UFC ministry

So...UFC ministry...what do ya think?
  Never thought that this would become a ministry or even mission field if you will. After heading out with a few guys that I recently met I discovered that hanging out at a sports bar, eating nachos, watching UFC with some guys I barely met was a fantastic way to connect with them, and it was a blast. Now I recognize that some may think Christians shouldn't be in a sports bar, and the truth is if a person struggles with alcohol and its a stumbling block for them then they shouldn't be in that environment. However, to be perfectly honost I don't really struggle with alcohol.
I believe that we Christians sometimes forget about the Jesus we worship. Allow me to articulate. We come to Jesus and we completely seperate ourself from the world around us. I notice this in my own life, the longer I was a Christian the less I hung out with non-Christians. However, when I read scripture I see Jesus crossing "acceptable religious" lines into the culture and world in which he loved. In fact he hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes so much he earned the nickname "friend of sinners." Truth is I have been honored that some of the men of Vancouver have allowed me into their lives. I believe that the Lord has a great heart for the city, and when I say that I don't just mean the beauty, buildings or landscape, I mean the individuals that live therein.
One of the major dangers that has plagued the North American Church is that we put too much of a high priority--I'd even go so far as say idolatry--on safety, security, comfort and convenience. Instead of earning the right to share Jesus with a person we figure we'd just bring them to church instead of bringing the church to them as we live lives that reflect the heart of Jesus.
So I anticipate enjoying some UFC with some guys that enjoy some action and adventure, and have my eyes and heart open to look for opportunities to share how the most exciting and exhilarating life one could have is by following the King of kings and being on mission with Him.
Pray for me...pray for motivation and boldness. Vancouver is one of the most expensive places to live on this planet. However in the busyness of life the number one problem in Vancouver is loneliness. Which is very interesting because you are constantly around people, but when the days are dark and raining, and you are isolated...loneliness comes upon you very quickly, my wife and I understand this first hand. Thank you for taking the time to read this, we certainly care about you very much.
Cec

At what cost?

What are you willing to sacrifice?  For the honor of the King?

What am I?

When I have a question in my heart, the Lord is faithful to answer that question during times I'm quiet with Him, and listen. 
My ears hear a voice behind them saying 'This is the way, walk in it'.  (Isaiah 30:21).
Today I sought his presence with a burden weighing heavy on my heart.  And like EVERY TIME...  he didn't answer 'yes' or 'no'.

 But he DID answer my heart by saying I need to come to him continually.... praying.... asking.... without wearying... day and night.

And then he will answer quickly. 
(Luke 18:1-8).

He usually answers like this.  Not a "this is the answer" but rather.......a prelude to an answer.  A preliminary action. 

Honestly though...........  this answer scared me.
 Because  asking/praying/continually/day and night/without wearying......... comes with a cost.  ANOTHER sacrifice.  And I asked myself silently.....  how many MORE sacrifices Lord?

 Man.... he really knows how to expose the heart of an issue. 

An infection, if left untreated, will kill the whole body.  Cleaning the wound is not pretty.  I've seen 'Gone with the Wind'.  Ridding a body of infection comes with a price. 

Seems like the Lord heard my prayer, and answered it by saying.....  'Yes, my daughter.  I hear you, and I will answer speedily.  But THIS is what needs to happen before that.  Are you willing to sacrifice your prized possession to get it? 

And as I write this right now....... I realize something detrimental....

I thought I was asking a different question entirely... and he answers me with another question.....

Just like Jesus always did.

 He's asking me to give up an idol. 

Lord, I feel scared to start this journey in giving up this idol.  I've started so many times before.... and not been victorious.  I'm scared that if I start, I'll fail. 

But your word to my heart is CLEAR.  I know I must sacrifice my idol in order to hear from you pertaining to this other question. 

Help me, Jesus. YOU be the VICTOR I can't be. 

