tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82625510751349319212024-03-06T03:59:07.445-05:00Culture ShockJeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.comBlogger308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-71831859210730222022016-10-25T10:24:00.000-04:002016-10-27T12:31:05.106-04:00Addendum: An Unexpected Trip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since we moved to Croatia, many people have asked me what I miss most about the States. My response is #1: Family and friends, and #2: Baseball. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course the former makes a lot of sense. The latter, on the other hand, in a culture where baseball is just in the movies, takes most off guard. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Regardless, my most recent trips to the States represent these two reasons. Last year I went to western New York to celebrate my grandparents’ 70 years of marriage . This year, in fact, <i>right now</i>, I am arriving in Boston to enjoy the Cubs' first trip to the World Series in 71 years.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That may sound like a trivial reason to cross the Atlantic, but this is where I come back to reason #1. Having gained a love for the Cubs from my father and having shared it with my brother, it will be a joy to watch several games with them. I'll also be able to visit close friends in Chicago, whom I haven’t seen in three years, and whose children I’ve never met. I will be able to have my cake and eat it too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This of course would not be possible if it weren’t for a generous gift in the form of a plane ticket from Croatia to Boston and a loving wife who initiated the trip.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I deserve this gift right? My loyalty to the Cubs has been strong since watching them lose to the Giants in the 1989 NLCS. I’ve suffered through 0-14 in 1997, Alex Gonzalez’s error in ’03 and consecutive Wild Card sweeps in ’07 and ’08. I wore my Cubs gear to middle school in a time and place where it made me a loser - if not a lovable one. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But no, I don’t deserve it. We’re committed to a life on the other side of the ocean. We have responsibilities in Zagreb, and by the way, my love for the Cubs has done nothing to actually make them as good as they are. No, there’s really no merit for me going to the States to enjoy watching them in the World Series. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This gift, from those who paid for it and enabled me to go, was free and initiated out of genuine love. Yes, as I fly over the Atlantic I am reminded of God’s free gift of grace which is immeasurably more valuable. And I am thankful. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Go Cubs!</span></span></div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-1971638960795980112016-08-31T01:54:00.001-04:002016-09-04T14:48:50.361-04:00It's Time to Go<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I <a href="http://cultureshock-jeremy.blogspot.hr/2016/08/the-end-of-era.html">mentioned</a> earlier in the week it's time to wrap up this blog. And although I don't have much more to say, I do want to conclude fittingly.<br />
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The theme of this blog has been culture shock. Originally I started it primarily as a way to process the move from America to Croatia. But it also had a faith-based component from the beginning.<br />
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In the end, the transition from one culture to another, and in a way living in two cultures at the same time, has a lot of relevance to our situation in this world as christians. As I <a href="http://cultureshock-jeremy.blogspot.hr/2016/08/home.html">made reference to</a> a few days ago, we're waiting to go to our true home.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">C.S. Lewis says it well: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;">If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”</span><br />
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But while we wait, we're already living and working in the new kingdom. This tension is both difficult and exciting. It's hard sometimes because we see the imperfection all around us. It's exciting because we have a chance to do something about it. Our task is not simply to sit by while we wait for paradise. Rather, we work towards bringing the kingdom while living in hope knowing there are far better days ahead of us.<br />
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This move is a continuation of our work in the kingdom here in Croatia. Honestly, although we have a plan and a general idea of what our task will be and what life will be like, there's a certain uncertainty about how things will turn out. This is that tension.<br />
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So we go forward in faith believing that the One who determines our steps will provide as He has always done. The Lord is good and his steadfast love endures forever.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bohalls, August 2016</td></tr>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-50484978246409151562016-08-29T02:34:00.000-04:002016-08-29T02:36:36.205-04:00The Bohall Kids Talk About Moving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What goes through a child's mind when they find out they're moving?<br />
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Since we decided to move to Zagreb, I've heard that moving is one of the most traumatic things a child can go through. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/fashion/11StudiedMoving.html?_r=2">This NY Times article</a> says that the effects can be felt even into adulthood. Looking back at my own experience, I remember not being happy about moving. However, doing so as a child and teenager is what helped me adapt fairly easily to life in Croatia.<br />
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Another thing the linked article talks about is the difference moving has on introverts vs. extroverts. Predictably, it's more difficult on the former than the latter. From my own perspective as an introvert, moving wasn't pleasant, but it brought about more personality flexibility. I am now more extroverted than I used to be.<br />
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One of the positive things about moving to Zagreb (vs. somewhere outside Croatia) is that we have friends and family there. Our children have acquaintances and we already have a local church we're ready to call home. This, combined with the fact that our children are still relatively young, gives us hope that the move won't be too traumatic.<br />
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In talking to our oldest son, Enoh, about the move, he's the one who is least happy. I decided to ask each of the kids a few questions about the move to see what they're thinking about. In watching the interviews, I don't see anything too profound. But if nothing else, this should be interesting for us, and them, to watch in the future as we look back at the unknown of moving.<br />
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Take a look if you're interested.<br />
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-59799060169637307542016-08-27T14:58:00.001-04:002016-08-27T15:01:45.225-04:00Be Ready!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The fifteen of us were in Poland surrounded by wooden structures of various shapes and sizes. We had traveled 12 hours from Croatia to live in tents for a week. In my calculation we formed the smallest campsite of all the villages that totaled 7,200 campers. We were at Royal Ranger (RR) Eurocamp 2016.<br />
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This was the second RR camp I had attended in two years, but by far the biggest camp I had ever been to. The hosts had prepared for nearly four years and it showed. The infrastructure and organization could not have been better. In attending the leaders meetings every morning at camp I saw that there were some minor challenges here and there, but overall it was obvious they were ready when we came.<br />
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On the second day of camp I was asked to share a message during the village devotional time. In similar situations in the past I'd have said no. I only had two days to prepare. The theme wasn't one I had spent much time studying. But the answer fell out of my mouth before I really processed those details. "Yes, I'd be happy to!"<br />
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When it was time to speak, I realized that the group of 300 campers was the biggest group I had ever spoken to.<br />
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Our motto as Royal Rangers is "Be Ready" It's something I've been trying to teach others. Maybe I had finally learned myself. The state of being ready is completely dependent on the amount of preparation one does ahead of time. In organizing the trip for our 15 campers I had prepared the logistics ahead of time. Therefore we were ready when the day came to travel. The Eurocamp team was ready for us because they had prepared well ahead of time.<br />
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I believe the main reason I was ready to speak during our morning devotional time was because I've been spending this year consistently reading and studying Scripture more than any other time in my life. <a href="http://thebibleproject.tumblr.com/readscripture">The Bible Project</a> has helped with an incredible reading plan and intro videos that have helped me be immersed in God's Word. It was this constant discipline of devotional time that allowed me to be ready.<br />
