Shepherds at Victory Church

The Victory Church is on the verge of appointing its first elders! The congregation nominated 18 men to be elders. The Support Committee responsible for recommending a group of those nominated to form an eldership unanimously recommended four of the men. Three of those four accepted when interviewed by the Support Committee. One adamantly refused saying that he had never desired to be an elder and believed that he was best at continuing to serve as he always had. The group was disappointed in his decision, but decided to respect it. However, a few days later, one of the group members said that he believed that this man was actually still open. As it turns out, he also accepted so the church will be served by four excellent men with terrific wives. Praise God!!

Terrorist mayor of Rio?

Today, Cariocas are voting between two men who are running for Mayor, Eduardo Paes and Fernando Gabeira. One of the, Gabeira, has a controversial history. He was the planner of the successful kidnapping of US Ambassador Charles Elbrick in September 6, 1969. There was a movie released about the movie starring Alan Arkin called “Four Days in September.” Back then, he was a leader in the group known as “MR-8” (Revolutionary Movement of October 8).

Brazil lived under a military dictatorship for decades and experienced cruel oppression and repression. The students who ran MR-8 thought that their only way to get international attention drawn to the oppression in Brazil was to kidnap the ambassador.

Currently, Gabeira is runing for mayor as a representative for the Green Party.

I’ll let you know who wins, but as of today, public opinion polls showed that they were tied.

That's not how it works, David

I thought I was going to have to have some version of “the talk” with David a couple of nights ago. We were in the bathroom together and he began asking questions about a part of the male anatomy.

I started to explain that ladies didn’t have babies on their own but that men have a role to play as well. He said, “I know dad. The men drive.” I said, “What do you mean?” “Dad, the men drive the women to the hospital for them to have the babies.”

At that point, I decided that it wasn’t time for the talk yet. . .

Christ in culture (Part 2)

It’s the story of all stories, the meta-story that flows under, through, and out of narratives for thousands of years.

An innocent man gives his life for those he loves. He is sacrificed by evil while he himself is not guilty. Soon after dying, he returns from death. His resurrection gives him final victory over the enemy and a lasting hope to his followers. This is the story of Jesus. . .and of Harry Potter.

Last night, my kids and I read the final couple of chapters of the final Harry Potter book (“The Ghostly Hallows”). If you haven’t read it yet and plan to, please don’t read any further. If you think the Harry Potter books promote occultism or witchcraft, I’m sorry but I just don’t see it.

In the final chapters of the multi-book series about the young wizard, he willingly gives up his life to be executed by Lord Voldemort an evil and powerful adversary. Soon after his death, he returns and defeats Voldemort in a public duel. The world is then free from its bondage to fear and the certainty that evil will prevail.

I don’t know that Rowling purposely followed the storyline of the 4 gospels (likely not), but the Christ story is so powerful and pervasive that I couldn’t help seeing it (albeit with some modifications) in the final part of her Harry Potter series.

Christ in culture (Part 1)

Steven Millhauser’s story “The Wizard of West Orange” is the fictional diary of a man in the late 1800s who works for a gifted scientist. The inventer/scientist uses him to test a full-body apparatus that induces tactile stimulation. The man becomes enchanted by the machine as it makes his skin experience amazing out-of-body sensations that he could never have imagined. In the character’s description of the new world he is experiencing, I sense the parallels with the Kingdom of God.

“December 15. A new life beckons. A shadow-feeling, an on-the-vergeness. Our sensations fixed, rigid, predictable. Must smash through. Into what? The new place. The there. We live off to one side, like paupers beside a railroad track. The center cannot be here, among these constricting sensations. [Christ] as a way out. Over there. Where?” (my insertion of Christ)

David, you've still got a lot to learn.

Here’s the conversation on the way to school the other day between myself and our son David (8 yrs).

DAVID: Dad, you won’t believe what my friend Luiza told me at school yesterday!

ME: Oh yeah, what did she have to say?

