Hidden until it is time for McFarland

After almost a full week of being snowed in at our friends home (while we house sit for them) our family ventured out to school, dinner and a Friday night movie. Barry had selected the movie saying it would be a good one for our family. So, I naively followed his lead.  

Standing under the display of movie choices my heart broke at the choices we were presented with. My thoughts and heart went to prayer thinking about the many men and women who walk naively (or purposefully) into the movie theaters and have their minds filled with images and words that are contradictory to the heart of God. 

I had no idea how the Lord was going to this movie experience to change my perspective.

We entered our empty theater, found our seats and began watching people file into the theater.  Barry shared with me several ministry phone calls he made and we briefly reflected on how it appears that God is bringing some new partners to our team (YEAH...Praise the Lord).  

Towards the beginning of the movie, "McFarland, USA" (which I will not ruin for you but definitely think you should go see), I was greeted with a familiar sound that quickly transported me to Guatemala...where my mind remained for the entire movie, that of a rooster crowing.  Although the setting of the movie was in McFarland, California, the images, sounds and people reminded me of my experiences in Guatemala and the yearning I have to return to Central America.

My family has been in a lonely and bizarre chapter of life. A chapter that we may title: Hidden. As we have changed our ministry focus from local pastoral ministry to global ministry we have experienced changes in relationships which make us feel as though we are hidden from the relationships we once loved. Changes in how we serve which have made us sense a need to hide the passions that are on our hearts. Changes in the address we call home which has hidden us from the neighbors and life we were comfortable with. Changes in our finances which have forced us into completely hiding in the arms of the Lord's provision. Changes in how we are fed spiritually where we find ourselves hiding in the faithfulness of Holy Spirit. We have wrestled with our purpose and our value during this chapter in our lives.  We have experienced more valleys and trials than we can count. And have often found ourselves alone feeling like the Lord is hiding us. 

Strangely, I sat through the movie and for the first time in almost a year I found myself feeling at home. No, not at home in the movie theater.  Rather, at home with the culture of McFarland, at home with the story line of "McFarland,USA," and at home with the call the Lord has graciously given to me and my family.  At home and at peace.

I walked out of the movie theater ready to jump on a plane and head south (and not just because of the snow forecast for the weekend).  Ready to be at home out of the hiding. Ready to begin learning the culture and language.  Ready to leave "safe" and be home.

This morning I read a blog post written by Jo Saxton (a speaker that I am excited to hear share at the Alive 2015 Conference coming up in April).  Her blog collided with what has been on my mind about this chapter of life I find myself and my family in.

Check it out blog:

http://weare3dm.com/josaxton/we-are-3dm/on-calling-hidden-for-a-season/

Maybe, just maybe, Jesus is keeping me and my family hidden for a chapter of growth, preparation and renewal.  Maybe I need to change my perspective and trust this chapter of hiding.  

For the time being we will choose to remain (John 15:4) hidden waiting patiently until it is time for "McFarland".  Using this chapter to deepen our relationships with the Lord.  We are trusting in the faithful, merciful, gracious, peaceful, just God; who will use this chapter of life for His glory, honor and praise.

Why Women Shouldn't...

One of the most awesome and thrilling moments, for sure of this transitional phase of life, and perhaps even of my married life, occurred less than two short weeks ago. As we sat on the bed together, Christy had just clicked the "register" button, signing herself up for her first class toward ordination. The journey to that point is quite a story in itself, one perhaps Christy herself may share at some later time.

I'm not sure what emotions your mind started conjuring up when you saw the title to this blog, "Why Women Shouldn't..." Perhaps you had feelings of curiosity; "I wonder where he's going with this?" Perhaps you had feelings of agreement; "I hope he talks about not working outside the home or not being in significant places of leadership." Perhaps you even had feelings of anger and frustration; "How's he going to tell a woman what they shouldn't do!" Yet, truth be told, I worded the title that way in an attempt to draw you in. Had I wrote out the entire title it would have said: Why Women Shouldn't Accept Less Than God's Best.

I am married to one of the most gifted and talented person on the face of planet earth (and no I'm not trying to kiss up - it's just the plain truth). Over the course of our 17 plus years of marriage, I've watched her blossom into who she is today; which by the way, doesn't even compare to who she'll be tomorrow and in the days to come. I've watched her grow and flourish as she has provided invaluable leadership and mentorship in our home, at her school, at the church where we served, as well as in the district in which we're still a part of.

And yet, as wonderful and capable a leader as she is, the world was almost kept from the future Rev. Christy Van Steenburg (again, the "why" goes back to the journey to get here). I don't know exactly how Christy's ordination, and the process thereof, fits into God's greater plan for her, our family, and ultimately the Kingdom, but I can tell you one thing: I am so excited and blessed to watch it all unfold.