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And I believe this is how we as ministry workers...no we as Christians, can best prepare for any event. In the New Testament we are constantly encouraged to be ready; "Be prepared to give an answer" (I Pet 3:15), "Be alert at all times" (Luke 21:36). Paul encourages us to put on the full armor of God which includes the sword of the Spirit. Being ready and studying the Word are strongly connected. That's what I experienced when I was out of my comfort zone of preparing a message without much time of preparation.<br />
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The camp was a huge success because of the preparation of the organizers. Our experience there and our trip there and back were smooth because of our preparedness and God's hand of grace upon us. We grew in our relationship with the Lord and with one another. All in all it was a tremendous experience for the 15 of us from Croatia. But if there's anything I would like to pass on to the younger Rangers it's this: Read, study and memorize Scripture so that you are always ready to serve the Lord in whatever capacity you are asked to.<br />
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The video below offers a taste of Royal Ranger Eurocamp 2016.<br />
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-37296338459633899802016-08-26T02:50:00.002-04:002016-08-26T02:55:47.722-04:00Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Where is home?<br />
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Petra and I lived in Orahovica for 9 years - longer than I've lived in any one place in my life. Without a doubt I considered Orahovica home. The house we lived in, our four kids who learned to eat and walk there and the daily routine all contributed to us calling it home.<br />
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So how will it be possible to call Zagreb home now?<br />
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For Enoh, our eight year old, home was most about his teacher and his classmates/friends. Here in Croatia you have the same teacher from first to fourth grade. Of our four children, this move is hardest on Enoh because of the relationships he has in Orahovica.<br />
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That's what I remember most about our moves when I was a kid/teenager. Sure, I missed the cornfields and apple trees I grew up playing around in Iowa and the field I spend hours playing home-run derby in in Wisconsin. But it was the friendships I missed most.<br />
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It's the friendships that created the greatest pull back to Croatia for my wife. Upon moving to Croatia 10 years ago, we calculated that Petra had spent exactly the same amount of her life in America as she had in Croatia. The thing is, she felt more at home in Croatia. In a relationship based culture (as opposed to the schedule oriented culture in America) this makes sense. It can be difficult for a foreigner to find a way "in" to this sort of culture. But once one is in, leaving can be a difficult thing.<br />
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And so the web of relationships keeps us in Croatia despite an attractive option of working together with friends in the States. Simply put, Croatia is home.<br />
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In a recent conversation Petra told me the table most represents home home for her. And that makes a lot of sense. So many friendships were begun, renewed and strengthened around our dining room table. Of all the material things we moved, the table was first priority.<br />
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Of course, a material building and physical space can become both real and symbolic expressions of home. But without family and friends they become virtually meaningless. We were created as relational beings. And as God's creatures we look forward to the day when our fellowship will be perfect. We long to go home.<br />
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Until then we imitate what we look forward to in the imperfect world of moving and goodbyes. But even the imitation is enjoyable when we share it with others. Yes, our table is coming with us to Zagreb in expectation that it will see many more relationships enjoyed around it. Zagreb will soon feel like home to us. And the table will be one of the main reasons why.<br />
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Home is where the table is.<br />
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Here are some pictures of our fellowship around (and sometimes on) the table in Orahovica over the years.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican night for our high school group in 2009</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutch Blitz "Croatian Cup" 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year's Celebration 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily's birthday 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffalo Wings 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins 2016</td></tr>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-33069817535991101862016-08-25T02:44:00.000-04:002016-08-25T02:44:23.044-04:00The End of an Era<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been 10 years since we moved to Croatia, 9 since we began living in Orahovica and 8 since I started this blog.<br />
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Of the three, only living in Croatia will remain. Yes, we are moving. We will begin calling Zagreb - the capital of Croatia - home next week.<br />
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And so this blog will come to its inevitable end. Over the last few years I have blogged with less frequency. Acclimation to Croatia, more responsibilities and other outlets for writing have rendered it less useful. Its eventual end has been apparent for awhile. After this week it'll be official.<br />
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However, the move and decision to end the blog give me a great opportunity to share some final thoughts. Over the next few days, I plan to post daily. These posts will be influenced most by the events of this summer and our move.<br />
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This blog has provided me the opportunity to process a lot of what I was going through during my first years in Croatia. Although it has lost its importance to me, I value reading what I wrote in the past. I hope this last series will provide a fitting conclusion to a project that has helped me at first articulate, and later remember, important events and thoughts throughout our first decade in Croatia.<br />
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The picture below is of a chapel near where my family has vacationed for the last 10 summers. Kukljica is where the blog began and where it is ending.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Jerome's chapel, Kukljica Croatia<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-62807604126843315442016-06-14T06:29:00.000-04:002016-08-25T04:44:52.089-04:00Growing and Maturing Together<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I watched the clouds roll by quickly above me as I tried to fall asleep. Only a mat and sleeping bag protected my back from the pebbles on the ground while my face lay bare to the open sky. I was joined by another leader from Macedonia and 12 teenagers from various former-Yugoslavian countries. We were camping next to a lake in the rugged mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the Royal Rangers Junior Leadership Camp. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the challenges specific to this camping trip was that we packed no tents. Instead, we brought ponchos that would serve as shelter. There are various ways to set them up, but because they can't be closed or sealed there's no surefire way to prevent rain from coming in. We decided to connect the ponchos to make a long tent for the 12 boys. </span></div>
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As one of the leaders, I went to bed last. That meant I could lay with my head outside the shelter in order to watch the ever-changing scenery above me. But as I lay with my head exposed, I thought about the possibilities: the unknown...animals...weather. And these worries were compounded by the fact that I was partly responsible for the well-being of all the teenagers with me. I felt vulnerable.<br />
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Rain dripped slowly through the sparse brush above me. I had resolved not to change positions but my mind changed as the sprinkle turned to a steady rain. I turned my body so my head was inside the tent like the 15 year old to my right and my colleague to the left. The younger one snored while the other, who shared my responsibility for the teenagers, lay awake. After an hour or so, the rain became heavy.<br />
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The outside of my sleeping bag was already damp. But now the cloth inside began sticking to my feet and legs like a cold heavy glue. As the noise of the rain increased, our covering began sagging, the mat became more raft-like and the question of how much longer to keep the teenagers in these conditions rang louder and louder in my head. We were at least a mile from a building with showers and beds.<br />
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"I think we should go!" my fellow leader told me as our watches showed 2 am. I agreed. We talked details, woke up the few sleeping campers and took our packs to an abandoned cafe terrace, leaving our sleeping bags and mats behind. Once everyone had gathered, we marched quickly through the downpour to shelter.<br />
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"Why do I need this?" I asked myself as I sloshed through one of the many ankle deep mud puddles. My thoughts first turned to the 12 teenagers behind me and the others who passed this training last year. "I'm here for them," I resolved. "I'm offering them a chance to grow and mature," I said in my head.<br />
