Bauman's Blog

Courage? Why I Applaud Tim Tebow & Why You Should Too.

Everyone knows about the "uproar" that Tim Tebow's Super Bowl pro-life advertisement has caused in the mainstream press.  The Florida Gator quarterback, son of missionaries and a perennial champion of all things decent, is a far cry from the normal athlete (collegiate or not) we run across.  After all, this is the guy that declared without hesitation that he was a virgin at a press conference, effectively ending questioning for the time being.

I believe some of us in the church don't really realize what courage this young athlete has demonstrated.  Some of us may think that he is just doing this ad because he espouses conservative, Biblical values, and therefore it seemed like a great idea at the time.  But it should be noted that Tim is a very smart guy.  My old man used to say that quarterbacks, with few exceptions, are the smartest guys on the team.  Tim is very aware of his platform, his influence, and the stand that he is making by producing a pro-life ad connected with Focus on the Family.

I don't agree with everyone FoF has ever done.  And I don't believe Tim is in bed with the religious right; Tim is making a calculated and courageous decision because he really feels strongly about the issue of LIFE.  I believe this is so courageous because there is a backlash.  In essence, Tim has already been CarriePrejeaned, for better or for worse.  Only I believe Tim is a lot more intelligent.

Tim could have chose a topic that mainstream society & media would have accepted.  For example, a charity helping with AIDS in Africa.  Or a spokesperson for collecting aid for Haiti.  Or he could have been involved in a commercial focused on youth or education.  All of these types of ads would not have hurt his image and kept his marketability for future endorsements.  

But instead we see Tim do something courageous.  He is willing to make a simple advertisement, shown before the whole country, of his mothers "choice" to permit him to live.  Not only is it hard for me to see what could possibly be wrong with that, (despite being labeled as "hate mongering" from so-called women's institutions) it is even clearer to me the courage that Tim has shown.

At the same time many preachers & churches are desperate to run from the "religious right" and therefore ignore the issue of abortion & the obvious Gospel implications, Tim is standing up for life.  He is potentially losing lucrative contracts in the future for a decision he is making now.  

We need more Tim Tebows.  He is courageous.  I applaud him, and you should too.

Last Night: The New Anti-Authoritarianism impacting the Political Realm

I write very little on politics, but last's nights race in Massachussets was interesting for many reasons.   This is going to be an interesting election year.  A writer from Austin, Texas, Bill Bishop makes a very interesting observation about growing anti-authoritarianism in politics.

"There are two potent, yet largely unobserved forces in the country's politics. The first is a constant anti-authoritarianism. Every center of power or authority is seen as wrong, too powerful and threatening to individual freedom.

The second is widespread self-expression. We want to live our own lives. We celebrate individualism and we tell ourselves (over and over) that our work/hobbies/ways of life are our "passions." 

These two forces are obviously connected. Centralized sources of power and authority decline and are replaced by the narratives individuals are constantly writing for themselves. These stories aren't about policy. They are about how we see ourselves and they are making it impossible to govern. 

These impulses have been clearly moving in the last three elections -- Virginia, New Jersey and in Massachusetts. Democrats are seen as a source of authority, and so they lose. Voters assert their individualism and self-expression by kicking to the curb those who are seen as in charge. (And who could be seen as more of a representative of the old and the powerful than the woman who claimed to be heir to a dynasty? Where's the individualism in voting for THAT candidate?) 

It ain't policy and it ain't politics as we normally talk about it. This is a fundamental change in the way people relate to others and to the country and nobody knows how to deal with it."

Falo como uma criança: How becoming a missionary is a step backward as well as forward...

Falo como uma criança.  In Portuguese, this phrase refers to someone who talks like a child.  This has been in some ways, one of the most challenging aspects of becoming a missionary in Brazil.  While I moved down here with a moderate understanding of Portuguese, the constant use of the language in everyday settings can be a real challenge.  Stumbling over your words from time to time, hoping that your message gets across to the vast majority of people in Brasil who do not know English, has been hard.

In this way, becoming a missionary is a real challenge.  I now have a greater respect for those missionaries who go all over the world and learn new languages.  While there are some exceptional people who need little study and they pick it up, the rest of us trudge along until we get the next verb and the gazillion tenses that are used.  I've got about seven tenses for each verb nearly under my belt.

