Mission at the Edges

As I’m reading through the Psalms, one huge difference I see in the Psalm writers and my own existence is the absolute prevalence of enemies.  The enemies are almost always human, either other nations or riff-raff within Israel.  These enemies are the reason behind many of the laments and praises found in the Psalms.  Salvation in the psalms is pretty much in the here and now – deliverance from enemies.

How does this apply to me?  Evangelicals tend to think of Satan as the great enemy.  Who are our human enemies?  Planned Parenthood?  Liberals?  I can honestly say that I have no enemies.  Is that progress or degress?  Perhaps lack of enemies betrays a lack of obedience to God.  If nobody is fighting against what we’re doing, perhaps what we’re doing isn’t making much of a difference in the epic battle between light and darkness.

Speaking of darkness, I’m reading an old classic, “In Darkest England and the Way Out” by General Booth, founder of the Salvation Army.  I like this guy – a real prophet.  It was written in the same year that Stanley published his book about the search for Dr. Livingstone in “darkest Africa”.  Booth wasn’t buying it and insisted that England was just as dark.

the stony streets of London if they could but speak, would tell of tragedies as awful, of ruin as complete, of ravishments as horrible, as if we were in Central Africa; only the ghastly devastation is covered, corpselike, with the artificialities and hypocrisies of modern civilization.

He speaks of the “Pharisees and Scribes who stand silently by while these Fiendish wrongs are perpetrated before their very eyes”.  And here is a good one: “Why all this apparatus of temples and meeting-houses to save men from perdition in a world which is to come, while never a helping hand is stretched out to save them from the inferno of their present life?”

England emancipated her negroes sixty years ago, at a cost of #40,000,000, and has never ceased boasting about it since.  But at our own doors, from ‘Plymouth to Peterhead,’ stretches this waste Continent of humanity – three million human beings who are enslaved-some of them to taskmasters as merciless as any West Indian overser, all of them to destitution and despair.

I bet General Booth had many human enemies.  I know he did.  I wonder if Evangelicals, in reacting to the religious Right, have lost their nerve.  We’re great at mercy and compassion ministries, but what about fighting evil in the chops with direct confrontation?  Have we given up on our fight over abortion?  What about disease?  Are the “new monastics” fighting systemic issues or just living with the poor.  Prostitutes and drunks went to Booth’s funeral.  Who will attend ours?

I’m here in Rancho Mirage in the desert near Palm Springs – a total wasteland if you ask me.  Nothing here but sand, mountains and heat – of the 110 degrees variety.  Anyway, I’ve spent much time in the kiddie pool, that one-foot wonder that allows parents to breathe a little easier than having to watch constantly in the deeper versions.  Of course, one wonders why the water has a salty flavor, especially knowing that many of the 2-3 year-olds in the pool probably aren’t too concerned about going potty in it.  Whatever the case, I’ve contented myself with the supposed knowledge that chlorine has amazing qualities, such that it can reverse the molecular structure of urine and somehow purify it into sparkling water.  Delusions can be comforting.  Parents need a lot of comfort.

Yesterday I encouraged my 3-year-old to go down the water-slide.  When we got to the top she balked.  I basically ignored her protests and went anyway.  Her cries soon turned into delightful giggles.  My intention at the bottom was to keep her head above the water when we splashed into it so that she wouldn’t freak out at going under.  I failed.  She never wants to go on the water-slide again.  What are you so afraid of because of experience that you haven’t dared try it again?  Stop being a scaredy-cat (Julie’s word of choice to insult her sisters) and try again.

Yeah, so I’m struggling to rename this blog.  I think I’ll stick with Mission at the Edges.  The long-standing purpose of the US Center for World Mission has been to examine what is happening at the edges of the mission enterprise, trying to find new solutions to old, and sometimes new, problems.  While I’m in no way directly serving at the edges, I’m privy to much that goes on there and hope to dialogue with you on those topics.  Of course, the above needs a disclaimer: the majority of my blog posts will not be serious or high-minded, a problem I’ve had since birth.

I’ll soon change the URL to missionattheedges.com.  I figure WordPress has a way of redirecting people, but if not, this is warning that the URL will soon change.

I’m presently on vacation near Palm Springs in a town called Rancho Mirage.  The heat is stifling, choking, unbearable.  Why people live here is beyond intellectual resolution.  Maybe rich people need a challenge.  Anyway, much time is spent poolside or playing games inside.  We drove on Bob Hope Dr. and then Dinah Shore Dr., so that gives you an idea.  We’re here with about 7-8 other families from the Center, which makes it lots of fun.

BTW, because of my recent post on coffee, many people are of the opinion that I’m not a coffee drinker.  But alas, I am.  I simply feel the need to admit the addiction.  So yes, I do frequent the Christian crack-houses on occasion and maintain my own brew at home (but I’m not a dealer, I offer it free of charge).  As with most things, moderation is key.

I’m changing things up a bit, like the blog name and such.  Tomorrow, or someday soon, I’ll be changing the URL to missionmonomaniac.wordpress.com, so be advised if the present URL doesn’t work after this post.

Here’s a picture-post of my August:

Chillin' with Dr. Winter and new staff member Doug.

Two INSIGHT alums came for a visit (note my cool shirt).

INSIGHT staff (left to right): Adam (admin. for Pasadena) and Melissa (admin. for national office) Hoffman, Me, Eric DeHart (RD), Becky Lewis (Founder), David Lewis (academic asst.)

During orientation, a bunch of INSIGHT alums showed up. Can you tell the alums from the present students?

Two INSIGHT alums that I hitched a while back. Looks like marriage has been good to them.

Had a great chat with Spangler. More piercings and more maturity - go figure.

The core of INSIGHT - Discussion!

Vishal Mangalwadi gives the first lecture of the new year.

INSIGHT is off to a fabulous start.  Great group of young pups, excellent staff to work with.  I’m truly blessed.

What else could I put up here in September?  This scene will dominate my life until the end of May.  We have class daily from 2-5pm.  Hopefully by then Alyssa and Katie will be a little more interested in what Kris has to say, and Kyle will stop getting distracted by photographers.  A LOT happened in August that I need to blog about and hope to soon.  INSIGHT always brings a certain life adjustment that messes with my blogging.  Oh well…

The new banner for August is an Aztec Native American dancing at the pow-wow held here on our campus a month ago.  The Aztec regalia was pretty cool, as was their dancing.  At the pow-wow a Native American named Northstar came up to me and said, “Welcome to my country”.  He was a cool guy with a great sense of humor.  I also saw a T-shirt with a picture of Geronimo and company with this caption: “Homeland Security: Fighting Terrorism Since 1492″.  Indeed.