church and the city

I'm teaching a class on 1 Corinthians this fall @ Island ECC. I love this letter to the church because it reminds me how much we need God, more than anything else -- God's presence in our lives is the point. The church at Corinth got sidetracked by the myriad of distractions around them and within them. It's great to plant churches in cities, but it's critical to know how to live redemptive lives within the city. On a lot of days, that's easier said than done - especially when Christ-followers take their eyes off of Christ.

The moment from yesterday that stands out most clearly to me is this: "For the foolishness of God is wiser than mans' wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength... God chose the foolish things... the weak things... the lowly things... and the despised things so that no one may boast before him. It is BECAUSE OF HIM that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us the wisdom of God -- that is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: " Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:25-31

My thoughts on "the weakness of God" stop at the cross. The power of the cross stands alone. It doesn't need words of human wisdom. For those who believe - it is the power of God.

jump

Hilliard Family + Miller Family + Dean Family = Fun.

departures

We made it back to HK and I'd like to think we're over jet-lag. We are settling back into life over here -- it's almost pointless to try and reconcile the two worlds in which we've lived. Both are great. Both are really different. And we're really thankful for who we know and love on both sides of the globe.

I have to say this time arriving as a family was completely different than last time... I would equate last year's arrival as the first day of college -- where everything was foreign, overwhelming and new. This go around...is like sophomore year -- way more laid back and familiar. Thankfully we are not setting up anything new or trying to find a broom or figuring out how to get places. It's great to be back.

We are excited to reconnect with friends, say good-bye to some dear friends about to leave, and begin a new journey. I'll be starting a new job at Island ECC in a couple of weeks. We're so thankful for this church, its leadership, and the opportunity to serve on their staff team.

Looking back on the weeks we were able to spend with family and friends, it is so evident we needed that time to breathe deeply, share, listen, read, sit on porch swings, eat popsicles, swim, fish, worship, and rest. It was great.

For what it's worth -- we (April and I) read through two books this summer -- both of which were precisely timed and very unlikely: I'm Proud of You by Tim Madigan and Here and Now by Henri Nouwen

the fight for perspective.

what I call week #2 in review -

Here are some of the light-hearted moments from the week:

1. We took the boys swimming and broke HK protocol on a couple levels --- first we didn't have tickets ($1.25 USD) to swim, and we confused the lifegaurd by coming to the pool with only 27 minutes remaining in the first swim session of the day. Just wait...

2. Two days later, April "accidentally" uses the mens' restroom... and guess who is in there? The same lifeguard we semi-offended 48 hours ago.

3. We saw two really interesting things while on a dinner date / stock the refrigerator adventure: a fully outfitted Toyota Landcuiser with mud-tires, elevated exhaust, and every conceivable off-road accessory. It looked like an old-row guy from Auburn got car-jacked and his car ended up on some obscure black market. Maybe not. Part two of the same day... a rather stylish Hong Kong cowboy, complete with wranglers, hat, boots, and a massive belt buckle... for the record, most beef is imported here and does it help that this guy was walking around one of the largest malls in Hong Kong? If only Longhorn Steakhouse were here...

Here are some things we are thankful for:

1. The telecommunication industry -- Yes, we do live on the other side of the world from the people most dear to us, but we have no difficulty talking. The biggest challenge? 13 hours time difference, but that is do-able. Thank you Skype and 3 Com.

2. We love where we live. The people. The neighborhood. The nearby waterfront part. Our flat. The small grocery store filled with some pretty incredible things we've never seen, and missing a lot of things we are used to seeing. Again, thank you to all of our financial partners. We are so grateful for you.

3. In the rush to get things packed, even though we spent 6 months preparing, I really began to develop a love/hate relationship with the boxes / furniture we kept. Love/hate no more. Only love. And in 5 days it arrives. Love. Love. Love.

Here are some things we keep praying for:

1. We recognize that only Jesus can redeem people from their sin and selves. So, more than anything, we want to keep our relationship with Him as most important. We are here to love people, but the outcome of loving others is an accomplishment of the power of God at work in and through us. If it this depends on us -- then we have made it about us, but if we depend on God -- then the glory belongs to the rightful Owner.

