Looking Back at 2013

On this the final day of 2013, I am looking back at what God has done in this year. In no particular order this includes:
A 60th birthday party complete with worship, skits, testimonies, and many attenders, the first one in a decade.
Conclusion of a season of about seven years working with (ministering) young people in the Boston area.
A season with a home church in my home town before that dissolved.
End of a personal advocacy and identification with the "house church" movement
Study of Portuguese on a daily, serious basis, reversing one of my primary regrets in life, that i was a monoglot.
A wonderful summer in Brazil, visiting many places, churches, and friends, and making many more.
Reinforcement of the primary themes of the Kingdom of God, and personal, accountable discipleship in my life.
Testing of submission to personal discipleship.
Major breakthrough in relationship with my daughter.
Regular fasting.
Ongoing faithfulness, perseverance and mercy of God in my life.
"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." ( 1 Timothy 1:17KJV)

The Great Degeneration

"The Great Degeneration," (Penguin Press, New York, 2013) is a rather small volume written by Niall Ferguson, the Scottish contrarian, prolific author, and current professor of history at Harvard. He seeks to explain the decay of crucial institutions in four key areas; democracy, capitalism, rule of law, and civil society. True democracy provides for a majority of people being included in economic opportunity rather than providing for a small elite. Capitalism is the means or engine for this process. The rule of law provides for impartial adjudication of the inevitable conflicts, and civil society through volunteer associations provides opportunities to aid the less fortunate.  More specifically he sees the huge increase in public debt as a breaking of a "generational contract," and ever more complex regulation strangling the economy.
    Ferguson believes that this momentum provided by these institutions has peaked and is now declining in the West. He sees the reemergence of an "extractive" elite, lessening of economic opportunity, rule of lawyers rather than rule of law, and ongoing shrinkage of volunteer associations as the role of government continues to expand. Sadly, what he, raised by atheists, and continuing in that belief, does not see is the role of Christianity, and particularly Protestantism with its emphasis on individual relationship with God, and practice of the Bible on the rise of the institutions that he seeks to restore.
     Despite citing on page 116 the work of Marvin Olasky, a Christian historian, who shows the prodigious practical output of an association of 112 Protestant churches in New York city at the turn of the 20th century in establishing industrial and other schools, libraries, kindergartens, savings and loans, medical dispensaries and other beneficial things, Ferguson misses the implication. It is the decline of genuine Christianity as manifested in submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ through obedience to the Word of God (the Bible) that is at the root of the decline of society and its relevant institutions.
    Particularly tragic in this is the reality that Ferguson has somehow escaped much of the prevailing Leftist academic orthodoxy, which allows him to actually think in a helpful way. May he surrender to his Creator and come to the cross of Jesus Christ.

Rainy Day Fund

"Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it." ( Proverbs 21:20ESV) Note that the proverb does not say a rich man. The wise man does not consume everything he has. Currently i am reading a book by a famous author, which i hope to review upon completion, dealing with the disintegration of the institutions which have characterized western civilization over the past several centuries. The author blithely sweeps aside Protestantism, and its focus on the Bible, as a cause of the success which he now sees so clearly fading away. And yet verses like the one quoted above with its emphasis on individual responsibility to live within one's means, and putting something away for a rainy day rather than depending on the government to be responsible for us is at the heart of the difference that he sees between western and other civilizations up until recently.
   Most people do not live in the theoretical so my appeal in this paragraph is for people to tighten their belts and put something away for the proverbial rainy day, which will come. I have read that most Americans, in the most affluent country on the planet, are only three weeks away from serious financial difficulty. We have so many material things yet it is mostly a house of cards built on easy and irresponsible use of credit. We may have gotten a "deal" on whatever we bought but for the most part you will only get pennies on the dollar if you were to try to sell the item.
   Both Christian and secular financial experts urge building up a three to six month cushion of living expenses as a first priority. Nowadays many people enter marriage with large student, credit card, automotive, and other debt and the hole only gets deeper as times goes on. Don't be the foolish person who devours everything that you have.
     "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it." (Proverbs 13:11ESV)

Ezekiel 29

    Over the years i have only ever known one person named Zeke. This was in the first grade (i think) and i have no idea if his name was Ezekiel and Zeke was his nickname, or whether Zeke was his whole name. In any event while i was cruising through part of Ezekiel yesterday I read through chapter 29 again, which contains the following prophecy.Speaking of Egypt, it reads, "I will bring back the captives of Egypt and cause them to return to the land of Pathros, to the land of their origin, and there they shall be a lowly kingdom. It shall be the lowliest of kingdoms; it shall never  again exalt itself above the nations, for I will diminish them so that they will not rule over the nations anymore. (verses 14 & 15 NKJV)
     Without attempting to be scientifically precise Ezekiel is receiving this revelation roughly five centuries before Christ. There is no way that, humanly speaking, he could know the future history of Egypt to the present day. The reality is that this prophecy has been literally fulfilled. The spectacular civilization of Egypt that many school history books begin with was in the past. Since Ezekiel, Egypt has been ruled by others including Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great and his successors, the Roman Empire, Persians, Byzantines, Umayyid, Abbasid, Mamluk, and Turkish Moslem dynasties, and finally the British Empire. Even with independence under Nasser and his successors the country with the second largest population in Africa has been defeated by little Israel repeatedly. Current woes continue the fulfillment of this prophecy. God is omniscient.
    This is only one of many historically verifiable prophecies in this uniquely inspired Book. God is faithful.

Sharing a Secret

Lamentations 3:27 reads, "It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth." The Proverbs stress the value of hard work (6:6-11, 14:23), and a simple life. Agur asks, "Give me neither poverty or riches- feed me with the food allotted to me." (30:8) And 1 Thessalonians 4:11 reads, "that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you."
     By the grace of God He taught me to appreciate the simple life from my late teens. Working hard was instilled in me by my dad. Working consistently took some time. Some years ago i heard a man say that if someone worked very hard at the beginning of their life they would not normally have to do that at the end. Now I understand that God can pull the plug on the entire world political/economic system at any time. Prior to that I believe that for many people it is possible to work hard, live simply, give to God's work, and save and invest the difference.
     About twenty-five years ago i heard a pastor speak to several hundred men. He outlined a vision of becoming self-supporting missionaries or workers in the Kingdom using the principles above. While i never imagined that this could happen to me, the idea never left. Four and a half years ago, in my middle fifties, i was able to retire from regular work, and embark on full time service for the Lord without needing any outside support. This was possible because of God's grace, hard work, a simple life, and frugal parents. I never made large sums of money but by recent calculations worked the equivalent of forty-eight "normal" years time in thirty-eight calendar years.
    I offer this as a suggestion to younger people. Curtail your lifestyle, consider the future, work hard now. I know so many people far more gifted than i who dream about being in full time service who cannot do this because of financial limitations. The reality is that even the affluent American Church only supports a relative minority of people, and often very poorly.

Traditions & other Thoughts

     One reality of the Christian life, historically and in the present day, is an wide divergence of doctrinal views, which are often of great importance. In startling contrast, the overwhelming majority of Christians follow traditions such as celebrating Christmas or gathering for corporate worship on Sunday that have no or little Biblical evidence. There is no hint that we are to celebrate the birth of Christ, much less to associate this with material opulence, and no command to worship on Sunday although it appears that the early church chose the day of the Lord's resurrection to gather. Yet the power of tradition in these things is insurmountable.
    In another vein there is a relatively new idiomatic saying in English, "throwing someone under the bus." This refers to betrayal, grave offense, or personal injury done to one person by another or a group. However, it is possible to lay someone very nicely and politely under the bus with the same result. The bus runs the person over.
     As the current year draws to a close, I am thankful for those friends who have determined to put up with and treat with a modicum of respect such a cantankerous fellow as myself. While their numbers are not large, they have proven faithful over many years, if not decades, and i thank God for them.
    A personal bugbear is the use of the word "pretty" in the sense of very or rather as in "that was a pretty good meal." I have traced this usage back over fifty years in books and films. While i have no idea of the origin of this usage I deplore the vulgarization.
     "Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord, and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart." ( Jeremiah 24:7 NKJV)

New York City

     As a boy my parents took me to New York City several times. I remember the World's Fair in 1965, and visiting the Museum of Natural History with genuine enjoyment. My more recent experiences have not been so favorable. Several years ago I traveled with a friend to scope out an employment opportunity in southern New Jersey. On our return we were caught at the entrance to the George Washington bridge, a major entry point by a huge traffic jam. When we finally inched to the bridge itself we discovered that two of three lanes were blocked by a fire truck and broken car.
    Yesterday was far worse. Friends and I were traveling from Canada to JFK airport so they could return to Brazil. Admittedly weather conditions were not ideal but problems began almost fifty miles away. We had two different GPS systems by two companies, and written out Internet directions. When we departed from Ottawa they gave an estimated arrival time of 4:45 PM, plenty of time to catch a 7 o'clock flight.
   We went through the worst traffic jam i have ever encountered in one million miles of driving. It took us well over an hour to go a couple of miles so we could enter the Lincoln Tunnel (2 lanes only) after paying the outrageous fee of $13. Coming out of the tunnel surrounded by busses we missed our turn and ended up in city streets in Manhattan, surely one of the most congested places in the country. We finally picked up the Queens MidTown Tunnel, paid $7.50 and continued our crawl to the airport. We arrived at 7:30. In freezing weather we bundled the luggage to the terminal.
   When i finally returned to the car and got into the line to pay for parking, insult was added to injury. Two cars ahead of me someone took nine minutes to pay their toll, a process which should take less than one. I paid $12 for an hour's time. Of course the GPS systems were unreliable, losing the satellites on a regular basis. Miraculously i went the correct way on the Van Wyck instead of the JFK and finally reached the 95 North Interstate to return to New England but not before paying another $7.50 to cross the Whitestone Bridge. If there is a toll i missed in NYC i don't know what it is.
   Paying another $1.75 to use the few miles of New York Thruway before entering Connecticut seemed like a pittance. In summary I will never willingly go to New York City again except for flying in or out of the airport.