I am so proud of my bride for not accepting less than God's best for her. I am glad she didn't minimalize the call of God in her life to something less than what it really is. I am humbled by the thought that other women out there might be inspired and encouraged to step into God's best for them simply by being around Christy and hearing her story. If you're reading this blog and that's you, my prayer is that you would radically follow God's radical call on your life and that you would never accept anything less than God's best for you, whatever that might mean for you.

P.S. While this blog was written to brag on my bride and to share the grace of God in her life, so as to spread it to other women, this is a message for all of us, regardless of gender. Male or female, know this: God has an amazing plan for your life. Are you willing, whatever the challenge and whatever the cost, to fully pursue it with the same passion with which Jesus fully pursued you? Might we all, unequivocally, answer with a resounding, "YES!"

Barry

The Lame Still Walk...and Play Basketball

You may or may not already know all that I'm about to write, but I sensed in my spirit the need to yet again give honor and glory to our most amazing God!

As you notice from the picture, that is B3 on the free throw line getting ready to shoot (and yes, it went in). This is from their most recent game, 01/20/15. That in itself is not worthy of blog attention, but everything that led up to that moment truly is.

On January 9th of this year, B3 went to the ground hard following a layup opportunity in a game for the DCA Lions. It was a pretty severe moment and the pain seemed incredible. As a dad, and one of the assistant coaches, I wasn't sure what my response was supposed to be, but I could tell my son was in agony. Half thinking about the injury he had just suffered and half thinking about how this might impact the game and the rest of the season, it was almost more than he could take. I so appreciate the great attention and care he received from our DCA staff who were there.

We finally made it to the ER several hours later and the pain was still severe. As you can see from the picture below, although we didn't know exactly what we were facing, we knew it was going to be major.

The preliminary report from the ER doctor (pre x-ray) was a broken fibula which meant he would be out of basketball for at least 6-8 weeks. In a season that was to be over in 5 weeks, you're beginning to understand the weight upon B3's heart. Following X-Ray examination, the prognosis was only slightly better - fractured growth plate - out at least 4-6 weeks. As we left that ER room Friday night our hearts were all a little heavy.

On the way home I asked B3 if he really believes what we're reading during our morning family devotional time. We've been spending these moments together dissecting Mark Batterson's "Grave Robber" and discovering more and more about our miracle-working God. We had recently (and are still there) been journeying through the miracle in John 5 where Jesus heals the lame man who hadn't walked in 38 years (probably his entire life). Not to oversimplify the miracle, but the man believed that Jesus could heal him and he walked all the way home (after jumping, hopping, and skipping I'm sure). Barry's response to me was, "Yes, I believe that Jesus can heal me." And so, as a family, we've held that belief from day #1. So let me tell you the rest of the story...

Step #1 - B3 got into the orthopedic doctor (one who works with Virginia Tech athletics even) on that Monday. He was then diagnosed with not a break, nor a fracture, but rather with a high ankle sprain. Prognosis was that he would be out at least 3 weeks.

Step #2 - Instead of the normal 7-10 day wait, B3 was able to be seen the very next day at the Physical Therapist (again, one who works closely with VT athletics). When he shared his goal to be back on the court in 2 weeks (since the doctor said at least 3), they told B3 that it would definitely take longer than 2. He was swollen still and it was still very tender.

Step #3 - While at the therapist's office, they took him out of the walking boot and put him in just an ankle brace. This was because with this injury he only needed his ankle stabilized, and not his whole leg. This would also help the blood flow to the ankle to help the injury heal.

Step #4 - It was six days before Barry's next physical therapy appointment (it was all they had and we were out of town for the pastor's conference). When Barry showed up on Monday, the therapist couldn't even believe he was looking at only a 10 day old high ankle sprain injury. Several times he asked us when the injury happened, with shock. The swelling was almost non-existent and the pain was present only during the workout. Barry left the visit being cleared to no longer have to wear the ankle brace (except during school for only this week).

Step #5 - In a limited capacity, we let B3 practice with his team on Monday. Coach took great care and B3 was able to do everything that was asked of him, all without re-aggravation or pain.

Everything I've just written has led to the miracle that is B3 playing in his first game, only 11 days removed from suffering a potentially season-ending ankle injury. If that's not something to shout about, I don't know what is!

Why Jesus chose to heal the lame man in John 5, I'll never fully know. Why he has chosen to heal my boy at this time, I may never know either. But I hope that we fully recognize it for what it is - a miracle. It's so easy to dismiss the mighty hand of God at work in our lives. We do it with the small things all the time. My hope and prayer is that this will become one of those bedrock moments that my boy can look back on down the road in life and that doing so will cause his faith to stand strong. My hope and prayer is that God would use this supernatural and divine moment to grow each of us more into his likeness.

