What is good?

Recently one of my friends was explaining of how good a movie was, then on a totally different occasion I was speaking with some other people how terrible and over priced some certain pieces of art are. It got me to thinking and believe me I think a lot. Many times over analyzing the simplest of concepts. On this occasion I was drawing a connection of what basis we say that something is good or bad. It is usually based upon some point of personal taste and standards that we have been preconditioned to say is "Good". Many times these standards are set upon us by society and these are the things we adopt. This can apply in many aspects of life. Yet, there are some areas where the basics of standards and opinions do not matter. This would apply to the description of who God is and area of theology known as "Theology Proper". If I were to make the statement that "God is Good". This statement could stand alone, because it is not just a description of God it is directly a part of who God is. It can no more be removed from him than his Holiness, Love, Mercy, and so many more words to describe God as who he is in the Bible. It is just a thought, but "God is Good." This is a description of who God is and nothing any man could say or do can have any impact on this aspect of God. Even if God were to express his wrath in the most unfathomable way possible, he would still be good.     

My Top 5

So, recently I took a personality test of sorts. It is called strengths finder and is done by the gallup organization. It takes you top 5 traits in order and gives those to you. Here are mine....just see if they describe me and how I use them.
Learner- loves the process of learning, DIY, exhaustive learner, Investigative, gets board if I have something figured out.
Individualization- very personal, want to know more that the surface level of what makes a person who they are, deliberate with who I choose to invest time into, observant, find satisfaction in one on one conversations.
Relator-find common ground with others, I desire to see the positive qualities in another person. Connect with people through common interest.
Connectedness- I realize there is a cause and effect relationship with anything and desire to know why.
Belief-I have a strong value system that I stick to and rarely waver for that stance, trustworthy, soundness.
These really do describe me and how I interact with others, if you notice #2,3, and 4 are all considered to be in the interpersonal relationship area. So this is an area where I really enjoy working in both ministry and everyday life. I use my relator skills to find common ground to move into the individualization with people. This allows me draw connections to understand why people are the way they are and what has had an influence on their life. Attempting to do all these things learning whatever I can and being as trustworthy as possible.

Somethings are just worth fighting for.

There are few things in this world that change lives like the relationship between a man and a woman. So it has been since the beginning of creation. I want to take a few minutes to talk a little bit about marriage. There are many around me that know that recently I have given a few of my very close friends a hard time on this very issue. It may lead some to believe that there is some for of bitterness with issues that I have had in the past, but this is very much removed from any form of that emotion. I have found peace, understanding, and forgiveness in the years since that relationship ended. If anything that experience in my life has given me more of a passion and understanding for what is on the line in marriage. This is why I seem to give people a hard time when they are considering what they are getting into. The other reason that I am such an advocate of marriage is because of what it is a picture of as a believer. Through out the entire Bible both Israel and the Church are portrayed as the Bride of Christ. This paints a beautiful picture of how passionately God desires to fellowship with us. He loved his bride so much that we was willing to freely give his life for them, knowing that all they could give him in return is love and adoration. Paul gives husbands the commandment to love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Eph 5:25, Col 3:19). From a realistic perspective, if that were the case, then there would not be a woman on earth that would not desire that. Through out all Biblical history God celebrates and defends this institution that he created. It fact one of the first commandments that he gives Adam and Eve is to be fruitful and multiply. This indicates that marriage is the solid foundation on which a family is to be built. Part of what burdens me so much is that fact, that in out current me first society is that some do not take this as serious as they should. It feels like it is easier to get a divorce these days, than it is to get your name changed. I know I can say in the short time that I have lived on this earth I have seen many marriages both succeeded and fail. Some of these failures have been close friends of mine and some of them that I often looked up to. I understand that men and women will let you down, but The Lord never will. It simply boils down to one word these days "commitment". What are you committed to? Is it self? The word of God? Personal happiness? whatever the answer to that question is, it is one we must answer. So, yes I believe that marriage is one of the most beautiful things that God has created as a symbolic relationship between himself and the church. Can you imagine how beautiful she will be? How great the celebration? How deep the intimacy?        

