The 411 on the School

Many have asked about my recent trip to Mexico.  Over the next several days/weeks, I will download my thoughts and experiences here.

To begin, let me explain about the school.  The school is based in Torreon, Mexico.  Last year, there were 45 pastors, pastors' wives, and lay leaders who completed the first year course requirements.  You can find information about the school and pictures from last year's classes and graduation here.  The sessions were intensives meeting one weekend a month for 10 months.  Pre-class assignments were given as well as post-class assignments.  The academic work of some of these students was amazing.  However, God began to move our thoughts in a different direction.

This year we initiated an online component as well as an independent study component.  This was needed because the school has received numerous inquiries from Latin American and South American countries.  See, presently IETO is the only Spanish-languange extensive Bible school curriculum available online.  This has great appeal in the Spanish-language countries.  And, due to that appeal, there have been inquiries from 10 different nations.  These students are being given the information they need to begin their studies.

God is amazing.  In just a matter of a couple of weeks, the limited scope of the school mushroomed to covering half a continent.  While this is exciting, this is scary.  Logistically, the school is barely able to cover the needs of the students in Torreon.  However, God has brought together a team that is making the transition bearable.  We recognize that it is not our strength.  There is no way that our limited resources and limited abilities can accomplish what is needed.  It is not our strength, but His.  It is not our ability, but His.  He has opened the door; it is His project.  He is calling the people; it is His resources that are needed.

Many have asked what they can do to assist in preparing these pastors for the call.  Before I answer that question, let me tell you about the staff.  All of the staff (the teachers, president, director) volunteer their time.  This includes me.  We purchase our own airline tickets and pay for our hotel rooms in Torreon.  We receive no pay for the weekend.  This is truly a labor of love.  We see the necessity of pouring into and preparing these men and women to carry out the call of God on their lives.  There are overhead expenses for the school.  There are printing costs.  There are costs of duplicating the CDs and DVDs for the independent study students.  There are a few people that are paid to assist with registration at the intensives and there is rental of the church where we meet.  The students pay the equivalent of $30 US for each course they take.  While that does not seem much to us in the United States, that can be several days wages for some countries where we have students.

With that being said, let me answer the question "What can I do to help?"  First and foremost, you can pray.  Pray for those of us who journey several times a year to Mexico.  Pray for our safety in travel.  Pray for us to be able to effectively communicate the material.  Pray for those pastors who have sacrificed to come to school.  Specifically, pray for me as I write material.  I am on the Curriculum Committee and provide much of the Biblical and Theological material.

Second, you can give.  As I said, the cost of each class is $30 US.  You can sponsor a pastor for a class for that amount.  Or, you can sponsor a pastor for a year for $300.  You can also give to assist my travel there.  It costs me about $1200 each time I travel to Torreon.  I will be returning in September 2010, and  March, September and December in 2011.  You can also give to support the school's overhead expenses of facility rental, printing costs, CDs, DVDs, etc.

If you wish to give, you can give at PR Ministries.  Just click on the DONATE button.  All donations received by PR Ministries, including the book and tape sales, go directly to ministry in Mexico.

If you have any questions concerning the school or ministry in Mexico, please contact me.  I would be happy to discuss it with you.

Next time, we will will recount my airplane journey to Mexico.

Disqualified

Disqualified!  

What do you think of when you hear that word?  It depends on how it relates to you.  Last evening I watched the Winter Olympics Short Track Speed Skating.  That sport is just intense.  And the race in particular was something akin to a relay.  Except, it seemed more akin to the model of the solar system my 8th grade science teacher had in his room.  Colored bodies seemed to be rotating around the center of the ice.  Some closer than others....then they would change places.  And what is up with that pushing?

Anyway, at the end of the 3000-meter relay race, the South Koreans were circling the track, their flag held high in celebration.  The Chinese team was doing the same, as was the Canadian team.  The fourth place finishers, the United States, were gathered on the side of the track talking with their coaches.  What the celebrating skaters did not seem to realize was that the head referee was reviewing the video of the race.  The final lap in particular.  See, when the final lap began, and the final change of skaters was taking place, it appears there was minor contact between the South Korean and Chinese skater. View the race here:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UwBA6zfKVo

After several minutes of viewing the video and discussion among the judges, the South Korean team was disqualified.  They went from being on top of the world and receiving the greatest reward to leaving the games empty-handed.  And having the stigma of having been disqualified.  Not only that, but other lives were changed and affected.  The United States team, who had finished in last place with no medal, suddenly were awarded the Bronze.  And because of the actions of one person, the other South Korean team members who had honestly run the race, were disqualified as well.