DAVID: It’s totally crazy dad! She said that when she was a little baby that she used to drink milk from her mother’s chest!!! Isn’t that the weirdest thing you’ve ever heard?!

ME: First of all, David, we would say that she drank milk from her mother’s ‘breast’ not her ‘chest.’ Anyway, a lot of babies do that when they are little. In fact, when you were a baby . . .

DAVID: Dad! Don’t joke with me like that! That’s not funny!

ME: David, I’m not joking. You nursed just like Luiza did.

At this point, his eyes became as wide as saucers and he remained very quiet for two or three minutes. Even now, I think that he is still pondering the implications of our conversation.

I can’t tell you how hard Ila and I laughed when I told her about that conversation.

Sentences

I love words. When an author or speaker puts them together just right they become magical, beautiful, inspiring, fantastic.

When you are reading a good book sometimes you pass by a sentence or phrase that is so perfect that you have to go back and re-read it several times just to suck the marrow out of it.

Here are several great sentences from a Jonathan Lethem piece “The King of Sentences” in the New Yorker . . .

“We’d rise from the bed giggling, clutching for glasses of cold water that sat in pools of their own sweat on bedside tables.”

“We’d tear the book from each other’s hands for the pleasure of running his words like gerbils in the Habitrails of our own mouths.”

“Every sentence we cherished was sturdy and biblical in its form, carved somehow by hand-dragged implement or slapped onto sheets by an inky key.”

Unfortunately, I’m not a writer. I just don’t have the gift. But I sure do enjoy reading the work of those who have the ability to cast a spell with their pen.

McCain could very well be the first zombie elected to the presidency

God speaks through the financial crisis

Here is some spiritual food for thought on the financial story that is blowing through America and the world.

Financial markets are taking a beating and many of us have gotten stomped by the Stock Market the last couple of weeks. . .I know that I personally really gotten pounded. For me, this moment serves to call me back to the truth of the teachings of the Jesus. This crisis calls each disciple to, quite literally, analyze their investment portfolio.

When I give to the local church, to missionaries, to orphans, to help the poor, I have confidence that my investments will bless others and that, in God’s eternal scheme, my giving is accruing interest for me in Heaven. When I hoard wealth or make myself the center of my financial planning and spending, something is off-center and out of balance. Ila and I have found over the 15 years of our marriage that when we live by faith (and give by faith) we experience God's powerful providence in every part of our life together - especially in our family finances. We have a long way to go in this part of our discipleship walk with Jesus, and thankfuly, he is graciously calling us further and deeper into his promises and into his abundance.

Here are a couple of scriptures that I have been meditating on this week. Let the words of Jesus in these passages speak to you as you consider them and pray about them.

How is my Kingdom portfolio?

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6.19-20

While the details of this parable vary between those impacted by the stock/finance crisis, this story reminds me of so many who have put all their eggs on in the one basket of their own financial prosperity and comfort. Jesus warns that such an attitude may lead to a rude awakening from the sovereign God of the universe. Confidence in cash instead of in the Creator is a recipe for disaster.

And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12.16-21

The final word Jesus is speaking to me right now about my financial life is this. . .

"Gordon, seek first my kingdom and I'll take care of EVERYTHING. Trust me on this!" Matthew 6.33 (my version)

Lord Jesus, help me to learn from the stress and discomfort of the last few days. I want to honor you with my money so that you will honor your promise to take care of every need that I could possibly have. Forgive me for my selfishness, my lack of faith, and my attempts to stay in control of things instead of leaning on you. Amen.

My Hollywood tribute to Rio

Here's my official Hollywood salute to the city we love so much.

Carioca is the nickname given to residents of Rio de Janeiro. After ten years living and working in this town of 13 million, we have been thorougly infected with "Carioca Passion."

Will I be known as "That man from Rio?"

When you think of Rio (especially if you're American), the image of Carmen Miranda comes to mind. The funny thing is that Brazilians DO NOT like her. She built a career stereotyping Cariocas as exotic yet frivolous and primitive.