Canada Comments

   Entered Canada last Tuesday evening with some Brazilian friends.  Much colder here than in New England. Am staying with a family with two grade school age daughters, both very charming and sweet. They are tri-lingual (Portuguese, English, and French). The younger offered to teach me French but i said fluency in Portuguese first.  Then i will take her up on her offer.
   We went to a retreat in northern Quebec province at higher elevation. Much colder there. One morning minus 19F. It warmed up to 7 above the next morning, a change of 26. Received about a foot and a half of snow during the weekend, and had a stressful ride back through blowing snow. Thankfully no black ice or freezing rain.
   Some brothers talked me into an outdoor jacuzzi. My body was warm enough but my hair started to freeze. We went into a sauna next and finally a pool. These guys know how to party.
   The first meeting i shared briefly on the feeding of the five thousand (with women and children three or four times that number) found in Matthew 14 as well as the other three gospels, one of the few events to be recorded in all four.  We had only thirty people at this retreat and food prep and cleaning took four or five people several hours so the magnitude of the feeding by Jesus, with lots of leftovers, took on additional meaning.
   As i spoke in Portuguese, my message was short and simple. The basic idea was two fold. Jesus told the people to sit down in groups of fifty to a hundred ( a detail found in Mark and Luke) rather than rushing forward, evidence of God,s order. The second was that with at least one thousand to be fed by each of the twelve disciples, and the reality that each one could only carry a limited amount of food at any one time, required them to have faith that Jesus would continue to provide food as they returned to Him, the only source of more food. Try acting this out and you will get the basic idea.

Show or Tell?

May I encourage my readers to follow the link on my blog to that of my friend Bill who has just posted on persecution in the Central African Republic. Not surprisingly it is Muslims who are doing the persecuting.
     Yesterday had the blessing of continuing discipleship with two brothers, Gary and Dan, at different times. Gary and i looked at verses pertaining to money and possessions including Luke 12:15. "And He said to them, "Take heed  and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." (NKJV) Dan and I worked through some verses on the Kingdom of God including Matthew 24:14. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come." ( Matthew 24:14 NKJV). I thank God for the receptivity of these two brothers.
    This morning i had an opportunity to share the Word on the subject of marriage and God's order with five brothers looking in particular at Genesis 2, Romans 5: 12-21, and Ephesians 5:22-33. We saw God giving responsibilities to Adam and holding him accountable. We also looked at the love that the woman needs and the respect which the man needs. ( Ephesians 5:33)
     Also received a word on Matthew 14 from my discipler Vinci with special emphasis on prayer and resting in the Lord. We will go to Canada next week, God willing, to encourage the brethren there.
     In my interactions with other believers i try very hard, by the grace of God, not to simply tell them what I believe that God is saying in His Word, but to show them exactly where i find the verses and themes so that they can see for themselves.

Surviving Black Friday

     As regular readers of this blog know, I am a simple guy, or in the words of one individual, a caveman so going anywhere near a store on the infamous "Black Friday" is not something I would do. However, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and being discipled by a Brazilian brother named Vinci. His wife owns a travel agency, and once a year she gathers twenty-five or so Brazilians to come to shop in the US. Their incentive is the far greater variety and, amazingly, the far lower cost of items here. They save their money all year and then purchase a year's worth of gifts. The agency rents fifteen passenger vans to take them to various malls and i was asked to drive one of these. My usual vehicle is a very small car.
   I slept about two hours Thursday night after a nice Thanksgiving celebration, woke up at 12:30 to get ready and be at the hotel for a 2AM departure. We actually left later, picked up two younger ladies who were shopping at a toy store and headed for New Hampshire. Arrived there around 4AM, found a parking place for the two huge vans and headed inside. Some stores had long lines just to enter. Most of the Brazilians know a little English but are certainly not fluent. I ended up translating a little. Because i am not used to this i found it difficult to switch back and forth. I would end up repeating Portuguese to the English speaking employee and then remember to say it in English.
   Around 9AM we headed down to a mall south of Boston. I accidentally cut one guy off because i was following the other van and did not know the route he would take. By the time we got to the second mall it was packed. After dropping the people off it took over an hour to find a parking space. People had parked on the grass and every other imaginable location.
    Once this was accomplished i had to find my friends. They were in a particular store but so many people had jammed in that i could not find them. There were long lines of people waiting in bitter cold to enter other stores.  When we went for lunch in the Food Court every restaurant had half hour lines. Then we had to find a table. I went off in the van and read a little. When the sun went down the cold increeased. Was able to park my van next to the other van. Mine was open and warm as the people gradually returned but the other was locked because of all the gifts inside. People kept crowding into my van like sardines until finally the other was unlocked.
     Then we drove to a Brazilian restaurant for dinner, and after a stop at a pharmacy back to the hotel. Virtually all parking places were taken, and we had to search more. Finally i drove an hour to the house where i am staying. All in all, a 21 hour shift with 2 hours of sleep. such is the life of a servant.

Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday

One of the clearest statements about the will of God is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God concerning you." (NKJV) I am not interested in most holidays; the exception is Thanksgiving which reflects what we should do every day; not gorging on food or watching football games but the giving of thanks to God for who He is and for what He has done for us through Jesus Christ.
    This year I am thankful for many things, a few of which are listed below.
The ongoing grace of Jesus Christ to do the will of the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The provision of God allowing me to spend the summer in Brazil .
A deeper revelation of the Kingdom of God and personal discipleship.
My discipler Vinci, and the brothers whom God has given me to disciple
Good health except for my teeth
Retirement from regular work so i can minister full time
A loving daughter and grandson
Friendships of decades
The support/accountability/prayer men's fellowship
New friends from several countries
The best living situation that i have had an an adult
Slowly growing proficiency in Portuguese
The Word of God
"But as for me, I trust in you, O Lord; I say, you are my God... Make your face shine upon your servant; save me for your mercies' sake."  ( Psalm 31:14,16 NKJV)

JFK

  Today, Friday, November 22nd, 2013 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the John F. Kennedy presidential assassination. Everyone of my era remembers where they were on that day. I was almost eleven, in the sixth grade with Mr. Wetherbee, one of the best teachers i ever had at any level. After we received the news we were dismissed from school. As we trooped downstairs in the two story building, we passed by all the teachers. I noticed my fourth grade teacher, a woman whom we thought of as an old battle axe, weeping.
    After we got on the busses I realized that our driver, had the radio on listening for news, a first. In those days few mothers worked so there was someone to receive us.
    Like so many others I accepted the findings of the Warren Commission ( named after the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at that time) that Oswald had acted alone. About twenty-five years later, after having been unable to shake pneumonia with several different medicines, I spent a week in bed reading half a dozen books on the assassination. At the end of the week I came to believe that Oswald had not acted alone and probably was not involved.
    Several historical ironies about the ramifications of JFK's death include that he had allowed the assassination of the South Vietnamese leader a few weeks earlier; that JFK would probably not have escalated the war as Johnson did, and probably would not have had a major expansion of the Federal welfare state as his successor initiated.

California Dreaming?

