Hey Nathan!

If you want to write us, write us at cirwin(at)teamexpansion.org. Just replace the (at) with @. We've seen your comments but you are always logged on as anonymous and so we cannot contact you.

--the irwins

This is a post to celebrate one year without blogging!

I may start blogging again, however it probably won't start again until we are back in Ecuador.

We are busy and involved in life and work for/with Jesus here in Chicago.

Chris

WHODEY!!!
After many, many years of suffering, Cincinnati has a reason to cheer! You may find it hard to believe that I can cheer along but Sunday afternoons are a highlight of the week as I listen to the games via internet thanks to www.nfl.com! Remember the days of listening to football by radio? Well, I don't--I'm not that old!!!

Anyway, I want to give you my predictions for the Rest of the Season! Believe it or not--it's all Stripes baby!

Oct. 9 At Jacksonville WIN by 10
Oct. 16 At Tennessee WIN by 13
Oct. 23 Pittsburgh LOSS (I believe we'll split with Pitt--so if we win here, we'll lose later or vice-versa)
Oct. 30 Green Bay WIN by 14
Nov. 6 At Baltimore WIN by 3
Nov. 13 BYE
Nov. 20 Indianapolis LOSS
Nov. 27 Baltimore WIN by 7
Dec. 4 at Pitsburgh WIN by 3
Dec. 11 Cleveland WIN by 14
Dec. 24 Buffalo WIN by 13
Jan. 1 at K.C. LOSS

Now, I'm aware that even while riding the Bengal Bandwagon right now, it looks IMPOSSIBLE. But hey, what do I lose if I'm wrong?

WE INTERRUPT THIS BROADCAST...

Sorry I've been absent but lots going on.

We are in the process of preparing to return to the US for furlough...so lots of packing, and tons of teaching to do in this last month.

I am also in the midst of other writing projects that precludes me from writing here. So, to the 2 or 3 people that occassionally wander in here, thanks and keep checkin!

Chris

Our Apprentice, Carly whose been down for the last year and a month or so working with the Church and helping homeschool our kids just brought a song over saying, "Can you listen to this--I think you'll really like it!"--and she was right. it's simple acoustic, earnest vocals and just an awesome message. The Artist is the oh-so-popular Shane Barnard and the song is I Want It All.

I WANT IT ALL

Use me, break me, waste me on You, Lord
Ruin me, take me, waste me on You
For to die is to live...

To starve is to feast
And less of me is more of Jesus
Lord, I want it all Lord, I want it all

If i lose my life I gain everything
And at the cross Away with all death's sting
Lord, I want it all, Lord, I want it all

There is power in the blood
There is victory in Jesus
Come in power, wash me clean
Overwhelm me with Your presence

There is power in the blood
There is victory in Jesus
Help me glory in the cross
Help me find my gain in loss

WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE?

What are we as Christians known for? Here in Ecuador the first thing a nonbeliever will mention about Christians sounds like this: "Oh, you are an evangelical? You know, you don't drink, smoke, or dance." And sadly enough, the typical christian will say, "Yep--that's right!"

Even though we've lived outside of the U.S. for almost 15 years, I can imagine the question being phrased like this in America: "Oh, you are a Christian? You know, a republican, gun-toting, capitol-punishment favoring, militant?"

Impossible? Not from what I read and hear--and no, I am not listening to voices of the radical left.

Case in Point:

PAT ROBERTSON CALLS FOR ASSASSINATION OF HUGO CHAVEZ

VIRGINIA BEACH (AP) — Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson suggested on-air that American operatives assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to stop his country from becoming "a launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism.""We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability," Robertson said Monday on the Christian Broadcast Network's The 700 Club.

I find it apalling that someone so visibly linked with Christianity would speak such a thing and the fact that he has done so demonstrates a personal lack of comprehension regarding Christianity. However, what I find even more appalling is that there will not be a large and vocal outcry from the Christian community.

What does scripture teach? There is no doubt that God has ordained governments and invested them to use force--the question is the role of the Christian. This question at hand is not just a theological one, but should be considered a historical one as well. Though U.S. christianity today condones war, was it always so?

Consider the following and try to read the scriptures as if you were learning of the Christian lifestyle for the first time:

You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Matt. 5:38-41

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." John 18:36

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. 2 Cor. 10:3, 4

HOW DID CHRISTIANS UNDERSTAND THIS ISSUE DURING THE FIRST 300 YEARS OF CHRISTIANITY?