I began to think of what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

The worst feeling has to be having run the entire race, thinking that you not only finished, but actually won, and then finding out you have been disqualified.  One of our primary goals has to be to prevent that.  We need to run the race, not only with purpose, but with integrity.  Every decision you makes impacts more than just yourself.  Consider the consequences of your decisions.  Determine to live your life with integrity.   

Let's Discuss the Issues

This post is going to be about politics.  If you do not wish to read it, navigate away from this page now.

Let me say up front that it is not my intent to offend.  I do know that there are many that follow me here, on FaceBook and Twitter, that subscribe to different political and social views.  Please do not assume you know what I am going to say.  I am no one's lapdog.  I parrot no party's talking points.  I encourage you to read on.  I believe that you will agree with me.

For the sake of full disclosure, I am a registered Independent.  In the last presidential election, I voted for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party.

I must say that I am disappointed with the state of politics in our nation.  We have left, not just the foundation our Founding Fathers laid, but have slipped down the precipice of party-politics.  Election years in our nation have become a time for mud-slinging and ad hominem attacks, not the time for civilized debate of issues that are relevant to our society.  In the last few days, we have seen a presidential press secretary mockingly writing on his hand, looking little like a member of a presidential administration and more like a bit character on Saturday Night Live.  We have seen the "heir-apparant" of the GOP nomination, while speaking before a grass-roots separatist movement, encourage them to align with her party.  These people have "left" both parties because of policies.  Why would they re-align themselves with one?  I assume because they like her??

My point is this:  no one, especially politicians, talk about the issues anymore.  We know longer call our representatives by that title.  We call them Congressmen/Congresswomen.  Which is just as well since they do not represent their constituents.  When the politicians of today do speak, they rarely discuss issues.  They discuss grid-lock; they discuss how horrible the leaders of the other party are; they discuss how there is no dialogue.  And when they return to their home districts, they dismiss the views of the people as backward, unsophisticated, un-cosmopolitan, and narrow-minded.  What happened to being able to voice my opinion without someone attacking my intelligence?  Attack my logic.  Attack my premise.  Attack my assumptions.  But unprovoked ad hominem attacks are unwarranted and futile.  They get us nowhere.

Why are we afraid of debate?  Our Republic was founded upon debate.  The problem is that many fail to read history.  Re-read the minutes of the Continental Congress.  There was much debate among the Founders of our nation.  We somehow have arrived at the idea that they just came together and magically, mystically, spiritually they were like-minded.  That is simply not the case.  There was vigorous debate.  And we should not be afraid to engage in debate--true debate of the issues--once again.

I believe the current nature of politics has fostered the rise of the Third Parties ( like the Constitution Party) and the separatist movements (like the Tea Party).  Many in these United States have had enough. Many are tired of their voice not being heard.  It is time to discuss--and I mean TRULY discuss--the issues facing our Republic.  We have gotten off the path of a true representative government.  It is time to let your voice be heard....whatever your viewpoint.  I encourage you to write or call your Representative.  They were elected to represent you.  They can't represent you if they don't hear you.

It is time to get our nation back on track.  And we have to start by discussing the issues.

Life is Short

Two nights ago, about two miles from where I sit, a young lady lost control of her car and ran off the road. In just a few seconds, her car left the road and her life left her body.  In just a few moments, lives were changed...forever.  Now, there is a young man left to raise a 9 month old baby alone.

These events gave me pause to think. Or more accurately, think again.  Most of us know these things, but events such as this cause us to ponder.  None of us know when our days will end.  Just because we are young, does not mean that we will live to be old.  Our days on earth are not guaranteed. 

You see, the rest of the story is this.  This young lady exchanged some angry words with her man.  She got in the car, drove just over a mile from her house and into eternity.  The last words exchanged with her love were exchanged in anger.  

I promised myself many years ago that I would never leave my wife's presence without kissing her.  I try my best to live up to this promise.  Seems like such a small gesture, but realizing the frailty of life, it makes sense.  Leaving the presence of the ones we love should be done in a positive manner.  Never leave your loved ones with angry words hanging in the air.  Always leave on good terms.

This young lady, sadly, left this life with relationships strained.  You still have a choice.

See You or Hear You?

Someone recently commented, "It might not be what they see, but what they learn."  This was in response to me questioning a vote of confidence a group of peers had given me.  Over the past several days, I have not been able to get away from that.  Not what they see, but what they learn.

Too often, we are concerned with how people view us.  Consider how much money is spent on clothing and beauty products.  These help us project a positive image to the world around us, but do nothing to actually change the world.  It is not enough to look good to the world around us; we need to impact the world around us.

The comment from my friend challenged me.  I asked myself these questions:  What am I trying to do?  What is my motivation?  Do people "hear" my life or just see me?

Tough questions, but questions that need an answer.  I took the challenge.  I encourage you to do the same.