In some ways Brazil is different than other developing countries.  Unlike India, many parts of Asia, and most of Europe, English does not get you very far here.  That's why in my room I'm about ready to fasten a plaque to my wall that says - "It's about the language, stupid!"  This is the first and ultimate consideration in contextualizing your life in a new country.  There are many parallels here to consider, but suffice to say, I have a lot to learn about contextualization.

Many times I give up in frustration, realizing that this just takes TIME.  Leading several meetings in Portuguese has been a real challenge, and so I am doing the best I can with the skills I have (including a translator).  At the same time, I have been given some significant responsibilities (and hopefully giftings) to steward.  By God's grace, I will continue to learn, even more quickly.  But at times, it all feels like a step backward.  But I know it is really a step forward in the long run.

Brazil's Economy Surges Ahead in 2010: A Collection of Economic News

I've consolidated some "tweets" regarding the Brazilian economy and forecasts for 2010 that may be of interest to some of you:

Value of Brazil Companies Up 130% in 2009. Compare this to 28% in the US: http://bit.ly/5BU4sw  

Brazil Is Betting Civil Construction Will Get 9% Boost, in 2010, Well Above 5% GDP http://bit.ly/690diS

Brazil Is Betting Civil Construction Will Get 9% Boost, in 2010, Well Above 5% GDP - http://bit.ly/8hx7WT 

International Passengers Arriving in Brazil Up 8% - http://bit.ly/7ImQn3

2010: Brazil's Exports to Grow 12% and Imports 24% - http://bit.ly/88QPa9  

2010: Economists See Brazil's GDP Growing 5.08% and Industry 8% - http://bit.ly/6EHPuX 

Brazil Expecting 9.4% Growth in Energy Consumption in 2010 - http://bit.ly/7yq2mt

Brazil Will Keep Growing Agricultural Exports to Arabs in 2010 - http://bit.ly/7Mpant

Bauman's Blog: Top Posts of 2009

Some have inquired about prior blog posts...  Here are the ones that people found either interesting or impacting.  Top seven Bauman's Blog posts for 2009:

1.  At the Brazilian Jail with Al-Jazeera

2.  Recognizing My Consumer Ways...  The Gospel Working In Me

3.  Lacking Passion for the Lost?  Where Sinners Are Found

4.  A (First) Look Inside a Brazilian Jail

5.  Sloppy Wet Kisses, Jonathan Edwards Grave and Calvinist Wives

6.  The Mainstreaming of Porn

7.  Why Do The Best Worship Streams Have Bad Theology?

Sharing about Restore Brazil at CrossPointe Church - Video Online

If you missed CrossPointe's service on January 3rd, I was preaching on Justice & Mercy and sharing about Restore Brazil.  You can view it online here.

My Reading List for 2010: 10 Books of Interest

 

Besides studying the Bible and Portuguese, I have a few books of interest that I'd like to read in the first few months of 2010 (in no particular order):

Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller.  Unlike many of my cohorts in the US who not only pre-order but probably wait by the mailbox for this one, I just got this book because I am living in Brazil.  Already halfway through reading and really appreciate the chapter on "Love Is Not All You Need" because this is a fundamental message that would help so many couples.  Your spouse is not your savior.

Unfashionable, Tullian Tchividjian.  "Christians make a difference in the world by being different from the world."  An important message to emphasize as so many in the church pursue coolness, and probably a subject for an upcoming blog for me.  I hope this is the decade where the Church loses its fascination with culture and in so doing, neglects our fascination with Christ.

Signs of the Spirit:  An Interpretation on Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards, Sam Storms.  With my charismatic background, I am very interested in Storms commentary on Edwards famous message and the implications regarding the Holy Spirit.

Forgotten God, Francis Chan.  This book, already quite popular, has a premise that I tend to agree with.  The church oftentimes ignores, or at least does not understand, the role of the Holy Spirit.  The book doesn't appear to be deeply theological, but it may be a good resource to share with others.

The Hole in our Gospel, Richard Stearns.  Reading this primarily because two good friends have recommended it.  Stearns was the founder of World Vision.  At the same time, I have already heard what appears to be some valid criticism on the completeness of Stearn's argument.

The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, Mark Noll.  Somewhat shamed to admit, this is a book that I never got around to reading that several of my colleagues have recommended for years. 

