24 hours of driving. A 30 foot trailer packed solid. Pulled by a truck with a full bed. Was it worth the time and money? Hear the stories of the women it will help...
Claudia is likely the next woman to graduate from Deborah's House. She is particularly frightened because she has only a third grade education, and wonders if she will be able to support herself and children. Yet she knows that her future is brighter than her past. She is one of many women who has found refuge from an abusive husband.
Margarita sobbed as she told her story. She used to be beaten by her husband publicly, right in front of people - why didn't somebody step in? Deborah's House welcomed her, and gave her a safe place to recover and discover who she could be in God's eyes and with God's strength. She is now on her own, supporting herself and children, thanks to the ministry of Deborah's House.
A different Margarita told her tragic story. She was ready to escape from her abusive husband (who dabbled in other illegal activities like carrying a gun). She went to the school to get her children. The Child Protective Services did very little research, never talked to her children apart from their parents, and made the children decide - in front of their parents - which parent they would live with after the short meeting. Margarita is uncertain when she will see her daughter again, but is grateful that she at least has her son with her. We pray that her daughter is safe.
Marisella has experienced such new hope that she is open to marrying again, should the right person come along. Think about that. A woman who has experienced such violations of trust is open to trusting again. She is nearly ready to launch back into regular society to raise her children and create a new life.
For Melinda, however, such an outlook will take awhile. She vigorously shook her head "No!" when asked if marriage sounded appealing for her future. She is young - in her early twenties - and is focused entirely on raising her three year old son as best she can.
In the US, we at least have laws in place to protect women from abusive men - they get locked up. In Tijuana, if the injuries heal in two weeks or less, the most the abuser will get is 36 hours. Just enough to tick him off even more.
Domestic violence is terrible anywhere. But it's worse when the law appears to be more on the side of the abuser than the victim. Deborah's House is more than a safe place. It is a sanctuary where women can let their guard down and be restored by God. Healing happens there way beyond the physical.
Your contributions are a part of that healing. Thanks for you help.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Tour Guide
I am aware of the power of a name. My first, middle and last name communicate something to me - my heritage. My first name comes from my grandfather, Pieter Smit, an immigrant from Holland. My middle name comes from my father (Robert). My last name is an edited version of the original Schaa - a Lower Dutch/German form of Shaw. My name carries meaning for me.
When the disciple received his new name, Peter, from Jesus, you can be sure it carried great meaning for him. A new identity was created. As I mentioned Sunday, one of Peter's roles was to become a leading spiritual tour guide for his time, and for all time.
As a tour guide, Peter pointed out obvious things that others may have missed without his help. Peter was the first to proclaim that Jesus was Christ, the Messiah. We are called to be proponents in the same way, being ready to share what we've seen in Jesus with others, that they may know Him as Christ, too.
As a tour guide, Peter also pointed out unknown things that make a lot of difference. Some of Peter's more infamous moments include challenging Jesus' leadership, and worst of all, denying that he even knew Jesus after he was warned he would. The fact is that we all challenge Jesus' leadership in our lives more than we'd care to admit. And we even deny knowing Jesus with our attitude and behavior throughout our lives. We're not perfect, right? The good news from Peter is that God is always a Redeemer - he held Peter accountable, but he also restored Peter back into his full role. As tour guides, we need to let people know that when they blow it, it's not over - God will forgive, forget, and help us move onward and upward.
As a tour guide, Peter pointed out "bathrooms" - the practical information that helps people live better. When Peter was speaking to the Gentiles at Cornelius' home, he was instructing them about Jesus - stuff they didn't know. When it was obvious that God was blessing their faithful pursuit, Peter baptized them with water - a meaningful, practical symbol reminding us of our graceful covenant with God in Christ. We, as tour guides, are called not simply to have theological insights, but to help people live in the Way of Christ, which will result in the best life possible.