Lions and other stubborn animals

Well as part of my trip to Kenya I was given the wonderful opportunity to go on a Safari. We decided to get up early and go the Nairobi National Wildlife Park. We got to the gate at 6 A.M. as soon as they opened. This is what you have to do if you want to see many of the animals. They tend to go and look for shade in the cool of the day. We met a good friend of ours that goes to the park everyday. Gareth was going to be our guide for the day. We drove into the park and saw giraffes and elands first thing. Stopping for a quick leg stretch at the ivory burning site memorial. Then it was off to the more open fields seeing Hartebeest ( a gazelle/ deer like animal) and Secretary birds. It was not until we passed one of Gareth's friends that was heading in the opposite direction. As he passed we stopped to watch some White Rhino. Continuing to travel along the open fields we see Gareth's friends drive towards us and flash his lights. The hunt was on a Big Cat had been spotted!!! As we drive up two beautiful female lions were just sitting by the road side chilling out. There was another one not far from them that was a little bit larger. I guessing that was their mom. Then off in the distance with all his power was standing the male. He was checking things out and just close enough to say....I'm still here. Well of course we went to check him out. Just so you know the windows were down the entire time that we were watching the lions. We drove within feet of a full grown Male Lion. 
.....It was unforgettable. Time passed and we were able to see Zebra, Water buffalo, and other animals.Drove around for a while longer, then we needed to leave the park and get some fuel. On our way out we took a different road that wrapped around a watering hole. As we drove around to back side of this small pond Giraffes were standing in the road and most of them moved out of the way so we could leave. That would be all, but one stubborn male Giraffe that stood in the road for at least 5 minutes not moving even with us getting within feet of this animal.This is how it happened: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=449291925177  So we left the park and this was my first safari experience.

Round 2: Youth weekend @ the tea country

So, it is week two in Kenya. We spend the beginning of the week doing final preparation for another trip. This time we are doing a entire weekend devoted to youth.(Very excited!!! this is what I thrive on!0 There were four men on the trip Chris (Missionary to Kenya), Meshack (Bible collage teacher and Leader of Pure Ways), Phares (a very talented musician and worship leader), and Myself (Justin T. McLean). So off we are and once again through the Rift Valley we go all the way up to Kericho. Just a matter of FYI this is where Lipton gets a lot of their tea from. The land is mountainous, fertile, and very green. It also rains a lot. We arrive and get started with the first session on a Friday night, the music was loud and up beat at times, then became very serious and beautiful as Phares gave a message in music and Meshack shared on authority from scripture. That night many came to make decisions with help from the pastor translating I did my best to handle the decisions that I could. Some of the students only walked down for prayer and some came for first time decision. It was a moment in which I was scared, nervous, and caught off guard. It was a moment in which I had to rely on God totally. It was by his grace that I made it through without losing my mind. The night ended and we went to the hotel for the night and got something to eat. Day 2: I was the first one up to share that morning, I still get butterflies of nervous excitement. Well, we started about a hour late, mainly b/c no one was there until then. Lets just say punctuality is a relative thing in Kenya. After the introductions and music I then proceeded to give a message about Moses as God called him to deliver his people from the hands of Pharaoh. The outline is as follows:
Exodus 3-4:17
"God's Calling and Man's Excuses"
I. The Power of the God that Calls.
  A.His pressence
  B.His name
  C.His Holiness
  D.His Calling
  E.His Methods
  F.His Mission
II. Man's Excuses
  A.I'm no one special
  B.What is they don't believe me?
  C. I'm not a good speaker
III. God's answers
  A.I'm with you
  B. The signs
  C. Aaron
after this message we took a break for lunch, then Chris brought a message on the importance of Treasuring God's Word. We then took another break and went to the hotel for supper. This was the night me and Chris order what was advertised as a hamburger, then the brought us out deli meat on sandwich bread. We only had time to eat what they gave us and drive. We seemed to always be under a time crunch. When we finally arrived at the church that night the worship was lively and had already started. Meshack once again closed the evening with a message this time on "Effect of a Guarded Heart" (Proverbs 4:20-27)  it focused on the heart, speech, sight, and walk/conduct. The invitation was much more organized and focused this time. We rested very well that night as we had to get up early to visit a Girl's school in the morning, where Chris shared on Treasure again. Then we drove back to the church as I shared out of Isaiah 1:16-20 on "Actions of a True Believer" at the end of the message a few came forward and one was the first believer in his entire family. They fed us for lunch and we were off. Back down the mountain we go. On the way we saw a huge at least 3 1/2 ft lizard. Then the fun started. While on our way back they were working on the main road and diverted us through a town and it had been raining a lot. Let us just say there was mud and we got stuck in a mini van for at least 30 mins. Tired and Irritated we made it home safely and had some pizza with some of our friends. Slept well that night. 

