Carrie Nye

Questions of Change and of Value

Carrie Nye — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:19:45 -0800

I recently attended a reunion dinner with the team members of a short-term mission trip I was apart of this past summer. We traveled to Malawi and you can read more about the reasons for our journey here. A couple of questions were raised at the table among the team that I have continued to noodle on. I thought I might raise the same questions here, give you my thoughts (I have many thoughts on both of these questions. I scaled my responses down quit a bit for the sanity of your eyes) and then ask for yours. So here we go:

A of all...How has life changed since returning from Malawi?

To be honest, my life has not really changed after returning from Malawi. Malawi marked only the 7th short-term trip I have been on so I have little experience and even less wisdom to draw on. Although my life, as in regards to my daily routine, has not changed by my Malawi experiences, I have found myself thinking with a new perspective on the economic crisis here at home in the U.S.

I'm thinking about what this "crisis" means for me. I'm wondering how I should respond to this situation. I'm also looking for ways to ensure I am part of the solution and not part of the problem. I've seen the effects of a poor American economy in developing countries before and I definitely witnessed it in Malawi this summer as we filled up gas tanks at over $7.00 a gallon in a region where the average annual salary is $182.00.

Here's another question of mine. How much of the "crisis" is actually a crisis? How much of what is happening on wall street and throughout the international banking world is a needed change in the way things have been operating in America? How much of this will have lasting, devastating effects? A blatant factor in this situation is greed. Greed has provided me the luxuries I enjoy so much as an American. Luxury takes on a different shape in Malawi. Owning a pair of shoes is a luxury. Having a pen or pencil to use is a luxury. I could go and on.

Back to question A. Life is changing. I don't know where I fit yet in the change, but I'm both frightened and excited by the change. I hunger for simplicity and thirst for more through less.

I'm getting married in less than 2 months now and we are thinking through all that we "need" to get started in our new marriage. And so I wonder, what are my needs really and what will our needs be as husband and wife? Where is the balance between meeting our needs and assisting others in their needs during a time like this?

I am clearly still noodling, if you will. I realize that I have raised more questions here and spewed more thoughts than provided answers so I'm eager to hear from you. How has your life changed as a result of venturing out on a short-term mission?

B of all...What is the 'value' of short-term mission?

This is a good question that has been raised by many for quit some time. There are essentially two sides to the coin of thought here. Although short-term mission (most commonly defined as a missionary journey of 0-2 years) as we know it to be today, has only been made possible since the development of the commuter flight industry, it has been in place since the first official, recorded missionary journey's we read about in the book of Acts. On one side, we see the argument for going with the evangelical purpose of spreading the good news to a culture unlike our own. On the other side however, we see the argument that one needs to be rooted in a culture unlike our own in order for lasting relationships to be established and for eternal seeds to not only be planted, but then watered and cared for upon sprouting.

When the word value was used in the question above, what immediately comes to mind? Most likely something tangible or monetary comes to mind first. Among the conversations happening around the dinner table, a common opinion was arising that the money spent on flying a team to a developing country, for only mere weeks, could be better used if the money was directly sent in the people's place. While I understand the thinking behind this idea, I strongly disagree. For value has a greater definition than what can be found in tangible things or money. While there is a practicality to the way of life, there also exists a much greater practically of the investment of people's lives.

The ministry of presence has a much deeper, richer, firmer, more grounded investment than any dollar amount can and ever will provide. When Paul, Barnabas, Luke, Titus, Timothy and many others set out on their missionary journey's, they were received and shown a honorable sense of hospitality. Often times, as short-term missionaries, we are ashamed or embarrassed buy the gracious hand of those who give us so much when they have so little. Yet, this acts of giving and receiving are precisely what we are required to do. When we give sacrificially, eternal investments are made. We receive in humility and with love, eternal investments are made.

When the Kingdom of Heaven came down, everything shifted upside down. The poor became rich, the week became strong, the blind had restored vision, the sick were healed, the untouchable were touched and those who had nothing gave the greatest gifts. There is great value in short-term mission. There are also great cautions to take when traveling abroad with the intent of proclaiming the good news. Be aware of those cautions and work hard to not stumble within them. Be wise in your actions and deeds and make the greatest value of your journey the people you encounter. Allow them to give to you if they offer gifts of food and hospitality. Go as a learner a not a teacher. Go in humility.

You are the value in short-term mission trips and those you encounter are the value. And so now I ask you for your thoughts. What is the value of short-term mission for you?

The Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him.

My 2008 Christmas Peeve

Carrie Nye — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:08:04 -0800

I have a 2008 Christmas season peeve.

Let me start by asking a few questions:

What is the big deal about saying or not saying Merry Christmas? Why is there a battle to be fought over words? Who decides what is and is not appropriate to say? Why have some people self declared themselves as word police?

I worked a part time, seasonal retail job this year and found myself in the middle of a word tug-of-war that I never intended to be in. Out of habit, I often said “Merry Christmas” to customers as they left the store. I was amazed at the number of people who pushed back words at me in a nasty tone with their abrupt “Happy Holidays!” or “Seasons Greetings!”

My intent in saying “Merry Christmas” comes sincerely from a desire to be polite. I say Merry Christmas like I say ‘have a nice day.’ I have never intended to make a stand for something simply through words. If I really wanted to declare myself a believer in Christ and in the miracle of his birth, I wouldn’t do so behind the words “Merry Christmas.”

My opinion is, if someone really is offended by two little words of greeting, then so be it. I’ll put a sincere and loving smile on my face and say something else that is not offensive to that person and I won’t think twice about it. I have never known my Christian job description to command me to say Merry Christmas during the month of December (a month when Jesus wasn’t even born no-less).

A family member told me this weekend that at his church, the Pastor preached about the need to stand up for Christmas by declaring “Merry Christmas” in public and then proceeded to list the stores that have banned the greeting to be said from their employees. He encouraged the congregants to boycott the listed stores. The congregation was even given a list of the stores on their way out! What is that all about?

If declaring the story of Jesus` birth comes down to whether we say Merry Christmas or not, we are in big trouble as Christians. When did it become more important to make a stand over words than over our behavior? Rather than boycotting a store, why not continue to do your needed shopping there and greet, smile and share the love of Christ through your actions? Where is the compassion behind Christmas in creating a boycott list for a ridiculous reason and acting on it?

Newsflash: the birth of Christ happened whether we say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings or whatever words we use. So don’t get hung up this year on what people are saying or not saying. Rather, keep your focus on what you are doing. It is not our job to defend or make a stand for the events of history or the actions of God. It is our job however, to love our neighbor and love the Lord. A lot more can be said through a smile and through kind eyes than through words. If you really want to make a stand for something this Christmas, shop at the stores that have banned their people from saying Merry Christmas and show them some love.

Be joyful, for joy has come to the world!

Congo and Christmas

Carrie Nye — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:10:07 -0800

Since this past August, I have posted several news links and a couple video links regarding the horrific evil that has shown its face in Eastern Congo. If you are unfamiliar with the current events taking place there right now, let me catch you up to speed:

5.4 million since 1998 due to war-related violence, disease and hunger (International Rescue Committee)
At least 40,000 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Congo (World Health Organization)
About 344,000 Congolese refugees in other African countries (UNHCR)
Almost 1.4 million people internally displaced (UNHCR)
Almost 850,000 displaced in North Kivu (UNHRC)

The above statistics reveal some unbelievable numbers. These types of tragedies don’t just happen over night. Congo DRC has a long and brutal history. I recommend checking out King Leopold’s Ghost for more on this. You can also check out a brief timeline of events (here) if you don’t have the time or desire to read through King Leopold’s Ghost.

Understanding Congo’s history can help us make sense of today’s happenings, but it fails to help us know how we should act to ensure a better future for Congo. Congo seems a world away and in many ways it is. Yet, there are practical ways that you and I can help, no matter what country we are in.

Below is a list of suggestions my dear Congolese friends, Camille and Esther, have come up. They reside in Goma and have witnessed the unrest and chaos first hand. Here is what they recommend we do to help.

Per Camille:

I have outlined a number of ideas could be implemented in order to be part of the solution in the crisis currently unfolding in Eastern Congo. I have categorized them in levels.

Level 1. Pray. Please, remember the Congolese people in your prayers. They have endured so much and they did not need this last occurrence in an already harsh situation.

Pray for the leaders—political, administrative, religious—as some struggle to find and implement solutions.
Pray for the displaced people who are once again on the roads without precise destination.
Pray for the families who have lost relatives, belongings, and hope.
Pray for peace, reconciliation, and development of the region.
Pray for humanitarian workers trying to assist the victims of this new incident.
Pray for the church to take a stand and boldly proclaim God’s word of peace, and hope.
Pray that God will change the hearts of those causing the turmoil and convince them to abandon their wicked ways.