As a tour guide, Peter pointed out options for further adventure. Peter increasingly lived in close communion with the Holy Spirit, which empowered him to walk on water, heal a crippled man, and even restored life to a woman who had died. God's dream is that we become more and more attuned with the Spirit's leading, that we may overcome all that holds us (and the world) back from its potential in Christ. As tour guides, we are called to help people see and embrace this greater adventure.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a tour guide as well. He pointed out obvious racial prejudice that was leading to inhumane treatment of black men, women and children, especially in the South. He pointed out unknown things to whites and blacks alike about the equal value of all people, which requires us to view and treat each other equally. He pointed out "bathrooms" - practical, non-violent ways of bringing about lasting change. And he pointed out options for further adventure - his "Dream" speech will forever ring in our nation's annals of history.
A very practical question for us, in light of our role as tour guides, and the biblical call toward racial equality, is how can we be proactive in our city and culture, to insure that people are not treated unfairly or inhumanely based on their heritage, color, or language?
Illegal immigration is a serious issue facing our nation. How we deal with these immigrants (legal or not) is a different issue. We need to be able to separate the policy from the person when it comes to our city. While the legal issues are debated, we need to be as Jesus to those who are in our midst - helping them become who God has created them to be, regardless of their legal status. Doing so honors the heart of God, and will also have a long-term positive affect on ourselves, Napa, the US, and even the globe.
May you place yourself with those who struggle, because in doing so, you will find yourself where God already is, and be blessed.
When the disciple received his new name, Peter, from Jesus, you can be sure it carried great meaning for him. A new identity was created. As I mentioned Sunday, one of Peter's roles was to become a leading spiritual tour guide for his time, and for all time.
As a tour guide, Peter pointed out obvious things that others may have missed without his help. Peter was the first to proclaim that Jesus was Christ, the Messiah. We are called to be proponents in the same way, being ready to share what we've seen in Jesus with others, that they may know Him as Christ, too.
As a tour guide, Peter also pointed out unknown things that make a lot of difference. Some of Peter's more infamous moments include challenging Jesus' leadership, and worst of all, denying that he even knew Jesus after he was warned he would. The fact is that we all challenge Jesus' leadership in our lives more than we'd care to admit. And we even deny knowing Jesus with our attitude and behavior throughout our lives. We're not perfect, right? The good news from Peter is that God is always a Redeemer - he held Peter accountable, but he also restored Peter back into his full role. As tour guides, we need to let people know that when they blow it, it's not over - God will forgive, forget, and help us move onward and upward.
As a tour guide, Peter pointed out "bathrooms" - the practical information that helps people live better. When Peter was speaking to the Gentiles at Cornelius' home, he was instructing them about Jesus - stuff they didn't know. When it was obvious that God was blessing their faithful pursuit, Peter baptized them with water - a meaningful, practical symbol reminding us of our graceful covenant with God in Christ. We, as tour guides, are called not simply to have theological insights, but to help people live in the Way of Christ, which will result in the best life possible.
As a tour guide, Peter pointed out options for further adventure. Peter increasingly lived in close communion with the Holy Spirit, which empowered him to walk on water, heal a crippled man, and even restored life to a woman who had died. God's dream is that we become more and more attuned with the Spirit's leading, that we may overcome all that holds us (and the world) back from its potential in Christ. As tour guides, we are called to help people see and embrace this greater adventure.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a tour guide as well. He pointed out obvious racial prejudice that was leading to inhumane treatment of black men, women and children, especially in the South. He pointed out unknown things to whites and blacks alike about the equal value of all people, which requires us to view and treat each other equally. He pointed out "bathrooms" - practical, non-violent ways of bringing about lasting change. And he pointed out options for further adventure - his "Dream" speech will forever ring in our nation's annals of history.
A very practical question for us, in light of our role as tour guides, and the biblical call toward racial equality, is how can we be proactive in our city and culture, to insure that people are not treated unfairly or inhumanely based on their heritage, color, or language?
Illegal immigration is a serious issue facing our nation. How we deal with these immigrants (legal or not) is a different issue. We need to be able to separate the policy from the person when it comes to our city. While the legal issues are debated, we need to be as Jesus to those who are in our midst - helping them become who God has created them to be, regardless of their legal status. Doing so honors the heart of God, and will also have a long-term positive affect on ourselves, Napa, the US, and even the globe.