Thanks for the part you played in this miracle; without your love, support and prayers, it may not be what it's truly become!

With love,
Barry

So long, good friend!

I usually try to distance my writing from my emotions, whether it's an email, a letter or even a blog, to prevent writing something I might not have written once the emotions settled. However, against better judgment (since Christy is fast asleep beside me), I find myself typing away in the still darkness of a house that is not our own.

This journey the Lord has our family on is one which has cost us dearly...from my profession, to our house, to our possessions, to now what is probably the most heart-wrenching, tear-spilling one of them all - saying goodbye to a 6-year-old member of the family. Just to make sure we're on the same page (since I know you're looking at the above picture), I'm talking about the dog and not the boy.

Cali danced her way right into our lives a little over six years ago - just in time for Christmas 2008. What once was a scrawny, little puppy grew into a 65 pound gentle giant. From frolicking in the snow, to catching balls and playing fetch; from eating dirty tissues, to interrupting morning devotions with a kiss on the chin (not right after the tissue eating, mind you) the Lord has used Cali's presence in our family to bring many treasured and wonderful memories into our life. Perhaps that is why we spent the final hour of the day all huddled upon the bed with Cali in the middle - sharing stories, giving pets, and crying profusely.

One would think that our knowing for over six months that this day was coming would make it easier, however I'm here to tell you that tomorrow's looming K9 departure is lurking down on us like a massive freight train without any brakes. The more we've tried to lasso in the clock these past few days, the quicker she's seemed to tick away. In just a mere seven hours from this writing Cali will be on her way to her new forever home with a new forever family.

Despite the sadness and heart-break, tomorrow is yet another answer to prayer along this journey. We've prayed all along that God would provide a loving home for our pets and that's exactly what Cali will be receiving. To you, Cali's new family, thanks for allowing God to use you as an answer to our prayers.

And so, not being one who likes to say "goodbye," I simply say, "So long, good friend!"

Lessons from a "Shelf Elf"

I started writing this blog the other evening and quickly put my "pen" down. My fear is that the "Elf on the Shelf" phenomenon has so quickly escalated that it has risen to a place where there's more focus on him than on Jesus, and I didn't want this blog to further perpetuate that. However, the more I thought about these lessons I've learned from our very own Elf (Santie-Carl), I believe that perhaps instead of this blog taking us further away from the true focus of Christmas, it may reorient us right back to the center of it all, Jesus Christ.

This is the second year now that Santie-Carl has made his appearance. Some of his overnight gags have been tasteful and cute; others have been clever and witty; yet, there are still others that have been messy and gross. Yet despite the variety, there are three lessons that our elf (or perhaps our boys, through the elf) has taught me.

Disclaimer: for the sake of some of our older boys, allow me to say that not every one of our guys is as enamored and excited by the elf as the others.

Now to the lessons:

1) Jesus is present...every morning our boys wake up, they wake up looking for Santie-Carl. "Where can I find him?" He's been found in the tree (last year); behind a plant (wonder what he was doing back there); even hanging from the ceiling fan cord. Yet, day after day, regardless of where he is, our boys go searching for Santie-Carl. What if I woke up each and every day searching for Jesus? What if I spent the entirety of each day looking for Jesus; looking to find him? The Bible says he's continually with us, but do I always look for him? Do you always look for him?

2) Jesus is working...each evening that our boys go to bed, they go to bed with anticipation and wonder at what Santie-Carl is going to do while they're asleep. Will he cover the bathroom entrance with toilet paper; will he write on the mirror; will he leave "something" on the table or in the toilet? Regardless of what Santie-Carl should do, there's always the anticipation of it. This Christmas season, what am I, or what are you, anticipating Jesus to do? Is your life filled with wonder at what he wants to do in you, through you, and for you?

3) Jesus is returning...for the sake of preventing embarrassment here I'll not name which boy, but one of them literally cried for hours when Santie-Carl "went away" last year. It was so bad, that Santie-Carl had to sneak away from the Elf Factory to surprise him on his birthday. But do you know the impact that left on my boy? All year he has been living with the hope that Santie-Carl would make a return appearance. What about you? What about me? Am I living my life with the hope of Christ's return? And not just with the hope, but living it in such a way that when he does return he will find me worthy. In this Advent season, let us remember that the glory of Christmas does not lay solely in the fact that Christ came as a baby; he is coming again, triumphantly and gloriously - are we ready!

Merry Christmas, from my family (The V-Team) to yours,
Barry