Level 2. Educate yourself.

Learn as much as you can on your spare time about D.R.Congo.
Find out what is written about the underlying causes of this war.
Find out how western countries are benefiting from the illegal exploitation of Congo’s mineral resources by rebel groups backed by western friendly governments.
Research what are the multinationals and firms that are directly involved in the trade of mineral resources in DRC and send them a letter/email/ or call them.
Research those companies that are dealing with neighboring countries currently involved in fostering the turmoil in Eastern Congo. For example, we learn that “starbucks” is featuring coffee from Rwanda. This country’s government is heavily involved in this situation. A kind letter to “Starbucks”’ leadership and shareholders highlighting what this government is doing would help cut ties with it or influence its politics. Just an example.
Study venues to get people in your circle of friends interested in D.R.Congo.

Level 3. Write. A lot can be accomplished by putting some thoughts in writing and sending them to the right people.

Send encouraging correspondences to people in this part of the world. I am planning to read some of those correspondences on radio. You could say “a Christian from the US is sending these words to all the pregnant women who have to endure stress and uncertainty…” just an example. It will be a comforting thought for locals to know that there are brothers and sisters who care about their fate.
Write to your congress person. The US still can force the belligerents to stop this nonsense. Check the following link as an example: http://nothoney.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/end-rwandas-support-of-general-laurent-nkunda-in-dr-congo/
Write to mission agencies and encourage them to help assist the victims of this war.
Ask your pastor or church leaders to consider Congo as a mission focus.
Write to your friends who attend churches that are active in Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi. Although not politicians, those churches can appeal to their counterparts in those neighboring countries who are benefiting the crisis in D.R.Congo. The export sheets of some of those countries indicate resources that they do not even possess (in their soil). These churches in the neighboring countries can voice their disapproval to what their government is doing at the expense of those suffering and dying in DRC (5 million and counting).
Send messages and letters to those pastors that are close to government officials in those neighboring countries. A simple question would be “what do you think about the 5 million people that have died in DRC and those that are still dying?” These government officials take their relationships with influential pastors seriously. It makes them look nice to have such friends while carrying on wicked and evil plans in DRC.

In addition to the list above, Ben Afflect and Mick Jagger recently put a film together on the matter. Check out info regarding the film.

Christmas is a week away. It’s the designated time of year we celebrate God with us, Immanuel. It’s the time we belt Joy to the World in our cars while sitting in evening traffic. It’s a season of indulgences from the indulgence of foods and egg nog to the indulgence of gifts and songs and indulgences of community. My hope this Christmas season is for an indulgence of prayer over Eastern Congo.

What’s happening in Eastern Congo has to stop. God is with us and joy has come to the earth. My hope is that as we sing our Christmas carols and as we celebrate this special time of year, not only would the world hear our lyrics, may the world also know our good deeds because of the hope we have in the coming Immanuel.

"There are few places on earth where the gap between humanitarian needs and available resources is as large - or as lethal - as in Congo," said Jan Egeland, when he was U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs.

The Advent Conspiracy Video

Carrie Nye — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:10:31 -0800

I saw this video awhile back and thought it was well done and encouraging. So check it out and let me know what you think.

(Note: if you are the kind of person who can't listen to Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving, then maybe wait to watch until Friday).

A Lesson Learned From Mollie

Carrie Nye — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:38:28 -0700

This Sunday I will be taking a stroll around Angel's Stadium, home of the Anaheim Angels, for the 2008 Orange County Buddy Walk. The Buddy Walk exists to bring support to the local community of those who have Down Syndrome.

Before the walk around the stadium begins, thousands hang out on the field with their friends and families and participate in a number of activities. There will be a baseball game happening in the diamond of kids of all ages with Downs swinging away and running from base to base. Others will be exercising their singing voices at the karaoke stage to a dancing audience. You might find some children getting their pressed on tattoo's or their faces painted with their favorite animal.

I will be there with my ever-so-growing family to support one of our own wth Downs. Miss Mollie was born just over two years ago. Her parents were in their early twenties and were shocked at the news at her birth regarding her situation. In her two years of life so far, I've rarely known Miss Mollie to frown. In fact, 9 out of 10 times (she is still a two year old like any other at times) she has a big grin on her face.

One look at Mollie's smiling face and worries seem to fade. She's a trooper and has blessed my family immeasurably. It's amazing what can be learned from a tiny person like Mollie who the world would consider handicapped. When I feel heavy hearted at the concerns of this world, I feel handicapped in my joylessness that results. I look forward to the Buddy Walk every year because of the sounds of laughter and joy that will fill that stadium this Sunday.