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But that led me to a question. "Are they the only ones who need to grow and mature?" The obvious answer challenged me to embrace the situation I was in.<br />
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As a leader, sometimes I get too comfortable. It's easy to believe that I've become an expert at solving problems or knowing answers. Experiences like the one I had last weekend allow me to expose my weaknesses, inexperience and fears while growing in my dependence on God. I need to grow too. And I need those who are walking alongside me to know that I don't have it all figured out.<br />
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That's the beautiful thing about making disciples of Jesus Christ - we can be in the process of becoming and making disciples at the same time. We grow together. This outlook allows us to be vulnerable, share our struggles and burdens knowing that the other has similar difficulties. This is one of the strengths of the Royal Rangers program: leaders and participants go through challenges together.<br />
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The teenagers showered and drank hot tea when we got back. We were all in bed by 4. It was a gracious end to the unpredictable camping trip. As I lay in my dry bed, I sensed God's hand of mercy upon us. He had cared for, watched over and protected us. But he had also provided a way for us to grow in our dependence on him. For all of those things I am thankful.<br />
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-42402122250829338962016-01-13T17:02:00.000-05:002016-01-14T12:04:17.984-05:00Goggles, Jesus and Losing Oneself<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I’m going to lose my goggles so I can find them!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We were taking a three day family vacation at an indoor pool complex in Slovenia when my oldest son Enoh unknowingly contextualized one of Jesus’ sayings. I thought about following up his remark with a conversation about Jesus but as soon as I saw him throw his goggles in the air and turn around with his eyes closed, I realized I was the one receiving the lesson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Usually we talk about the act of losing something as a mistake. When we lose our keys, phone, or glasses it’s always a matter of misplacing something or forgetting where we put them. But here Enoh was making a conscious effort to lose his goggles. And not only that, he was trying to lose the one thing that would normally be most helpful in finding something lost at the bottom of a pool. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Did my seven year old just help me understand the Bible? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus’ words as recorded in Matthew 16 are about <i>making an effort to lose something</i> - namely one’s life. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me.” Of course, the goal is to find one’s life. However the path to getting there is not as much in the finding as it is in the losing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Denying myself has always been difficult because I’ve always been a nice guy who follows the rules. And that, for most of my life, has fit in well with being identified as a Christian. I’ve always felt that denying myself was a step I could step over, because I’m really pretty good already. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Except that is precisely what was wrong with the Pharisees. They were pretty good already. In that context, Jesus’ point about denying oneself doesn’t seem to be as much about doing the right thing as it does with allowing the right person to be in charge. It’s the difference between doing and being, the latter the more important part. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Which brings us back to identity and losing it. Finding our life in Christ means losing whatever part of us believes we are good enough to be in control. We cannot reach God through our moral efforts. Christ is the only way to reach God and is simultaneously the only way we can truly find ourselves. Losing ourself means being vulnerable, giving up control and trusting God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That's not always easy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But it leads to the best and most joyful discovery.</span></div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-29897345757619596582015-12-25T07:46:00.002-05:002015-12-25T08:54:01.181-05:002015 in Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Since we've lived in Croatia, my awareness of how interwoven my life is with those around me has increased. That awareness turned into deep gratitude as I went through pictures and videos from 2015. This project is certainly a way for us to remember special occasions and milestones from the past year. But it's also a symbol of how we are surrounded by wonderful, generous people. Our lives could not and would not be what they are without so many friends and family with whom the Lord has blessed us.<br />
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Merry Christmas!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDE2QGLb3UPfFa5I6Jf7HG0LSVlMUdiufF1YD7ZFAFAOQ3QhOK6dkd2Z_eqL6bz7s2tLAwks6PCA3RhF15orRoeS5x4a-AlWfi4eMxHTV9QEzz1-kEMxyBf0akKq8KFmDIBGklFWFyWE/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDE2QGLb3UPfFa5I6Jf7HG0LSVlMUdiufF1YD7ZFAFAOQ3QhOK6dkd2Z_eqL6bz7s2tLAwks6PCA3RhF15orRoeS5x4a-AlWfi4eMxHTV9QEzz1-kEMxyBf0akKq8KFmDIBGklFWFyWE/s640/unnamed-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Kristina Ocelić</td></tr>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-11942356801753062882015-09-09T08:54:00.001-04:002015-09-09T15:57:17.744-04:00Our First First Grader<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There's something special about your first kid starting school. It's nature's way of telling us that it's time to get serious about parenting while giving us a few more moments of peace to do so. For Enoh it was pure excitement. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_8ScZpRdwKp6P-ZeN1w_1CcPhwVoz4fVmJFBiUc7F7g6Y7n3L_SBNEmGbd2JqNfmHRzv4F7J2Hl7um0UCSUEJ6DzTrvEgVMkJnTmtCfZWmT89zitg-SxeKfcDeZI8WF_arbEK_cmLAY/s1600/IMG_3496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_8ScZpRdwKp6P-ZeN1w_1CcPhwVoz4fVmJFBiUc7F7g6Y7n3L_SBNEmGbd2JqNfmHRzv4F7J2Hl7um0UCSUEJ6DzTrvEgVMkJnTmtCfZWmT89zitg-SxeKfcDeZI8WF_arbEK_cmLAY/s400/IMG_3496.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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I'll be honest, I don't remember my first day of first grade. Maybe in Iowa it was a big deal. But here in Croatia it's a BIG DEAL. At the end of school last year they invited all the kids anticipating entering first grade to a presentation put on by 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders welcoming them to the school. It was at that time that Enoh was designated a First Grader. Over the summer books were ordered, supplies were bought and many, many, many questions were answered. </div>
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On Monday all the first graders and their parents stood outside the school in anticipation of which teacher they would get and how many of their friends would be in their class. When we finally entered, one of the teachers informed us she was just as nervous as we were. "So...not very," I thought to myself. But then I saw Petra biting her fingernails so I didn't say anything. </div>
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Once we all got to the classroom we received quite a number of papers including what looked like a college schedule. Like most other European nations, first graders in Croatia begin taking their second language in first grade. In addition to Croatian and English, Enoh has math, social studies, art, music, gym class and religious education. </div>
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Perhaps the most interesting thing was that the teacher asked each of the students to bring in a <i>jastučić</i> - a small pillow that he would sit on so his bottom doesn't get cold. I've mentioned it here before, but my whole elementary school experience was shaped by sitting on cold floors during assemblies, bleachers during presentations and un-cushioned (normal?) chairs during class. I've lived in Croatia for 8 years but I still don't understand why having cushioned chairs is such a big deal. Overall we are very pleased with the teacher Enoh has and have been encouraged by how excited he is to go to school everyday. </div>
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When Enoh came home, he received a <i>Schültute</i> - the German <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schult%C3%BCte">traditional</a> way of making the first day of school even sweeter. We enjoy introducing our kids to various cultural traditions and Petra worked hard to put this together. Needless to say it put an exclamation mark on Enoh's first day of first grade. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8lWxH4CqJlCbrXORmTndi_7-g7vpGfltDrQ2IhO6fSX5HnKCNoRblEQzlOPq0GQqvEzNd7hFQ1eU989tjL9xbVmrcad0pnZAVp0kzeQ8Wy7kd9YAJcM1DhH2e-j6ZvczAH4likl11mU/s1600/IMG_3505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8lWxH4CqJlCbrXORmTndi_7-g7vpGfltDrQ2IhO6fSX5HnKCNoRblEQzlOPq0GQqvEzNd7hFQ1eU989tjL9xbVmrcad0pnZAVp0kzeQ8Wy7kd9YAJcM1DhH2e-j6ZvczAH4likl11mU/s400/IMG_3505.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Here's a short interview with Enoh on his first couple days of school. </div>