The Greatest Gifts

Often times statements are made that it "is better to give than to receive." I would agree that it is and the joy to see on the face of another is just that. There is also the joy that just radiates from me when God allows me to share to Gospel and they pray to receive Christ. It is one of those moments of celebrating with others that really is exciting. I would like to tell you of how I was able to celebrate with my friends in a answer to prayer. For many years now Chris and Lindy have been attempting to have children and even have made multiple attempts to adopt all of these efforts had fallen short. So here is another story to tell.....The second weekend of my trip to Kenya I went with Chris up country to do a youth weekend, while many members of the Karen Vineyard Church (including Lindy) went on a church retreat for the weekend. Well, at this church retreat many of the members got sick due to something in the food. So, upon our return on Sunday Lindy was still not feeling well from the weekend. This continued for a few more days and Lindy decided to go to the doctor. The doctor then sent her for some blood work and everything checked out ok. By now it is a week later on a Saturday night, Chris and Lindy had been skypeing, it was late and the power just had just tripped ( I was already ready for bed) I walked into the kitchen to check on everyone (half awake). Then Chris and Lindy tell me they have something to tell me. They tell me the good news of expecting. I would like to say that I jumped up and down, but I was still half awake. I told them that I was excited for them with a smile on my face a peacefully went to bed. So in the days and the weeks to come I was able to be with them as they told countless others and waited in the lobby while they had the ultrasound. For some reason God sovereignly put me there with my friends in the moment to celebrate with them. I consider that a privilege and it will be one those moments that I will never forget.      

The Power of Prayer

Several weeks ago I can recall of a sermon Pastor Michael preached about prayer. It was directly about the power of praying with expectation. So his challenge to us as members was to ask "God open the door"....and he can tell you that through countless emails that God opened doors in abundance. I prayed that prayer also and the very next night a door was opened to share God's word by ministering to a very Good friend. Take this principle forward a month. I am in Kenya riding in the car with Chris on our way to the boys. Chris tells me "I really feel like we need to pray this morning, would you pray for us?" Of course I did not turn down this opportunity. As I prayed I asked God with expectation to give us someone to witness to. God is faithful and this door would be opened. So back to traveling....We arrived at the church where the Saint boys have school and met with them and it was break time. This usually means foot ball (that is soccer to us that live in the US) and so we began to play out in the field as usual. While we were playing another boy walked us and joined in our game. We then went to go back for lunch and the boy came with us. The pastor ask the boy who he was and said that he could stay for lunch, then he would need to leave. As we were eating lunch the prayer I prayed only hours earlier came to mind. I said "Chris this may be the one we prayed about." So, I took Essa to translate for me. We talked to Bramel about Christ which he had never even heard of before. I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with this young man and he prayed to receive Christ. If you ask me if God answers prayers? I will tell you without a doubt that he does, in his will and with a attitude of expectation.       

