Evidence of Righteousness

It's a new paradigm ~ give it some thought

"The greatest evidence of my righteousness is how well I love, not how much I sin." (kh)

A Book to protect against ~ Wahabbi Christianity

This isn’t a political manual ~ it’s a good tome that helps us remember what the fragrance sometimes smells like.

The tendency to construct a Christ in our own terms of reference and to reject any evidence that challenges our life situations and assumptions is human and universal. For many hippies in the sixties, Jesus was much like themselves - an agitator and social critic, a dropout from the rat race, a prophet of the counterculture. For many yuppies in the eighty’s, Jesus was the provider of the good life and the Lord of the spa, a driven young executive with a messianic mission, the prophet of prosperity and the chauffeured limousine. After all, didn't he promise us a hundredfold in this life?...

Blaise Pascal wrote “God made man in his own image and man returned the compliment.” Through five decades I have seen Christians shaping Jesus in their own image- in each case a dreadfully small deity. In his classic work Your God Is To Small, J.B. Phillips enumerated several of the caricatures: Resident policeman, Parental hangover, Grand Old Man, Meek and Mild, Heavenly Bosom, Managing Director, God in a hurry, God for the elite, and God without God head etc…

The same tendency persists today in Christology especially in the disciples of “Jesus Torquemada.” In the fifteenth century they persecuted and tortured anyone who dare to disagree with their limited interpretation of Scripture. Torquemada, whose Spanish name means “orthodoxy of doctrine” died an old man in 1498, responsible for two thousand burnings at the stake and the exiling of 160,000 Jews from Spain as undesirable aliens- all for the glory of God. Torquemadeans are alive and well today in every Christian denomination and non-denomination. The same mean mindedness, jealousy, ostracism, and hatred still divide the body of Christ. (The Signature of Jesus ~ Brennan Manning pgs. 152-153)

A Wahabbi Christian ~ Beware the mind-riots!

I started to write a letter today entitled "How to be a Wahabbi Christian." Wahabbi's are a narrow and virulent cult within Islam that fuel the prospect of Terrorism and a world without peace. The religious teachers, named mullahs often foment decrees denouncing anything that smacks of a difference with their own views. I wonder, what would a Wahabbi American look like? What would a Wahabbi Christian look like? To whose view would the fanatic submit his mind? It is an intriguing thought!

Today I was thinking how many current talk radio hosts or so-called entertainment news commentators spend their time creating crisis and fear in the hearts and minds of the people of God and the nation as a whole. The total amount of misinformation and "no-speak" makes it incredibly difficult to ascertain truth when it comes to political affairs. And the amount of time Christians give to this process amazes me.

What's disturbing to my spirit is how I see Christians reacting and allowing their spirits to be poisoned by these so called defenders of the democracy. And remember, our democracy isn't the Kingdom of God, nor is the Republican or Democratic party. Brothers are separating from brothers on issues of half-truths propagated by media machines.

And what's a bit scary is that it's not too difficult to see how people turn against people based on half-truths, or supposed truth, or political position. Virulent is a kind word describing some of the reactions I've witnessed. We kill so easily with our tongue!

Their goal is to create a mind-riot in you. They want to create an emotional state of fear that says the Master’s Kingdom is under siege - IT IS NOT! They want to create a state of concern that champions their cause (or ratings), at your expense, for their profit – NOT FOR OUR KING!

Consider the following:

1. The kingdom of the world trusts the power of the sword, while the Kingdom of God trusts another power.
2. The kingdom of the world seeks to control behavior, while the kingdom of God seeks to transform.
3. The kingdom of the world is inherently tribal in nature and heavily invested in defending itself, its group, its ethnicity...The Kingdom of God is universal.
4. The kingdom of the world has earthly enemies, while in the Kingdom of God, warfare is spiritual, and love for enemies is paramount. (Taken from: The Myth of a Christian Nation - Boyd)

Ask yourself the following question: How much did Jesus let news of the day influence His political view?
Ask yourself this, “Do I like it that zealots in the Gulf spread lies in order to upset the masses and create riots or acts of terrorism?” Some of my brethren act as if God isn’t in control or God is off sleeping somewhere and not ordering acts of worldwide scope.

I encourage you and ask in a humble spirit ~ be careful who you allow to create a mind-riot within. Be careful that you’re not sacrificing your testimony for the Kingdom of God for a testimony of a political party.
Ken Harbour

Proverbs 6:16-19 6 There are six things which Jehovah hates; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; 18 A heart that devises wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that uttered lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.

Where do you get your veggies?

Getting your veggies, fruit, and necessities on the streets is a way of life in many countries. It is also an opportunity for people to create commerce. At Barnabas, we use these opportunities to
create businesses for our brethren to empower themselves. Here's a clip of veggie stands on the
main road that encircles Kathmandu.

