This week I came upon the "Uncle Drew" videos that Kyrie Irving made with Pepsi.* In episode 1, Irving gets made up like an old man (Uncle Drew) and shows up to a city park basketball court in New Jersey. He looks like an elderly guy who probably isn't able to get anything serious done on the court; he seems frail, and possibly even a bit senile. No one regards him as any sort of "force to be reckoned with" but as he begins to play with the "youngbloods" he slowly reveals his incredible skills. Onlookers are "wowed" as he proceeds to warm up and then dazzle the court with authority.
The whole scene is intriguing. This unlikely, seemingly fragile man steps up and conquers. It's got some "underdog" motif, the ordinary Uncle Drew, turns out to be an extraordinary NBA star! He looks like some regular old guy with absolutely no game at all, but in fact he's a champion of the game!
This narrative that captivates everyone! The people standing on the side of the court are completely enchanted, and pretty much so is anyone who dials it up on youtube!
I would say there's a certain "glory" to the whole thing. And I suggest that the reason it's so enthralling, the reason it strikes us being so "cool" is because of the way it essentially "echoes" the gospel story. What Uncle Drew did was pretty cool; he showed up looking like a nobody and then proceeded to inspire everybody!
Reminds me of that time Jesus left heaven and took on the form of man. He didn't seem like anything special, but in fact he was supremely so. He seemed an unlikely champion, but as he lived, died and rose from the grave he revealed himself as the ultimate victor. Under-estimating him is easy to do, but it is only to our shame and detriment.
Pepsi and Kyrie came up with a cool story. But Jesus thought of it first.
*I think these were made like 4 years ago or something. I'm not sure, but I guess I am a bit "late to the party" on these vids.
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2017
Friday, September 9, 2016
Leader Profile: Lucas Raley
We talk about junior Lucas Raley a lot in my family. Not only is he an incredible student leader who happens to be dating one of our staff interns, but he's a hero to my kids! From Jack on down to Junie, Lucas is one of our favorite people in the world. Lucas' fun-loving, gung-ho spirit is inspirational, helpful and contagious! Because he was here working in Ithaca this summer we got to spend a lot of time together.
Lucas plays on the Cornell football team, but he's struggled with a back injury for the past two years. Commenting on his back pain, Lucas said "Originally, I thought it was just going to be a few months of taking it easy and it would be recovered, but God had some other plans." Lucas had hoped to be starting all last year during his sophomore year, but it just wasn't working out! That was frustrating, and yet it gave Lucas the opportunity and the space to grow in his walk with Jesus.
"No longer having my Friday nights occupied with football, I had decided to try out this “Cru” thing that I had heard about from a few people. So my friend Cole and I decided that we would check it out. That first Friday that we went, about three weeks into the year, we showed up and were immediately welcomed by tons of people that we had never met. The gospel band played that night which was amazing, and then we heard a solid message. The next week we went back and then heard the announcement for the fall retreat which happened to be on a weekend that we had a Friday night game, giving me the opportunity to go after the game and spend the weekend at the retreat."
Although we had met before, I remember clearly last fall when Lucas walked up to me with his friend Cole and said "we want to go to the Fall Getaway!" Lucas came up to our Seneca Lake retreat and he's been a huge part of our ministry ever since. Although it was a bummer to be injured, God redeemed the time tremendously and we've all been able to benefit.
It's hard for me to express how grateful I am for him. He's a faithful man of God, an incredible student leader and a beloved role model to our kids! Lucas is a blessing to his fellow Cornell students and to our family.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Foreign Policy and Missions
As we continue through this crazy election season, I want to encourage Christians to be thinking (and then voting*) about how this or that administration will affect the proclamation of the gospel to the nations.
When I was in college I had the chance to "smuggle" some Bibles into a foreign country. Although carrying Christian literature was constitutionally legal in that country at that time, the anti-Christian religio/political situation was such that you pretty much had to sneak them in. Ten of us folded a total of 250 thin-line Bibles into our clothing in our backpacks. We hid the books in such a way that a superficial inspection of our bags would leave them undetected. We traveled into the country in pairs and proceeded through the various baggage checks and customs stations without making any noticeable contact with our group -in case one of us got caught, we didn't want all the other's to be compromised as well.
