Mission Leader

We all love the signs of new life in spring. Silent, lifeless winter has passed. As Christians, winter’s passing and spring’s arrival cannot but remind us of Jesus’ necessary death by crucifixion, followed by miraculous resurrection. Melodious bird songs and budding, beautiful trees shout hallelujah. Our Afghan friends are celebrating Nao Roz – the first day of their new year.

Today as I reflected on events in the world and in my own life I was reminded of some guidance from 1 Peter 2. Whenever we read the Word we need to read it in context.

Keep it in Perspective

The hostile context of the recipients of 1 Peter reminds me that we need to keep all things in perspective. 1 Peter was written to first-century Christians who were under attack on all fronts, because of the gospel. The believers who read Peter’s epistle were discouraged, above and beyond the kind of discouragement and frustration you and I face as a result of illness, job changes, or relational trials, etc.  Those believers were attacked by persecution for their faith. I have seen persecution for faith firsthand and dare not compare that kind of persecution for witness under oppression to the normal difficulties associated with life after the Fall. The message of 1 Peter is directed to faithful witnesses under fatally hostile times, but that advice is timeless and applicable in many circumstances.

Let’s compare — As my wife went through three rounds of chemo over several years, we often reminded ourselves that compared to Jesus’ suffering for our sins, our temporary suffering was merely a painful inconvenience. It was a horrible experience in every way. We don’t minimize the horror of chemo and near-death battles that my wife faced on her journey of suffering and healing. However, we knew that she would be healed in this life, or in the next. Either now or later, her healing would be victorious and glorifying to Jesus. In suffering, we clung to God’s goodness and to the Living Hope of Jesus.

We must daily remember to keep a kingdom perspective on whatever trials we face. My troubles in this life have rarely been a result of persecution for my faith. My troubles in this life are temporary, limited and tiny in comparison to Jesus’ suffering or the brutal persecution of our brothers and sisters who have died as witnesses in hostile times and places.

Just Taste Him

The epistle of 1 Peter instructed believers to remember the taste of Jesus. Following some potent instructions (1:13-25) to be holy, and to fix our hope completely on the grace of Jesus, 1 Peter 2:4 instructs us to “come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious (ESV).”

He builds this instruction off the image in verse 2 of a newborn baby who tastes mother’s milk and whines and wails, yearning for the taste and the filling associated with that milk. Why should we yearn for the milk of the Lord? Because we have “tasted that the Lord is good.” Every challenge I’ve ever faced has drawn me to the tasty presence of the Lord. If Peter’s advice was good for Christians under the persecuting fires of first century faith, it’s good medicine for the small sufferings I face as a fallen man living in a fallen world.

I remember the taste of Jesus. I’ve experienced the nourishment — especially in challenging times. I need Him now more than ever.

Come to the Living Stone

We, as tiny stones, when assembled around the Living Stone are “built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5, ESV). So my purpose and my joy and my strength and my hope is not in me, my company, my career, my success.  It’s in my connection to Him – the Living Stone.

I Peter 2:10 is a reminder that God chose a people who were not even a people. Kinda like me — I’m nothing and nobody apart from Jesus. The Israelites were nothing and God made them a people of blessing for all peoples. In spite of being nothing, “now you have received mercy (ESV).” That mercy is at the empty cross of the living Lord – the Living Stone.

Whatever you face — come to Jesus – the Living Stone.

More later on the living stone. 

For several weeks, we are going to hear from a long-time friend who I’ve watched mature over the years. I’m actually more of an uncle to him.

In the early 1990’s John’s parents joined me and my wife on a cross-cultural team in another country. Cindy and I have prayed for and supported John’s family over the years as they have lived and served in various settings.

As you read John’s articles, you will be drawn into life and ministry from the perspective of John and his friends who have grown and matured as Third Culture Kids. Several of the articles that John is writing are actually interviews with his friends, who like John are American.  Yet John and his friends have spent their developmental years surrounded by people and events outside the cultural norm of the United States of America – thus, we call them Third Culture Kids. These kids are American, but their perspective is not explicitly American. Instead, these “kids” filter life through different lenses.

Join me as we look at the world from the perspective of John and his Third Culture friends.

What follows is John’s self-introduction.

Mark Morris

From John M.

Hey guys,

I am excited for the opportunity to be involved with this site. I am a recently returning TCK (Third Culture Kid) who is now attending college here in the States. I was born in America to a God-centered family, who moved overseas early in my life, and gave me many opportunities to experience the world’s different cultures, people, and languages. I have grown up most of my life in predominantly Muslim countries, with some time in a Buddhist culture, as well as several years in Europe and North America.

During my time growing up, I’ve attended many different types of schools: public, private, boarding school, and home school. Currently I am an underclassman at college. I am seeking to live a life that honors God, and to intentionally focus relationships on the eternal.

Over this summer I hope to share with you some stories, and how it is these stories have impacted my relationship with God. I hope that you will join me in sharing how these stories impact our lives.

John Magilicuty

²⁴ The Lord bless you
and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

Dreams do come true! Several weeks ago it was unclear as to whether my dream of some family fun on the beach would be possible. Well, we’ve just returned from a great time together in Florida. At one point, Betsy pulled us aside for a family photo; to be honest, we were not all “happy campers.” Her request meant that we had to drag ourselves out of the water or out from under the comfortable umbrella for a hot, sandy walk to a certain deck. BUT…at the second of the snap, Betsy set the camera timer, ran from her tripod and jumped in the middle of us with a beautiful, BIG grin to announce: “One, Two, Three…everybody say BETSY’S PREGNANT!” The shocked excitement was captured on film–“Very clever, Betsy!” We are so delighted. John recently returned to Iraq from an 18-day “R & R.” It was so wonderful to see him. Ask God to grant focus to John’s platoon and patience and health in the 130 degree, grueling heat! Back in Clarksville, Please remember Betsy and the health of the baby, as she starts up a kindergarden job soon. Thank you.

Best News: Jesus

Thank you for praying that the “aroma of Christ” spread even though the situation regarding our friend who is missing in Afghanistan is still unresolved. May God’s fame extend all over that nation, as the Holy Spirit directs and empowers His people.

We regret that we won’t be attending the Concerned Christians for Afghanistan gathering in Ohio at the end of July. Pray for those will be there. Please remember Afghans and so many across the globe suffering under severe famine/drought/economic woe.

Will you also please pray for Steve Moses and interns Ashley, David, Katie, Elise, Pace, Ryan, Heather, and Alex who have spent the summer in missional training? They are concluding their summer right now with a ministry trip among the least reached.

Personally, Mark and I have started studying the book of Hebrews. There is nothing better to adjust one’s perspective like a fresh reminder of the person of Jesus:

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3)

May we daily acknowledge the perfect Character of Christ and by so doing know afresh of His agape love for us, a love we pray will overflow to those near and even those a far—all for His pleasure.

With you on the journey,

Cindy and Mark