I'm so thankful for my little Miss Mollie!

Ready to Become an Abolitionist?

Carrie Nye — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:00:36 -0700

I recently went to see a local showing of the documentary Call + Response. The film, created and produced by singer/song writer, Justin Dillon, cast a spot light on the worlds darkest 27 million secrets, exposing the world of the enslaved.

Call + Response reveals the raw truths behind the current slave trade situation in action today. There are more slaves today than any other time in human history. In 2007, those behind the world of slavery made more than powerhouse organizations Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.

I learned that not only are there 27 million enslaved today around the globe, a shocking 1 million of them are currently enslaved in the United States. Isn't this the land of the free? How could this have happened and what can I do about it? These are just a couple of the questions that come to mind after watching the film and after some of the research I have done post my viewing of it. Twenty-seven million slaves is a hard reality to face. Yet, what I've found is that there are several ways that I can take action to abolish slavery right now.

For starters, I recommend checking out the film Call + Response. If it's not playing near you, hit up Netflix or Blockbuster for other films such as Trade, staring actor Kevin Kline or Black Gold, a documentary exposing the truth behond the coffee you drink and the farmer who grew it.

On the Call + Response website, you can also check out a list of 33 practical ways you can help abolish the slave trade.

Or, check out Relevant Magazine's latest edition with cover article, Choco Lies? What you're really buying this Christmas May Surprise You!

Another organization that is working tirelessly to end the slave trade is The Salvation Army. They do a great job at listing ways that you can become an abolishionist and advocate for the enslaved in your community.

It's basic things like ensuring that the coffee you buy, the chocolate you eat, the clothes you wear, the cell phone you text and call on, etc. are all made by the hands of the free. Black Friday is creeping up on us quickly and Americans will hit the malls in groves to purchase the perfect gift for their loved one. How great would it be to not only make that perfect purchase, but also do so in a way that ensured the freedom of a life in the country where that product was manufactured.

I urge you this holiday season as you store up gifts, to do the research needed to make certain that gift didn't cost someone their food that day, their limbs, their safety, their freedom, their life. Buy fair trade. If you're not certain a product is fair trade, ask. And if you still don't know, don't buy it. The cost of not knowing, is too great knowing there are 27 million enslaved globally.

The 18th Century had William Wilberforce to abolish slavery. The 21st Century has you!

If you have questions on the specifics of how you can help abolish slavery in your community, let me know. We can do the research together and put a stop to this injustice. Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! Jesus declared to us that he came to give us abundant life. Let's work together this holiday season and lets make 2009 a much less lucrative year for those behind this evil act of slavery in the world.

The Beauty of Culture

Carrie Nye — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:38:51 -0700

In a country such as America, cultures seem to be continually evolving as quickly as New England weather changes in an afternoon. I thought it might be helpful to take a biblical approach to culture and to its implications into our lives. The words below are taken from a seminar on crossing-cultures well that I facilitated in 2005.

Culture defined: It is learned, it is shared, it represents an integration of many smaller anchors of reality or paradigms, and it is constantly changing.

We were created with culture. I think it's important to factor into our scripture reading, the culture of that time period. Afterall, the Bible was revealed to us in history. We should spend as much time studying the culture in the Bible as we do studying our own. The Bible and ourselves are situated in cultural context. For instance, Adam and Eve were placed in a particular culture they share. Simply said, culture is in God's plan.

There are seven rules to culture that I have found very helpful when it comes to living among several cultures that differ from my own or when I travel overseas for a short-term cross-cultural experience.

1. All cultures are rich beyond description, wonderfully adapted to the many contributions under which men and women live.

2. There is no culture that has not been seriously affected by human depravity and sinfulness.

3. Thus, all cultures are manifestations of both the beauty of God's creation as well as the ugliness of the fall.

4. Christianity is fully translatable, i.e., as it spreads into new cultures it has the ability to be re-stated in new cultural forms and adapt to new contexts.

5. The gospel's translatability is both cultural and linguistic (this is referred to as kerygma).

6. Despite differences, God's created all with universal traits and needs. God's word provides a supernatural reference point.

7. We enter cultures as learners as well as transmitters.

If you're anything like me, you can take a global round trip within minutes just walking around your living complex. In my neighborhood, just walking the less than 1 mile to Trader Joe's is a cross-cultural experience. Yesterday morning I woke to hear the tree trimmer in my front lawn singing a lovely Spanish tune. The owner of the Circle K around the corner is from Pakistan. The man who works at the local gas station is from Lebanon. I'm engaged to a West African. I cross that cultural bridge daily.