2. Eyes to see / ears to hear. The other day, I was sitting at Starbucks trying to wrap my brain around all that was going on in my heart... I felt God impress on my heart, "Look up"... and so, I did. No sooner than I did, and a young women sitting across from me asked, "Is that a Bible?" ... and then we talked for about 20 minutes. I almost didn't look up...

3. Wisdom and unity as more of the team members arrive in HK over the next several weeks.

the week in review - guest blog post from HK.

Tonight, April has compiled a list of first impressions from our new home here in HK. Enjoy.

Anchovy flavored quaker oatmeal.

From our 7th floor window - sailboats, skiing, fishing boats, airplanes, trains, buses, cabs, running, cycling, dog walking, family strolling, and early morning tai chi.

A six-pack of... bread.

Smells, smells, and more smells.

Chipped bowls and exposed ceiling in our new favorite Thai restaurant.

George, Edward, and Alfie (some really great NZ boys the same age as our children). Really enjoyed meeting this family.

Eva from Indonesia chasing our boys around the indoor gymnasium.

Long hair as an accessory from skin moles?

The teenage girls in the next flat beside us.

The socially acceptable (and inhalable) belch courtesy of our friendly cabbies.

Our friendly security guards who love the boys and smile every time we walk in.

Grandpa "A" who held Luke and led Josh to the nearby water fountain.

Umbrella hats.

Bike rider with a dog in the seat behind him.

"Waste no part of the Chicken" Dishes.

Butchered fish with the hearts still beating in the display case.

Another neighbors underwear right outside Luke's room window.

Speeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedos.

Remote control toddler car -- with child inside.

"Did you bring your own bag?"

4oz of syrup for Caleb's pancakes? $6 USD.

Our friendly (very Chinese) neighborhood grocery store that sells coffee, but no coffee filters.

Fish Jello.

a thousand words (or one way tickets.)

Tell of His glory among the nations,

His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

Psalm 96:3

this was different.

Today, I was given the opportunity to sit in front of very talented people operating really nice equipment and share the story of "why hong kong?". I have a new appreciation for anyone who does this regularly.

From the sheer amount of precision and craft that goes into the right lighting, angle, tones, etc... wow. It's a different world. It was great to see like-minded believers hard at work at a craft I know very little about.

When I did begin to share about "why hong kong?" there was a lump in my throat at one point; the familiar feeling of tears in my eyes, subtly reminding me that this burden I've known for almost two years now... is real and God-given.

Take 1. Take 2. Take 3... or 4... or 5. I lost count at one point. It happens. Right?

Driving home, my iphone battery died. I wanted to talk with April and tell her how incredibly unnatural it is to speak into a camera in a solid blue room wearing light make-up with a few people staring at your every move, and listening to your every word. Maybe I could get used to doing that...maybe not. I would feel more comfortable in front of 5000 people than 1 camera lens.

What could have been highway-induced boredom, turned into a great silence where I heard the still small Voice reminding me of priceless truth I needed to hear...like this: grace means I belong to God. After all my talking today about how grace changes lives, I needed to hear again, that grace has changed mine.

The Gospel was good news for me today. To the generous friend who made today happen, many thanks for your commitment to make the name of Jesus famous in all you do.

the next few.

We're here. The annual season of slightly slowing down to be with friends and family, and more importantly remember that heaven invaded earth some 2000 years ago. Really, that is pretty amazing. And, really, that is the understatement of all time. 

Nonetheless, I find myself with not much to say. April thinks its normal. I think I need some time to think, about that being normal, and really what life looks like between now and moving to Hong Kong. I know the basics, preparing a team, raising needed funds, and being a father and a husband. But, as my wife has kindly reminded me, I am entering into a new season, one where I do not have / nor cannot enjoy a weekly speaking engagement. Interesting. No doubt, the time spent preparing for encounter, and the life-changing moments that have added up to 7 years is hard to put into words.

Yes, for sure, I already miss it. Seeing Jake, Paul, and Dave playing tonight with Martha's Trouble was great. But, really, if I'm honest. I miss those guys. I miss the ridiculously late nights in the AUMC parking lot, watching Paul climb the light poles, dreaming about the future, like church planting in Auburn. What?!?! -- We came closer to that than many people may think. I think to be able to look back and see all that God has done, and all that God in His mercy and wisdom, has NOT allowed to happen, is really encouraging. 

