pastors that brought them, we found out that the majority of the kids were from a very violent area of town where their parents were either involved in drug trafficking or on drugs themselves. An area of town that without Jesus, these kids don’t have a chance. So, for them to be there with us singing, hearing the Word of God, being legitimately loved and cared for... it was an honor just being able to be involved in it. And to me, that’s one of the main reason we’re here... reaching kids that nobody else is reaching "with the Gospel."

There’s so much more detailed info that I could give you, but all-in-all it was a great week. There were soooo many kids whose lives were touched and who were able to hear about Jesus and the Gospel. To be on one of these missions trips in the past was always a life-changing experience for us (our family), but to be facilitators of the trips... well, that’s taken our family into a deeper appreciating for the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. And it’s made us realize how serious He is about reaching people who’ve never had an opportunity to hear “the Gospel” no matter how old they are or what language they speak. I’m blown away by His love for the lost.

If you attend a church that’s interested in taking a mission trip to Brazil, then we’d love to help you. We’d love to customize a trip around the dynamics of your team. Just shoot us an email to HopeAndLifeBrazil@gmail.com and we’ll send you all the info you’ll need to make it happen.

Next week we’ll be back to our regular blogs. Have a great weekend: )

Love You Guys!

Jim and MJ