     In the 1970's i lived in California, and because i have relatives in this state, I visit once or twice a year. The weather is usually better than in New England although the traffic is worse. This past week I have been seeing my daughter, son-in-law and grandson. The little fella is now one, walking like Frankenstein, and starting to grow a little hair. He can problem solve when he wants something, and is finally learning to eat solid food. He likes raisin bread, dried blueberries, and hummus in particular. I suggested a big fat hamburger but that was vetoed. He likes to fall asleep in the car.
    We have taken him to several playgrounds. Today a little blond girl, probably twice his age although no bigger tried to play with him. A young saleswoman said he was "so stinking cute." Well, he is stinking (sometimes) and cute ( sometimes).
   Was also very blessed that a young man of my acquaintance has asked to explore being discipled by me. God has faithfully answered my prayer to show me those men whom He would have me to disciple.
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise."  (Proverbs 19:20 ESV)

My friend Mark

     "And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever." ( 2 Timothy 4:18) Many years ago in the Jesus People movement days, I met a brother named Mark, a big farm boy from Indiana. One of his jokes was that ketchup was Indiana hot sauce. Over the course of time we worked together in a Christian business called True Vine maintenance cleaning vacated apartments, lived in the same communal house, and eventually he asked me to be his best man at his wedding to  a sister named Judi. As with so many others we lost touch. He went on to congregations in Oregon and Denver while i was in San Diego and Boston. Through the power of the Internet we hooked up again, and I had an opportunity to see him briefly about two years ago. We sent e-mails back and forth on occasion, and I was contemplating a return visit.
      This morning I learned that he had passed away. His daughter and I spoke and she said that he had been doing very well with the Lord. ( She had been praying for ten years for this) While she misses him, we have assurance that he is in a far better place.
     "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens... For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life." ( 2 Corinthians 5:1,4 NKJV)
      "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints." ( Psalm 116:15)

Missionary to America

     In my previous entry I posted about the death of the House Church movement in New England. The last sentence pointed to a way forward. If someone accepts that Jesus came preaching the gospel of the  Kingdom of God, ( Mark 1:14-15), that living in that Kingdom requires someone to be a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ rather than a church-goer, whether in traditional or house church, and that being a disciple means receiving direction and accountability from a disciplemaker (Matthew 28:18-20) then this is  foreign and rarely practiced in the U.S. If our responsibility is to make disciples, and Jesus to build the church ( Matt. 16:18) then those who are faithful to that command are more like missionaries than anything else.
     In normal usage a missionary is an individual or a family that is sent from one country to another, usually to start from scratch in preaching the gospel where no witness exists. If we are talking about the true gospel of Jesus Christ rather than a watered down version then the US is a mission field. As I witnessed the continuing dissolution of house churches in New England I became discouraged. Now i believe that this had to occur because we were not building with the proper materials. Instead of preaching the Kingdom and developing discipling relationships we were trying to comfort wounded people and work with rebels. Our need is to submit to other imperfect human beings, receive their wisdom, experience, and care so we can impart that to others.
    The advantage that we have in contrast to regular missionaries is that we do not need to learn a different language and culture, a process that takes years. May God open our eyes.

Requiem for a Movement

     In the spring of the year 2000, with fervent hopes and Biblical conviction, I departed from the traditional church structure, albeit from the best regular church that I had ever experienced in 25 years, into house churching. I spoke to anyone with whom i had any relationship but none were interested. In the fall, I had the privilege of participating in the 1st annual New England House Church Conference, and discovering that there were others who were going in the same direction.
     Thirteen years later, I have been an integral part of four of these groups, and known about twenty others in the region. I have met hundreds of house churching people, participated and/or organized many conferences and regional gatherings, and have given this my best shot. Most of the people who have tried this are no longer doing it and most of the groups have dissolved or are in crisis. Even the staunchest advocates are going in other directions.
     What happened? In the following synopsis I include myself. Most of us were wounded by either childhood issues, mistreatment or marginalization in the regular churches, real or perceived, or both. Despite the best efforts of many brothers, we had inadequate leadership. The groups were usually isolated, inward focused. We were independent, anarchic, and rebellious, reflecting American culture.
     While understanding that some people that i know will disagree with my assessment, I will offer a way forward. Submit to King Jesus to live in His Kingdom through personal, accountable, committed discipleship.

Travels

     Last Wednesday i had the opportunity to visit a Brazilian group in the Boston area, and speak a little about what God showed me when i visited Brazil last summer. ( For more extensive detail the reader could go to the June, July and August posts for this year)
     Thursday i spent some time with my friend Jake catching up, had a quick meal with my friend Russ, and then met with him and two other brothers in our regular support/accountability/prayer group. May we "share" less and pray more.
     Friday had dinner again with Russ. Typically we seldom eat out. Saturday morning had time with my friend Gary. We spoke about the difference between mentoring (accepting or not receiving advice), and discipleship- receiving direction and accountability. In the afternoon drove up to New Hampshire to gather with a home group that i have visited several times although i know the co-leaders better.
    As with most New England house churches, the families are home-schooling so we were treated to a meal done in first century Roman style, along with various skits and presentations by four of the children. I am always impressed with the maturity, knowledge, and assurance of home schoolers, and this was no exception.
   Then they had a rather lively (emotional) discussion on the theme of church membership. Afterwards i went with one couple to their home where we discussed this and related subjects for another two hours. In the morning they treated me to a very nice breakfast, with more prayer and discussion. I am delighted to report that the brother has asked me to disciple him.
   Later we had lunch with one of the daughters of the couple along with her fiance, whom i had known as a boy a number of years before. With another birthday approaching perhaps i should start thinking of myself as an old guy.
   Soon I will go to Canada, and then to southern California.

November 1 Thoughts

     "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him." ( 1 John 2:15) Last night North Americans celebrated Halloween. As a young boy i did too. Once i was a cowboy, and another time i was a pirate and i reveled in the hoard of candy that i received, which i could have one per day per parental instruction until it was finished. Many decades later this holiday is adamantly pagan. Everything is witches or werewolves or whatever. Many employees dress up in costume, and supposedly it is the third best time for retailers. The whole thing is demonic, and the only one laughing is the devil. How can any true follower of Jesus Christ celebrate this?
     "For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world." ( 1 John 2:16) The night before the Boston Red Sox baseball team won their third world championship of the past decade. As a child i was decidedly unathletic, but i collected baseball cards, memorized the statistics and was as avid a fan as anyone. This continued into my thirties when I believe that God showed me that all of this was just another species of idolatry- something that i was giving my time, energy, money and affection to that was not of Him but of the world. What eternal difference does it make who wins any sports championship in any given year? And isn't there an empty feeling once the season concludes?
     "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:17 NKJV) I am rejoicing to learn that two brothers with young families whom i know that live on the west coast have submitted their lives to a spiritual father for accountability and instruction.
     A widely circulated note given to allegedly obese children who came trick or treating urging their parents to moderate the children's intake of sweets causes me to wonder whether the author works for the government. When a nation abandons God something or someone must take His place in our hearts.

Government of God

One of the best known passages of Scripture is found in Isaiah 9:6-7. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulder, and he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." (ESV) While certainly not attempting to do exegesis on the whole passage, I would like to tackle the idea of government and kingdom.
    We tend to think of the word "kingdom" as a geographical area ruled by a monarch. The Word of God views this differently. The kingdom of God lives anywhere that a person is submitted to the rule of Jesus, the king of the kingdom of God. As Isaiah 9:6 refers to, the government is on the shoulder of the Son. "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom." (Hebrews 1:8 ESV)
     I find it instructive to realize that every other part of God's creation submits to His authority, except for humans...and demons.
     How does God govern His kingdom? Through His Word as revealed and taught by the Holy Spirit, who does not contradict Himself. "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior." (Titus 1:1-3 ESV)
    May all genuine believers receive the government of God through obedience to His Word.

Owe No Man Anything

The United States has three branches of government, executive, legislative and judicial. The legislative branch has two parts, the Senate of one hundred members, and the House of Representatives of 435. Senators have six year terms, and Representatives serve for two. Two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, vie for control. Currently the Democrats have the majority in the Senate 54-46. ( Two supposed Independents caucus with the Democrats) The Republicans have an approximately fifty seat majority in the House. This results in a divided Congress.

Several days ago a vote was taken on whether to increase the national debt. The people of this nation already owe nearly seventeen trillion (1,000,000,000,000) dollars in Federal debt, not to mention unfunded promises of an almost incalculable amount. Every year the Federal government runs a large deficit, spending more than the three trillion in revenue that comes in. In the Senate, only eighteen members voted against the increased indebtedness. In the House the nays came to 144 or one-third.