We who formerly murdered one another now refrain from making war even upon our enemies. Justin Martyr cerca 160ad

We have learned not to return blow for blow, nor to go to law with those who plunder and rob us. Instead, even to those who strike us on one side of the face, we offer the other side also. Athenagoras c. 175ad.

If, then, we are commanded to love our enemies, whom have we to hate? If injured, we are forbidden to retaliate, lest we become just as bad ourselves. Who can suffer injury at our hands? Tertullian c. 197.

Nowhere does He teach that it is right for His own disciples to offer violence to anyone, howeer wicked. For He deemed the killing of any individual to be against His laws, which were divine in origin...These laws do not even allow them on any occasion to resist their persecutors, even when they are called to be slaughtered as sheep. Origen Against Celsus

There are many other passages, but until Constantine declared that he was given a heavenly sign of the cross under which he would fight and be victorious,
Christianity from it's inception had no dealings with war or the causing of death of another.

This even caused problems in the early church when soldiers became christians. The response was immediate and firm: you either get transfered to a non-combatant role, or you deny service and risk death, but you were not to take a life. Listen to how one church leader responded to the Romans about how christians were to serve their country--for the early christians DID support their country, however they did so in a different way:

"We are urged 'to help the king with all our might, to work with him in the preservation of justice, to fight for him, and if he requires it to fight under him, or to lead an army along with him.'

"Our answer is that we do, when occasion requires, give help to kings, but in a divine way, 'putting on the whole armor of God.' We do this in obedience to the injunction of the apostle, 'I urge, therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all men--for kings and for all those in authority'. The more anyone excels in holiness, the more effective is his help to kings, even more than is given by soldiers who go out to fight and slay as many of the enemy as they can.

"To those enemies of our faith who would require us to bear arms for the empire and to slay men, we reply, "Do not the priests who attend [your gods]...keep their hands free from blood, so that they may offer the appointed sacrifices to your gods with hands unstained and free from human blood?' Even when war is upon you, you never enlist the priests in the army. If, then, that is a praiseworthy custom, how much more so that while others are engaged in battle, [Christians] too should engage as the priests and ministers of God, keeping their hands pure.... By our prayers we vanquish all demons who stir up war.... In this way, we are much more helpful to the kings than those who go into the field to fight for them... And none fight better for the king than we do. Indeed, we refuse to fight under him, even if he demands it. But we do fight on his behalf, forming a special army--and army of righteousness--by offering our prayers to God." Origen Against Celsus bk. 3, chap. 7

We must admit that Christians in the U.S. not only support war but do so even more fervently than the general population at large. As one author pointed out, there has been no war in the entire history of the United States that evangelical Christians opposed in any significant numbers.

While I raise theological questions regarding this, and while I believe that history is clear regarding the refusal of the early christians to participate, I am ashamed that a visible Christian in leadership would encourage the assassination of another person and sadder still that few christian voices will rise in protest.

A great pic of Daniel our 8 year old with one of his best friends Hugo.
btw, Daniel is the blonde one.

Where My Paradigm Shift Began

"If you've ever felt alone and unimportant in church,
there's a good reason:

You are alone and unimportant.
From 11 to 12 Sunday, you're just another pretty face in the crowd.
Though surrounded by others, you're cut off.

Custom walls you off in your own space and silences your voice--

except for song and responsive reading...
The service would be exactly the same without you.

You know that. Your impact on it is like an extra

gallon of water going over Niagara Falls."*

Those were the opening words of the first paragraph of a book that was quite a struggle to read as it proceeded to disect the institutional church that I was a product of and was responsible for planting here in Ecuador. Yet it was a book that I'd pick back up every so often and grudgingly continue--in spite of the biting criticism and the fact that Gene Edwards had a hand in it (he is someone who has clearly gone of the deep end of rationale christian thought).

However the book only confirmed that inner unrest regarding what we were really doing and whether we were accomplishing what God intended us to do regarding winning the lost and building up His church.

The next Sunday as I sat in the back of one of our churches I observed the people enter, greet each other with "May God Bless You!" and "How are you? I'm Fine." pronunciations as they then sat down to watch 4 or 5 people live out their faith during the 2 hour "church" time. They were able to sing a bit, and even clap hands but that was the extent of their church experience.

An even smaller number were involved in a weekly discipleship group that was all "knowledge" and no real sharing. Fewer still would be involved in the weekly prayer meeting.

And as I took this all in, I kept re-thinking the words from the book that said, "If you've ever felt alone and unimportant in the church, there's a good reason; you are!"