May you place yourself with those who struggle, because in doing so, you will find yourself where God already is, and be blessed.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
New Day: The Coronation Commission
Psychology has done much to help us understand just how much influence our fathers have on how we view ourselves, each other, our own children, and even our world. Have you ever assessed your father's influence on you, for good or bad?
Jesus' father, Joseph, was a great man. The Bible paints a beautiful picture of this guy in Matthew's first few chapters. He chose to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in the face of what was certainly an enormous volume of "advisors" when faced with the difficult decision to keep Mary as his wife. This decision meant he would heavily influence Jesus' perspective on life and the world. His influence helped Jesus navigate his course of life. Conversely, Joseph's influence no doubt had a negative influence as well (if it is fair to call such things positive or negative - who is to say?). What Jesus learned from Joseph was embedded in Jesus. For better or worse.
How has your father influenced you, for better or worse? Sometimes we focus on shortcomings, and quickly identify ways we may have been tripped up by our father's influence. This is especially obvious in abuse or neglect situations, where the son or daughter sometimes has self-esteem issues which motivate a world of destructive behavior until checked.
Sometimes we so idolize our father that we become limited, too. Sometimes we associate perfection with our father - he could do no wrong. While this affection is beautiful, it can also serve to limit our perspective. If Dad was the model, is there room for improvement? Do I even look beyond him for the best path to follow? With all of Joseph's righteous qualities, he was still a man, and Jesus had to make a decision, as a man, as to whether or not a new identification was appropriate...
When Jesus was baptized, it was a monumental moment for him. It was the official start of his adult ministry. Most importantly, though, it was a day when Jesus experienced from God, simultaneously, coronation and commission. He experienced the voice of God telling him, You are my son, in whom I am well pleased. Whatever level he was before, he now identified himself much more fully as God's son. And no matter at what level he felt commissioned by God before, his experience with the Holy Spirit coming onto him must have exponentially increased his sense of purpose and empowerment.
Have you opened yourself to your coronation and commission? Have you allowed yourself to be lifted to a new level of being by identifying yourself, first and foremost, as a child of the Father? Have you owned up to the reality that we live in the age of grace, the age of the Spirit, and that this Holy Spirit of God is there for the taking, the leading, the strengthening, the healing, the...
May you live more and more informed by your identity as a child of God, even as you process with gratitude your father's influence on your life. Consider yourself "coronated." May you live with more and more empowerment and purpose as you identify yourself as a person called to a great purpose that will transform your life and your world. Consider yourself commissioned. May you truly live because you have discovered your coronation commission.
Jesus' father, Joseph, was a great man. The Bible paints a beautiful picture of this guy in Matthew's first few chapters. He chose to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in the face of what was certainly an enormous volume of "advisors" when faced with the difficult decision to keep Mary as his wife. This decision meant he would heavily influence Jesus' perspective on life and the world. His influence helped Jesus navigate his course of life. Conversely, Joseph's influence no doubt had a negative influence as well (if it is fair to call such things positive or negative - who is to say?). What Jesus learned from Joseph was embedded in Jesus. For better or worse.
How has your father influenced you, for better or worse? Sometimes we focus on shortcomings, and quickly identify ways we may have been tripped up by our father's influence. This is especially obvious in abuse or neglect situations, where the son or daughter sometimes has self-esteem issues which motivate a world of destructive behavior until checked.
Sometimes we so idolize our father that we become limited, too. Sometimes we associate perfection with our father - he could do no wrong. While this affection is beautiful, it can also serve to limit our perspective. If Dad was the model, is there room for improvement? Do I even look beyond him for the best path to follow? With all of Joseph's righteous qualities, he was still a man, and Jesus had to make a decision, as a man, as to whether or not a new identification was appropriate...