After crossing the border we traveled into a city and convened at a restaurant. At the Restaurant we sat at a table and stealthily transferred all the Bibles from our 10 individual bags into 2 bags under the table cloths. Two guys then boarded a train and traveled deeper into the country to deliver the Bible's to an underground church somewhere and the rest of us occupied ourselves with some sight-seeing for the day. Especially for a college student, the whole experience was a blast; we felt like missionary James Bonds or something!
The experience was profoundly inspiring in a few different ways. Not only was it strengthening of our faith and confidence in Christ, but I also took away a significant lesson related to international relations and the accessibility of the gospel.
If any customs officials or police would have found the stash of Bibles in our bags or caught us transferring the goods etc. the consequences for us as American's would probably have been pretty minimal. This country had (and has) a good relationship with the U.S. and pretty much out of respect they would most likely have confiscated the Bibles and then refused to let us across the border, sending us back the way we came. Possibly we would have been detained for a few hours for questioning. Although it was possible that there could have been more dire consequences, that was pretty unlikely at that time.
A local resident or even a citizen of another country might not have been so blessed; they could have been subjected to a more harsh punishment. But simply because we were from the U.S. we had less to worry about. Our countries relationship with this foreign nation was so positive and they were so fundamentally appreciative of the United States, that we as American's would have been given extra mercy for transgressing a serious social norm.
On the way out of that country I had another experience that was interesting. We were actually leaving on a boat/Ferry and at the port station there were the various different security checkpoints. If I remember correctly, there were 3 different checkpoints that we had to pass through. The lines were held up and the boat departure time was drawing nigh. We weren't sure we were going to make it! But then, while in line at the last checkpoint, a border guard stood up and held up a Blue U.S. passport and shouted "American's" and began waving his hand in a gesture for any American's to pass on through. The line was full of international travelers with passports from many different places and we were able to walk right by them to the front of the line and pass expediently through the last checkpoint with virtually no handling. We simply held up our passport and the guard directed us to the boat! We were literally given special treatment because we were from the U.S.!
I remember thanking God for such a successful adventure while marveling at the irony of the situation. And I also remember thinking this: "Wow! Blue American Passport's are very powerful!" To quote 'uncle Ben' "with great power comes great responsibility" I remember thinking about how useful American citizenship was for enabling the spread of the gospel! I remember being grateful and even proud that America had such rapport! Because of America's role in the world, we were able -as American college students to carry scriptures to people who needed them with incredible expedience and a considerably limited risk to boot! I remember thinking that this was really cool!
America's role and reputation in the world were actually helpful for the cause of Christ! Having an American passport was a powerful and precious gift! I didn't personally earn it, but for the sake of the Gospel, I wanted to steward it well and help other American's to do the same! And I felt there was an urgency -even as I rejoiced, I remember thinking that such privilege probably wouldn't last forever! Even then, I speculated that a day would come when our blue passport would gain us nothing positive at a foreign border!
In September of 2002 I was in Spain standing outside one of the University buildings handing out a mini-magazine talking about the events of 9/11 and explaining the gospel. Most people were respectful, a few were engaging and another few shouted belligerently at us, ridiculing us for being American's. On that day, in that country, our U.S. citizenship was NOT actually helping us to make the gospel accessible!
I have many concerns about the candidates running for president and the effects their administrations would have on our lives and the world we live in, but one primary grid that I can't not filter things through is what I'll call the "missionary grid." I look at potential candidates and ask questions like "if this person were president, how would that help or hurt the forth-going of the gospel in the world. In particular, I ask; "will this person as president make it easier for American's to travel abroad serving as gospel-proclaiming ambassadors for Jesus, or harder?"
Jesus' command (known as the Great Commission) to us in Matthew 28:18-20 factors into pretty much all of my big life decisions, as I actually think it should for every follower of Christ. I know that the president is not the "pastor in chief", and yet, I think committed Christians should be thinking very much about the spread of the gospel to the nations and how a presidential administration will either impede that or enable it. There are many important issues in the world, but the ultimate answer and hope for the world is found in the good news of Jesus Christ.
