Alan and Lori just returned from a training trip to Ireland with our YWAM branch, Kerygma. It was hard to explain why we were going, but it was an excellent time and here's why. There will be pictures later.
Why did you have to go to Ireland and the Global Gathering?
We went to Ireland because we needed to be there.
These aren't friends who kind-of understand our vision and strategy. Kerygma is our family. They understand. These are those most able to know what we know and are on the exact same track as us: The total balance of ecumenism, Holy Spirit, YWAM, pioneering spirit, aggressiveness, global vision and youthfulness. It was the most empowering trip we could make.
These people can teach us more about what we do. They're doing things and talking about concepts we could never dream up. They've been down the roads we're walking now. There is nowhere in the US we can do that. The average YWAMer in the US has never heard of Kerygma.
This was like going home for Christmas and we're the young married couple in the family, the Yuppies. Upwardly mobile.
What we did learn:
“Reboot is about recognizing the moment we are in.” said our leader Bruce Clewett.
It was so solid, so focused on exactly what we need to discuss and and be encouraged about.
What are your non-negotiables with your partner ministry? What do you not bend on?
What are Kerygma's Distinctives? What are we saying that no one else is doing? Our Executive Team taught on:
1. Look at all the Catholics who came to the Lord and don't evangelize.
2. Why Catholics and Protestants should do missions together
3. Why Protestants should serve in the Catholic World.
We found out we should work more closely with our local YWAM bases. Our relationship with the YWAM family is more important than the issues.
They brought in a top notch German Catholic teacher to inspire us, Johannes Hartl, associated with the International House of Prayer, and leads that organization in Germany. Johannes spoke at length several sessions.
Our reunion with our Kerygma Team Family is a taste of heaven It was like entering heaven, because all the key people we met in India immediately came out the door to embrace us when we arrived at 9:45 AM.
Our schedule was full and lacked opportunities to travel anywhere but the sleepy village a 7 minute walk away. We went to the church for two Sunday masses and two weekday masses, shopped at two markets and twice to an Irish Pub. Once with banjo and guitar players. We had a chance to talk to some locals, mostly merchants and shop clerks. Met a few people after masses. They are pleased to meet folks from the U.S. These people seem to live in a very small world.
How was your trip to Ireland from a personal basis?
1. A Fascinating new culture to experience
2. Old World, Mystical scenery and settings, like Narnia. A place I'd like to go back to.
3. Very beautiful, Refreshing, Breathtaking, Like being in a movie
4. The locals were very closed up. Fairly friendly, but not nosy. They thought it cute that you were from Texas if you brought it up, but that was the end of their interest in us and they didn't let you know anything about them. It would take a long term relationship for evangelism.
5. Everyone spoke English, only kinda funny, with hilarious accents and diction
6. Mild days and cool nights, but harsh, cold winters we heard.
7. The local YWAM staff were wonderful. We could work at that base and live in that house.
8. Excellent facility.
9. Best mass choir we ever heard.
10. A relative safe feeling.
We returned from our trip to Europe refreshed, energized, rebooted and ready to hit the floor running. Join us as we continue to touch hearts.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Proclaim the good, and not the bad
by Alan Harris
We want to provide a strong vehicle for shaking these youth. We can't change them in one weekend. We can plant a seed. We can feed them a sample. God may send others to water and tend it or we may be fertilizer or plant food for previous seed. We're small, but determined.
The world is not leading kids this way, or adults either. I stay as far away from secular media as I can. The glimpses I get still shock me and turn my stomach. I see our government as a fear machine. Everything today is trying to keep us safe from corruption. But often it is corruption that is putting that fear in us. I don't think terrorism is out there. I think the devil is, and he's a liar.
Every time I react to something that's not conforming to God's ways, I hear people say, “What's your problem? Its not that bad!” It's not that BAD? Well show me something that is promoting good. Lets not see how much of the crap in the world we can tolerate and be entertained by.
“Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor 10:5) I don't see today's youth casting down ANYTHING. “I'm OK, You're OK, everything is OK, especially what is in the arts, media, the movies, Barnes & Noble. Its ok if the theme is of the devil. “It's not so bad. It's a beautiful story.” Or here's one from my kids, “Let me attack something you like to prove you do the same thing! How dare you say something I feel validated with is bad?”
“Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion to make them believe what is false, so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thes 2:11-12
Who is calling evil-evil anymore? Is anything evil? How can we say “deliver us from evil,” when we accept every damn evil thing that comes across the screen? David Wilkerson used to say about bad TV shows, “TURN IT OFF!” Will some one raise the standard back again? Well, that's what we're doing.
Lets spend our time dwelling on good. If everything today is twisted and perverted away from God's law of love, then lets go back to things in the past. Learn from the Bible. Learn from good writers and speakers. Read God's truths and lessons. What are we doing to proclaim the good News? Who are we sharing it with?
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” 2 Thes 2:15
So we will continue to proclaim the good, and not the bad.
 | Thankful(? )Thoughts From My Journal How do you reach people for Jesus? We want to place youth in front of ministry, place, point, drop it in front of them. What do kids like? Music, social networking, popular books and movies, group acceptance, love, affirmation, escape, distraction, to speak like everyone else, to complain (just read a few Facebook walls). Hopefully they would want to get all that and know God too. |
The world is not leading kids this way, or adults either. I stay as far away from secular media as I can. The glimpses I get still shock me and turn my stomach. I see our government as a fear machine. Everything today is trying to keep us safe from corruption. But often it is corruption that is putting that fear in us. I don't think terrorism is out there. I think the devil is, and he's a liar.
Every time I react to something that's not conforming to God's ways, I hear people say, “What's your problem? Its not that bad!” It's not that BAD? Well show me something that is promoting good. Lets not see how much of the crap in the world we can tolerate and be entertained by.
“Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor 10:5) I don't see today's youth casting down ANYTHING. “I'm OK, You're OK, everything is OK, especially what is in the arts, media, the movies, Barnes & Noble. Its ok if the theme is of the devil. “It's not so bad. It's a beautiful story.” Or here's one from my kids, “Let me attack something you like to prove you do the same thing! How dare you say something I feel validated with is bad?”
“Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion to make them believe what is false, so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thes 2:11-12
Who is calling evil-evil anymore? Is anything evil? How can we say “deliver us from evil,” when we accept every damn evil thing that comes across the screen? David Wilkerson used to say about bad TV shows, “TURN IT OFF!” Will some one raise the standard back again? Well, that's what we're doing.
Lets spend our time dwelling on good. If everything today is twisted and perverted away from God's law of love, then lets go back to things in the past. Learn from the Bible. Learn from good writers and speakers. Read God's truths and lessons. What are we doing to proclaim the good News? Who are we sharing it with?
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” 2 Thes 2:15
So we will continue to proclaim the good, and not the bad.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
21 Bottles of Beer on the Wall
I don't think maturity or respect is something you gain from reaching a certain age. Wine ages and tastes good because it gets to where it tastes good and matured. I don't know about numbers. I go by the taste. I've watched these two and they're still being worked on in the wine rack. In fact they need a little cheese with that whine. What have you done for me lately?
Lori and I and God put good stuff in our kids. We set the body in motion. God provides the soul and the spirit and keeps the body ticking. Sam and Charlotte have to steer the ship and make choices. What they choose has been different for each of them. I'm still observing. I will always care what they do. I want to be proud of them, for them to represent the Harris family well and God.
When babies are born you don't know how they're going to end up looking because they're funny looking. I still don't know how Sam and Charlotte will end up looking.
You can tell they are Harrises. They are tough. Bull headed. Creative. Independent. But will they follow Jesus in all things? I hope so. I'm still praying for them. Every day.
Sam and Charlotte, you've got a long way to go. We've been most of the way ourselves. We'd like to help you from what we've learned. Give us a chance.
Congratulations on staying in this world 21 years. Its been a funky ride. Not everybody gets twins. I've enjoyed it. It was cool. Where will you be in another 21 years? May I say with Jesus,
'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matt. 25:23
Love Dad (Alan Harris)
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