Understanding cultural differences is often times difficult. I know I've had my share of struggles with it in the traveling I have done into other countries and simply by living in southern California, a continual cultural shifting playground. However, greater than the struggles comes the learnings. Being immersed in other cultures has caused me to slow down, breath for once, not feel guilty taking a nap every once in awhile, to try new foods, to read different genres of books and to not be afraid of cab drivers. Ok that last one was just for fun.

Really, I have learned that God created culture. He created me in this particular culture and others in other particular cultures. He also made a way for the Gospel to transcend into all cultures and all time and will continue to do so long as his people are willing to cross cultures and learn and share and embrace the differences.

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. Acts. 17:26

Some Thoughts on Martyrdom, Part IV

Carrie Nye — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:48:43 -0700

21st Century Martyr's

“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God”(Acts. 14:22b). Paul’s words here recorded by Luke in Acts still ring true today. In fact, more Christians were martyred in the 20^th Centurythan in all previous centuries combined. Just as early church fathers recorded the accounts of martyrdom during their time, there are those faithful to preserve the faith who are actively involved in recording the realities of those persecuted today.These include the books titled Jesus Freaks by recording artists DC Talk. I believe books like this are so important because they record stories of people from all demographics who continue to take up their cross and follow Jesus.

Some of those included in the 20^th Century list of martyrs are Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, Jim Elliot in 1956, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer in 1945. Books like Daughters of Hope by Kay Marshall Strom and Michele Rickett have been written in order to voice the lives of those currently facing tremendous persecution. Douglas C. Hsu gives testimony to missionaries currently serving in some of the most dangerous missionary zones in his book Voices in the Wilderness. In it, Hsu records only 100 stories of those who are right now serving and risking their physical, earthly lives in order to expand the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hearing about the lives of those currently serving on the missionary field can often times be overwhelming and a sense of hopeless can easily set in as one contemplates the actions that should take place after attaining this knowledgeof the current state of martyrdoms. Strom and Rickett suggest 4 ways in which Western Christians today can take part in what is taking place in so many lives across the globe.

1. We should be people of knowledge. It is absolutely vital for Christians to have a universal world-view. There must be a knowledge and an understanding of the world outside of ones own community. This is one of the main reasons why so many Western churches send their youth on short-term missions trips. A broader world-view must be attained in order to carry out the great commission and be active in the universal church. We must be men and women of knowledge.

2. We should be people of the gospel. People of the gospel are people who are willing to share in Christ’s suffering. We cannot push aside the reality of our brothers and sisters who are currently being persecuted for their faith and for ours. I believe the author of Hebrews captures this thought when it was written, “Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheep skins and goat skins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground” (Hebrews 11:36-38). As Christians, we should not be surprised by these words. 2 Timothy 3:12a tells us, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” As people of the gospel we should be living lives that reflect the words stated in Hebrews 13:12-13. “And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.”

3. We should be people of prayer. Paul gives us a beautiful example of the manner in which we should be praying for our brothers and sisters around the world today. “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” We need to be praying because our God listens to us and answers our prayers. When we cry out to the Lord, he not only hears us, he parts the heavens and comes down to hear us and interact with us through prayer. Our God longs for our prayers.

4. We should be people of action. Unfortunately, due to the lifestyle of so many living in the Western world today, it becomes far too easy to remain distant from the struggles and difficulties the church faces daily across the globe. In our comfort, we are blinded to the world outside of our personal communities.As Christians, we absolutely must be on the move, constantly working towards advancing the kingdom of Christ. We should be doing this by organizing prayer groups, sharing stories of our universal Christian family, and by accepting the fact that to die to this world, is to gain.

Many are willing to say, “Teacher, I will follow you where ever you go” (Matt. 8:19b). Fewer are willing to accept that what this means is, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt. 8:20). Jesus willingly gave up all that he had in order that he might obey the will of the Father. He asks us to do the same. Throughout this brief summary in church history of just a few of those who followed Jesus to the cross, we can pinpoint one important commonality between them all. Regardless of the year and regardless of the many circumstances surrounding, the one thing that brings these faithful servants together is their willingness to give themselves completely to Jesus Christ. I believe Jesus sums this up in a way that I cannot and so I conclude this paper with his beautiful words.