*Yesterday I went to the DMV to get my address changed. While filling out the forms I also changed my political party affiliation to "none". I'm planning not to vote in the presidential election in November.
When I was in college I had the chance to "smuggle" some Bibles into a foreign country. Although carrying Christian literature was constitutionally legal in that country at that time, the anti-Christian religio/political situation was such that you pretty much had to sneak them in. Ten of us folded a total of 250 thin-line Bibles into our clothing in our backpacks. We hid the books in such a way that a superficial inspection of our bags would leave them undetected. We traveled into the country in pairs and proceeded through the various baggage checks and customs stations without making any noticeable contact with our group -in case one of us got caught, we didn't want all the other's to be compromised as well.
After crossing the border we traveled into a city and convened at a restaurant. At the Restaurant we sat at a table and stealthily transferred all the Bibles from our 10 individual bags into 2 bags under the table cloths. Two guys then boarded a train and traveled deeper into the country to deliver the Bible's to an underground church somewhere and the rest of us occupied ourselves with some sight-seeing for the day. Especially for a college student, the whole experience was a blast; we felt like missionary James Bonds or something!
The experience was profoundly inspiring in a few different ways. Not only was it strengthening of our faith and confidence in Christ, but I also took away a significant lesson related to international relations and the accessibility of the gospel.
If any customs officials or police would have found the stash of Bibles in our bags or caught us transferring the goods etc. the consequences for us as American's would probably have been pretty minimal. This country had (and has) a good relationship with the U.S. and pretty much out of respect they would most likely have confiscated the Bibles and then refused to let us across the border, sending us back the way we came. Possibly we would have been detained for a few hours for questioning. Although it was possible that there could have been more dire consequences, that was pretty unlikely at that time.
A local resident or even a citizen of another country might not have been so blessed; they could have been subjected to a more harsh punishment. But simply because we were from the U.S. we had less to worry about. Our countries relationship with this foreign nation was so positive and they were so fundamentally appreciative of the United States, that we as American's would have been given extra mercy for transgressing a serious social norm.
On the way out of that country I had another experience that was interesting. We were actually leaving on a boat/Ferry and at the port station there were the various different security checkpoints. If I remember correctly, there were 3 different checkpoints that we had to pass through. The lines were held up and the boat departure time was drawing nigh. We weren't sure we were going to make it! But then, while in line at the last checkpoint, a border guard stood up and held up a Blue U.S. passport and shouted "American's" and began waving his hand in a gesture for any American's to pass on through. The line was full of international travelers with passports from many different places and we were able to walk right by them to the front of the line and pass expediently through the last checkpoint with virtually no handling. We simply held up our passport and the guard directed us to the boat! We were literally given special treatment because we were from the U.S.!
I remember thanking God for such a successful adventure while marveling at the irony of the situation. And I also remember thinking this: "Wow! Blue American Passport's are very powerful!" To quote 'uncle Ben' "with great power comes great responsibility" I remember thinking about how useful American citizenship was for enabling the spread of the gospel! I remember being grateful and even proud that America had such rapport! Because of America's role in the world, we were able -as American college students to carry scriptures to people who needed them with incredible expedience and a considerably limited risk to boot! I remember thinking that this was really cool!
America's role and reputation in the world were actually helpful for the cause of Christ! Having an American passport was a powerful and precious gift! I didn't personally earn it, but for the sake of the Gospel, I wanted to steward it well and help other American's to do the same! And I felt there was an urgency -even as I rejoiced, I remember thinking that such privilege probably wouldn't last forever! Even then, I speculated that a day would come when our blue passport would gain us nothing positive at a foreign border!
In September of 2002 I was in Spain standing outside one of the University buildings handing out a mini-magazine talking about the events of 9/11 and explaining the gospel. Most people were respectful, a few were engaging and another few shouted belligerently at us, ridiculing us for being American's. On that day, in that country, our U.S. citizenship was NOT actually helping us to make the gospel accessible!
I have many concerns about the candidates running for president and the effects their administrations would have on our lives and the world we live in, but one primary grid that I can't not filter things through is what I'll call the "missionary grid." I look at potential candidates and ask questions like "if this person were president, how would that help or hurt the forth-going of the gospel in the world. In particular, I ask; "will this person as president make it easier for American's to travel abroad serving as gospel-proclaiming ambassadors for Jesus, or harder?"