This tragedy is a symptom of a national reality. The majority of the people of this country wallow in debt despite our status as the wealthiest country on the planet. We are never satisified with what we have. Sadly, Christians are in the same boat. On a recent year long journey around the country, I found many Christians crippled by money problems, usually debt, even if they had good incomes by American standards. We have ignored the teaching of the Bible. “Owe no man anything, but to love one another...” ( Romans 13:8) “And the borrower is the servant of the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)

Mid October Thoughts

Enjoying "constitutionals" in mid October New England. An experience Thursday reinforced my conviction that the "Christian life" only works with those who are truly surrendered to Jesus Christ. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven but those who do the will of my Father in heaven." ( Matthew 7:21 NKJV)
   Friday trekked to Boston and had lunch with one friend, met a brother with a Baptist pastor background who has a ongoing home gathering, had a bagel with another friend (first one that he has ever had), and finally had an opportunity to preach about the Kingdom of God at another home gathering. As one of the Christian couples was dedicating their new baby to the Lord, there were a number of visitors (some unconverted). Although not a salvation message per se, I did have the opportunity to speak about the essence of sin (independence), obedience to God (the polar opposite), and the two kingdoms, one of light and one of darkness. Afterwards had the privilege of discussing topics such as identity in Christ, and the efficacy of seminary.
     Still later the same evening spoke with another friend and brother about the reality of persecution from "Christians." Saturday morning met with another brother who i have been mentoring for a number of years. I believe the difference between mentoring and discipling is the mentee accepts advice; the disciple accepts direction and discipline in a similar way as a player on a sports team gets from his coach.
    Saturday afternoon had time with another disciple. While there are many things that i do which are agreeable, or, not disagreeable, there are very few things in life that i truly enjoy. Ministering from the Bible is one of those truly enjoyable things.
    Sunday had the unusual opportunity to preach at a small regular church. Was led to speak about the kingdom of God, and surrender of our will to Jesus Christ in order to enter His kingdom. Afterwards some of us had lunch together, and then discussed the theme. Was impressed with their receptivity to a person that only one of them had any previous experience with. God is faithful.

An Historical Excursus

     Once upon a time i took a graduate school course on the origins of World War One, and as a life long history "nut", have read other books on the subject. "The Guns of August," by Barbara Tuchman is an accessible summary. Historians have advanced numerous views on the origin while they bewail the irrationality of a seemingly inevitable process.
    As the U.S. enters the ninth day of a government partial shutdown, and lurches towards a Oct. 17 date to increase the debt limit or not, only God knows the outcome. Yet the parallels seem obvious. A deeply divided Europe in 1914 resembles a deeply divided US a century later. The increasingly irrational and stubborn Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany has his counterpart in our current President. The ineffectiveness and unwillingness of other leaders seems eerily familiar.
     Perhaps a deal will be made. Very possibly the Republicans will cave as they have so often before. Certainly the roughly 250 billion dollars that the US Treasury takes in each month is more than enough to pay the 30 billion or so needed to pay the interest on the debt. But this paragraph assumes rationality on the part of the decision makers which their predecessors did not have.
    I believe that the Biblical key to understanding the rise and fall of nations is found in Acts 17:26. "And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place..." (ESV) Ultimately God determines the outcome of human history. One result of the First World War was the destruction of three Empires (Russian, German, and Hapsburg) and the mortal wounding of a fourth. (British Empire)
    What then should followers of Jesus Christ do in times like these? Preach the Kingdom of God, and make disciples.

Rainy Saturday reflections

Once again I find that i must reduce my expectations of what people will do ( or not do) and increase my expectations of what God can or will do. I believe that this is a key to the peace that Jesus promises us. "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do i give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." ( John 14:27 NKJV)
     Another reality that i encounter on a regular basis is the idea that general truth eliminates specific teaching. For example: "God is love." ( 1 John 4:16) . "Let him who stole steal no longer..." (Ephesians 4:28) Somehow people rationalize that it is ok to steal because God loves us. In truth both statements are valid and harmonize together. While this is an obvious example i find that people continually discard specific teaching with the God is loving or gracious saying.
    Currently i am reading a series of booklets in Portuguese  about the fundamentals of the Christian faith that are given to new converts in a large church in Brazil. Gaining understanding of how believers from a different culture do and perceive things helps me to discern what is merely cultural and not truly Biblical in my own thinking.
    I find it instructive to see how two Christians can read and study the same passage and come up with widely different understandings. May we not rely on our own human intellects and feelings but diligently seek the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
" He said to them, 'I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." )Luke 4:43)
    

The ARA, the cross & an orphanage

     Today I finished listening to, and following along in, the Almeida Revista & Atualizada version of the New Testament in Portuguese. This is an older version with a formality of language and vocabulary which is not often encountered in every day conversation nor, apparently, used that much by Brazilian Christians in the US. I also have a newer version on audio CD as well. The renderings are far more dramatic than their counterparts in English. Over time, I have listened to the KJV, NKJV & the ESV on audio CD or cassette. In the Portuguese, a different person speaks each part in contrast to one person narration as is usual in English. The background music is louder, often disconcerting, and occasionally disturbing like a horror movie. Background music is English narration is either non existent or very subtle.
     As I recognize that the majority of my readers do not read Portuguese, and so are unable to understand the blog of my friend Samir, linked to on my home page, I'd like to give a quick summary of his 8/25 post. He is opposing the easy, false gospel of God as a Santa Claus figure who exists to bless us and give us what we desire as oppose to the true gospel of Jesus Christ, the crucified life. "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14) "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24) "Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (Luke 9:23 NKJV)
     Recently i have been made aware of an orphanage in a Moslem majority country, poor and ravaged by war, in which live a number of children with severe physical, mental and or emotional challenges. Essentially unadoptable, these children have no toys, extremely limited food, and terrible conditions. A very small group of Christians volunteers visit, pray for and encourage these orphans. I am thankful for the opportunity to give to this need. Even the poorest in this country have incredible wealth in comparison to many people in the world.

Testimony of Discipleship

     Regular readers of this blog are aware that I have been posting on the theme of discipleship on a regular basis. A disciple of Jesus Christ is a whole hearted follower who has surrendered his life to His Lordship, and is committed to learning and obeying all of His commands. This is best accomplished by having a discipler, someone who is dedicated to the disciple's growth and maturity in Christ. Commitment by both parties is imperative.
     One month ago i asked a young man if he would make such a commitment. He had been very honest with me in saying that he was drifting away from Christ, and had not read the Bible all summer. He agreed and has proven faithful to the commitment that he made. In turn I have met with him one on one once a week ever since in addition to seeing him at our regular gathering and a mid week Bible study. In addition i committed to praying for him every day.
     Yesterday as I was praying for and reflecting on the transformation in his life over the last month, i felt led of the Holy Spirit to ask this brother what had changed in his life. As we got together last night I raised the question. He said that it was the accountability of the one on one times that God had used as the tool. We both acknowledged the work that God has done and is doing in his life. For example, instead of not reading the Bible, he is both reading and studying. He ministered some of this to me, and showed me pages of notes that he has taken. His entire approach to life in Christ has changed. While he still faces at least two huge challenges in his life, God is preparing him to meet them.
    This is not because i am such a wonderful discipler. I believe God is honoring our efforts because we are trying to do His will, namely, make disciples. Jesus said, "Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19a)

Witness of the Creation

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things." ( Romans 1: 18-23 ESV)
     Tomorrow is the beginning of probably the best month of New England climate. Today I had the pleasure of taking a long walk along country roads praying to God as I received fresh air and exercise. Neither too hot or too cold, today was one of those rare, wonderful ones that we seldom receive here. Some cows grazed, a tiny rivulet bubbled along the road, the leaves are beginning to transform their parent trees with autumnal splendor, and God allows me to revel in it all.
     Yet sadness tinged my experience as some of the people that I prayed for do not know God with the intimacy that He has given to me through surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and entrance into His Kingdom through faith and obedience. Some are church goers. God requires more than this. Jesus will not be a part of our life, competing with other things. He wants to be our Life.
   Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) And the creation witnesses to Him every day.

The Words of Jesus

     Some years ago I heard a man with an encyclopedic knowledge of the Bible say that the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount ( Matthew chapters 5-7) were only for the Jews, and thus not relevant for "Christians." More recently i have heard others share similar sentiments. I wonder if they have any idea of the ramifications of their words. True Christ followers believe that Jesus is God. Are we to believe that the words of JESUS are not relevant to us today? Now I understand that the original audience that heard these words were Jewish. But they are written down as part of the inspired Word of God. ( 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Hebrews 4:12 et. al. ) Are we sinful humans the arbiters of what is and what is not important in the Bible? Some of the best counsel i ever received was to read the whole Bible from Genesis 1 through Revelation 22 and then to read it again and again and...
     Let's look at some of the words of Jesus. "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." ( John 6:63)
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." ( Mark 13:31)
"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does and  teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." ( Matthew 5:19 NKJV)
"But you do not have His Word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe." (John 5:38)
     On a completely different subject i have heard a prediction that at the meeting of the Federal Reserve on Dec. 18th, the end of cash will be announced in the US. While i do not know if this is true, I suspect the technology is available to make this feasible. Many people do not use much cash at all. Yet the disappearance of cash is just another step in the ability of a few people to control many as every transaction of any kind will now be on record. We should not trust in the political or economic systems of this world but in Jesus Christ as Lord.