I'm not sure who Nancy was but she sure seemed to enjoy her trip.


Even Abbott and Costello made a Rio movie in 1942.

I couldn't find a English copy of this poster but "The Road to Rio" with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope was a blockuster of its day in 1948.

From the Golden Age of flying, a musical about a luxurious trip from the USA to Rio by airplane. Released in 1933, this classic featured Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.


A 1984 movie with Michael Caine. By the way, if you think the bikini shot is indecent let me just say that bikinis have gotten a lot smaller since 1984. By 2008 Rio beach standards, she is dressed like a school marm!

Much of of the 1979 Moonraker 007 movie was shot in Rio. The fight scene between 007 and "Jaws" on the cable car to Sugar Loaf mountain (upper left hand corner of the poster) is pretty cool.

Shot in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) slum five minutes from our home, the film portrays the life of young gang members during the 1960s.

Amy Irving in Bossa Nova (2000).

A note to Prestoncrest

“. . . as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62.5b

This morning, the elders of the Prestoncrest Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas announced that I would be joining their staff as pulpit minister. I am convinced, as are they, that the Lord has called me to this congregation at this point in time.

It is clear that God has huge plans for Prestoncrest as we begin this journey together. My wife and I (and our kids) are absolutely 100% thrilled about what the future holds for us and for the entire congregation at Prestoncrest! May the Lord Jesus do greater and more wonderful things through us than we can imagine (Eph. 3.20).

Let’s love each other deeply, work hard, and step out in faith.

As you know, my wife and I are completing ten years of service in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We have worked, together with a great team of friends, to establish a dynamic congregation in this city of 12 million. Next month (Lord willing) we will appoint the Victory Church of Christ’s first elders, and on December 1, we return to the United States. Since we feel the need to visit family members, search for a house, have a vacation (!) and experience a Missionary Reentry Retreat, I have told the elders that I won’t be coming on full-time until February 1.

Let me express my deep gratitude to Matt Mazza (a passionate and gifted young minister) and to Bob Chisolm (a wise preacher with a shepherd’s heart) for filling the pulpit since the exit of Prentice Meador. Dr. Meador is a preaching hero to me and I have been influenced by his ministry since long ago when he was a minister close to my hometown (Neosho) in Springfield, Missouri years ago. Prentice and I had a great phone conversation a short time back and he spent an hour and a half telling me all about Prestoncrest. He and Barbara love Prestoncrest deeply.

A couple of days ago I spoke with Bob Chisolm via Skype (internet phone) and we shared our mutual dreams to see Prestoncrest grow deeper (in prayer and discipleship) and bigger (reaching Dallas for Christ). May Jesus grant us His favor in this mission.

My wife and I feel an abundance of emotions right now. We are already beginning to mourn the loss of friendships, ministries and places in Rio de Janeiro. We expect to shed many tears over the next few months! At the same time, we are overjoyed to know that the Lord is beginning a new mission through us at Prestoncrest.

Pray for us. I promise to pray for the Prestoncrest family daily until we arrive.

Feel to respond to my posting with your thoughts and dreams. I look forward to hearing from you.

Gordon

Important Prayer Request

The committee that is working with our elder selection process has decided upon four men who they believe are the leaders that God is calling to serve as the first elders of the Victory Church of Christ.

Please pray 1) that the Lord's will be done in this process, and 2) that God remove the destructive fears and doubts that these men may have and 3) that they might accept the invitation of the church to serve and, 4) that they might be Spirit-led men who bless the church in Rio for years to come.

On Thursday (Oct. 9), the committee has invited the 4 men to join them in a day of prayer and fasting before anyone says "yes" or "no" to the invitation to serve.

Penguins invading Rio?

Some friends of mine were on boat trip around Rio earlier this week and told me that they saw a dozen or so pinguins bunched together in the water. What are these flightless Arctic birds doing around our tropical city?

Then, I saw this article on MSNBC. Enjoy! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27004165/