A little dancing from the mountains.

We are starting to get settled again and I wanted to bring a smile to a few folks face. Hope this
gives you a taste of the fellowship we get to enjoy. k.h.

Church Service At Timothy Dahal's

I had promised this video clip but had a problem with the file type while overseas. We arrived home a few days ago and I was able to covert it so that blogspot would play it. This is a typical church on the outskirts of the city. It is not a wealthy church nor is it a village church. However, I just decided to walk into the hall from the street. Diana is getting ready to share with the sisters.

Last Post From Kathmandu

We are leaving tomorrow and today we awoke to a road-strike in Kathmandu. Maoist and others have called for "no traffic" at five major roadways in the city and there are NO taxi's or cars other than Government on the road. Our meetings were transferred to two places within walking place of our hotel. More later hopefully from U.S.

Check Out The Himalaya's

On a flight back across the country Diana and I were treated to some pretty awesome sights of the entire Himalayan Mountain Range. I'm sorry this is from an airplane window but I couldn't get any closer. Enjoy

Tibetan Refugee Camp

Here's some video of some women weaving carpets at the refugee camp. Thought you might enjoy a few frames.

Barnabas begins "Seemana Gaasti"

"Seemana Gassti in Nepali means border watch. Diana and I met and finalized ministry goals with a Christian group working to rescue young nepali girls being who are taken and sold into the brothels of India. We will give the Barnabas Fellowship more info on this when we return but I did want to let you know that this has been a God-thing in every aspect of the meetings and fellowship. Here, Diana is standing with Shanta Sapkota the founder of PCR Nepal. What a wonderful time we had fellowshipping with this family. God has certainly been working in this group and they are a registered organization in the country which, for Barnabas, adds an added measure of accountability.

A Surly Buffalo

So I usually don't pay too much attention to these guys because so many of them are domesticated and are use to people all around them. But when Diana and I were walking through a small herd on our way to a river the other day, this one didn't care much for our walking with the group. Must have been alpha-female. I tend to rile those species.

Walking around the Sargakoti

The rains which hadn't shown their face for over 5 months came to Pokhara while we were here on our second day. This is a taste of what it's like walking around the valley when you can see the mountains. People have spent thousands of thousands of dollars to come and see these mountains over the last half year with little success. Although Diana and I didn't come to see the mountains (we live on some nice ones) , they showed themselves after our second day for one morning only.

On our way to a detox clinic we help in Nepal!

It's a rough taxi trip!

When you can't hold or control it!

When the church is so liquid, you can't hold it in your hand (control), then it's liquid. When it goes where you don't want it to go, seeps into all the cracks, and where Jesus is truly shepherding His Sheep ~ it's liquid. Breaking free from an institutionalized practice doesn't mean abandoning meetings, it only means that your vision of the Bride expands and there's more to church that four walls and a program. As matter of fact it will probably multiply your meetings. They just won't always be sanctioned or scheduled. When "priesthood of believers" is more than a theological statement ~ stuff begins to happen.

KH

Just a man with lots of flys!

We were traveling to the far side of the valley today when we started going though a series of alley ways. At one particular place, I looked out the window to the sidewalk and saw a man who looked to be about 35 or 40 laying on the sidewalk covered with fly's. Diana said, "Is he dead?" It was the third I'd seen today and it wasn't yet 11:00 a.m.

If you have clean water, a safe home, potential for a job, clean food, and toilet ~ you are blessed. The vast majority of the world lives on less than $2 per day. Don't believe the illusion.

P.S. We had a great time last evening and this morning sharing with a brother from the Philippines who also has a love for the "liquid church."

KH

To Sabadote

This meat market is off limits!

Local Meat Market - Nepal

Truth ~ what is it?

"Most men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up and continue on as if nothing happened." Winston Churchhill

Geography of Thought

Diana has been reading this book, and it compares why Asians and Westerners think differently and why. So she notices things. Although the following video looks like chaos, it's not. Because East Asians are more adaptable to continuous change and see themselves as part of things happening around them, they can adapt to constantly changing traffic patterns without interruptions. Westerners would go berserk, shoot someone, scream, or have road-rage because of individualism. People get to be different!!!

Does The Following Quote Remind You Of Anything?

"The body is a vehicle for longevity, while the spirits are for immortality. Therefore, spirit is the master of the body, just as a Lord is master of his kingdom. Make virtue complete, make the heart calm, blow to spirit and disease will flee." (Wen-tzu Classic 45-200 B.C.)

In Search Of A Liquid Church

I read the phrase liquid church some time ago and never forgot it. It conveys the idea that Kingdom precedes form when it comes to serving God. It asserts that structures are created as they serve the Good News. This is radically unique because we as people tend to solidify our creations - especially church forms. We like to freeze-frame some special time in history and say “this is it.” But liquids invade
space. They fill up cracks and make relevant unused areas. They are not fixed and rigid like the round peg in a round hole program. Instead, they are viscous, plastic, moldable, fluid, and powerful. I like that!!