Very Nice Rebels

     Some of the nicest people that I know are rebels. If you spent time with them you would say, "Really nice people. Kind, considerate, loving, courteous and yet they are not surrendered to Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. Now they may say that Jesus is their Lord. They may go to church on a regular basis, hear a good Biblically based sermon, give to charity, pray, and even read the Bible. I did this for many years but i was not surrendered to Jesus Christ. I was still the Lord of my life. I made the decisions, formed my values and convictions, to be sure with a Scriptural veneer or finish that looked glossy on the outside. And we are continually warned against this.
"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things that we have heard, lest we drift away." ( Hebrews 2:1)
"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is yet called 'Today' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." ( Hebrews 3:12-14 NKJV)
  "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Romans 8:13 NKJV)
"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached unto you- unless you believed in vain." ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 NKJV)
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?- unless indeed you are disqualified." ( 2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV)
     The verses written above, and many others, are written to believers, not to unbelievers.
Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven." ( Matthew 7:21) The key is obedience. Have we submitted to the Lordship of Christ by our practical, daily obedience to His commands or have we been very nice rebels?

Reflections on Personal discipleship

     Personal discipleship is a rather foreign theme for most American "Christians," even though Jesus commands all true believers to make disciples. ( Matthew 28:19) But if we are to obey His command the implication is that one person disciples another (or more than one). The one being discipled may in turn disciple others but the basic building block is one person discipling another. We see Jesus doing this with the twelve, and even more so with the three. (Peter, James and John) We see Paul doing this with Timothy and other companions.
     Personal discipleship ties into the Lordship of Christ in the following way. The american christian idea of Lordship is very individualistic and subjective. I have a personal understanding of what the Lordship of Christ is in my life, usually without reference to anyone else. The discipleship that I saw and experienced in Brazil incorporates another person whose major concern is my welfare, growth and maturity in Christ. I need to submit to their more objective perspective of my life.
     I understand that is in direct conflict with the american cultural belief that i make my own decisions, live my own life, form my own values. But if this is how i think then i am still trying to be the Lord of my life, and Jesus is not. Recently I had a desire to do something which is not ungodly. Both the brother to whom i have submitted my life and another mature brother thought my desire was unwise. As I have submitted to their counsel I find their advice better than my own idea. God is faithful.
    One of the best spiritual tests is to look at the fruit produced. For me there is no contest. The system of personal discipleship, even with human frailty and potential abuse, is better than the anarchy of each part of the Body of Christ trying to operate separately.

Humility and leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ

     Jesus is the supreme example of humility for the true Christian. Even though He is God, "being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." ( Phil. 2:8 NKJV) He teaches that "whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." ( Matthew 18:4 NKJV) When Paul addresses the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 he says "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner i lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility..." (Acts 20:18b-19a) And Peter, also addressing elders writes, "nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." ( 1 Peter 5:3) Later in the same chapter he writes, "All of you be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He might exalt you in due time." (1 Peter 5:b-6 NKJV)
     When a person is genuinely converted many "external" sins can die at once. But pride seems to be an almost intractable reality, something we must put to death every day. Perhaps the key is understanding who we are as humans in contrast to a supremely infinite and holy God.
     I believe that personal insecurity and lack of trust in God are at the heart of our pride. True security comes from believing and walking in who God says that we are in Jesus Christ. Trusting in God is the opposite of the overpowering need to control the people around us. Sadly i have experienced this many times in the church. The truly humble seldom become leaders; those who have to control other people do.

Some Thoughts on Fasting

   Fasting is the practice of not eating for the purpose of concentrating on God. This was practiced by such Old Testament figures as Moses,  David, Ezra, Esther, Daniel and the men of Jabesh (1 Chronicles 10:12), and by Jesus and the early Church. (Acts 13:2, 14:23) When questioned about why His disciples did not fast Jesus replied that they would fast once He left. (Matthew 9:15, Mark 2;20, Luke 5:34) So it seems to be a practice for modern day believers.
   One purpose of fasting is to humble ourselves, (Psalm 69:10 ESV) something we all need. Another possibility is an increase in spiritual power depending on your understanding of the inclusion of Mark 9:29 in the canon of Scripture. A third is to use the time ordinarily consumed in the preparation, eating and cleaning up after meals to seek the Lord in prayer.
     Having just finished a time of this, I believe that fasting is an act of faith similar to believing that the Holy Spirit can reveal the Word of God to us when we read the Bible, or that God listens and responds when we pray. There is nothing magical about it.
    The physical reality for me was a significant decline in my physical strength. (Normally I am healthy and vigorous) I slept far more poorly than usual. Many years ago I was able to do my regular work while fasting. Now, probably not. I experienced worse breath than usual which is probably a release of the toxins in the body. This did not improve over time.
     DISCLAIMER:  I am not saying that anyone should fast. That is between you and the Lord. And if you do for any extended time don't sit down to a full meal when you stop but return to eating very gradually. I drink juice to begin and progress to apple sauce and plain yogurt. I also think it would be more fruitful to fast with a group if you can find anyone willing to do this.

Kingdom of God per Matthew

     The primary theme of most of the churches and people that i visited in Brazil this summer is the Kingdom of God. So i resolved that when i returned to the US that I would do a study on this subject, which i began yesterday. I found 129 references (may vary a little with other versions) in the New Testament. Forty-six are in the gospel of Matthew. Last night i had the opportunity to go through all 46 with seven brothers or sisters.
     For context we began in Genesis 1:26, 28 where God gives Adam dominion over the earth and everything in it, and where he is told to subject the earth. In the same place he is commanded to be fruitful and multiply so that he can have help in this responsibility. Unfortunately his sin ceded control of his kingdom to the devil. So it is of huge significance to find Jesus coming preaching the kingdom of God. After His temptation he begins his public ministry in Matthew 4:17 by saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven (essentially interchangeable with the kingdom of God) is at hand. Jesus has arrived to invade the devil's kingdom. In verse 23 of the same chapter we read that Jesus went around all Galilee teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.
     Now when we think about the gospel we usually look at it from an  individual perspective; that Jesus came to save me from my sins. While this contains truth it is not the overarching theme. He came to proclaim his kingdom. Matthew 12:25-28 brings this out clearly. Jesus has been accused of casting out demons by the help of the devil. He replies that no kingdom divided against itself can stand. He concludes by saying, "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
     A kingdom also requires a king. A king is one who rules. His subjects obey. Too often we receive a diluted message that Jesus only came to be our Savior. I find it impossible to maintain this view in light of the 129 references to Him as King of a kingdom, not to mention many more as Lord. We are kidding ourselves if we remain on the throne of our lives doing what we think is best, The identical proverbs of 14:12 and 16:25 say that "There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death."
    A final thought for now is that most of the parables in Matthew are used to explain aspects of the kingdom of heaven. Check out chapter 13 for example.

Reality

     Returned from Brazil about a week ago and American reality has set in. I had no allergies there but can't stop sneezing here. Have met with two different groups of people that I get together with on a regular basis, and find both drifting from pure fervor for Christ. I find a precious brother suffering from yet another "leader" who will do anything to control the people around him. I miss Brazil already. Not just little things like farofa, a cooked grain with spices that looks like sand but tastes delicious sprinkled over just about anything, or the fact that I don't have to drive there, but larger things like God's order, the love of the brethren for one another, the accountability which prevents the dominating leader syndrome, and the emphasis on the Kingdom of God and making disciples rather than living for ourselves.
     But God is faithful, and He will build His church. Have had encouraging conversations and opportunities to share what God is showing me with others. Don't expect that very many will receive the message but Jesus didn't promise this. Instead He said that the way to eternal life with Him is narrow; the highway to eternal destruction wide. ( Matthew 7:13-14)
     And I thank God for the friends that He gave me in Brazil, some of whom are corresponding with me via e-mail. They are precious in His sight, and in mine. I am also enjoying the tape of the NT that my friend Gilmar gave me, which allows me to listen and hear the pronunciation while i follow along in the same Portuguese version of the Bible.
   "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, 'Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17 KJV)

Jesus Christ the Lord

       Have just finished rereading a book titled “Jesus Christ The Lord,” by Jorge Himitian. (Also available in Spanish, Portuguese and French.) I believe this to be one of the most important books that I have ever read; a good summary of what I have experienced in Brazil this past summer. In chapter 1 the author presents Jesus as Lord, not just as Savior, which is the focus of much preaching and thinking in the church in the US. He declares that the Lordship of Christ is not a title like governor or mayor but a term denoting ownership; that Jesus is Master and King. The second chapter shows that Jesus is to be the Lord of my life, and that of the church. Chapter three talks about the language of the Kingdom. Complaining and grumbling is the language of the kingdom of this world; praise and thanksgiving is the language of the Kingdom of God.

The fourth chapter explores the practical reality of Jesus as the Lord of our time, our money, and our home and family life. I found the fifth chapter the most crucial of all. The essential gospel message is not that Jesus will save you from your sins, although He will, but that we must surrender to the Lordship of Christ through dying to one's self. Do I (we) do what I want or what Jesus wants. The essence of sin is to please ourselves.