So, I'll do what he asks.  I'll fight this, for the Honor of the King.  But it won't be easy.
And tomorrow morning, I'll come to him and ask again..... continually... day and night.... and not grow weary.

I CAN'T WAIT to hear the answer next time I ask!  I'll let you know what is said to my heart.
Affectionately-Tracy

But Joy Comes in the Morning???

So....  for several weeks .......... I had been having a sort of HARD transition here.

A lot of changes.  And for me (Tracy), I had been feeling like each day was filled with plenty unknown and unfamiliar things/events... but very little joy. 

In retrospect, I can see that this time has been part of greater santification in my personal experience of discipleship.  And maybe stronger people can have better attitidudes, or greater joy in the midst of hard times, but I'm still in the process of learning how to do that, with little experience.  At this point in life.... when the pressure is on, and things start getting hard.....  I tend to squirm, squeal, and writhe, cry and freak-out....etc.

I needed to change Judah's diaper the other day and he REALLY didn't want me to.  As soon as I picked him up and told him I was going to change him........ oh man... he was pissed!!!  He was arching his back and screaming and flailing his arms!   And when I finally put him down on the bed to change him....  he started kicking.  He was kicking me like a RABBIT!  And screaming.... and crying....  He really didn't want it. 
The diaper change was interrupting his fun.  It was inconvenient for him.  He didn't know it was necessary.

 It was during this experience that I saw a parallel between Judah's behavior, and my own. 

Seems like without meaning....  when I got here and experienced a more difficult sort of life....... I started thinking, "I don't know if you are thinking about me, Lord. Don't know if there is peace for me here.   I don' t know if I'll have a future here, or have hope.  I don't know if you will hear me when I call you.  I don't know if I'll find you, when I seek you."

The main theme, however, that I've been able to decipher out of  all this is that He wants to EXPOSE the various things that I count on... to make me happy.  Things I didn't even know about.  Without meaning, seems like I.... and maybe you..... go about our day..... collecting things (little gems) to put into our little pouches that we carry with us... hoping to fulfill our insatiable longing and bring us joy and happiness each day, by their presence.  For me, I didn't know I had such a pouch.....or collected such gems.... until the gems I depended on....................... were pretty much non-existant here. 

 Bright Colors.  Sun.  Warmth.  Fun.  Extra Money.  Ease of Transportation.  Friends.  Babysitters.  Family.  Connections with Moms.  Delicious Food.  Nice stuff.  Predictability.  Established Ministry.  Etc...

Seems like now.........  what he is proposing......is that maybe, just maybe..... I could just stop STRIVING and GRASPING at these things..... or ANYTHING to make me happy or joyous.  And that somehow.........  I could take enough time out from my distress to just sit and WAIT.  But wait for WHAT? 
Seems like he wants me to wait for HIM to bring me joy in someother way.  Seek first the kingdom???  But whats the kingdom?  Seems like its in the end...... but also NOW somehow. 

As for now......  I feel joy.
 Not a sleeping peacefully in the place I belong-joy.  But a waiting with my bags packed sort of joy.  Sitting.  Waiting.  Hopeful. 
I guess in the deepest part.  I really DO know that he thinks about me and has plans for me.  He has peace and hope for me.  And I really DO know he'll hear when I call out. 
So now, I'll just wait.  And I'll enjoy the happy moments.  And I'll make myself more childlike.... because being so serious wasn't really working for me anyway.
 Maybe I can just be grateful for things I didn't notice before.  Maybe I can have joy too.  But different joy.  Better joy. 
-Tracy

Barbershop...