When Jesus was baptized, it was a monumental moment for him. It was the official start of his adult ministry. Most importantly, though, it was a day when Jesus experienced from God, simultaneously, coronation and commission. He experienced the voice of God telling him, You are my son, in whom I am well pleased. Whatever level he was before, he now identified himself much more fully as God's son. And no matter at what level he felt commissioned by God before, his experience with the Holy Spirit coming onto him must have exponentially increased his sense of purpose and empowerment.
Have you opened yourself to your coronation and commission? Have you allowed yourself to be lifted to a new level of being by identifying yourself, first and foremost, as a child of the Father? Have you owned up to the reality that we live in the age of grace, the age of the Spirit, and that this Holy Spirit of God is there for the taking, the leading, the strengthening, the healing, the...
May you live more and more informed by your identity as a child of God, even as you process with gratitude your father's influence on your life. Consider yourself "coronated." May you live with more and more empowerment and purpose as you identify yourself as a person called to a great purpose that will transform your life and your world. Consider yourself commissioned. May you truly live because you have discovered your coronation commission.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
The Samaritan Predicament
The fact that this parable of Jesus still packs a serious punch is a testament to what an incredibly relevant story it was (and is).
The gist: a self-righteous guy wanted to look good in front of everybody and also test Jesus on his knowledge of the scriptures, so he basically asks what it takes to live in the Kingdom of God - what's it take to be "saved." This "Bible Expert" asks the question so he could answer it and be impressed with himself (while everyone else rolled their eyes...). He pushed it further when he asked Jesus who is a neighbor worthy of his love (he already missed the point, didn't he?).
The classic story is given, a creation of Jesus about a guy robbed, beaten, stripped and left for dead - no way to know where this guy hails from. The two people we would expect and hope to help don't. And the least likely person to stop and help, does the right thing and becomes the hero of the story.
It appears that Jesus was pulling a politician maneuver when he seemingly avoided the question about who is my neighbor when he asked who was more neighborly. However, a close analysis of the story helps us see that the story is told from the victim's perspective. The reality is that when we are in desperate need, even our enemies become our neighbors.
Sometimes we have to hit the wall so hard that it shakes the bias-colored glasses off our head, at which point we can see all other human beings as brothers and sisters. Neighbors regardless of race, gender, nationality, or religion.
Of course, we learn about what neighborliness looks like from the Samaritan, and at the same time are reminded that God inpsires even those we think might be heretical to do the godly thing.
May you identify with those who are victims in this world and lend a hand. May you see all people as neighbors, letting them be neighborly toward you as much as you are in return. May you call out the potential of your "enemies" so that they may become heros of the stories they find themselves in.
The gist: a self-righteous guy wanted to look good in front of everybody and also test Jesus on his knowledge of the scriptures, so he basically asks what it takes to live in the Kingdom of God - what's it take to be "saved." This "Bible Expert" asks the question so he could answer it and be impressed with himself (while everyone else rolled their eyes...). He pushed it further when he asked Jesus who is a neighbor worthy of his love (he already missed the point, didn't he?).
The classic story is given, a creation of Jesus about a guy robbed, beaten, stripped and left for dead - no way to know where this guy hails from. The two people we would expect and hope to help don't. And the least likely person to stop and help, does the right thing and becomes the hero of the story.
It appears that Jesus was pulling a politician maneuver when he seemingly avoided the question about who is my neighbor when he asked who was more neighborly. However, a close analysis of the story helps us see that the story is told from the victim's perspective. The reality is that when we are in desperate need, even our enemies become our neighbors.
Sometimes we have to hit the wall so hard that it shakes the bias-colored glasses off our head, at which point we can see all other human beings as brothers and sisters. Neighbors regardless of race, gender, nationality, or religion.
Of course, we learn about what neighborliness looks like from the Samaritan, and at the same time are reminded that God inpsires even those we think might be heretical to do the godly thing.
May you identify with those who are victims in this world and lend a hand. May you see all people as neighbors, letting them be neighborly toward you as much as you are in return. May you call out the potential of your "enemies" so that they may become heros of the stories they find themselves in.
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