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Here are the outtakes. </div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-802465853646643372015-07-11T08:44:00.002-04:002017-01-24T03:50:34.057-05:00Seventy Years<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">From the Slavonian farmlands. . . to sunny Zagreb. . . to the bustling hub of Munich. . . to fireworks on the Fourth over NYC. . . to a ghost-town in Buffalo, I had journeyed 24 hours. In Croatia, my wife made last-minute arrangements for our four kids to be taken care of while she worked full-time and I traveled for a week. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR7xJfwH7NpB5kUq1YYc3SgppNYI3SmLkywqrE6DdbbzLogaFFVeDBw3kQ1G7bYko-vl7oUM0nU5MUJOO2Dkzs_NpSz9afolCHfb9yNHLg0S1EDsIv58tPilC9Rjeze5Z7FIXVUs2cj8/s1600/IMG_3194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR7xJfwH7NpB5kUq1YYc3SgppNYI3SmLkywqrE6DdbbzLogaFFVeDBw3kQ1G7bYko-vl7oUM0nU5MUJOO2Dkzs_NpSz9afolCHfb9yNHLg0S1EDsIv58tPilC9Rjeze5Z7FIXVUs2cj8/s400/IMG_3194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying over Germany</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The primary purpose </span></span>of all of this was so I could be with my grandparents for their 70th anniversary celebration. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BGptlykbqZIOtwWVadvukd85z8A0PqDoZwdCQ4hH0sCb4TUzyIzi7k-hNR7kFCfqtdekJJTMpSpEj4FeECop6teJybsXZM8w8Wui2-GQTsrxAxvNUUjz7KSkPx6IkhVlJur2gAWjfUM/s1600/DSC_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BGptlykbqZIOtwWVadvukd85z8A0PqDoZwdCQ4hH0sCb4TUzyIzi7k-hNR7kFCfqtdekJJTMpSpEj4FeECop6teJybsXZM8w8Wui2-GQTsrxAxvNUUjz7KSkPx6IkhVlJur2gAWjfUM/s400/DSC_0418.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert and Delphine Bohall July 5, 2015</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Seventy years! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Perfection? Perhaps as close as it gets on this earth. Seventy years of marriage represents a combination of God’s grace and human commitment; gifts of life, health and patience intertwined with hard work. It symbolizes the sort of unity many of us strive for. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Seventy years speaks to the past. It shows that a decision made at a time of innocence and </span></span>naivety<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> can be honored long after</span></span> both have worn off. Actions breathe life to words spoken before their significance was realized. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Seventy years speaks to the present. It says follow me. It provides a path to walk and a hand to hold. When I asked my Grandma for advice she said "<a href="http://bohallministry.blogspot.com/2015/07/keep-it-going.html">Keep it going</a>". Later in the week I heard the words "Keep the faith." Our 10 years of marriage are surrounded by clouds of witnesses celebrating 40, 50, 60 and 70.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Seventy years speaks to the future. It proclaims that the definition of the relationship is given by the Provider and is proven by the fruit of faithfulness. An anniversary is a gift to following generations to be received with grateful hands prepared to be </span></span>calloused. </div>
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No, it's not perfect. 70 years of marriage, I'm sure, has scars to show. Yet, is there any other thing on this fallen earth that points more clearly to the perfect love promised in the Old Testament and confirmed in the New? Is there any more important Christian testimony to the deep, deep love of Jesus?</div>
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The week before I traveled, before I even thought of making the trip, I began putting together the slideshow below. It's as I was working on it that these thoughts began taking shape. </div>
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On Friday, as my wife watched the finished product she asked if I'd like to go to be with them...in 24 hours. Long story short, I decided on a price limit, she looked for tickets which matched my limit, we talked, prayed, thought, then bought them. In less than 12 hours I was on my way. My wife initiated the decision, putting her concerns to the side. She, and others who have sacrificed their time and energy were the reason I could be here. <br />
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Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma for your commitment to one another. It was a privilege to celebrate 70 years with you.<br />
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Thank you, Dad and Mom, for helping make our last minute plans so smooth. I'm glad I was able to spend some quality time with you.<br />
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Thank you, Petra for your sacrifice. I am honored to be your husband. Volim te do neba visoko.<br />
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-16677115725793491122015-06-12T02:11:00.000-04:002015-06-12T02:11:08.412-04:00Czech Out This Sign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Saw this one at a gas station in the Czech Republic. Any guesses?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBlZe8mvQeW3LVQW2pZ5ol0B442kw2GCHJVKurlomGOLxUdIrBDFFLJ6iRF_lYoZLpn25kJjNDP2PNmLjN1YvN8wPvzHrCIN_FnE_7reioqaEu2knhxOcqEiJTT_BGtwDJiwHQ2efAFQ/s1600/IMG_3054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBlZe8mvQeW3LVQW2pZ5ol0B442kw2GCHJVKurlomGOLxUdIrBDFFLJ6iRF_lYoZLpn25kJjNDP2PNmLjN1YvN8wPvzHrCIN_FnE_7reioqaEu2knhxOcqEiJTT_BGtwDJiwHQ2efAFQ/s400/IMG_3054.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-24470853237286342282015-06-01T13:49:00.000-04:002015-06-01T13:51:59.876-04:00Pushed to the Extreme<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“One of the goals of Royal Rangers is to push you to your limit” our regional leader explained to us during a preparatory training session. “You never know how you’re going to react in extreme circumstances unless you’ve been pushed to your extreme ahead of time.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This would be my third National Training Camp (NTC). My first was in Serbia as a participant. Last year I hosted and shadowed the leader so I would be prepared to lead in the future. This year the responsibility fell on me. Although I felt inadequate to lead, especially knowing my greatest weakness - public speaking in Croatian - would be exposed, I didn’t expect to be pushed to any particular extreme. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDLTIv-kwojyhsuZrfNEbCBuSAKsES8roN1kTOdU_OLJZhcv6Q-2XnP7v5TdWHx6KPmGXhlsGpdXUlSAlRQ9mqjeepjhAtijMqM0s6Jj7auVI4btey2uAdJqTUfOT19fhI9sEvyx6z7Y/s1600/DSC_0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDLTIv-kwojyhsuZrfNEbCBuSAKsES8roN1kTOdU_OLJZhcv6Q-2XnP7v5TdWHx6KPmGXhlsGpdXUlSAlRQ9mqjeepjhAtijMqM0s6Jj7auVI4btey2uAdJqTUfOT19fhI9sEvyx6z7Y/s400/DSC_0448.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Throughout the camp I felt even more sure that this training would pass without any major challenge. In comparison with the flood-like conditions and my lack of experience last year, this year’s added experience plus perfect weather and the number of leaders supporting our effort, convinced me that this would pass without difficulty. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then came Sunday morning. The finish line was ahead of us. Our award ceremony/church service would conclude the weekend and I felt okay. But as I began watching the slideshow summary of the weekend with the rest of the congregation tears began to well up. “What’s this?” I asked myself, stepping out of the sanctuary to collect myself before giving a report of the weekend.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I stood up to say how overwhelmed I was with thankfulness and nothing came out. I choked. This had never happened to me, in public or private. Another leader quickly took over and the show went on. But after the whole camp was over I had to process the whole event. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In retrospect, I had been pushed to my limit. Physically I hadn’t slept more than five hours a night for the last six nights - a very unusual occurrence for me. When I stepped on the scale on Sunday afternoon I realised I had lost three kilos - six pounds - since Thursday. Although I hadn’t run or physically exerted myself as much as I have at other times, various things took their physical toll on me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mentally I was spent as well. From preparing lectures and workshops to simply trying to give directions to convey what needed to happen in my second language was more of a burden than I expected. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spiritually I had been seeking God’s help more than I have in a long time. How would these details be taken care of? Would everyone be safe? What if this happened…or that? The responsibility of 38 people fell on my shoulders for the first time in my life and I pleaded with God for help much more often than I normally do. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, I had been pushed to my emotional limit. Throughout the weekend I had witnessed the growth of several of the young teenagers I work with. Additionally, leaders had come from Germany, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and the other side of Croatia to support our efforts. God had rained down his mercy upon this camp in the very practical forms of leadership, experience and support. And when I saw the evidence of it at the end, I couldn’t hold it in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The point is, I was pushed to the limit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isn’t that what we need? As a church, I believe we’re at our worst when we’re comfortable. Throughout the Bible, God’s people are called to serve the Lord with their heart, soul, mind and strength. How do we do so without being pushed to the extreme in each of those areas from time to time? Royal Rangers is a wholistic ministry aiming to equip men and women of God physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. Part of this equipping means challenging each individual in all four of these aspects of their life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the end, I consider the training session a success. All of our goals were met, and teenagers and adults alike had been trained. And because of the number of eager leaders, beautiful weather and lack of unexpected obstacles, it was an enjoyable experience for many of us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But the greatest success was that many of us were pushed to our limit. This, I believe is an invaluable part of becoming and making disciples of Jesus Christ. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14)</span></span></div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-11087123166958615392015-03-05T07:36:00.000-05:002015-03-05T07:41:55.052-05:00Out of Their Heads?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been a long time since I blogged about the cultural differences between Croatia and America. Most likely, I won't start up again with any regularity. But when I watched this video of a certain Bostonian response to all the snow this year, I was shocked. Simply put, Croats, for many reasons, would not jump out of their windows into the snow with just their swimwear on. What causes so many Bostonians to do so? And Croats, why would this never be a thing in Croatia?<br />