To Lake Victoria and Beyond

I arrived in Kenya late on a Tuesday night. After only a few days of getting rested and adjusted, I start traveling. It was early on a Thursday morning we were off again. We began to travel across Kenya. As we travel, I began to see some of beautiful wildlife that this land has to offer. We traveled from Nairobi through the Rift Valley, through towns like Nakuru, the tea country of Kericho, stopping to eat fish on the banks of Lake Victorica (where some Cichlids come from) in Kisumu, all the way up to with in 30 mile of the border of Uganda in Busia, the back down to Kakamega for the pastors conference. It was a lot of traveling in one day. I felt sorry for Chris who did all of the driving and made another trip up to Busia. We dropped Noah off to start building a Chicken farm in Busia while we were doing the Pastors Conference. Well as often happens in that part of Kenya, the weather changed very quickly as we left the farm in Busia. It started pouring and keep in mind we were in a Toyota Noah, yeah that is a mini van. We slid up the muddy mountain road and got back to the tar mat. As we were headed back to Kakamega it started to get increasingly dark. Now we need to stop a minute for context reason.( In Kenya they have speed limits that are rarely enforced, but they also have installed unmarked speed bumps at towns, markets, and other random places. The random places are the ones you worry about.) Ok, back to the story. So as we are traveling these speed bumps are becoming increasingly more difficult for us to see. Next thing you know, it is dark. The only lights around are the ones from the automobiles. So there is this on coming truck with bright lights on...all the sudden we feel this huge BAM! and feel the impact as the van bounces. In short, we hit a unmarked speed bump going reasonably fast with a hole on the other side. The van survived with no broken parts as we rolled into the hotel for the night. End of Day 1. So the next day, we get up early and get the game plan together. We would start with introduction and music, then I would speak, tea time and mandazies (Kenya doughnuts), then Glen would teach until lunch, then I basically the same format until we stopped for the day. So we arrive at a house with a small fenced in yard. (Though to self....ok where is the building, chuch, place we are going to do this? Oh, the yard.....ok we will teach in the yard.) So we start the set up and Chris attempts to teach me some Swahili as people arrived. It was bad and my accent just made it worse. I had to stop. We laughed about it and moved on. As the program started worship was awesome. I understood about half of what they were saying, but it was apparent they were worshiping God and I did my best to keep up. (I miss that music so much) I spoke and did my best as I worked with a translator. Then I found out how good those Kenya doughnuts were. Then Glen began his series on leadership. As I was sitting there  listening to Glen sitting right beside him. A chicken was walking around the yard. A very ugly chicken. It then decides it needs to walk directly between my legs under my chair and behind me on the other side. I did good and kept my cool, but to see the look on Chris' face was priceless. So the program continued as I taught on Examples of Godly leaders and Glen taught on the traits a Godly leader should have. It all went well, other than Glen getting almost hit by a car after we went to eat one night and getting run off the road by a mac truck on the way home. It was a very productive trip and I feel like we encouraged a lot of pastors.    

Conformation before landing.

Well, as if raising the funds and being able to go and return to my job were not enough. God sent me another little message along the way. As I started my journey from (Greensboro) GSO to (Detroit) DTW it was a nice hour long flight, very quick and quite enjoyable. The next flight was a long one across the Atlantic. It was from Detroit to Amsterdam. It was a 8 hour trip and yes there were tv's to watch movies.( Toy Story 3, not bad and The A-Tean, it was ok) There were some of the things which occupied the time. One of the other things I had to do was prepare for the pastor's conference that we would be leaving for 2 days after I arrived. I sat in the middle seat as we rode. The was a older lady to my left and a woman around my age to my left. As often happens in flight I kept to my self for the most part. As I sat and attempted to sleep some, watched a movie or two, then I knew I needed study for the pastor's conference which was coming very soon. I then proceeded to get out my Bible and my notebook  as I studied. Soon after that the Young woman to my right asked me where I was headed. I told her and I asked her the same question. As I was headed to Kenya, she was on her way to Mozambique for missions. Her name was Debbie and she was from Vegas. We then began to talk about how God was moving in each of our lives and arrived at AMS. Another woman that was on plane was going on the same trip with her and they had just met at Detroit. So, the three of us hung out at AMS till our planes departed separate ways. Some would say is was random chance, but I would argue that it was a point of divine providence. Out of all the 400+ that were on the plane, one of those seated beside of me was leaving for a mission trip also, just a point of conformation for me.