I remember staring intently at different brothers and sisters in Christ, trying to read their minds, or rather their life situations at that precise moment. Were they really as happy, interested or even bored as some of their faces indicated? What was the "real" situation of their life? What were their hurts, fears, struggles? Who do they share these with? And even if they were so inclined, where in the world would they find that place or environment to share?

The beautiful stained-glass paradigm of the church as I knew it was shattered that sunday morning. It was a defining moment as I realized that as a church planter, I was personally responsible for creating good-intentioned but fairly ineffective structures and calling them "church." I could not deny that the church and how she functioned in the New Testament was far removed from what we had established here in Guayaquil. It was that day that I decided I would not plant another "church" that didn't at it's core seek the relational and community values lived out in scripture.

8 years later, "easier said than done" is the thought that crosses my mind, but at least now the environment is there for christians to live out their faith in community in a way that the traditional church does not and cannot provide.

*The Open Church, James Rutz. p1

I'm Such a Baby

I'm a wimp at heart. Case in point: I get stung by something this last week, right on the side of my index finger. Didn't even see what it was but it rose up like a mosquitoe bite. I wasn't all that worried... 1 day passes, then 2, 3, 4--and it's just a tiny bump with a little sack of liquid. So Nicia heats a needle and we pop it and get whatever liquid out of there.

Keep in mind that Ecuadorians are telling me about the insects that deposit their larva under your skin--but I wasn't too worried--it was a small bite after all. Then just two days later, I wake up and my finger is the size of a sausage. Can't even bend it and what was a small bump is now a dime-sized angry looking wound. Needless to say, I run to the Dr.

"Wow--something bit you!"--these were the reassuring words of the Doctor. "Well, we'll just clean that up a bit". I was fine really, until she brought out a needle and proceeds to jab right into the wound in 4 different places. A nurse had to actually hold my wrist, and I suddenly started sweating profusely, my heart was going overtime and I started to feel myself slowly sinking downward. The shots were over in 20 seconds and she began cutting and pulling and cleaning for about 20 minutes. I felt no pain...but felt like I would pass out at any second. I kept saying to myself to grow up and be a man...and I suddenly thought that if this is the worst experience that's going to happen to me in this life, then I am blessed indeed. Truth is, if I couldn't handle the tiny needle how would I ever deal with greater pain? Pass the whiskey or gas me so I don't feel a thing.

So now, instead of a nasty looking mess on a huge sausage finger, it's a week later and a normal sized finger with and extremely deep hole that still looks nasty but healing. Still no clue what bit me.

PAIN

We live in a culture that teaches that the avoidance of pain is necessary to live a full and pleasing life. While no one wants to hurt, we are creating generations whose sole emphasis is to avoid the very thing that allows us to achieve, grow and appreciate what God has given. Thus the new slogan is "When the going get's tough... find a new and less painful route." I find the following poem very incisive and it is something that calls me to reflect on the areas of pain in my life that I so want to avoid.

The Thorn

"I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne
and begged Him for one priceless gift that I could call my own.

I took the gift from out of His hand, but as I would depart;

I cried, 'But Lord, this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.

This is a strange and hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me.'

He said, 'My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee.'

I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,

As long years past I learned at last to love it more and more.

I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace

He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil that hides his face."

Martha Snell Nicholson

COTACACHI EXPERIENCE

As I write this, I am sitting in a cyber-cafe in the middle of the Andean Mountains in the little town of Cotacachi a 12 hour bus ride from Guayaquil and home.

This is a tourist town known for the sale of leather products and inhabited by the indiginous Quechua Indians. I was invited to be one of the main speakers in an open-air evangelistic campaign being held over 2 days. So Friday night I borded a bus with the worship team from Torre Fuerte who are invited musical guests.

I cant describe the beauty and peacefulness that I find in the mountains. Not only does the stress of urban city life quickly melt away, I cannot resist the pull to inwardness as I am surrounded by the Andean mountains and their patch-work quilting of farmlands in varying shades of green, brown and black. Eucalyptus trees are everywhere creating a wonderful smell, the air is crisp yet being on the equator provides for some really beautiful sunshine. To the east about a mile away you can see the volcanic mountain Imbabura and to the West I am at the base of another volcanic mountain Quilloloa (not sure if this is the name).

Anyway, the event was a success last night in spite of the cold weather with the participation of 6 bands and the preaching--over 200 indiginous people came. Tonight I take the stage and am still unsure about which direction to head in my sermon--lots of ideas and scriptures floating around. God will guide me and it will be a powerful message, although it will be the same message preached over 2000 years.