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-6627445237570207002015-01-28T07:23:00.000-05:002015-02-09T04:40:56.811-05:00The Good Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m as satisfied as could be. Warm, well-fed and rested, surrounded by friends and settled knowing that my family is safe, secure and waiting for me when I return, I couldn’t, in good conscience, desire more. Added to that is the fact that I’m enjoying a new book by an established spiritual mentor. The Nebraska state sign I read as a child passes through my mind; <i>The Good Life.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“…Jesus withdrew from that place” (Matt 12:15)</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Earlier today, we engaged in a mandatory time of silence. I had looked forward to this two hour block of time for months. St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was the source of my input while my MacBook mediated my output. I was determined to do more reading, writing and processing in the first hour than I had done in the previous week. I spent the second hour in prayer while exploring one of the northern Hungarian hills.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“When Jesus heard what happened, he withdrew…” (Matt 14:13)</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Intentional silence allowed me to meditate. As I read Scripture, prayed and subsequently processed events from the previous couple days, I was convinced that I need to seek more. Paul prayed for the Ephesians that they would receive “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better”. I was challenged to pray that for myself, to continue to seek the Lord more deeply and to in turn pray for others in the same way Paul did. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“Jesus then left them and went away.” (Matt 16:4)</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Isn’t it interesting that in Ephesians Paul cared more for the spiritual state of his friends than the circumstances they were enduring? As Keller notes, this is true of most of Paul’s prayers. As I consider the text, and the state of comfort I’m in now, I give thanks. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Father, thank you for this period of renewal. Thank you that your son set an example of withdrawing and that even you - Creator of the universe - rested. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for the place and state I’m in now. Yet, may my comfort be found more in you and less in my circumstances. When this period passes and the storm comes, may my peace be found in you. You are good and the source of all goodness. You are life and the source of life abundant. You, and you alone, are the source of the good life. </span></span></div>
Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-7052912506925940552014-10-23T16:44:00.002-04:002014-10-23T16:44:31.663-04:00We Need More David!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you were to scroll down the right side of this blog and look for our kids names among the labels, you'd notice that Enoh is included in (by far) the most posts. David, on the other hand, has just a few. Obviously, there are good reasons for that. But since this blog is just as much a collection of some of our favorite memories as anything else, I realized we need to include a little more David.<br />
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Here's David making faces:<br />
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Here's David running around with his brothers and sister. </div>
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And here's David getting a ride with his sister. </div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-54339285428047018252014-10-23T08:19:00.000-04:002014-10-23T08:19:10.195-04:00A Message for Mommy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The other day, Ian mentioned he would like to make a short video for mommy. Emily agreed and David didn't disagree so I started recording. This is what came out.<br />
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-714902019807904392014-10-11T01:50:00.000-04:002014-10-11T01:50:07.793-04:00The Beauty of Croa...Creation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The honeymoon period was over long ago. I've lived in Croatia for seven years. My wife and I have settled down. We have a family, jobs and everyday responsibilities. Naturally, I don't experience the country I live in the same way I did when I first arrived.<br />
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But every now and then there are days like yesterday. Due to a meeting I had in <a href="http://www.istra.hr/en/about-istra">Istra</a> two days ago, I woke up in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pore%C4%8D">Poreč</a> - the westernmost Croatian city. Not having been to the oldest structure in Croatia yet, I drove an hour with my friend to Pula: (red arrow on the left of the map).<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pula_Arena">The Arena in Pula</a>, the only completely preserved of six remaining Roman arenas in the world, is 2,000 years old.<br />
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<i>Two Thousand Years Old! </i><br />
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I'm not sure that's even possible for an American to fathom. Anyway, the structure that has seen gladiators, martyrs, knights and Elton John is located right off the water where fishing boats were coming in from their overnight haul. Between the antiquity of the architecture and the openness of the sea, the thing that seemed most normal to me about the situation I found myself in was the language being spoken. In other words, everything was foreign to this American. Everything was exotic. Again.<br />
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Croatia's land mass is <a href="http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blccroatia.htm">the size of West Virginia</a>. But if you were to drive from East to West, then North to South it would take more than 20 hours - and that's even on some of the best roads Europe has to offer going upwards of 80 miles an hour (the speed "limit" on Croatian highways). Croatia is so wide and diverse that it has signs in Italian, Hungarian and the Cyrillic alphabet depending on where you are geographically. And when you start learning its history it's like trying to fit a gust of wind in your lungs.<br />
<br />
We had to quickly move on. Picking up the highway in Pula and driving said 80 miles an hour we set off for Slavonija - the easternmost region where we live. We made a quick stop near Zagreb for lunch and finally arrived in Orahovica 6 hours after departure.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iGtcdJU4Q3cixEcOwADxfmYO7V_4te1obiYcZK-J7yi45HoWuixomvOZT_cghUDwWx1sHYc7dEg4JRAtRV_wtVayHeQUH3o0RDcsfulCzv_D5YyiMhEJYvfeazCXA0BbWtiBDN-nv9Y/s1600/Pula+to+Orahovica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iGtcdJU4Q3cixEcOwADxfmYO7V_4te1obiYcZK-J7yi45HoWuixomvOZT_cghUDwWx1sHYc7dEg4JRAtRV_wtVayHeQUH3o0RDcsfulCzv_D5YyiMhEJYvfeazCXA0BbWtiBDN-nv9Y/s1600/Pula+to+Orahovica.jpg" height="400" width="375" /></a></div>
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The <i>jezero</i> has become one of my favorite places to run, pray and take in the beauty of God's creation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBpd1hl3aGaxqjd5cH_L_RLnwTi1uWFyF5YjhNXV8siDdctiH3ApQ-ld8m5NNCLWBTN0JDu3GaVdqcLiv645wmaBYniqRpzBqL3paGkRUWtN88Lzfgd1-qCMB59RyXhO2OfYMXv4dNP8/s1600/IMG_1853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBpd1hl3aGaxqjd5cH_L_RLnwTi1uWFyF5YjhNXV8siDdctiH3ApQ-ld8m5NNCLWBTN0JDu3GaVdqcLiv645wmaBYniqRpzBqL3paGkRUWtN88Lzfgd1-qCMB59RyXhO2OfYMXv4dNP8/s1600/IMG_1853.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Its history is much shallower than Pula's but it has been home for some of the deepest spiritual moments of my life. Yesterday, I had just enough time to soak in the familiar sights helping me decompress from the all the driving.<br />
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Then it was time to go again. I had arranged to go to a piano concert in Osijek with some friends.<br />
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<br />