The author then proceeds to an understanding of baptism which accords with the New Testament. Baptism proclaims through action our surrender to the Lordship of Christ. In the nine cases of baptism enumerated in the book of Acts, only that of Paul is not immediately following initial repentance. In his case there was no one to baptize him at once. If someone does not consent to baptism then we can have no assurance that they have surrendered to Jesus as King.

Finally the author shows the dominion of Jesus over six kingdoms- that of nature, the living, human governments, the dead, demons, and angels. Jesus came to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom; that He has come to rule and reign in the hearts of His people.  

Retreat (Retiro)

     God is faithful. While in northern Brazil I stayed at the home of a brother who is one of the leaders of a church there. He told me about a conference that he was planning to attend about an hour from where i live in the U. S. When I returned a few days ago I got in contact with him, and was able to attend the retreat yesterday. Here is what makes this remarkable. For three months I experienced Brazilian Christians living what the pages of the New Testament describe. I had told one brother that i wish that i could put this in a box and bring it back home with me. Well I discovered that God has already planted here in the state that i live in. This is an annual get together, of almost five hundred people, including many young people, from a number of different states. ( About half from my state) But it is not just Brazilians who have moved to the US. There were Spanish speaking Hispanics, and some North Americans. There was even a couple from Ghana. When I spoke to them I discovered that he was from the same ethnic group as I had visited six years ago. (Ghana has about twenty-five different groups, each with their own language.)
     What encourages me even more is that these people have received the kingdom of God, personal discipleship, submission to authority, and other very unpopular teachings which i believe the church in the US needs to receive. I found the same hospitality, generosity, fervency, and faithfulness to the Scripture that I had experienced in Brazil. God further blessed me by giving the opportunity for fellowship with several of the leaders of this church, some of the North Americans, and several other believers. I also had time with Marcos, the apostolic brother who lives in Brazil, and also the primary speaker for the retreat. Readers with good memories may recall several posts some months ago about a brother named Moises. Marcos, about my age, is his son. Together with another brother, he provides covering for a number of churches in Brazil and other countries.
    To find all of this almost in my backyard is a powerful encouragement for me. May God's will continue to be done. Let me pass on three questions that were posed to us.
How is your family? ( Spiritually and otherwise)
Who are your disciples? (Who are you actively, regularly helping to grow in Christ)
Who are you submitted to? (Are you a lone Ranger or are you accountable to mature believers)

25 or 6 hours

     After my summer in Brazil, i began the journey home about 1:15 in the afternoon, local time. (Coastal Brazil is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time) A brother named Paulo picked me up in his Toyota Corolla and took me to the airport about twenty minutes away. He does not speak English. After a summer of immersion I can have a slow, basic conversation in Portuguese but i miss the details. He made sure that I was all set- fortunately the young woman at the counter spoke English- not a given. I waited in the lounge for some friends but due to my lack of tech skills i wasn't sure if anyone was coming and i was concerned about missing the plane.
     The first flight to Sao Paulo was about one hour and twenty minutes flying time. Brazilian stewards or stewardesses tend to be much younger than their American counterparts. Sao Paulo is by far the largest metropolitan area in the country but i searched in vain for any place that might sell a newspaper or books. I had seen such a store in the Vitoria airport whose population is 1/25th of Sao Paulo's but thought i have more time (six and a half hours) in Sao Paulo to wait. Going through customs took an hour because of the number of people waiting and the few people working. All of the customs people that i saw were attractive young women in uniforms and not a gun in sight. In contrast the American customs agents were men with a gun each.
     So I waited a long time in the SP airport, ate some unpleasant food, and finally boarded about 10:30 at night. Thankfully my friend Wanderley had blessed me with a upgraded seat with additional legroom plus there was no one sitting next to me which made the eleven hour flight easier. Going through US customs was quicker and more efficient. Had a nice long walk through the airport to the departure area of the flight to Boston. Every seat was filled on this one so i am thankful that it was only two hours. Arrived at noon and my friend Sanford picked me up for the 2 hour drive to our house. Arrived about 2 in the afternoon, unpacked and took a nap as I don't have the ability to sleep on planes.
    Two things that i could not find in Brazil were chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter. ( They have peanuts). Thank you, God, for safe travels.

Reino de Deus ( Kingdom of God)

     As E. T. (in a previous post some weeks ago I explained how a young Brazilian friend of mine had compared me to the movie character ET because i am so foreign in Brazil- i thought this was very funny) prepares to return home, I find myself reflecting on what God has done in my life these past three months. Several days of rather intense travel await me so i may not post again until the end of the week.
     Probably the most important thing that I have experienced is the pages of the New Testament actually being lived out in the lives of both individuals and groups, small and large, in a way that I have rarely, if ever, seen in the US. Again and again and again i have witnessed and received people doing what the Bible says. during my almost three months I have visited dozens of churches (groups) in five separate states and the Federal District ( like washington, DC), and interacted with hundreds of different people. I have stayed at fourteen different houses (some more than once) and spoken both one on one and in groups repeatedly. I have experienced hospitality, generosity and kindness on a scale unprecedented in my forty-two years of Christian life.
     The common denominator to all of this is something that all of these different people and groups refer to as the kingdom of God. The foundations of this are as follows:
Jesus Christ as Lord, not just Savior  (Romans 10:9)
Obeying His command to make disciples:  ( Matthew 28:18-20)
The understanding that everyone needs someone to personally disciple them.
Submission to the Lordship of Christ is theoretical unless this also involves submission to human authority.
The supreme purpose of God is to make every believer into the image of Jesus Christ as sons of God to the glory of God the Father, and that we must die to ourselves in order for this to occur.
 
The biggest obstacle to this in the US is our cultural  (beliefs and behaviors) which is founded on rebellion, anarchy, and personal independence. May God grant us repentance.
     Those who read Portuguese may wish to access the blog of my friend and co-laborer in Christ, Samir at samirmachado.blogspot.com

Testimonies of Reconciliation

     Friday evening i was invited to the home of one of the pastors named Beto. Another brother prepared the classic Brazilian BBQ for about a dozen of us including children. After the meal another pastor asked one of the sisters if she would share her testimony with me. She spoke in reasonably slow Portuguese, with summaries by Wanderley in English.
     About fifteen years ago as an unbeliever in Christ she married another unbeliever. At some point thereafter they had a son. The husband abandoned the family and began living with another woman. The wife has a brother who was separated from his wife. They came to Christ, reconciled and began to pray for and minister to the first woman. (Sorry, I don't remember all the names.) Occasionally the first woman's husband would come by to see his son. At one time they were intimate and she became pregnant while he continued to live with the other woman who also became pregnant at the same time
     The first woman (the wife) received Jesus as Lord and Savior during the pregnancy. Her other relatives and friends were urging her to divorce her husband. At five months she discovered that she was carrying twins but the doctors were adamant that only one would live, and that the other would be born dead. She was urged to have an abortion. She refused and carried the children until they were born prematurely at  seven months about three pounds each. Both lived. (The church was praying mightily throughout this experience) Meanwhile her brother is ministering to her errant husband. She was invited to a retreat 40 days after childbirth. The husband came also. He received Christ, and they began a period of reconciliation. Finally he left the other woman, who had also borne him a child fifteen days from when the twins were born, to return to his wife. She is turn began to minister to the other woman, who eventually received Christ. I should mention that the wife is neither helpless nor dependent, but attractive, educated and is a professional psychiatrist with a good job.
     Today, some years later this couple enjoys a happy marriage. Her refusal to divorce or abort, and her willingness to forgive led to the salvation of at least two souls and to her own happiness. A week earlier i heard a similar testimony about a woman who had abandoned her husband, lived in an illicit relationship for five years, rejected her Christian family members, but eventually repented, came back to her husband, who forgave and received her. I trust that these testimonies speak for themselves of the power of God.

Brasilia (3)

     Last Monday had a very enjoyable time with my new friend Thiago. He is a fervent, personable young man who loves the Lord and is actively involved in mentoring and discipling younger people in his church. He also feels led to begin to learn English, one of several people who have been inspired by my efforts to learn their language of Portuguese.
     Yesterday I was blessed with an opportunity to share with the disciplemakers in the church here on the subject of discipleship, something so often neglected or misunderstood in the US, but actively practiced by many churches in Brazil. I began with what Jesus says at the end of Matthew 28, and went on to talk about four principal qualities of a disciple as laid out by Christ.
1. Luke 14:33   Living a simple life so we can devote all to the Lord
2. John 8:31-32  Abiding in the Word of God
3. John 13:34-35 Loving our brothers and sisters by receiving the love of God for ourselves personally ( 1 John 4:19) and giving this to others
4. John 15:8  Bearing much fruit.  As frogs produce other frogs so disciples must produce other disciples
    Then gave the example of Tychicus and his journey with Onesimus with letters from Paul in prison in Rome to Colosse, Ephesus, Philemon, and possibly Philippi. What if something had happened to Tychicus? Then Onesimus would have to be ready to carry the letters (the Word of God) to their recipients through such potential dangers as Paul lists in 2 Corinthians 11:23ff.
     Finally expressed my understanding based on 1 Timothy 3:5, and Titus 1:6 that a man's first responsibility of discipleship is his spouse and children.
    Later that evening was invited to a ceremony/party of formal engagement of the son of one of the pastors to the daughter of one of the brothers.Each of the respective parents shared a little. Brazilians are great jokers, and the father of the prospective bride solemnly took out a pair of glasses, gave it to his daughter (who does not need them to see), asked her to put them on and take a good look at her prospective husband. The dad then said, "Now that you can see him, do you still want to marry him?" Of course, she said yes. After this we prayed for the young couple. I was asked to share a little, which I did from Ephesians 5:32 where Paul speaks of the "great mystery."
     The meal and table settings were elegant. Some of the young people dressed up like waiters from a fancy restaurant to serve us. One of the brothers, a professional chef from an expensive Italian restaurant,  prepared the food for forty people gratis. Several sisters made desserts, called "sobremesa," in Portuguese, which means, on the table. God is good.