There were a couple of moments that were definitely divine as I was able to stand outside of what I was watching and realize the moment for what it was--a testament to God. As about 12 young indian girls in their dress performed a choreographed dance to music before God I had an image of heaven--filled with people of every race and tribe united in the commonality of their faith and devotion to God. When a group of Peruvian Brothers sang out in amazing harmony "Santo, Santo Eres" I recognized the truth that the only member of the audience was God above and we, the work of his hands, were worshipping on the stage of his creation.

At that moment in the crisp open air, between two dark collosal volcanoes and under a star-filled sky I was discovered a new perspective. All the world is a stage and on this night we were all praising our creator, not because He needs it but because we can do no less than proclaim His existence.

That was cool.

A GREAT "MISSION" SONG

Earlier I recommended some great "mission" books that are inspiring to all who read the. This week as I was riding in the car, I put on a best of compilation of songs from Keith Green for our apprentice Carly who in her youthful postmodern world had never heard of Keith Green! Anyway one of my favorite songs came on and I was transported to a time many years ago when God pulled on my heart to dedicate myself to missions. This song was a part of that.

ASLEEP IN THE LIGHT

Keith Green

Do you see, do you see, all the people sinking down,
Don't you care, don't you care, are you gonna let them drown,
How can you be so numb, not to care if they come,
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.

Oh Bless me Lord, bless me Lord, you know it's all I ever hear,
No one aches, no one hurts, no one even sheds one tear,
But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds, and He cares for your needs,
And you just lay back and keep soaking it in, oh, can't you see it's such sin?

Cause He brings people to your door,
And you turn them away, as you smile and say,
God bless you, be at peace, and all Heaven just weeps,
Cause Jesus came to your door, you've left Him out on the streets.

Open up, open up, and give yourself away,
You've seen the need, you hear the cry, so how can you delay,
God's calling and you're the one, but like Jonah you run,
He's told you to speak, but you keep holding it in,
Oh, can't you see it's such sin?

The world is sleeping in the dark,
That the church can't fight, cause it's asleep in the light,
How can you be so dead, when you've been so well fed,
Jesus rose from the grave, and you, you can't even get out of bed,
Oh, Jesus rose from the dead, come on, get out of your bed.

How can you be so numb, not to care if they come,
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done,
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done,
Don't close your eyes, don't pretend the job's done.
Come away, come away, come away with Me, My love,
Come away, from this mess, come away with Me, My love.

Cheap Lightbulb Jokes (That still make me smile) (The last 3 are mine)

Q: How many charismatics does it take to change a light bulb? A: One to change the light bulb and one to cast out the spirit of darkness.

Q: How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb? A: ... change???

Q: How many Methodist does it take to change a light bulb? A: "...what, it's burnt out???"

Q: How many Church of Christ members does it take to change a light bulb? A: None; "Unless the Bible specifically authorizes us to change the light bulb, we shall not change it."

Q: How many Televangelists does it take to change a light bulb? A: 54; One to tearily sing about the burned out lightbulb, one to bind the spirit of darkness that caused it to be burned out, one to prophetically give us a word from God about the need for a new lightbulb, one to to show a video on the ministry's many lightbulbs they continually change throughout the world, and about 50 more to count the money received from the faithful to buy that new lightbulb.

BEST INSPIRATIONAL MISSION'S BOOKS

Bruchko by Bruce Olson

The fascinating story of a young 19 year old who wanders into the Colombian jungles and is attacked by members of the fierce Motilone Indians. They take him to their village as a captive where he recuperates from his wounds, learns their language and culture and finds a way to communicate his faith in God. This is one of my favorites!!!

Spirit of the Rainforest: A Yanomamo Shaman's Story by Mark Andrew Ritchie

Most missionary books are written from the missionary perspective. This remarkable book is actually the story of a Venezuelan Indian Shaman's description of life among his people, life as a Shaman, and how God freed them from the cycle of death through the lives of some missionaries. This story is graphic in nature and content, highlighting what was once the war between anthropologists and missionaries and their effects on native cultures. The Shaman's experiences in the spirit world should make Western Christians reflect on proper understanding of this area and concede that perhaps we are the underdeveloped ones in the area of understanding and acknowledgling spiritual warfare.