The Gospel-Driven Life, Michael Horton.  Horton's prior book, Christless Christianity, was great at disclosing all the problems in the modern church.  His chapter on the Prosperity Gospel was worth the price of the book alone.  I am hoping that this book, however, is more solutions-oriented.

Ministries of Mercy, Tim Keller.  I have heard this is an excellent book on mercy ministry and been meaning to read this one for a long time.  This will probably be very helpful in Restore Brazil's focus on social advocacy.

Adopted for Life, Russell Moore.  Tim Challies (challies.com) said this was his favorite book of 2009.  

Doctrine, Mark Driscoll.  This isn't coming out until March 2010, but I am really looking forward to it.  Apparently there will be at least 1000 footnotes.

If any of you have comments on these books or other great books you recommend, let me know.

Restore Brazil Year-End Summary

Click here for a year-end summary from Restore Brazil.  Thanks to all of our Partners for your investment in our ministry.

Salvador, Brazil. The horrific, logical end of syncretism: 30 needles in a 2-year old boy.

My wife drew my attention to this horrific story in the city of Salvador, a large city famous for celebrating religious syncretism and mysticism, often combining Afro-religions with Catholicism and other spiritual elements.  Salvador is in the state of Bahia, often celebrated as one of the most "religiously diverse" areas of Brasil.  Unfortunately celebrating this type of diversity leads towards all types of deviant behavior and practices, not the least of which is the regular practice of black magic.

This article shows the ultimate end of this type of thinking.  A man, obviously crazy, was advised by two black magic practitioners to put over 30 needles into a two year old boy.  What in anyones right mind would ever suggest or even permit this?  Only a type of evil that is so sick it is incomprehensible.  

 

Doctors continue to try and remove the needles from the boy's body, but they are so infused already they are preparing for neck surgery.  

I am sharing this not for shock value, but simply to share that the logical end of evil can be seen all around us.  Whether you live in a $5 million dollar home in London and make a plan to blow up a plane in honor of Mohammed, or are poor and try to get back at your ex-wife by using black magic, evil is alive and well.

Derek Loux, Missionary & Worship Leader: Tragic death, but wonderful legacy...

It was with great disappointment that I learned of the death of Derek Loux, worship leader and missionary who is a part of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (article here).  Derek was driving back from a conference on human-trafficking on Dec 23, and lost control of his car on a patch of black ice, and died tragically in a car crash.  

 

Loux was not well-known in Christian music circles, but his influence should not be underestimated. As one of the founders of the Forerunner Music academy and group, Loux started as a worship leader at IHOP and eventually became a veteran worship leader who oversaw some of this movement.

Loux's critically-acclaimed album Paper Religion, released in 2007, was an excellent album.  I particularly liked the song "Dance with Me", which Derek wrote and Jesus Culture covered on their new Consumed album.

There are a few reasons that I can identify with Derek.  First, as a worship leader, his heart was to lead worship.  Secondly, his heart for adoption.  After Derek's first child died, he adopted 8 kids over the past few years, including three with special needs from the Ukraine.  And third, his heart for those involved in human trafficking.   As I am constantly seeing those in need of God's rescue in every sense of the word, the Gospel quickens us to respond.

I pray that Derek's life is an inspiration to all of us, and a constant reminder of how God adopts us as sons and daughters.

http://louxfamilyblog.com/

Yesterday at the Brazilian Jail with Al-Jazeera

Al-Jazeera contacted me a couple of weeks back to shoot some footage inside a Brazilian jail.  Yesterday we accommodated them at the jail Rio de Paz has been working at.

In a Brazilian jail, there is no option for hope except for an encounter with the living God. Sleeping standing up, extreme heat, skin disease, and violence from within are just a few of the challenges. Yet I am reminded that if it wasn’t for God’s grace, because of my sin in His sight, I could be there. Going there helps me to remain centered on the Gospel.

Yesterday five Al-Jazeera (primarily American) journalists arrived outside the Brazilian jail to experience the horrors within.  We invited and escorted them inside to see the tragic situation of an very overcrowded prison. (Think extreme heat, 60+ men in a cell designed for 14, you get the idea). Of course they were there primarily to expose the human rights abuses, which we happily wanted to help advance the message of as well.

By God’s grace we were able to “host” a Christian worship service at the same time Al-Jazeera was taking footage inside and outside the cells. The service was attended by approximately 80 men, with the rest of the prisoners nearby as well, moving freely about. The space for the service was far from adequate, with so many men, barely enough room for a sound system, a Brazilian worship leader, and a couple of missionaries all crammed in.

