My pastors....

I've said it before and I'll say it again, God has given us an amazing church down here. It's a church that stands out from most other churches I know. I remember back when I first started going there five or six years ago...I didn't always understand much of what was being said, but I always left with a sense of God's presence...like I'd met with God's Spirit.

And that's still the case today. I never have to work at convincing the guys to get up for church on Sunday morning. They enjoy it as much as I do. I think they probably have better friends there than I do.  They seem to know everyone.  =)

A big part of why we love Kairos so much is the leadership of our pastors, Jorge and Tonchy. They're two young guys (brother-in-laws) who really love God and who really love people. It shows in everything they do. They're gifted speakers, amazing musicians and just all around fun guys.

Last November they recorded some of Tonchy's music (a lot of what we sing at Kairos are original songs that Tonchy has written). They video taped the recording session and put together a little documentary.

It's just over half an hour (and in Spanish), but if you're a musician or you just want to listen to some great Spanish music, give this a listen to. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. It's just Jorge on accoustic guitar and Tonchy singing (Caronport people...pay attention to what Tonchy is playing...look familiar?).

Sit back and enjoy. This is what we're blessed with every Sunday...

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To keep you entertained....

I'm working on getting our Christmas pictures up...but until then, I offer up this for your entertainment. 

It's the final fireworks of our Christmas Eve celebration...

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"Can you promise me I'll come back?"

I went to see “The Hobbit” the other day.  I’m a bit of a fan, shall we say, of the whole “Lord of the Rings” universe.  I have all the LOTR figurines (not dolls as some uninformed friends want to call them) and I’ve seen the movies more times than I’m willing to admit in public.  So you can imagine how I’ve been anticipating “The Hobbit” since the day they announced they were making it.

Happily I wasn’t disappointed.  It was everything I’d hoped it would be.  I even saw it again a few days later in 3D.  In Spanish this time mind you…but still amazing.

In each of the LOTR movies there’s always a scene that sticks with me.  It’s not the big battle scene or the scene with the most special effects.  It’s usually a scene that resounds inside of me for some reason.

The same thing happened in this movie and you might be surprised at what it was that stuck with me.

Near the beginning of the story, Bilbo receives a visit from Gandalf the wizard.  Gandalf invites him to go on a grand adventure which Bilbo quickly and summarily dismisses.  Bilbo, you see, is a Hobbit, and Hobbits are generally happy and content with the predictability of their lives.  They don’t relish anyone or anything that might disrupt the peacefulness and tranquility they enjoy.  Bilbo was no exception. 

Then something happens to Bilbo.  Dwarves start arriving at his doorstep.  Rowdy, excited (and hungry) dwarves.  They turn his tiny, uncluttered house upside down with their singing and dancing, eating and just general revelry.  It about drives poor Bilbo crazy. 

Gandalf eventually returns and quite enjoys the party that has invaded Bilbo’s quiet little home and the discomfort it’s caused Bilbo.  Later in the evening when things have calmed down somewhat, he again presses Bilbo to accompany this band of dwarves on the mission they’ve set before themselves. 

Bilbo looks at Gandalf and then asks this question.

“Can you promise me I’ll come back?”

To which Gandalf replies, “No, and if you do, you will not be the same.”

Bilbo thinks for a moment and then once again declines the invitation.

Everyone eventually falls asleep until the next morning when Bilbo awakens expecting to be surrounded by the same chaos that filled his house the night before.  What he finds, however, is that his perfect little house and life has been restored to him.  Everything is neatly in its place and the house is once again quiet and ordered.

As Bilbo walks from silent room to silent room you can see him contemplating the situation.  His life is as it was…serene, peaceful and uncomplicated. 

The next thing you know (and this is the part I love), he’s tearing out of his house running after the band of dwarves.  He’s jumping over fences and running down quiet lanes, past his diligent, hardworking neighbours who look at him like he’s lost his mind.

And of course, he has. 

Well, maybe not his whole mind…just that part of it that yearned for a life of safety and security.  Until that moment, Bilbo’s whole existence had been about maintaining that sense of predictability.  Then in a flash, that safe, secure and peaceful world was completely and utterly disrupted.

Bilbo was given a gift that many people never receive.  For a moment he was shown a world that wasn’t safe.  It wasn’t secure or orderly.  It certainly wasn't predictable.  There was singing and dancing and plates flying through the air. 

In that moment, Bilbo realized that what he had mistaken for chaos and frivolity in his guests was really a sense purpose and adventure. 

These dwarves knew they were each a part of something greater than themselves and because of that, they were willing to step out into the unknown.  They were prepared to live lives that would be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous.  They knew that win or lose their lives had meaning and significance and that gave them a great sense of joy.

When Bilbo caught a glimpse of that there was no going back.  He knew that the complacency of his earlier life could not compare to the adventure that had been placed before him.

I remember when I had that same experience.  There was no singing or dancing or plates being tossed through the air (I wish).  But I knew I didn’t want to live a life centered around being safe and secure.  I had no idea where that life would lead me (certainly not to South America to a country I would have been hard pressed to find on a map), but I was willing to step out into the unknown because I knew I was a part of something that was so much greater than who I was on my own.

My heart’s desire is that each of us should have that same moment.  That moment when we catch a glimpse of the life God is calling us to.  It’s not a life of complacency or security or predictability.  It’s a life of uncertainty and disorder and sometimes danger.  It’s also a life of joy and adventure and significance. 

“Can you promise me I’ll come back?” asked Bilbo.

“No,” replied Gandalf, “and if you do, you will not be the same.” 

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Bolivian New Years 2013...

For those of you I'm not Facebook friends with (Deb), here's a little video I posted of the view from my balcony tonight. I'm home alone (back problems) so I figured I'd put this up since I really have nothing better to do. =) The guys are hanging with people from our church.

Anyhow...enjoy. Bolivia...it's always entertaining!

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