The Small Woman by Alan Burgess

Born in London to a working-class family in 1902, Gladys Aylward had a burning desire: to go to China as a missionary. The China Inland Mission, however, did not think she was qualified. But the conviction that God had called her to China would not die. When Gladys heard that an elderly missionary in China wanted an assistant, she saved her money working as a parlormaid and bought a one-way train ticket. This is an amazing storing culminating in 1940 when Gladys had to flee China as she was suspected of being a spy. She fled over the mountains to the next province with a hundred orphan children. A month later, she arrived safely without losing one child!

Through Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot

The unforgettable true story of five men who were martyred by Auca lances. In January 1956, a tragic but inspiring story broke in headlines across the world. Five young men had dared to make contact with a Stone Age tribe deep in the Jungles of Ecuador. The goal: to establish communication with a people whose only previous response to the outside world had been to attack all strangers. The men's mission combined modern technology with innate ingenuity, sparked by a passionate determination to get the gospel to a people without Christ. This is the book the got us to Ecuador.

SELECTION FOR KIDS and ADULTS:

It's a Jungle Out There! by Ron Snell

This is the first of a three book series which tells of Ron Snell's childhood years in the Peruvian jungle. Growing up with the Machiguenga Indians provides the perfect setting for hilarious adventures and mishaps. A great pleasure read or a read-aloud. Adults and kids will enjoy this one. Follow Ron as he loses his heart to the jungle and when you've finished your heart will remain in the jungle too. Nicia and I laughed so hard through this creative retelling of a missionary kids adventures--if you ever felt bad about missionary kids and what they have missed not living in the States, read this and you may feel bad about what your kids have missed!

“Six Missing Years”

(1995)

I remember it well. I stared silently look at the empty whiteness of the paper on my desk. While other students were busily writing out their assignments, I sat with tears welling in my eyes. Our High School Psychology teacher had assigned to us the task of creating a time-line of our life. For each year of our life we were to write down at least one significant event. The first few years were easy as I figured that I was too young to remember anything, but when I got to my sixth year I wrote a small seven-letter word--"Divorce."

This was the year my dad wanted "something more out of life," and though I was only six at the time, the lack of a daddy was a significant event. As the teacher checked our progress, I sat unmoving--stunned at my inability to remember anything until the age of twelve. I kept staring at the straight line drawn on my paper with the years 1972, 1973, 1974 and so on neatly written at different points on the line. An empty time-line void of memories until 1978, six years later, when my mom remarried. Tears slowly began to fall as I wondered where my life had gone and why.

It is now many years later. I'm a 29-year-old minister, happily married with two beautiful little boys. I have promised myself to give them the daddy that I never had, and though I struggle like all working fathers to balance family and work, I remain committed to this goal. I still remember next to nothing about those missing six years, but now that I'm older I like to think that I've dealt with the past. At least I thought I had, until one night, in a marvelous way, I became a little boy again.

It had been another hectic day and as we finished the nightly routine of dinner, bath-time and goodnight kisses, my wife headed one direction with our youngest boy Joshua, while I took our three-year-old into our room. As usual he wanted to jump up and down on the mattress while I struggled to put his sleeper on. Once he was in bed we performed the nightly Barney song of love. Prayer time was always interesting as he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, Brother, spaghetti, and no scary monsters. This prayer time is an important time for us, but at the end of a busy and tiring day it can seem to last forever. Tonight was no different and when it was over he once again convinced me to lie down with him for "just a minute." Normally I would hold him in my arms and slowly stroke his soft blonde hair. I would trace the contour of his little face and kiss his head until he or I fell asleep.

But this night a wonderful demonstration of love took place. As I was beginning to drift off I felt Andrew slip his arm underneath my neck so that my head was on his chest. With great care he began to stroke my hair and at some point I felt his little hand softly pat my cheek. Every now and then I'd feel a kiss on my head and hear him tell me how much he loved me.

Suddenly I was six years old again and instead of an empty space beside me, my daddy was holding me and telling me how much he cared. With wonder I lay there enveloped in the most incredible security knowing that my daddy loved me and that in his arms I was safe. No more tears or questions why, just a loving father by my side. All the years of hurt and anger passed away. No longer did I wonder what was so wrong with me that my daddy couldn't stay. No disappointment at Christmas when every gift but the most important had suprisingly appeared. The only thing that mattered was the moment and the moment was an eternity.

Pretty soon the little hand moved no more and the sound of soft, rhythmic breathing filled my ear. Though my son was asleep and the moment of tenderness was over, I did not move. Instead I tearfully prayed a thank you to God for giving me a memory. A memory that healed six missing years and confirmed the presence of an even greater Father. A Father who was there all along.