If we sold Jesus on the roadside...

One of the greatest blessings about returning to Tanzania each year is that I learn so much and gain deep insight into life just by being there. My eyes are open, my nose smells everything, my lungs taste both the fume-seawater-dust air of Dar es Salaam and the crisp night sweetness of midnight in the villages.

All along the roads, every road, everywhere a truck, or a bicycle, or a donkey travels you will  find people selling their wares. For the first time traveler it is of-putting but I imagine if a Tanzania were to be bombarded by the marketing in America they would say the same.

The sellers simply walk up to you (very few are pushy) and hold up what they need to sell in order to be able to eat that day. Maps, fish, nuts, DVD's...whatever.

A simple head shake no suffices most of the time.

If need be, you can break out the very rude Swahili word "hapana" which means "no".

Tanzanians are very giving people. Cultural context demands it. They offer what they have to strangers, feed the sick, help the poor, and have the utmost respect for the elderly. Yes, there are jerks everywhere but trust me, Africa is like that.

So to say "no" goes against everything they are.

I imagine God feels this way when we go against him, his love and his provision.

He has given us everything. The air, water, plants, lungs, love, laughter, blood drops and rain drops.
He stands by displaying his glory with each sunrise, each new born baby, each rush of the wind and so many say hapana.

He offers all of humankind Jesus, who is the chipati of life, free of charge. More satisfying and life-giving than the roadside bread the sellers offer over charcoal stoves and we walk by, daily, saying hapana.

Why? Well you have your reasons, but mine can be pretty much summed up because I like control.

I am letting go a bit more. I want the chipati that will last for ever. I do not want to offend God who gave me his son, freely showing his love and mercy.

Take and eat, this is his body, given for you.

The big lie

"As a dad, I know the power of a voice. I can hear my children's cries over the din of hundreds of other competing noises. Parents are wired like this...and kids are too. Yes, they may choose to ignore our calls but they hear the voice.

Many, many years ago two children were deceived by a liar who said not to listen to their dad. The lie was simple. One little word caused a world of hurt, pain, isolation, and separation. 

It has led to all wars, rape, murder, and abuse.

It is the source of all evil, pride, and hate.

The word is found in a book used by many.

"did God really say...?"

That one little word really set those two up to doubt everything. 

It ushered in distrust, which leads to second-guessing, which leads to fear, which leads to...

Children, yes, God did say please don't not because he was withholding good,

but because he was restraining bad.

The good news is that we can turn to him and say sorry and he forgives us. 

I do this with my kids. When they misbehave I send them off to sit on the step and think for a bit then we talk. 

I call them over and we follow this line:

Come back please. I love you. Why were you on the step?

I didn't listen and I ......

Why do we tell you not to.....? What is my job?

To keep me safe because you love me. I'm sorry dad. 

I forgive you. I love you.

This, my friends, is what God does for us. 

God sent those two two kids he made and loved away for a bit. 

It broke his heart, but he couldn't let them continue doing what they did. 

He simply asked what did you do. 

They didn't fess up, so they were sent away again...but God made away to get them back and say I love you. His son Jesus would take the blame and punishment.

The terrible thing they did was not trust God. Simple. 

It's all I want from my kids. 

Trust. 

How about you?

While you come back and trust?

Procter & Gamble exposing minors to sexual innuendo

For the Record,
Dear Procter & Gambel,
Thank you for exposing my inquisitive, constantly reading six-year-old to sexual innuendo. 

I had not noticed that your new advertising campaign on your products was trying to tell me that if my armpits smell great thanks to your products women will have sex with me. 

My six year old daughter however.

Perhaps your ad team is that shallow and disrespectful of women.

Perhaps they were hoping your product is used in homes that cannot read.

 
Perhaps you are raising your daughters to chose "mates" by smelling armpits.

Perhaps you are raising your boys with an understanding that all girls will have sex with you if your armpits smell good.

Perhaps THIS is why to tell your consumers to keep your product our of reach of children.