In Osijek, I found myself with a congregation of evangelical Christians in a synagogue listening to an American play selections written by German, French and Russian composers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXNEnOQmxzRAoWK8Fr2F5JZsUpzSK4qWfvp_-q0UlRE90XYBN91U0KGNM4Uoqn2TVDIypYhl8gOCBnwH-c6J8UeTdSDh4zC4Le7b0YKh58_kQacdUA-C2in1lZouAUl4s0fcuYaa0tGo/s1600/Sam+Rotman+(courtesy%2Bof%2BDaniel%2BWurzberg).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXNEnOQmxzRAoWK8Fr2F5JZsUpzSK4qWfvp_-q0UlRE90XYBN91U0KGNM4Uoqn2TVDIypYhl8gOCBnwH-c6J8UeTdSDh4zC4Le7b0YKh58_kQacdUA-C2in1lZouAUl4s0fcuYaa0tGo/s1600/Sam+Rotman+(courtesy%2Bof%2BDaniel%2BWurzberg).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of Daniel Wurzberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's not easy to make a percussive instrument sound melodic, but <a href="http://samrotman.com/">Sam Rotman</a> did just that while delighting the audience with a diverse pallete of musical colors. I can't imagine that even the composers of the pieces he played could have been any more enthusiastic about their music than he was. As he explained during a short talk, every concert he played was for Jesus.<br />
<br />
I have to admit that a classical piano recital followed by a moving personal testimony is the sort of program I've never been a part of. But by the end of the concert it made complete sense. Rotman's conviction is that Christ is worth devoting his whole life to. Playing the piano with excellence for audiences around the world is his way of doing so.<br />
<br />
It was a fitting end to a delightful day. Diverse visual and aural beauty from sunrise to sunset reminded me of the pulchritude Croatia has to offer. As has been the case in the past, Croatia's beauty pointed me to creation's beauty.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The heavens declare the glory of God</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The skies proclaim the work of his hands</i></div>
</div>
Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-54631200096750846592014-09-30T15:43:00.000-04:002014-10-11T02:00:14.079-04:00David's First Chestnuts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
It's not until the aroma of roasting chestnuts fills streets and kitchens throughout Croatia that autumn has really arrived. This year, for the first time, we found a vender selling chestnuts in Orahovica. Although we hope to take a trip the woods to look for chestnuts ourselves we were excited to get our hands on them without the effort. Here's David's first taste of chestnuts. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-2eYdlXfhnw" width="560"></iframe></div>
Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-41851570517729424422014-09-19T09:35:00.000-04:002014-09-19T09:38:00.536-04:00Bible Song<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Heard a song that made some sense out of the world</i><br />
<br />
There are a lot of things on U2's latest album I can relate to. (Hence the <a href="http://cultureshock-jeremy.blogspot.com/search/label/BloggingInnocence">series of <i>Songs of Innocence</i> related posts</a>). But the influence the Ramones had on Bono - as sung about on the first track of the album - is impossible for me to resonate with. Instead, I'll reflect on an early and constant influence on my life.<br />
<br />
I was raised on the Bible.<br />
<br />
My first memories of church are filled predominately with listening to Bible stories and memorizing Bible verses. Most evenings after dinner we read devotionals and memorized some more. Besides my family, there was nothing that influenced my childhood more than the Bible.<br />
<br />
Over time, my identity was shaped by the stories and principles the Bible teaches. Of course the verses that summarize our beliefs most concisely (ie John 3:16) were the ones at the foundation of my memory base. But the Lord as a shepherd, Scripture as a lamp and righteousness as a breastplate were pictures that filled my imagination before cartoons ever did.<br />
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As I grew older my theology was developed subconsciously through continued memorization. Proverbs 16:9 and Ephesians 1 became go-to proofs of God's sovereignty. Psalm 19 drew me to creation when I was ever tempted to doubt. Paul's dedication to preaching the gospel in the midst of threats to his life were a model to imitate in endeavors to witness to my friends.<br />
<br />
Now as an adult I consider the Bible as a source of truth, beauty and inspiration. Here are four reasons why I love the Christian Scriptures.<br />
<br />
<u>1. The Bible is Deep</u><br />
I like to describe a Bible story as an onion. You can peel off the first layer, understand the basic story, and still have a long way to go before you get to the core. Take one of the most well known stories - "The Prodigal Son". Most are familiar with the youngest son and the eventual return to his father. But there's another son. Based on the context, the older son is of equal, if not greater significance to the point of the story. And that's just <i>that </i>story.<br />
<br />
One could then also consider how the Prodigal Son fits into the Gospel of Luke, Jesus' ministry and the grand narrative of Scripture. Of course, that's just looking at it from a literary perspective. Imagine, if you will, that you find yourself in the story as one of the two sons. Consider that this story of lost and found, death and resurrection, could have strong spiritual significance. There is no lack of depth to the Bible. In fact, the more I read it, the deeper it is.<br />
<br />
<u>2. The Bible is Wide</u><br />
Isn't it incredible that the book predicting, announcing and preaching God's plan of redemption also includes many other facets, all of which in some way revolve around the main theme? Right from the beginning we get a theological explanation of how the world, animals and humankind were created. But matters of hierarchy, authority, separation and goodness (just to name a few) are all explored in the opening chapters of Genesis. All these topics point to the New Testament, yet are full of meaning in their own right as they stand in the creation narrative.<br />
<br />
Subjects like marriage, murder, building, family, slavery, history and redemption are all discussed through narrative - and we haven't even left the first book! Of course, interpreting the text is of absolute importance. But the main point here is that the fact that the Bible spans so many topics over countless generations and cultures is indicative of its complete relevancy to all of creation. The gospel it proclaims to the whole world is proof; Scripture matters to every person on the globe, whether they realize it or not.<br />
<br />
<u>3. The Bible is Rich</u><br />
To describe the Bible with this term is to say that its depth and width overflow with valuable content. It's not an empty wordy space. Scripture is filled with stories, images, beauty and truth that speak to the person reading it. The suffering of Job, the despair of David and the dedication of Paul offer hope to people dealing with similar situations. Prophetic symbolism remind the reader of God's faithfulness and prompts them to respond with thanks, praise and genuine Christian faithfulness.<br />
<br />
The Bible's greatest value is that it points to the ultimate treasure - Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the salvation that comes through him alone. Imagine you're an outcast, like the woman at the well (John 4) or Zacchaeus (Luke 19) and the person who was expected to change the world through military force decided to have a drink or meal with you. Chances are you'd take the content of the conversation seriously. In each case, Jesus offered more than expected. Though not the source, the Word of God offers the richest means of knowing the Author of salvation. Nothing is more valuable than that.<br />
<br />
<u>4. The Bible is Effective</u><br />
The Bible claims many things about itself. Throughout my life I've found its claims to be true. For example:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="selected" original-title="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For </span><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the word of God is living and </span><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">active, </span><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sharper than any </span><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and </span><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.</span></span></span></blockquote>
Throughout my life there has been no better mirror for my heart than Scripture. At times I've resonated with the hatred of Cain, the shame of David, the frustration of Ezekiel, the confusion of Peter and the passion of Paul. Yet more often than that, I'm just a regular guy reading the Bible. And even then, Jesus' teachings are incredibly challenging. His claims, while believable through faith, are difficult to live out.<br />
<br />
But thankfully there's salvation for people like me. This sword that penetrates my heart, showing its greatest weaknesses, also fills it with hope and joy. The beautiful expressions of God's grace throughout both Testaments prompt me to try to live the sort of life Jesus did. Fortunately, I'm not alone in this endeavor. The Bible offers instruction and directs me to the Spirit through whom Scripture was ultimately written. In this way, the Bible is effective in communicating who God is, who I am and how I should live. I am witness to that.<br />
<br />
Believe it or not, this post isn't meant as an apology. My intent isn't to argue for the validity of Scripture. I simply hope to communicate why I have fallen so in love with the Holy Scriptures. They point to the source of life. And my life has been eternally affected by them.<br />
<br />
To quote Bono, I "heard a song that made sense of the world." That song is the Bible. </div>
</div>
Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-39988088464528941692014-09-18T05:29:00.002-04:002014-09-18T09:43:16.754-04:00A Few of Our Favorite Things (2014 Edition)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last year, I asked our kids to pick out a few of their favorite things; 1 book, 1 movie and 1 toy they really like. I recorded them telling about their choices. You can watch it <a href="http://cultureshock-jeremy.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-few-of-our-favorite-things.html">here</a>. As it turns out, watching themselves talk about their favorite things is one of their favorite things to do. So, we decided to do it again. Here's an updated version of their favorite things:<br />
