It is almost one in the morning over here, and we have had a long, and very awesome day. I am worn out, but I wanted to leave this trip with one last ¨deep thought". I read a blog before I came on this trip with a similar message that I am about to give, I have heard it preached before, and I have read books with the same message. Now I am adding my opnion to it...
For those of you (and I am including myself in this blog for sure, I promise you) who ask the Big questions. Who Am I? What Am I Doing Here? To those of you who sit on I-285 in rush hour traffic, day after day and moan and complain. To those of you who work to get promoted, earn the promotion, and then feel not as fullfilled as they thought they would when they were imagining the promotion. To those of you who are in a job they do not like and do not know where they should go. To those of you who are getting close to retirement, and to those who are just getting their resume in order. To those of you who have just screamed at God and yelled, "What do you want me to do! I am not happy here, doing this. What is it that I am supposed to do!?"
In the blog I read, the author described it this way...imagine God as a General of an Army, and he is giving his command to all of his troops. He gives one mission for everyone to accomplish. He spells it out clearly, giving is objective and his promise. If God spoke to you and told you, "Your Purpose for your life", would you follow his command?
Matthew 28:18-20. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
He said simply, "Go". He did not say, "not to if you were to old", Bob Cox, on our mission trip is 76, and he would have worn out, did wear out, people 40 years younger than him on this trip this week. He did not say, "not to if you were to young". Our leader, Betsy, is 26, and she could give many men twice her age a class on leadership. Jesus did not say only go if you were rich or poor, healthly or sick. He said "Go".
For those of you who say, "Well, I would go, but I need some sort of sign, or plan, or to be told what I´ll be doing first, then I´ll go".
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
And lastly, I will loosely quote from memory, a movie line (its a guy thing) from the movie Braveheart, by the main character, William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson. " Many years from now, when you are lying in your bed, will you be happy for where you are, or will you wish for one chance, one chance, to come back here, to this day! And to Fight for your Freedom!" (again, that was loosely quoted, but you get the idea?)
Translation to what I am talking about... many years (who knows but God how long you have?) from now when you are lying on your death bed, will you be content with your life and what you have done. Or would you wish for one chance, one chance, that you were able to go back. To suck up the courage, push away the fear. Silence the "yeah, I would like to do that, but..." and to do what you have, not been given the option to do, but the command to do with your life.
He said simply... "Go".
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Final Meeting in Spain by Jim Filmore
Today was the culmination of an absolutely incredibible week and an amazing experience. By now, you have read the background on our trip and we have shared many experiences. It is difficult to put into words the impact this week has had upon my life and the friendships that have been forged in such a short time. We traveled thousands of miles to meet a group of people in a different culture who speak a different lanaguage and yet a common thread binds us together. Everybody that I met had a heart for God that was manifested in their openness, friendship, and generosity to others. While we came here to help this community, I feel that they have given us so much more in return.
We finished our meetings tonight by revealing our "Secreto Amigo". This was a system that was set up by Carolyn and Cara to help encourage our team. When we revealed our secret amigo, each of us described what we appreciate about that person and how they impacted us on this trip. We could have stayed up for hours as there was no lack of positive attributes to describe everyone in the room. Of course, we recognized that anything we accomplished was the result of God working through us and was not a result of our own power. If we took a moment to think of those in Spain that impacted our lives, we could also easily assemble pages of thoughts. Isma and Eva were an amazing blessing throughout our week. They re-arranged their schedule and cleared their calendar to drive us from our hotel to the church numerous times. They did so while maintaining a positive outlook. Isma made me laugh so many times with his witty humor that I often forgot that English is not his primary language. Tomas and his wife Pure are parential figures in the church. While Tomas spoke almost no English, it is amazing how I felt his warmth and fatherly presence simply when he laid his hand on my shoulder during our first meeting at dinner Tuesday night. Alvero and his wife Raquel amazed me with their ability to be such loving parents while juggling their commitment to their church. Alvero is such an incredible modest guy and yet is so gifted. A few days ago, he said that he didn´t really play the guitar and yet an hour later he was effortlessly strumming away to a new song. He also didn´t mention that he sung or played the piano and yet he lead morning worship with an incredible voice and a presence behind the piano. I could go on an on about the people with whom we met. However, the bottom line is that we realized that this trip was not about some new paint or decorations that we made to a building. This trip was about God´s kingdom and His church. As Scott stated so eloquently this weekend, a church is not a physical building. If North Point Church burnt down, then the true "church" would continue as small groups would still meet. We experienced this fellowship today during our BBQ. No color of paint on the walls nor any decorations in the hallway could create such fellowship. God working on us...in us...and through us...creates such fellowship and it was amazing.
Thanks to everyone who supported us on this trip. Thanks to those who supppored us financially and spiritually. Your letters and words of encouragement were invaluable during our journey. I pray that what we did here this week has a positive impact on his community in Spain. I know that it had a positive impact on my life and I will forever be changed as a result of this experience.
- Jim Filmore
We finished our meetings tonight by revealing our "Secreto Amigo". This was a system that was set up by Carolyn and Cara to help encourage our team. When we revealed our secret amigo, each of us described what we appreciate about that person and how they impacted us on this trip. We could have stayed up for hours as there was no lack of positive attributes to describe everyone in the room. Of course, we recognized that anything we accomplished was the result of God working through us and was not a result of our own power. If we took a moment to think of those in Spain that impacted our lives, we could also easily assemble pages of thoughts. Isma and Eva were an amazing blessing throughout our week. They re-arranged their schedule and cleared their calendar to drive us from our hotel to the church numerous times. They did so while maintaining a positive outlook. Isma made me laugh so many times with his witty humor that I often forgot that English is not his primary language. Tomas and his wife Pure are parential figures in the church. While Tomas spoke almost no English, it is amazing how I felt his warmth and fatherly presence simply when he laid his hand on my shoulder during our first meeting at dinner Tuesday night. Alvero and his wife Raquel amazed me with their ability to be such loving parents while juggling their commitment to their church. Alvero is such an incredible modest guy and yet is so gifted. A few days ago, he said that he didn´t really play the guitar and yet an hour later he was effortlessly strumming away to a new song. He also didn´t mention that he sung or played the piano and yet he lead morning worship with an incredible voice and a presence behind the piano. I could go on an on about the people with whom we met. However, the bottom line is that we realized that this trip was not about some new paint or decorations that we made to a building. This trip was about God´s kingdom and His church. As Scott stated so eloquently this weekend, a church is not a physical building. If North Point Church burnt down, then the true "church" would continue as small groups would still meet. We experienced this fellowship today during our BBQ. No color of paint on the walls nor any decorations in the hallway could create such fellowship. God working on us...in us...and through us...creates such fellowship and it was amazing.
Thanks to everyone who supported us on this trip. Thanks to those who supppored us financially and spiritually. Your letters and words of encouragement were invaluable during our journey. I pray that what we did here this week has a positive impact on his community in Spain. I know that it had a positive impact on my life and I will forever be changed as a result of this experience.
- Jim Filmore
Thoughts from BOB
Our mission here has been completed. We have felt the Lord's leading during the entire week. Today, Sunday, July 8th the Christians honored us with a cookout in one of the local parks. WOW! What a great day of celebration. It is 10:35 in the envening and we're about to have our last team meeting while here in Spain. Pray for our safe trip back to Atlanta.
Love in Christ
Bob Cox
See you tomorrow honey.
Love in Christ
Bob Cox
See you tomorrow honey.
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