Feeding the 4000
June 18, 2010
It’s a very familiar story to those in the church. It’s one that is often told in Sunday School and carries more than one implication about who Jesus is and what He is capable of. The story is taught so often that when I hear the phrase “when Jesus fed the 5000″, my mind starts to wander to the things I already know about that story. Jesus used the little that was brought to Him to do great things. He looked on the crowd with compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And even though the disciples doubted, Jesus performed a miracle anyway.
Maybe it’s because I’ve heard the story of the 5000 so often, or maybe it’s because the smaller number makes me think less of it, but I’ve often overlooked the story of Jesus feeding the 4000. The last time I read the story though, something struck me. In Mark’s Gospel, the story of the 4000 comes just two chapters after the 5000 (or one turn of the page in my Bible). 
As Jesus once again has compassion on the crowd and desires to feed them, the disciples respond, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?” Now, I don’t know what length of time has passed between the forty-nine verses of these two stories, but it can’t be more than a few months. Yet, we find the disciples doubting that Jesus can feed even fewer people than before. My first reaction is to shake my head at the unbelief of Christ’s disciples. “You just saw the guy feed 5000 a few months ago! How could you forget something like that?!?”
The truth is that I have done this an immeasurable amount of times. As my wife and I have face difficult and life-changing decisions in the past few months, my first reaction had been to be stressed, doubtful, and depressed about the situation; wondering if God was ever going to come through, answer my prayers and deliver me. During that time of doubt, some friends were flipping through a prayer journal that we have kept as a group for a few years now. As we were reading some of the entries, I realized that Katie and I had been going through something very similar about a year ago. It immediately hit me that God had come through before. He had answered our prayers before. He had delivered us once before, and at that moment, I knew that He would again.
Whatever you’re going through right now, however life is difficult, know that God has before and will again. Remember how Jesus comforted you when you lost a loved one. Remember how He continued to provide when you lost that job or were rejected by another. Remember the times that He fed the 5000 and believe that He will feed the 4000, too.
Indianapolis Mini-Marathon Tips
May 3, 2010
This past Sunday, I ran some parts of the Mini-Marathon course and it brought back a handful of race memories and tips I can share specifically about the Mini-Marathon course. I have thoroughly enjoyed this race the last few years and want you to enjoy it, too.
Be on time to your starting corral. First of all, if you have a decently-seeded starting corral (A-C), you want to start there. The problem is, so does everyone else, even if they didn’t earn it. Show up on time and you won’t have to worry about not fitting into your corral last minute; the gates for front corrals WILL close about 10 minutes before the race starts. Also, you don’t want to be flustered in the minutes leading up to the starting gun. Leave yourself enough time to relax before you start the race.
Be patient at the start.If you start towards the back, it’s going to take several minutes from gun time until you’re actually able to cross the start line. Also, chances are that you’re going to be trying to pass a handful of people at the start who shouldn’t have been starting in front of you. Don’t get frustrated with having to pass, it’s just part of the Mini. If you’re having to pass, there’s nothing wrong with running on the sidewalks, either.
Don’t wear headphones. I’m ok if you disagree with me on this one, but I believe the live music and encouragement offered by 500 Festival volunteers will provide more adrenaline than any Metallica or Black Eyed Peas song in your ears will.
Run in the grass. If the ground is dry inside of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, take the opportunity to give your body somewhat of a break by running on the much softer grass surfaces. I have done this the last few years and enjoyed the change in surface.
The finish line is further than you think. That may not sound encouraging, but it’s true. For some reason, each time I come to the bridge on New York Street crossing the White River, I expect the finish line to be right around the corner. The truth is, there is a little over a mile left to go. (Bonus tip: Stick to the left hand side when you get to the bridge, it provides a steeper decline and a launch to the finish.)
Other than that, the general tips are eat breakfast, don’t drink too much water in the morning, stretch well, drink water or Gatorade at every pit stop, and enjoy the ride.
Going Home – Guatemala Day 7 + 8
April 29, 2010
February 5th, 2010
Yesterday, Thursday, we spent a vast majority of our time building and delivering some chicken coops for families of children connected to the art school. Brock and Carrie, local missionaries who focus on building homes for people in Buena Vista, delivered the materials we needed in the morning. The coops would also become part of a program run by another local missionary named Mark Schmidt who provides coops to families to start microbusinesses. It’s such an awesome idea and is basically giving a free loan to a family to start a business. Building the coops was quite fun as I was able to be involved in the process.
Before we delivered the coops, we went to see the completed bathroom at the art school. We also went to give people an opportunity to purchase some art from Carlos and from the children. We ended up buying quite a fefw paintings not only as individuals but also as a church to take back and sell at one of our first Fridays. The highlight of that part of the day was when Carlos gave his best piece of art as a gift to our church. I shared later in group that night that I believe that if Jesus was an artist, that HIs life would have looked very similar to the life of Carlos. He’s such a giving person who wants to share as much as he can with others, above and beyond money, food, and time.
After leaving the art school, we delivered our first coop to Beverly’s family. Of course, Beverly was ready with gifts for all of the girls. We were able to play with her brothers, Jorge and Jimmy, for a little while as well. Jorge was probably my personal favorite child to play with during the week. That kid loved taking video with my camera. Amy and Mark returned with food we had purchased for the family, and when we were able to present them with it, the mother broke down in tears of thankfulness and joy. It was so great to be able to bless the family as much as we did, not just with food and money, but with our time and our hearts. I told Katie that I hope to some day have a daughter who has the capacity to love that Beverly has.
We delivered our second coop, then headed back to the house for dinner and team time. I felt led to play How He Loves Us and How Great is Our God, which turned out to be from the Lord. Later on, I was reflecting how much I have been focusing on my own worship and forgetting how much God truly loves me. Dave shared how we have to live as though we are still on mission when we return home. We have to see the people of Indianapolis as though they are lost and dead. I had been reflecting earlier in the week, especially in Antigua, about how DL Moody had those kind of eyes. He saw those around him as more than just people, but as lost and dying souls.
During group time we were asked to share what even and person impacted us the most. The biggest “event” for me was how encouraging everyone was to me in regards to leading worship music. That was truly a blessing to me and something that God obviously blessed my obedience in. Other than Carlos, I said the person that blessed me the most was Dave Wilkinson. I loved getting to know hoim and he was so encouraging to me. I appreciate how seemingly “normal” his life is, but how much his heart and mind are given to the Lord.
We left this morning after watching a video of our pictures that Brock put together. I will absolutely miss the community that I experienced this week. More so, I am excited to continue on the journey that God has set before my wife and I in Indianapolis. I am at present extremely anxious to learn where God is leading in regards to international missions. But today and tomorrow, I will attempt to seize the moments that God puts in front of me.