The bottom line: Life is changing for me personally. I'm not really sure anyone could have prepped me for this little season. There is a certain undefined emptiness in my heart. But even as I write this, my eyes are burning because I haven't taken my contacts out, and its really late, and I am really thankful for that bit of emptiness, because it is pushing me towards Him. The vision He's placed in me, to see HK students united in Him, is certainly worth a season of not knowing much, for His namesake. 

Jesus? Unchanging. Eternal.

Marriage? Stable. She is the best. Ever. 

Parenthood? Steady as we go. I love these little people.

Family? Supporting and great. So thankful.

Friendship? Yep. Still there.

Me? In process. 

So, my simple prayer during these next few weeks is to be intentional with the God who knows me and cares for me, more than anyone else. It is only from the fullness of relationship I have with Him, that anything else looking like love and peace can flow. I'm trusting Him for that. 

grace for glory.

It is surreal to think encounter will be ending in a few weeks. For about 7 years, my weeks have revolved around thursday nights. The community known as grace campus, has been meeting on thursdays nights around 8:30 since 2002. The journey has been amazing. What began as the worship overflow of several small groups is now approaching a significant turning point in its history.

I can remember the first night at encounter. We met in Langdon Hall on Auburn's campus. Around 60 people were there. I remember being scared and nervous. I remember the message I spoke on about grace. I remember breathing deeply and diving in to what would be some of the most amazing memories of my life so far. I remember setting up for that night, how much trash was in the room, and how the group of us there didn't care, we just wanted encounter to be as good as it could be. Serving together towards a goal greater than ourselves was enough to keep us focused on Him. 

Turns out, things like production, excellence, planning, etc -- aren't prerequisite for God to move. It was rough in many ways -- but the heart of it all shined through. In simple terms, we wanted to invite people to worship God for who He is and what He has done on behalf for those who believe. 

Grace for glory.

The journey from Langdon Hall, to the Auburn University Chapel, to the AUMC Youth Room, to the AUMC Epworth Center, to the AUMC Sanctuary, to Lakeview Baptist, and finally back on campus in the Auburn University Student Center is one I will carry in my heart forever. In so many ways, I see these years as a gift, for me to experience God in ways I never could have imagined. 

To think about how many lives have walked through the doors, each one with the potential to change the world in the name of Jesus, to think about how many holy moments have occurred that no one will ever know about, to think about those who have listened in via podcasts, to wonder how many prayers of confession and adoration have been expressed, how many anthems and hymns of praise have been raised to our Father, to think about the people in countries around the world who are different because someone from the grace campus community touched their lives, these priceless memories live on in the unending story of God.

I want to thank everyone who has been a part of the journey so far, for those who have given financially, prayed faithfully, served selflessly, participated consistently, volunteered tirelessly, and for those of you found a community here at Auburn in grace campus, thank you. 

As I prepare for one of the most unpredicted messages in my life thursday night, I am filled with joy at the thought of being able to look back, and really see what God has done. The greatest part of it, is that we can't even calculate what God has been orchestrating through this little community of faith in Auburn. To think He would call some of us, to leave here, and go to Hong Kong, and serve there? Wow. To think that many more will remain here, and in time, leave Auburn for wherever is next, I pray each of you will give your lives for the namesake of Jesus, saying yes to Him... wherever that leads. 

Say yes. 

perfect peace

坚 心 倚 赖 你 的 ， 你 必 保 守 他 十 分 平 安 ， 因 为 他 倚 靠 你 。

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isa 26:3

While I try to blog every day, there are days where that doesn't happen. So much has been happening in these days. After sharing the news of our transition to Hong Kong on Thursday at encounter, we spent the weekend in Montgomery with our family, spoke at Christchurch on Sunday, then went to another fall festival that afternoon, and then our week gets flipped backwards with encounter beginning on mondays for the next three weeks. Life is moving pretty fast. 