<br />
Enoh's Favorite Things<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7Gbn8nOIPgA" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Ian's Favorite Things<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FjQrFtxG4DU" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Emily's Favorite Things<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oG3uP5YQ5xk" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
David's Favorite Things (According to his siblings)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZLbRoamj69s" width="560"></iframe></div>
Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-19343850235968514472014-09-16T17:51:00.000-04:002014-09-20T16:00:39.080-04:00Song for Emily<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<i>You've got a face not spoiled by beauty</i></div>
<div>
<i><br></i></div>
Your eyes, blue heat<br>
<div>
Fueled by pure joy</div>
<div>
Melt the iciest of emotions</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Your jagged smile underlining</div>
<div>
And curling around </div>
<div>
Up to the top with giggles</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Flanked on both sides </div>
<div>
The flames are untamed</div>
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Sparks too bright for sight</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<i>If there is a light you can't always see</i></div>
<div>
<i>And there is a world we can't always be</i></div>
<div>
<i>If there is a dark that we shouldn't doubt</i></div>
<div>
<i>And there is a light don't let it go out</i></div>
<div>
<i><br></i></div>
<div>
Excitement personified</div>
<div>
Comes from a mysterious source</div>
<div>
Still unknown to the mediator</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
And though obliviously</div>
<div>
You are leading the believer</div>
<div>
To the way away from doubt</div>
<div>
<i><br></i></div>
<div>
<i>You let me into a conversation</i></div>
<div>
<i>A conversation only we could make</i></div>
<div>
<i>You break and enter my imagination</i></div>
<div>
<i>Whatever's in there it's yours to take</i></div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Like a child</div>
<div>
Words spill teasingly<br>
stylized imperfection</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Thoughts bound only by innocence</div>
<div>
Spoken freely yet expecting</div>
<div>
Confirmation, redemption<br>
<br>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>If there is a light you can't always see</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>And there is a world we can't always be</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>If there is a dark within and without</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>And there is a light don't let it go out</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><br></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
You have it all</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
No need to add material</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
For fear of losing soul</div>
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<br></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>And I'm a long long way from your hill of Calvary</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>And I'm a long way from where I was and where I need to be</i><i><br></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><br></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Threats already disposed of<br>
Like expired extinguishers<br>
And chalky blackened wicks<br>
<br></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Will tempt to intimidate<br>
But have no influence<br>
As long as the core is aglow</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>There is a light don't let it go out</i><br>
<i><br></i>
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Happy 3rd Birthday, Emily!<br>
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(Note: Italicized lines from the 4th track of U2's <i>Songs of Innocence</i>.)</div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-38014861758771778092014-09-16T08:03:00.000-04:002014-09-16T08:03:01.172-04:00Sea Song<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>Every Breaking Wave</i></b></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">(Best if read while listening to the 2nd track on U2's <i>Songs of Innocence - </i>still free on iTunes)</span></h2>
Levin had been married for three months. He was happy, but not at all in the way he had expected.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Every breaking wave on the shore<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Tells the next one there'll be one more</i></span></blockquote>
At every step he felt like a man who, after having admired a little boat going smoothly and happily on a lake, then got into this boat. He saw that it was not enough to sit straight without rocking; he also had to keep in mind, not forgetting for a minute, where he was going, that there was water underneath, that he had to row and his unaccustomed hands hurt, that it was easy only to look at, but doing it, while very joyful, was also very difficult.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>If you go your way and I go mine<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Are we so helpless against the tide?<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Baby, every dog on the street<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Knows that we're in love with defeat<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Are we ready to be swept off our feet<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />And stop chasing every breaking wave?</i></span></blockquote>
As a bachelor, seeing the married life of others, their trifling, cares, quarrels, jealousy, he used only to smile scornfully to himself. In his own future married life, he was convinced, there not only could be nothing like that, but even all its external forms, it seemed to him were bound to be in every way completely unlike other people's lives. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Every sailor knows that the sea<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Is a friend made enemy<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Every shipwrecked soul knows what it is<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />To live without intimacy</i></span></blockquote>
And suddenly...his life with his wife did not form itself in any special way, but was, on the contrary, formed entirely of those insignificant trifles he had scorned so much before, but which now, against his will acquired an extraordinary and irrefutable significance.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>I thought I heard the captain's voice<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />But it's hard to listen while you preach</i></span></blockquote>
Levin never imagined that there could be any other relations between himself and his wife than tender, respectful, loving ones, and suddenly, in the first days, they quarrelled, and she told him he did not love her, loved only himself, wept and waved her hands.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>If you go your way and I go mine<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Are we so helpless against the tide?<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Baby, every dog on the street<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Knows that we're in love with defeat<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Are we ready to be swept off our feet<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />And stop chasing every breaking wave?</i></span></blockquote>
He understood clearly for the first time what he had not understood when he had led her out of the church after the wedding. He understood not only that she was close to him, but that he no longer knew where she ended and he began.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>You know where my heart is<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The same place that yours has been<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />We know that we fear to win<br style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />And so we end before we begin</i></span></blockquote>
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Notes: Book quotations taken from Leo Tolstoy's <i>Anna Karenina</i>. Italicized quotes from U2's <i>Every Breaking Wave. </i></div>
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Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-70447010937384759752014-09-13T03:13:00.000-04:002014-09-16T09:50:08.842-04:00U2 Can Recreate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The thing about music is that you can always describe it to someone, but they can never listen to it through your ears. Sure, we have ways of comparing bands, singers, styles, genres, tones, textures, and to some extent they help a listener know what to expect. Yet it will always be possible for two people to hear the exact same song/piece and come away with two completely different reactions.<br />
<br />
That's one of the characteristics of music I treasure most. You cannot tell me whether a song will stir something inside me or not. I won't know until I listen to it.<br />
<br />
A few days ago, U2 released their new album,<i> Songs of Innocence</i>, without a buildup preceding it. The price for 11 songs and a booklet was a few minutes of my time. Yet I valued it because reviewers hadn't gotten their hands on it yet. They hadn't had time to judge whether the melodies were ready for pop radio or if the lyrics measured up to whatever standards they defined. Bono's vocals and The Edge's guitar riffs and hooks floating from my car speakers were fresh, untapped and therefore all the more pure.<br />
<br />