It’s the kind of church I continue to look and pray for in Asia. I like the innovators who invade cultures
and present a relevant Jesus to their own nationalities. I don’t care much for the “you gotta look like this crowd” or you’re not right. Nope, that one doesn’t float my boat. When we travel and look for ministry opportunities, we’re not looking for people who want to build their own Kingdom (although many seem to lean this way). Nor are we looking to present a Westernized Good News that turns Jesus into a commodity to be consumed and shares the same liturgy with the folks at First Baptist or First Presbyterian. We are looking for the message that fills the spaces and gaps. We’re searching for the men and women who have decided to inhabit their apologetics in powerful and innovative ways rather than spending their lives trying to explain a doctrinal statement. We want to see those who are living out the love of the Master for the pure joy of that alone. Barnabas looks for men and women who are “intentionally spiritual” and NOT in ministry for money. Besides, church takes so many forms, and people spend so much time validating their own form it’s absurd. Here’s an example we just experienced.

This past weekend we had the wonderful experience of spending time with our kids in Lynchburg. On Sunday we went to a service two hours from Lynchburg with our son, James. It was a great service and we enjoyed just sitting with our boy. We also enjoyed lively praise and free worship and these folks were very serious about their praise time. The pastor gave a good word and it was very edifying. The folks were friendly, prayed for us, welcomed us, and blessed us. We had a good time. But the blunt of the message was explaining to the congregation that their form of worship was the Biblical form (many scriptures, but primarily King David dancing before the ark) and why building a new 7.5 million dollar structure was necessary. It was a good message if you were looking for validations. But for anyone who didn’t like
that form of worship ~ it would have been troublesome. (Footnote~ I would gladly go back to this place, the fellowship, worship and love were genuine ~ and we would gladly worship in the new 7.5 million structure)

Now Diana and I attend a small fellowship whose name includes the phrase “for Biblical Worship” and their meeting doesn’t look like the one just mentioned. We have friends meeting in homes who believe they are Biblical. We have friends who focus on the Reformation era and they believe they are Biblical.
We have friends that prefer to practice SILENCE AND PRAYERFUL MEDITATION and they believe they are worshiping correctly. Whose form is right? Answer ~ It’s not that any one form is right. As a matter of fact, it’s not about form at all. It’s about Kingdom and Kingdom is everything, not methods of meeting.
Here’s a great quote:
“There is nothing so secular that it cannot be sacred, and that is one of the deepest messages of the incarnation.” Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water)

We should decide that God can use any form and any person, and that He is completely capable of handling His work without our control or freeze-framing. We should see Him working in many different people and places using a variety of gifts and talents that differ from our own in order to extol Him. Want to pray in accord with us on our trip to Asia? Then pray that we meet and encourage the brothers and sisterswho have liquid perspectives. Be flexible and create some space ~ see what God will do. k.h.

It's all about His work ~ not ours!

I first read the concept in a small book by Watchman Nee entitled "The Work." For the most part, the principle states that..

• the first responsibility of a worker when he comes into a new area is to find out what God is doing.
  
• the second responsibility is to enter into that work.

This idea is restated in some of the literature of the Emerging Church movement and quite frankly it resonates with my spirit because we've been following the principle for 25 years or more. IT'S NOT OUR WORK. One writer of emerging church backgrounds says "We find what God is planting, and we water it." He continues, "I don't take God into somewhere but find God where He is and join Him."

So much of the problems I've seen over the last 18 years in Nepal has been by weekend or short-term mission groups that have "an agenda with money" that they want to see filled. Or it's some absurd "denominational" program to extend the "real truth of Christ." Not good juju here! Watchman Nee was ahead of his time and those today who are looking for new expressions to be Kingdom and extend Kingdom rather than their Kingdom or agenda are true pioneers. k.h

Todays thought

"We have the mind of Christ." (1Cor. 2:16)

"Now we have received, NOT the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God,.... "(1Cor.2:12)

Why do we focus all our attention on a meeting-based church or a education-based church if the real test of faith is to embody our apologetics? Is true intimacy a test of what you really have? Yes, I think should be, don't you? It certainly doesn't reside in words alone or well-orchestrated activities.
These scriptural principles, that we might know all of what we have in Christ - are available NOW and are still operative ~ just like the principles were 2000 years ago to the Corinthians. Many of the really great men and women I've met on the mission field did not have a whole Bible, or, a Biblical education. Many had NO scriptures at all. But they had fire!!!! Many could not read or write ~ but they knew things "taught by the Spirit."

I wonder - is it possible that our preoccupation with a sermon-based, event based, ecclesiology, has actually detoured us from KNOWING in truth. (k.h)