Jesus' command (known as the Great Commission) to us in Matthew 28:18-20 factors into pretty much all of my big life decisions, as I actually think it should for every follower of Christ. I know that the president is not the "pastor in chief", and yet, I think committed Christians should be thinking very much about the spread of the gospel to the nations and how a presidential administration will either impede that or enable it. There are many important issues in the world, but the ultimate answer and hope for the world is found in the good news of Jesus Christ.
*Yesterday I went to the DMV to get my address changed. While filling out the forms I also changed my political party affiliation to "none". I'm planning not to vote in the presidential election in November.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Rachel Chuang
Rachel's Story (Short Version) from Cru Northeast on Vimeo.
Rachel Chuang graduated a semester early and she is currently serving on our staff team as a part time employee! She is incredibly helpful in a million ways. At some point, I'll write some more about her, but for now, enjoy this video with part of her story.
Rachel Chuang graduated a semester early and she is currently serving on our staff team as a part time employee! She is incredibly helpful in a million ways. At some point, I'll write some more about her, but for now, enjoy this video with part of her story.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Honorable Service
Jake graduated from Cornell this past May and enlisted in the U.S. Army. I met Jake providentially in a north campus dining hall during the first weeks of his freshman year. Throughout his time at Cornell I had the joy filled privilege of mentoring and serving beside him on campus. Jake was more than a student leader in our ministry, he is truly a brother.
Two days after he got out of basic training, Jake sent me a very encouraging Facebook message telling me about the ways that God had worked throughout his time in "boot camp." When Jake's time in basic training was over, 17 people in his unit had professed faith in Jesus and been baptized!
I couldn't believe it! I didn't even know there was enough time to have spiritual discussions during boot camp! But Jake told me that the Basic training environment actually fosters many conversations about life and purpose and meaning and things like that. By being intentional, he said it was relatively easy to talk about Jesus there. He also said:
"Learning how to have those conversations at Cornell and in Cru was crucial.... Especially the stuff we learned on summer project. [I was] so much more effective at communicating the gospel to these guys and it made a difference."
We truly praise God for the ways that He is already using Jake to bless others in the military. The vision of Cru has always been to train Christ-centered laborers on campus who can continue to share the gospel with the world outside of the campus! It is very encouraging to know that Jake's time here in Cru at Cornell helped prepare him to live missionally in the Army.
Between his junior and senior year Jake joined a group of Cornell and Yale students for 6 weeks of outreach on the other side of the globe. Jake notoriously embraced the difficulty of the cross-cultural environment and expended himself to make friendships and spread the love of Jesus. He wrote: "Summer project was key for that spiritual maturity and missional mindset and development!" Especially because I regard cross-cultural summer mission's so highly, I am thankful for the way that Jake credits his Cru summer experience with helping him to grow as an ambassador for Christ. Jake benefited tremendously from the training and the teaching as well as the community and the brotherhood he experienced here in our movement.
And that leads me to something else I want to point out for our mutual edification. We know that God works through his people in community. Helping people to know and follow Christ during boot camp was certainly not something Jake did on his own and he would definitely not want me to tell this story in a way that made him seem like it was all on him alone. The truth is that Jesus was lifted up, and people were able to put their faith in Christ because a small group of committed Christ followers were working together! God in his sovereign goodness had placed a handful of Christians in Jake's training unit! And as a group, they were able to spread the love of God and point others to Jesus effectively.
I believe that Jake's boot camp experience was extraordinary in the truest sense of the word -it was not ordinary! It does seem that the basic training environment is a place where people are processing the important questions of life. Therefore it can be a phenomenal place to explain the gospel to people! But at the end of the day I believe that God honored the faith and zeal of Jake and the other Christ followers in his class. I believe that God brought together the small group of Christians, and He united them into the missional community that they became during those weeks.
Jake joined the army to serve his country and his fellow man, but above all, his desire is to Glorify God. Generally speaking, the U.S. Army doesn't harp a lot "spiritual well being", but through leaders like Jake, I believe many soldiers will be at least exposed to the power of the gospel.
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