Question and answers.....not so much

This blog has a more playful mood than the deep and serious questions I usually answer. So, I guess this post is a direct result of my investigative personality. If you don't know me, I'm just going to tell you that one of the things that drives me is figuring out things. It started with my childhood obsession with Legos and I don't think that part of me has ever went away. I like to fix things, one of necessity and two for fun. I always do my research with things from fish tanks to model planes I like to know what is going on. This is one of the reasons being asked so many questions in Bible study really get me excited and most of the time I try to follow up. So, that leads me to another thing that I sought to figure out at one time.....Women....I know really...haha, but in particular the art of picking up women. I know it's hard for you to believe, but there was a time I was much more uncomfortable with even talking to opposite sex. So, back when I was insanely stupid I made this topic an obsession of mine. Not to reveal sources....but I now know icebreakers, keno touch exercises, and ways to close the deal. In that search and through other discoveries about the psychology of attraction I can almost read minds at times. Well most of the time this applies. It happens that in very few cases I have not a clue. I'm just going to be straight, it kinda drives me crazy when I feel like I have no read what so ever. If you know anything about anything, then you realize when your not in control you are at the mercy of where ever that takes you. I guess you can kinda see my logic now. These days I tend to avoid such things, because one things I feel that it manipulates the situation and I desire what is natural.....It is so much easier, and I believe that God is sovereign enough to make it happen if it need to and is in his will. The question we must ask far to often is what if it is in his will for us to remain single. Would Jesus be enough if that was the case?  

God's economy

Well, If you would have asked me a few days ago if I was going to Kenya? The answer would have been not right now. It was 2 whole weeks before I was planning on originally leaving and I was a few hundred dollars short on funds. I tried to get rid of everything I could, but with little success. I will honestly tell you the prayer of my heart was: "God I feel like you want me to do this, I have tried my best, but your going to have to take care of the rest." The next day, I tried some last ditch effort to get rid of something else and again no success. So, honestly I was really irritated. I just wanted to chill out with the guys and enjoy guys night after workout. Later that night, I had a short conversation with some very good friends of mine and they wanted to help. It was enough to take care of what I needed. So, I did what any one would do, when God provides you go. That night I booked my ticket and the next day was able to get the shots I needed in time. There were still other things that came up unexpectedly and the money just came out of no where. Even if more things come up, I know that those needs will be met too. That is just the way that God works! When the gap seems to wide the bridge compensates for it. It was and still is a constant test of my faith, that is part of what makes the whole process so important. If it had not been a struggle, then I would not have had to trust God in the situation and my faith would not have had to Grow. Interesting, this happened all the time in the Bible. So, now here I am leaving October 4th on another exciting adventure with God.

Kenya Trip

As some of you may know by now or heard of me hint to, I will soon be going to Africa on a mission trip. The date is not quite nailed down, but my intention is to leave as soon as I can get the funding to go. My goal will be to go and work with a missionary couple that I am good friends with Chris and Lindy Thompson. They minister to the people of Nairobi, Kenya. The length of my trip will be for approximately for one month. The reason I am going will be to obedient in my burden to reach youth in the mission field. I am not sure entirely what that is going to look like yet, but if while I am there it is confirmed in my heart that this is where I need to be, then I will come back and look for a way to serve in this area on a full time basis. This is quite possibly one of the biggest leaps of faith I have ever had to take, but the combination of Youth and Missions makes very good sense in the ways that the Lord has prepared me.

here is a link to Chris and Lindy's blog.... http://www.onlyservants.blogspot.com/    