 

So this morning I was planning on getting up, making the kids breakfast, cutting Solas' hair real quick, then Tracy and I heading to the gym... things didn't work out exactly the way I anticipated. So as I was cutting Solas' hair our clippers broke...and he had some patches of hair missing on the front of his head...don't tell him I said this but it kind looked like leprosy...so we decided to walk down the street to the local barber shop. Feeling embarrassed and frustrated at myself, Solas and I make our way in and take our seat. Before too long a young guy comes in and takes a seat next to me, I start having a conversation with him--we'll call him Jeremy--and turns out we have a few things in common...UFC to be exact. After talking about a number of things we engage the guy next to him...who happens to be a huge UFC fan and is a black belt in Karate as well. After some good talks I end up getting Jeremy's contact info and the other young man. It was such a huge encouragement...as I was walking home with Solas I felt so privileged to meet these guys...Jesus has a heart for these men and so should I. ~Cec

Highs and Lows and Johnny....

So Tracy and I have been here for a little over 3 weeks. There certainly have been highs and lows.

 The highs have been that we have been having an amazing time getting to know the city, our community, and people in the city. The new sites, Solas' new classes, the gym membership, having conversations with people in the park and as we live our life.
 The lows have been the long days without friends or family around, the lack of motivation and energy, lack of patience with the kids, the dark clouds and days of rain without a ray of sunshine, the feeling of being ineffective, and Tracy's poor health.
However, Jesus is so good to give us exactly what we need when we need it. I have been able to be comfortable in my own skin and have been reminded that my identity is not found in my activity, nor is my worth in whether or not I have friends in close proximity, or in people who reach out to me- these may explain me but they do not define me.
  I have been embracing-to a fresh new level-that my identity is in the living God...in Jesus Christ. In Him I find my comfort, in Him I find my peace and my Sabbath rest, in Him I find my confidence and my true identity...in Christ.
This realization of my identity in Jesus has been revolutionary to my outlook in life. I am no longer someone who is lacking, or found wanting. Lacking in the areas of friends, community or even activity. I am fullfilled with life, and life abundantly, life with Christ. I have something to offer those with whom I come into contact...I can offer the peace, compassion and hope that Jesus offers me, in this I find great excitement.
Just this morning my wife and I went to join our new Canadian accounts, the financial officer has become of friend of ours, his name is Johnny. I have talked to Johnny about Jesus, and even gave him a Bible the second time I met with him. He has an affection for the Lord but has admitted he needs guidance, he actually told Tracy and I he feels as if the Lord has placed us in his life to give him advice, guidance, and encourage him in his relationship with the Lord. Today as se met with him he asked if I would meet with him after he got off work...he mentioned that he has some big life decisions ahead of him...and he said he's desperate for some advice and counsel.
I will be meeting up with him tonight at 5:15. Please pray that the Lord would use me in a powerful way for His glory. I know whenever I speak my words can only get to the persons ears, its the Lord who gets to their heart. I want the Lord to touch the heart of Johnny.
Cecil

Life in the COUV

So we've been here for over a week now, and to be perfectly honest the first week was very difficult. We have never lived in a big city before now. Walking a few blocks to the nearest Main Street was an eye opener. Tracy and I were not used to so many people on the street and all the little shops, with groceries stores selling their produce on every corner was...well it was just like the movies. I actually went to a laundry mat where we dropped of my pants for alterations, and had some spare keys made, all at the same place...we certainly aren't in Kansas any more. We have had some amazing interactions thus far. Tracy has been meeting a number of women at the park, and I was able to connect with the financial officer at the bank, as we were opening up an account, and I actually had the chance to tell him about Jesus and I gave him a Bible, he was so thankful. A few days later we had a young man come over to hook up our Internet and we had some great conversations, next thing you know we're setting up a time to have coffee. The Lord is amazing! As a matter of fact, Tracy and I were getting groceries and we were making small talk with a young family who have two kids and they want to connect again with us! Please continue to pray that we would allow the Holy Spirit to guide us as we follow up and as we reach out to our community. Thank you. ~Cecil

 

Excited and Sad

We're headed out the door tomorrow bright and early.  Happy for this next season.  Sad to say goodbye to our friends and family. 
We'll keep you posted on our roadtrip.  First night in Redding, Ca, next in Portland, Or, then in our home in Vancouver, Bc.
talk to you soon,
Tracy and Cecil (&boys)