Brasilia ( 3)

     The days begin to blend into each other. The church here has approximately 300 people whom I am meeting a few at a time as they have whole church meetings once a month with many smaller groups meeting during the month. Each day or evening i am meeting a different group of people. Last night was mostly middle aged married couples. They are being discipled by Wanderley & Marta, and in turn they disciple others. One, named Edward, is a very intelligent fellow who works with computers for the government. On the side he is writing a book about ethics and moral philosophy. I have taken three philosophy courses at the college level over the years. Unfortunately most of this did not stick. Still he is a fascinating man to listen too, and in English he goes slow enough for me to follow the current of his thinking.
     Today i took a walk alone through the neighborhood. Brasilia is laid out in an organized pattern but all the rotaries, squares, and general layout is repeated many times so that all looks the same. i walked in a straight line for a number of blocks and then turned around to return. Somehow I went too far, past my original departure point. I am staying in the 100 block and somehow ended up in the 300 block. Turning around again, I found my way to the 100's without ever seeing the 200's.
     The night before we went to a different area by car and met with a home group. The host plays for the local symphony orchestra. Enjoyed listening to him as we worshiped. Wanderley gave a very clear, organized, to the point teaching about discipleship using power point projected off a wall. This type of teaching seems to be rare in Brazil. Usually I hear long preaching sessions. I understand preaching as proclaiming and appealing to the emotions, and teaching as explaining and appealing to the mind.
     Hot water is hit or miss here. I don't believe i have ever experienced a bathroom sink with hot water. Showers can be hot or cold but always unpredictable. I have gotten used to shaving with cold water.
    My friend Samir from Porto alegre has reactivated his blog. For those who can read Portuguese I believe it will prove valuable. If I can remember how i connected to Bill's blog (probably someone helped me), i will provide a link to Samir's.

Winding Down

     Am beginning the last week of my summer in Brazil. Last night was invited to the home of Wagner, one of the pastors in the church in Brasilia. I had met his youngest son, Lucas, previously in various locations, and eventually the rest of his family but was the first time in his house. Wagner had been in San Luis, a city far to the north, and had the opportunity to give a message there about the kingdom of God which he shared with me, and three other brothers including my friend Carlos. Wagner is a forceful speaker, well suited for the type of preaching that works here in Brazil. He had the courtesy to speak slowly and have patience with my occasional requests for clarification. Both of his older children are in the process of getting married. I have been invited to the formal ceremony of betrothal of his older son Diego this Saturday. Wagner is also trying to arrange a BBQ for me in my remaining days here.
     Ironically i have Wagners of German descent in my family tree. My relatives always claimed that they were related to Honus Wagner, the great Hall of Fame shortstop, but i have no idea if this is correct. I doubt my friend Wagner has German blood.
     Tonight i have been invited to a home group and look forward to this experience as i have been meeting in homes for many years.
     God is faithful. Life is hard. A student at the local university, a young man of 25, had convulsions and died yesterday. I don't know if there was any previous history. I do know that none of us has any guarantee of how long we will be here on this planet. For those who have put their trust in Christ and received his Lordship, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints,". (Psalm 116:15) Those who have not will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction." (2 Thessalonians 1:9) for having denied the only Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
   

Brasilia (2)

     The other day we went to the TV tower here. Usually you can ascend it to get a great view of the city but it was closed when we went. There is an open air market at the foot of the tower and i was able to purchase a couple of little gifts for relatives.
    Sunday night I went to a meeting of a regular church. A very nice family picked me up at the place where i am staying and took me to Aguas Claras, a suburb. We used mostly Portuguese on the ride there although Nathaniel the husband speaks some English, and his wife Lorena teaches both English and Portuguese. The church is where my new friend Thiago, his brother and parents go. His dad is the pastor. Seven years ago they began with thirteen people. Now they have at least a hundred and support missionaries.  Pastor Edvaldo asked me to repeat some of what i had shared at the missionary conference in VV. Lorena translated very well. Afterwards we had a little meal and fellowship. Nathaniel and Lorena have a very nice daughter, six years old, named Suzana. Maybe some day i will have a granddaughter like her.
     Monday evening i went with Wanderley to meet with some of his disciples. Learning more about the discipleship process from the perspective of Brazilian Christians is one of the major reasons that I wanted to return to Brazil. Our time together, with three other brothers who are also discipling others, was in a mixture of English and Portuguese. Some of the things that I appreciated was the commitment to a weekly time together, an emphasis on both the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, the call to discipleship as part of the conversion process not something tacked on later by whim, and the strong relational nature of their interaction. Each of the brothers gave an update on how he was doing spiritually, in their marriage and family, their work and finances, and with the people they are working with. There is accountability here which produces fruit.

Singleness in Christ

     Saturday evening i had the opportunity to share with the solteiros (single people) in the church here. By the time that all arrived there was at least fifty including several married couples who are discipling some of the youth. There was a time of worship, and a young brother named Mateus shared some things. ( I am trying to do without translation so i can learn) After Wanderley introduced me and his son Anderson prayed for me and the translator ( English into Portuguese), a young woman named Rebeca, daughter of a missionary family who went to school with the children of American missionaries) I spoke about being single in Christ. I do not find a lot about this topic in the Bible. Jesus makes a comment in Matthew 19 about those who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of God (verse 12). The rest is in 1 Corinthians 7 except for the many references to widows.
   In 1 Corinthians the Holy Spirit reveals through Paul the apostle that married people will have trouble in this life (verse 28) and that unmarried people can concentrate on pleasing the Lord. (verses 32-35) Although the Bible states this clearly I observe that most Christians, probably following the culture, believe that marriage is better, and that singleness is something to be endured. What I have seen over many years and hundreds of married couples is that none of them is sailing smoothly through life without any problems or issues.
   Recognizing that most of the people that I was speaking to will be married at some point in their lives I said that the best thing they could do (whether married or unmarried) was to receive the love of God for themselves personally. Human love is up and down, sometimes weak, and cannot be counted upon. God's love is strong, constant, and unchanging. It took very strong love for Jesus to suffer on the cross for us.
     Finally i added several thoughts about the differences between men and women. I still do not understand why God made us so different. But Genesis 1:27 reveals that both men and women are both needed to fully reflect the image of God. One major difference is found in the end of Genesis 2. The man initiates the actions of leaving father and mother, and uniting to his wife. The woman responds. Reflecting about this will help to understand the differences. For example, why do women find a silent man frustrating? Because they have nothing to respond too. Why do women respond to decorations in a house while men don't? We observe the same things but react differently.
     Ephesians 5:33 reveals another crucial difference. Men are told to love their wives and women to respect their husbands. Why? Because men and women want different things. Women want love. Men want respect.

Brasilia

   Arrived in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, very early Wednesday morning having left Natal at 3 in the morning. Wanderley, my new host picked me up at the airport and brought me to his home. Brasilia is the result of an intentional plan by the then president of Brasil in the 1950's, and is the work of an architect named Oscar Nidermayer. The city is laid out in the shape of an airplane with south and north wings. Everything is laid out in a systematic way.
    Slept in wednesday, had lunch at a buffet restaurant and a good conversation with Wanderley's older son Anderson about cultural differences. Took a walk later and again in the big city park with A and a friend of his the next day. Thursday evening three married couples came over. Two of the men had quite good English. One had worked in London for six years, the other in Houston for several years.
   Last night i took the metro for the first time. W and i went to a small group meeting. There i met the sister of one of my friends in montreal. Everyone is related to someone in these churches. My walk yesterday was with W and one of his friends. W & i have similar thinking patterns. He is organized and asks good questions. we have discussed the missionary efforts of the brazilian churches.
    Tonight i go to share with the younger single people in the church, a real privilege for me. Sunday evening i have been asked to preach at a different church, that of my friend Thiago and his parents.
   The church in brasilia has only one large group meeting per month but weekly small group meetings and continual informal interaction during the week. Apparently the singles and the disciplemakers also have regular (monthly?) gatherings. This seems like a good plan to me.