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his lifewill lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it’” (Mark8:34-35).

Resources for this blog series:

Bergman, Susan., Martyrs.Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY 1996

Gonzalez, Justo L., TheStory of Christianity. Prince Press.Peabody, Ma. 2004

Hsu C., Douglas., Voices in the Wilderness. Advancing Native Missions. Charlottesville, Va.,2001.

Moreau, A. Scott, Corwin, Gary R., McGee, Gary, B. Introducing World Missions. Baker Academic.Grand Rapids, MI. 2004.

Salisbury, Joyce E., The Blood of Martyrs. Routledge. NY and London, 2004.

Strom, Kay Marshall and Rickett, Michelle., Daughters ofHope. Intervarsity Press. DownersGrove, Illinois. 2003

The Voice of Martyr's

Hoping for Hope

Carrie Nye — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:07:06 -0700

There are a lot of things in this world that scare me. Clowns, blue eye shadow, cats, mattress sales men and people who wear large amounts of leather, to name a few. There is one thing I'm not afraid of. Learning. I've been both blessed and cursed with an unquenchable thirst to learn more than I know now. I'm not talking about the learning of the mind and the gaining of information and knowledge. No, I'm talking about the learning that takes place in the heart. The kind of learning that shapes our motives.

I'm in the process of learning a matter of the heart right now and I've got tell you, I'm incredibly challenged by this one.

I've recently realized something about myself. I realized that I am excellent at hoping for something when I can see a glimpse of it. It can be as small as Phoebe's world tattoo (my fellow Friends fans know what I'm talking about) but as long as I can see it or some evidence of it, I am full of hope. However, when the opposite happens, I am beginning to realize I have issues with hoping.

Maybe it's the season of life I'm in right now or maybe it's the aftermath of recently coming home from Malawi, where I questioned matters of authenticity back home in the US, and maybe it's something I will discover 20 years from now. I don't know. What I do know is I am seriously questioning where my hope comes from and what I hope in.

I've read Romans 8 several times. I've never before been stuck on Romans 8:24-25 like I have been recently. Check this out:

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all (this is where I said "OUCH!"). Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the Greek, Hope is to wait in something with joy and full confidence. This week marks the waiting game I've been the star player of for two years now. I need to admit, I have not be joyful or confident during these past 24 months. I have only recently realized how much I have been wrestling with this idea of hoping in what is not seen. How different would my life be if I really understood hope? What would the past 24 months reflect if I allowed hope in Jesus and all things unseen to be the driving force of my hearts motives? What would my day look like if I woke every morning not hoping in my seen and felt cup of coffee, but rather in the unknown adventure of another day walking next to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

So my learning continues. And for today, as I attempt to find hope in the unseen, I pray this blessing for myself and for all who are picking up what I'm putting down:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit! (Rom. 15:13).

Some helpful resources on matters of hope:

Surprised by Hope, N.T. Wright

Surprised by Joy, C.S. Lewis

Some Thoughts on Martyrdom, Part III

Carrie Nye — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:04:12 -0700

The Reformation

The reformation period is rich in politics, economics, healthcare, social issues, matters of faith, literature, kingdoms and much more.

The reformation marks a pivotal time in church history and serves as a turning point that has had tremendous effect on the universal church even until today. Many lives were put on the line in order to defend their faith. However, one particular individual stands out. In fact, he bore the name “Defender of the Faith.” I am referring to Thomas More.

More was imprisoned for refusing to declare King Henry VIII as head of the church. Although he was a good friend of the King and Chancellor of the kingdom, More could not go along with such a request. While in prison, More’s daughter paid visit trying to convince him to recant, in order to spare his life. She went onto list the names of many respectable people who had previously recanted and More responds to his fearful daughter by saying, “I never intend to pin my conscience to another man’s back.” Similar to Perpetua, More was forced to place Christ and truth before his own family. Christ bled in order that we might become part of his heavenly family and those martyred, bled in order to enter into that family.

More was put to death on July 6, 1536 by the order of the very man he had fought so hard to defend. As he was placed upon the platform before his execution, he requested the audience pray for the king, he recited Psalm 51 and then he said these words, “I am the king’s good servant, but God’s first.” He was then beheaded.

More was just one of the thousands martyred for their faith due to the struggle between protestantism and catholicism. At the same time, thousands were brought to faith in Christ as a result of the martyr's. Actually, the word martyr comes from the Greek word for 'witness.'

Do you think that martyrdom continues to be a witness in the world today? Why or why not?