The service was very moving. Having worked a bit at jails in the past, I am always keenly aware of “jailbird religion.” The potential for this, combined with Latin expression, doesn’t take much for an emotional experience to be worked up. But I discerned something different. There was a sense of the presence of God that was almost tangible to those of us there yesterday.

As Al-Jazeera filmed, a couple of the men fell prostrate on the ground, worshipping Jesus. Nearly all of the men were singing loudly, and some of them nearly crying, you could see if you looked closely. As they continued to film, one of the reporters asked me, “What are they doing now?” Well, they were praying, so I told them. Later on, the reporter asked, why are they so emotional? I said, “because they are encountering God.”

Probably the most amazing thing was, towards the end of the service, a young prisoner came to the crowded front and responded to a call of salvation. Several of the Christian men were around him, prayed for him, as we led in prayer for him. Al-Jazeera was filming as well. Anticipating a question, I told them what was happening. "A man is encountering Jesus for the first time."

Without the news inside that day, we wouldn’t have had this particular service, and a man may not have responded to Christ. At least not at this point in his life. It’s amazing how God can use opportunities like this not only to impact a news agency, but more importantly, a prisoner in desperate need of the Gospel.

Their piece will be shown on January 7, on Al-Jazeera TV (English).

Lacking Passion for the Lost? Where Sinners are Found.

Maybe I'm just a relative newbie into the world of Charles Spurgeon, but his eloquent use of words is almost supernatural.  Yesterday's devotional spurred me on to reconsider my passion for the lost - sinners - which includes you & me.  

We have a desire to communicate the message of the Gospel.  So where are sinners found?  In the jails, for sure.  But in the place of reformation as well.  In fact, sinners are constantly around us, in need of the Gospel message.  Spurgeon says it this way:

"Walk the streets by moonlight, if you dare, and you will see sinners then.  Watch when the night is dark, and the wind is howling, and the thief is hiding in the door, and you will see sinners there.  Go to the jail, and walk through the wards, and notice the men with the heavy overhanging brows, men whom you would not like to meet at night, and there are sinners there.  Go to the reformatories, and note those who have betrayed a juvenile depravity, and you will see sinners there.  Go where you will, you need not ransack the earth to find sinners, for they are common enough, you may find them in every lane and street of every city and town and village.  It is for such that Jesus died.  If you will select for me the grossest specimen of humanity, if he be but born of a woman, I will still have hope for him, because Jesus Christ came to seek and save sinners.  Electing love has selected some of the worst to be made the best."

Sins of Omission in the Technological Age

 

I've been meditating on James 4:17 this morning - "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."  

It's interesting that this verse does not say whoever knows the right thing to THINK, nor the right thing to SAY, nor the right thing to twitter, but rather the right thing to DO.  Action is implied in this verse.  

In an age of technology, many of us as pastors and Christian leaders can pass time in meetings, conferences, and on our laptop computers.  It is critical for us to ask the question, if not daily, at least regularly:

God, what am I failing to DO that you are calling me to do?

In order to model Christian leadership, action is required beyond Sunday events, social networking, and meetings with other believers.  Oftentimes we are just perpetuating "ministry spin."  The implication according to James 4:17 is that we have an obligation to consider the injustices in our culture and take action as the Holy Spirit leads us.  This is not just about being a Good Samaritan.  It's about being a disciple of Christ that freely gives himself daily to what God requires. 

By your grace, God, may we not succumb to the various sins of omission.

UK Article & Photos regarding Rio's Drug War

 
The Guardian has an excellent article and photos related to the drug war in Rio.  Although the article claims that Rio is the "murder capital of the world," I'm not sure that is a fact that is substantiated, although Rio of course is very violent.  "Last week, a police raid in Praia da Rosa turned up a backpack with a rifle and ammunition, hidden in a day-care centre housed in a Pentecostal church."  Such is the life in the favelas of Rio. 

In the meantime, Operation Clean-Up has apparently started, where the government & police wish to "occupy" 30% of the cities favelas by the end of 2010, to which most of Brazilians appear skeptical.

Restore Brazil December Update

Check out our latest newsletter for Restore Brazil at http://eepurl.com/feYC .