Early church history

The question of where the different denominations come for has come to my attention.
It is obvious that starting in the book of Acts and continuing into the books that follow Acts we began to see the rise of the early New Testament Church. After that we must go to other historical documents to understand what happened. To the best of my understanding through the first several centuries remained unified as one body under Christ. There were bishops that handled the affairs of the different regions. They were located in most of the major cites(Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Ephesus, and Rome). Prior to the sixth century all of the bishops carried equal oversight. The churches in Jerusalem and Ephesus began to lose influence. One reason is because of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.. At the start of the sixth century and beginning with the bishop at Rome (Gregory the Great) who was recognized as chief among his peers. We then begin to see the start of the Roman Catholic Church and its formation was complete by the end of the sixth century. The eastern churches that remained from this influence became known as the orthodox church. This church was lead by the bishop of the eastern capital of Rome in Constantinople. This brings us to the rise of the Protestant Church, that began it's rise out of the Roman Catholic Church with the Reformation in the 16th Century by Martin Luther. The Reformation emphasized Scripture over tradition as the foundation for church doctrine. This is the foundation for the first 3 denominations. It should be noted that the church government we have today came out of one of these.

Honduras 2010

To attempt to put in to word what happen in the week that we spent would be impossible. There were many surprises and challenges along the way. In all of those things in became very evident early on that God was working in our mist. I will attempt to tell you just one perspective of how God worked around us and how God worked in me.

Attempting to be prepared we did all we could by praying, staying in the word, raising money, planing, and doing everything you must to leave and go to another country. Even with all of these attempts, I'm not sure you can ever fully prepare. The first issue we had was with us shipping our speakers. Apparently the magnets in the speakers will mess with the navigation equipment on the airplane. We then began to fly from Charlotte to Miami and Miami to San Pedro. After our arrival we rode in a bus for a few hours to Siguatepeque. This is where we would be concentrating out efforts for the next week. The days began to fly by as we would go to schools, do door to door evangelism, VBS, show movies, and spend time investing in other people. After it all happened, it seems like it was only a instant and in that instant we grew as believers and very close to the people we had met.

In reflection my heart is still somewhat torn with being back home. I miss so much how God moved in that one week. I miss the people and the songs and just concentrating on sharing God's love with no other obligations. I really feel like through this trip God has showed me more of my calling and spiritual gifts. As excited as I am to share the Gospel, I am just as excited to encourage, teach, and watch other believers grow. I process of discipleship is so exciting to me and I enjoy being asked questions that challenge me and allow me to grow. In our trip we were able to see about 110-112 new born again believers (SO EXCITING TO BE A PART OF!!!!). I was also very exciting for me to see how the leaders pushed us and how they were such examples. Truly God is teaching me how to be a leader and how to love like he does.

scripture memory

Why do it? That is the question I have been asked this week and I honestly really had to work to give a sound scriptural argument. So, I turn to wiser men that I. Check out this article by @ John Piper http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2006/1799_Why_Memorize_Scripture/

Great questions, keep them coming friends.

Mission Trip and Prayer

As many of you already know, I will soon be leaving on a mission trip with several other awesome people from Rich Fork Baptist Church. In my discussion with people about this trip, I have encounter 2 responses. The first of which is "why?" The can easily answer with the great commission Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8 in seeing the truth of the Gospel carried around the world. The second is at first nice, but in the end counter productive. That would be when most people tell me to "be safe" or are praying for my safety. For the average pew sitter this would be a logical prayer, but is really a prayer that is the opposite of what scripture teaches. Through countless examples in the Old and the New Testament God does not remove the danger, but sustains the believer through it. Examples like Moses, Paul, Peter, and even Christ, point to the way in which God moved in their times of distress and suffering. Yes, even suffering that ends in death! One might ask why God would allow that? That answer is much simpler. In this God is glorified.

So what I ask you to do in response is not to pray for our safety, but pray that God will be glorified above all else. No matter how much that might cost. Yes, I'm ready no matter the cost.......are you?