The Nature of an Apology

Another petty argument and I’m left wondering my fault.

Did I speak too quickly? Was my attitude not in check? What was it this time?

Apparently all is forgotten. Or is it? Did you apologize for placing blame where it wasn’t due? Did you seek to reconcile? Or were your soft spoken words in passing supposed to sooth the situation? Not a mention of the incident nor an explanation, just a kind look and acknowledgment of my existence once more into your life.

Do I take it as it should have been or as it is? My heart can’t be angry with you for long. I have been forgiven countless times for far deeper injuries – how can I not forgive? My heart delights to do so. And I move on. I take your lead and leave all in the dust of unspoken understanding.

Questions are still raised. How do I know it won’t happen again? I don’t. How do I know that it won’t be brought up again? Maybe it won’t. Am I content with it as it is? Yes. Why? Because I will never cease to repeat my offenses and I will never cease need forgiveness.

More than that, I must because I was.

What is Enough?

"All of You
Is more than enough for
All of me
For every thirst and
Every need
You satisfy me
With Your love
And all I have in You
Is more than enough."
(Barlow Girl)


Is that true?

Then why am I struggling with contentment?

Christ must be all --
ALONE
Before He will be all,
in addition to anything else.
Can you honestly say
"Christ is my all"
?

Thou wouldst keep him in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on Thee...

His strength is made perfect in my weakness...

Do I Have To?

The war is at hand.
I am among the frontlines.
Prepared for battle? Now that's the question.

I am wearing my helmet of salvation.
I am holding my shield of Faith.
The sword of the Spirit is firmly grasp in my right hand.
My feet are readied with the Gospel of Peace.

I think I'm ready. But am I? I'm not sure.
Maybe there's a hole in my shield...
Or maybe I forgot the breastplate of righteousness...
Is my sword dull?

My heart hurts.
I'm fighting something I can't see. It's not flesh and blood.
It's attacking me from the inside!
All these doubts! I thought I was so sure.
All these lies! I do know the truth but the lines have blurred.
I feel like I'm losing this battle. I don't want to fight anymore.
"Daddy, do I have to? Can't I just come home now?"

I know this is for my good but I don't want it.
My hands hurt. I think there will be scars this time.
I don't like this and my desire for sin isn't going away.
It would be so much easier to give in.
Heck! it'd probably be fun.
I'm not having any fun now...
All I'm feeling is agony and all I'm seeing is tears.


"Fight for Faith!"
"How? I'm so tired..."
"Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of HIS might!"
"I can't do it..."
"Be steadfast!"
"I know. I'm trying..."
"Pray without ceasing!"
"But what if You don't hear me..?"

"I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD...
I AM JEHOVAH RAPHA... the God who heals
I AM EL ROI... the God who sees
I AM EL SHADDAI... the God who is suffiecient for the needs of His people
I AM YOUR DELIVERER...
I AM YOUR STRENGTH...

I AM YOUR SHELTER...

I AM!"

Webster on Modesty

1. Having or showing a moderate or humble opinion of one's own value, abilities, achievements, etc. unassuming.

2. Not forward; shy or reserved.

3. Behaving according to a standard of what is proper or decorous; decent, pure; now especially, not displaying one's body.

4. Showing or caused by moderation; not extreme.

5. quiet and humble in appearance, style, etc.

What is an Incarnational Missionary?

An incarnational missionary is essentially a missionary who “undertake(s) the difficult task of learning to know and identify with the culture.” (Hiebert 91) They endeavor to understand the culture and deal with the theological problems of the culture. Their role is primarily to present the gospel so that it is understood in a meaningful, relevant way to the people of the culture. Then they establish churches.

The study of cultural anthropology and cross-cultural communication are important. Studying cultural anthropology enables the missionary to better understand what he sees and hears and experiences in the new culture. It helps to act as a filter to help him learn and process the culture. Cross-cultural communication is helpful to allowing true communication of ideas and concepts to the culture. It sometimes requires the changing of words or phrases or ideas so that the meaning is understood properly. For instance, if a culture doesn't have sheep the phrase, “Lamb of God” might not be understood. So, in effort to maintain the concept, the missionary might change the expression to “Goat of God.”

So, essentially the study of anthropology aids the incarnational missionary in the learning of cultural relevance and cross-cultural communication enables truer communication between the peoples. Which is the aim of the incarnational missionary – to minister effectively to the people of a different culture than his own.

This is an essay answer to a question from a test earlier this year. I just ran across it today and thought that it would be beneficial to post because we are all, as Christians, in a way missionaries and dare I say we should be incarnational missionaries at different points in our interaction with the world, be it in this American culture or another culture.