That was more than enough for me to be excited about listening to a new CD from a band I've found to be more thought provoking than most other musicians I've listened to. When it comes to U2 the music takes a backseat to the lyrics. Sure, I get the fact that they've got a long history and a vocalist with a very distinctive voice and outspoken political views. But as far as I'm concerned if there isn't some profundity or beauty in the lyrics, regardless of how popular the band is, the music's hardly ever going to do it for me.<br />
<br />
See there's something magical about the combination of music and lyric. When it's done right it just goes together. When I say the words "It's a beautiful day" to someone on the street the melody will automatically accompany the words in my head. Likely, it'll do the same to the passerby. You don't need a scientist to tell you it's easier to memorize something if it's part of a melody.<br />
<br />
But then there's the combination of words into musical phrases you've never heard before. I'm naturally predisposed to these sort of lyrics. I want phrases that are going to challenge my thinking, cause me to ask questions, or produce a new thought in my head. That's exactly what happened when I listened to <i>Songs of Innocence </i>for the first time<i>. </i>The following lyrics grabbed my attention:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>You've got a face not spoiled by beauty...</i></blockquote>
"Wait, what? Can beauty spoil something? Let me listen to that again."<br />
<br />
And an image came into my head. It was an image I didn't consciously put there. Once it was there though, it instantly gave deeper meaning to the song. It was like there was a conversation between the song and my consciousness, both influencing the other.<br />
<br />
Of course there's no way Bono would know what image his lyrics would evoke in my mind. In my opinion, that fact alone points directly to a Creator more creative than the Irish singer. My guess is Bono would agree.<br />
<br />
One of the most beautiful gifts we've been given is the ability to create. It's shown in Mozart's music, Tolstoy's masterpieces and yes, even in some rock music these days. In turn, art of all kinds allows the listener, observer and consumer to participate in creation. We get the chance to recreate through interacting with art.<br />
<br />
U2's latest isn't the only collection of songs that has provoked me to think deeply about family, faith or culture. But it's the latest. And because I consciously interacted with at least four of the songs on <i>Innocence</i>, I've decided to use this space to convey how the music has affected me.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure exactly what that's going to look like. But I'm excited to get started. Perhaps you'd like to do the same sort of thing with the same or a different album or artist. If so, mention it in the comments. Let's recreate!</div>
Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262551075134931921.post-73585635118227389992014-09-08T16:48:00.001-04:002014-09-09T12:11:13.452-04:00The Source<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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“In the morning you can sleep as late as you want,” our leader
announced in Serbo-Croatian, “Just know that you need to be at your next
location at 07:30 and it takes two hours to get there.”<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were in the middle of nowhere. Over 60 teenage and adult
Royal Rangers from more than 10 different European countries had gathered for
the National Training Trail (NTT). Our assignment, simply put, was to hike from
place to place around a village in Serbia called Krivi Vir while carrying all
the food, shelter and supplies we would need throughout the four day expedition.
Our camp sight on the second night was a place even our leaders had trouble
finding. There was no way to get there by car. And the map we were using was
over 40 years old. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still, we found it. And once we did the exhaustion we felt
after our 15 kilometer hike set in; we were ready for food and water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we would need to make fires and cook our
food before we could eat. We also learned that we’d need to filter the well water
before we could drink. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The source of water the previous day had at least been
clean, but it only trickled out. A line of three or four people filling their
bottles meant waiting at least 15 minutes. Those who hoped to wash their
dishes, splash some water on their face or simply take a cup of water soon
pealed away from the line, proving that the highest priority was storing clean water
for the journey ahead. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when I realized that we would need to start our hike at
05:30 the next morning, I wasn’t so disappointed. Knowing that we would be
further from the wild, closer to civilization and near a clean water source
helped motivate me to climb out of my dew-soaked sleeping bag, stuff my pack
full and help the rest of my team head out on our expedition. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we arrived we were greeted with the smell of cooked
vegetables, eggs and meat. The grill was close to a bubbling stream that burbled
out a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good morning</i> as we were
congratulated on finding the next location. And water! Rushing water from the
source. It took 3 seconds flat to fill up each bottle and canteen which allowed
more than enough time to splash my hot face and quickly take in the refreshing
cool water. We had arrived!<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HPp2uDwBaX8RJLr8f7hWf225w0BxBvQ-C3XuB5Ov9yJ7uzL_ADxILbKBtISf-_dKWRB7v4nsX1V032W0p0nRsQXUzBpjKOQZ3s-qUsotISgpciKleHqyQ3j49HlITraqeSy_Yzc3cPg/s1600/IMG_1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HPp2uDwBaX8RJLr8f7hWf225w0BxBvQ-C3XuB5Ov9yJ7uzL_ADxILbKBtISf-_dKWRB7v4nsX1V032W0p0nRsQXUzBpjKOQZ3s-qUsotISgpciKleHqyQ3j49HlITraqeSy_Yzc3cPg/s1600/IMG_1642.JPG" height="356" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krivi Vir, Serbia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hiking, using a map to find our way, and sleeping outside
without a tent all offered new ways to appreciate aspects of my faith that I
knew to be true but hadn’t exercised in some time. But it was the value I now
placed on the source of clean, fast and refreshing water that really stood out
to me on this four-day challenge. I had a new appreciation for finding a good
source.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It reminded me of the meeting a woman had with a strange man
by a well. He was weary from his journey yet had nothing with which to draw
water. After asking the woman to draw water for him they had a supernatural
exchange. She offered him water that would quench his physical thirst; he
offered her water that would well up to eternal life. By the end of the
conversation she understood the significance of this man. She realized she had
found <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the Source</i>. Jesus offers living
water; rushing streams of refreshing water that will last forever and produce
in us springs that refresh others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like the various sources of water in Serbia, there are
numerous ways and occasions that we can encounter Christ in our lives. The
classic example is that of a church service. Immediately after Jesus ascended
into heaven his followers began meeting together. This is an integral part of
the Church’s meeting with Jesus and one another. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the years, many denominations, organizations and
ministries have created new ways for people to encounter Jesus in some way,
shape or form. Royal Rangers (RR) is one of them. Even though it began in
America, RR is an organization I was unaware of before I moved to Croatia. But
throughout the last 3 years I’ve been increasingly impressed with the Christian
scout program. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we are going to love the Lord our God with all our heart,
soul, mind and strength, that means that we ought to be challenged spiritually,
intellectually - and yes even physically and emotionally.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>The Church should offer these challenges on a consistent basis.
This is one of the places Royal Rangers excels. And it’s one of the main
reasons I believe that Royal Rangers has a lot to offer the Church.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For example, rather than simply preaching “Do not be afraid”
– a constant command throughout all of Scripture – the local church and its
various communities ought to offer its members opportunities to overcome fear. Sleeping
outside on virtually uncharted territory in a foreign country with no
facilities is certainly a way to challenge one’s fear and exercise faith. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were four of us from Croatia who overcame these
obstacles and others. Together, we represent three different regions of Croatia,
have various skills and gifts and serve in multiple capacities in our local
churches. All of us were challenged to become stronger leaders through the NTT.
There is no doubt in my mind that four different local churches in Croatia were
strengthened because of the adventure the four of us had last week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Further, we were reminded of how important it is to find the
source. With everything centered on Christ our efforts are given life. With the
Holy Spirit’s power we are given strength. Those are encouraging thoughts as
Royal Rangers Croatia continues to move forward, mentor future leaders and make
disciples of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Jeremyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195572180857424144noreply@blogger.com0