Clicker

    Have not watched voluntarily TV in a long time so my understanding of the technology is probably dated but there used to be something called the remote control so that you could change the channel without getting out of your chair. I actually remember the days when you had to get up and manually change the channel. Of course, there were only 3 in those days. Now you need a Ph.D in information technology or your average 4 year old to work the controls. Anyway the slang term for this device is "clicker." If you don't like what you are watching you "click" and you have something else.
    After more than three months total in two different visits to Brazil, I am learning a little about Brazilian culture, and about my own American culture. i am coming to realize that choice, options and individual decisions are central to an American cultural understanding. Brazilian culture is far more group oriented and intrusive to the concept of personal space.
     Let me give some examples. I was sitting on one of the ubiquitous white plastic chairs talking with a friend. As I am larger than the average there was a concern that I might fall over and hurt myself so a second chair was procured, and placed on top of the first to provide a stronger framework. In and of itself a harmless expression of love. The difficulty is that I did not have a choice about whether i would sit on one chair or two. The impression left is one of disrespect- that I am not able to take care of myself. Now you might say, rick, you are making a big deal out of nothing. Yes, if this type of thing occurred once, but not a hundred times. i am told when to get into a food line, or handed a plate full of food that i really don't need or want. Attempts to explain are met with incomprehension or a feeling that i am not willing to receive love. Instead this is a deeply rooted culturally based desire to make my own choices and decisions.
    As i was writing this post my new host actually asked me what I wanted to do. I was so astonished that i did almost fall out of my chair. i believe this is the first time i have been asked this question. Brazilian culture is so group oriented that it is simply assumed that you want to do whatever the group wants to do. I would ask my north american readers to consider this phenomenon- the importance of making our own choices and decisions as exempified by the clicker.

Natal (2)

Saturday we had the reason for my being in Natal, the ordination of three elders/pastors. Unfortunately I do not know these men personally. In theory we began at 7, actually closer to 8. The church had rented (?) a function hall and we sat six or so to a table. Instead of the ubiquitous white plastic chairs that I have seen all over Brazil, we had white hard wooden chairs. Samuel, a brother from Ponte Novo in MG, facilitated worship. Along with the usual guitars and drums, one brother played a small horn. Nice!
    A skit followed. This was mime i have seen before somewhere with six or seven people. One is a human, one plays Jesus, and the rest are tempters. Then at least ten different people shared their connection with the formation of the church or gave a testimony about this. Unfortunately feedback and amplification from microphones makes it difficult for me to understand Portuguese. Prior to ten the main speaker began and spoke for at least an hour and a half. Finally there was a time of prayer for the three brothers.
    I had not eaten since two, and am grateful for the discipline of fasting because we did not eat until midnight. Afterwards there was fellowship and i did not get to bed until almost two in the morning. The previous afternoon i met a man of eighty-seven years. He quoted a number of verses to me from memory in Portuguese. He had come with other brothers who went into a meeting so out of respect I sat with him the entire afternoon. He did not move from his seat, did not want anything to eat or drink, made little conversation but finally jumped up like a goat when the time to depart arrived.
     On Sunday my host said we are going (somewhere) and you can wear shorts. This turned out to be a barbecue with seventy-five people from several churches out in the country. Unfortunately I had a close race with flies to see who would eat my lunch. I am finally able to have basic conversations with people in Portuguese if I can do this one on one, and if they can supply a word or two in English once in awhile. I had a nice conversation with a brother who had learned English working in a restaurant catering to tourists in Lisbon, Portugal, and another with the wife of a friend of mine who is learning English.
   In the evening we wandered around the city and eventually came to the house of one of the leaders (yesterday was Father's Day in Brazil) for another meal. His eighty-eight year old father was there, lean in body and clear in mind. Unfortunately my brain was fried from many hours of concentrating on Portuguese so I went home early.

Natal

     Natal is the Portuguese word for Christmas. It is also the name of a region of South Africa, and the name of the city in northern Brazil where i am currently staying. It was a challenge to get here. Brazilian highways are like two lane country roads so it would have taken a number of days to drive here. There is no direct flight from Vitoria to Natal so I fly south to Rio de Janeiro, about a fifty minute flight but a six hour drive, in order to get on a plane from Rio to Natal, thus flying over Vitoria to get there. Of course the first flight was almost empty and i had three seats to myself. The second was full. Brazilians form into lines before the flight is called to get onto a plane and are especially eager to get off.
     I had wondered how i might know who was supposed to meet me in Natal as i don't know anyone from that city. To my surprise the greeting party of eight included two friends and others who recognized me from other contexts. Of course some were there to meet a young sister who also had the same flight. All of this at almost three in the morning. At about 3:30 my new host greeted me and showed me a wonderful suite which includes a bathroom. In contrast to many people, Marcelo speaks slow enough for me to understand more of what he says and we have had several conversations. His whole family is tranquil which is a blessing for me.
    Last night Marcelo took me to meet Wagner, a young English teacher. We spoke about the eternal purpose of God in English. Wagner was very attentive. I have also begun to walk again for exercise about half an hour and hope to work back up to an hour and a half once my foot is completely restored.
    Two small land turtles live in the yard. I watched them eat discarded fruit this morning. Turtle heads and necks are ugly.
    As with so many biblical themes and principles, the Brazilian Christians that i have met understand the idea of spiritual children, an idea encapsulated in 1 Corinthians 4:15, and the relationship of Paul and Timothy. This morning I was blessed enormously to have a young man of my acquaintance ask if we could have that relationship. God is very good to me.

A Reflection on the Love of God

     Some people need constant assurance in their relationships.  They need regular affirmation that they are loved, that everything is o.k., that problems are being addressed etc. Today i was wondering why i don't need this.  I believe this is because of the deeply rooted conviction and experience that God loves me personally. I did not always have this. In fact it took nearly forty years, and almost half of those as a Christian to begin to believe that God loved me. This was a gradual process fueled and founded on the Word of God. Today the Holy Spirit reminded me of Psalm 73: 25-26. "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. " Unfortunately this causes a problem. Because i don't need the ongoing affirmation from people, I fail to give it to those who do. They feel insecure and feel like i don't care about them. Usually i do like them but am not expressing this in a way that is relevant to them. Help me, God.
   Last night i was invited to a 50th birthday party of a new friend. He had committed some sins in the past that had hurt his family. But both people in the church and family members had stood by him. God  had changed him and it was heart warming to see the love that he received.
    There is a brother in the church here who serves as a doctor in a poorer area. After the party he came over, quite late to the house where i am staying and removed all nine stitches from my little toe and right foot. This was not a fun process but necessary. When was the last time a doctor came to your house for free? A wonderful testimony of the love of God working through a person.
     Probably will need more time for full movement as before but put on a shoe for the first time last night. Felt a little tight and can't walk normally yet.

Reality of Cultural Differences

     As I pass the two month mark of being in Brazil for the second time, I see the reality of cultural differences with a little more clarity. A simple definition of culture is the beliefs and behaviors of a group of people. ( Society) Some examples follow. I live in a very cold part of the US. The ocean is never warm enough for swimming even in the middle of summer. As a Christian I don't want to expose myself to the temptation of seeing half naked women. And I sun burn very easily. Most brazilians live close to the ocean. The climate is warm most of the time. Going to the beach is something that almost everyone does. Perhaps seeing practical nudity is different if you have grown up with it.
     A second example is the level of agreement that is sought when speaking. In the US we have an expresson, uh hunh, which is not a word. The sound can be made very softly in the throat without opening the mouth. This indicates that the listener acknowledges what the speaker is saying. Portuguese speaking Brazilians need a much more forceful expression of acknowledgement. They say "entendeo" which is probably a mis-spelling that means "do you understand?" I think this is their favorite word. But they have a still more forceful word that sounds like "tah," This word is meant to force you to respond preferably in the affirmative.
    A third example is an insistence on one's welfare which can become quite intrusive for someone from north american culture. They want you to be almost deliriously happy and to express this in a very strong way. Personal space is not a cultural concept.
    Yesterday i went to a birthday party for a new friend. He had invited his relatives and a few friends about twenty-five adults. Many Brazilians live in tall apartment/condominium buildings with function rooms on the lower floor. He had a catered barbecue meal. There was one man cooking and one woman serving. She was probably about my age and worked very hard. Tipping does not seem to be part of the culture. I do this on a regular basis and find that people are surprised and appreciative.
    Last night the same friend invited me to a service in a regular church. They had a nice building, pews, several different choral groups, and a band of about a dozen with woodwinds, drums, and horns. The leaders sat on throne like chairs facing the congregation who were mostly women. I thought i was supposed to teach so had prepared a half hour message. After i was seated on my "throne' I was told ten minutes maximum, don't teach but share a little about what i am doing in Brazil. Constant flexibility is required here.