One thing I continue to experience is the promise and provision of peace - the kind of "shalom" peace (or as they used to say/mean the wholeness of God) when I stay my mind on Him. It's not to say there's not stress, or drama, or low moments -- but it is totally true that in those moments when I am aware of human frailty -- that perfect peace is my reality as I choose to trust in Him. 

By the way, Josh, our oldest son, has begun to ask me lately about "his" bible, and if i will tell him more stories about Jesus. Last week, he said he wanted to go "where you preach daddy". I am humbled by these words of his, and more than anything hope to point him towards Jesus. My desire to be the perfect father gains sobriety fairly often when he sees / I see how imperfect I am . April and I saw an old friend at a wedding this weekend, and she remarked  "Being a parent so reminds me of my sin and need for a Savior. I am in counseling because of it. I feel at though I am making no progress in my faith" --- Now that's honesty for you. She's right about the reminder. My point in saying this, is that imperfect people can and do know perfect peace - as we stay our minds on Him.

Yes. It is true.

Yes. We are moving to Hong Kong next summer.
Yes. Encounter will be ending at the end of this semester. 
Yes. We still love you and still love Auburn.

After praying about this for more than a year, April and I sense a clear calling to move our family to Hong Kong, China. As we have processed this enormous idea, we have rested in the fact that God would make every step clear for us. In short, He has. The clearest confirmation of this decision is our unity; we are believing God together on this.

After sharing this burden and our vision for ministry to university students in Hong Kong with the Grace Campus board of directors, our pastors, family, and staff team, we have made the decision to re-plant our family in Hong Kong. With the approval of our board of directors, we will be establishing Grace Campus Hong Kong in the summer of 2009.

I can tell you that Hong Kong is uniquely positioned as a gateway city to mainland China. In Hong Kong, more than 100,000 university students across multiple campuses in HK live and study; about 20% of those students are from mainland China. Less than 5% of the 7.3 million people living in Hong Kong professs faith in Jesus.

For the most part, collegiate ministry is overlooked by the local Church in HK, but we believe this is one of the most strategic times to influence men and women as they determine their values and future direction. With great joy, we want to serve the Church by influencing the next generation to know and love Jesus Christ.

Imagine Auburn's campus if all the great churches and campus ministries were gone ... it would be a different place. Here in Auburn, you can choose from multiple meetings, worship gatherings, bible studies, community groups, and churches. There? Not much. In fact, very, very little is happening on the collegiate ministry scene in Hong Kong. Literally, people are hungry to know Jesus and not many people are there sharing the story of Grace. How can this be?

On November 20th, we will share the story at encounter of how God has worked in our lives, and our process as a family of walking into this next season of life together. We would love for you to be there!

H to the K so far.

So far, this has been an incredible week, no wait... two days. Yes, we did fly into time from Friday dawn to Saturday night around the world. Sunday, we woke up and went to Island ECC. It's funny how you can be 8000+ miles from home and feel at home among other believers. We met our Auburn alum friend, Chase, where from there we went to R66 on top of the Hopewell Center to overlook the cityscape during high tea/lunch. More than anything, this was a good conversation. After lunch, we met up with Ocean and Maxine, two of our HK friends. We went to the afternoon service at The Vine, and after that we went out for Korean food in Times Square (picture above). 

Yesterday, we toured a school in Sha Tin and then met up with our new friends Alan and Maik over lunch, where we shared thoughts on collegiate ministry. Imagine a world city, like HK, with multiple universities: City University of HK, Chinese University of HK, HKBU, Hong Kong University, HK Polytech, Shue Yan University (to name the bigger ones and there are more). The Church is alive and well (small as it may be), yet there is an openly admitted gap when it comes to focused, intentional ministry to young adults. 18-35 year olds seem to be everywhere.  More on this later. For now, I can say after this lunch, we found ourselves in Kowloon Tsai park (where two summers ago I took Josh and Caleb swimming many nights). Scott, John, Jason, Robert, Mary Reading, Hannah, Katie and I pulled two benches together and we talked and prayed. Good stuff. A holy moment. 

Last night we went to Mong Kok / Langham Place to take in another scene of people / markets / smells / sights. 

Next post? Top ten lists.