GlocalNet

What should I be seeing, hearing, reading? From whom should I be learning that are really accurate? Books, more than speakers, seem to influence me. People influence me more than speakers. Who are they and what are they doing? I love risk, and I love sailing into the uncertain and then finding my way through it. I am a speaker--only somewhat of an emerging writer. What’s written can be interacted with, digested and thought about. You can hang out with those you know, watch them, observe them and see what they’re really about. I think a good speaker can pull the wool over your eyes easier than anyone. A good story and an inspiring challenge are good, but where does it lead? Reading a book and observing someone’s life is far more powerful. If it’s a good book, it gives breadth to context and practice. If it’s a good book, it isn’t written in a vacuum of only one perspective, but the author has critically read other key thinkers in a field and has the ability to assimilate information. If it’s a good life you’re observing, that person obviously practices what he preaches. But, I’m equally interested in how they learn, who they listen to, and what they do with what they’ve heard. I’m also interested in their humanity--what do they laugh at. Do they have a life beyond their “work” and this is big for me--does their family love them or despise them? I guess, what I’m really after is not how smart they are--it’s their intelligence that caused me to stop and listen, watch, etc., but, how good at life are they?

Recently I was with some of our interns as we traveled through several countries around the world. It was fun. It was the first time we ever had a global trip. In the past, we taught them and told them the stories. This time, we took them and let them see and taste--it was awesome. Next year, I want to do this a lot quicker in the process. It created some real bonding.

In one country, we had just gone out to eat and were returning to the hotel. We were riding in the taxi when the taxi driver in very broken English said, “I get you girl.” “What?” we asked. “I get you young girl--I get you all the girls you want.” I had prepared the guys for stuff like this, but it’s still an awkward thing.

“No--we’re married.” “It’s OK--she no find out,” he persisted. So, I pushed back. “You married?” “Yes,” he replied. “You have girls?” “Yes”, he said. “Your wife know?” “No, she no know.” I was applying to his moral nature, which didn’t get me far. So, I focused on his philosophy of family, “Your wife do that?” “No way!” “Then, why you.” “It’s OK, these girls--they like it.” “Nope, they’re someone’s daughter, wife, some relative.” No matter what I said, he still justified it. Finally, he said, “The girls only $60 for whole night--very expensive for me, but very cheap for you.”

It made me sad. I wondered--were these girls the sex slaves you hear about? I thought about a lecture I heard from the International Justice Mission in DC and about how difficult and torturous the life of people in the sex trade was. All these women were to men were either a sex object or a price tag. I wanted that truth to sink in to the other guys in the car. Just a price tag.

Yet, no one paid for their price tag more than what Jesus did on the cross.
He came to set the captives free--that is what ministry is all about--setting people free.

You can read the books, you can hear the stories, you can listen to the talks, but you just have to see it to get it. I was in Jakarta with our interns and now Thailand, and soon somewhere else. It’s wild! They’ve heard this a million times, but seeing it--that’s the real deal. They’re getting it. It’s kind of like being in love--you just have to experience it.

I’m in Jakarta with our church planters--giving them a taste of the world! I get all excited watching them get excited. Man, I wish someone had taken me on a trip like this when I went into the ministry. They are meeting not only religious leaders, but regular members of churches, as well, doing abnormal stuff. So proud of these guys!

Micah Davidson is a young pastor I believe in.  I was speaking at a conference last weekend and he came up to see me.  We talked about a lot of stuff, but his last question was his best.  “Bob, what would you say to a younger pastor?” I told him the main stuff, but when it was all said and done, I told him, “Pray every day, but at least once a week get on your face before God and don’t get up until you’re weeping.  I believe it.  Why does it matter?  Because it softens our heart to the heart of God.  Stay soft so you can push hard!”

Micah Davidson is a young pastor I believe in.  I was speaking at a conference last weekend and he came up to see me.  We talked about a lot of stuff--but his last question was his best.  “Bob, what would you say to a younger pastor?” I told him the main stuff, but when it was all said and done, I told him, “Pray every day, but at least once a week get on your face before God and don’t get up until you’re weeping.” I believe it.  Why does it matter?  Because it softens our heart to the heart of God.  Stay soft so you can push hard!

Micah Davidson is a young pastor I believe in.  I was speaking at a conference last weekend and he came up to see me.  We talked about a lot of stuff--but his last question was his best.  “Bob, what would you say to a younger pastor?” I told him the main stuff, but when it was all said and done, I told him, “Pray every day, but at least once a week get on your face before God and don’t get up until you’re weeping.” I believe it.  Why does it matter?  Because it softens our heart to the heart of God.  Stay soft so you can push hard!

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