As a church, we’ve been working through a series of teachings called “i DO want a new marriage.” These teachings are in response to the overwhelming need for help, restoration, and reconciliation of marital relationships in our community.

One of the questions we have to ask is why do relationships get sideways in the first place, and what can be done to correct this. The answer to why/how relationships get sideways and how they are brought back into balance is what I call embracing a trinitarian-based view of relationships vs a transaction-based view of relationships.

The transaction-based view of relationships comes very natural to us. It goes something like this….

“I watched the kids all day so he/she owes me some time to do what I want”

or

“He/she went out with some co-workers for lunch and I didn’t get to, so you owe me the opportunity to do the same”

or how about

“I did this ________ (insert chosen act of service) so I expect that sometime in the future you are going to reciprocate!”

If we were really honest, we would see that a transaction-based view of relationships is really about the selfish desires of the individual, and acts of service to the other are really used to accrue debt to be called in at some point in the future.

The transaction-based view of relationships comes very easy to us. For some, it is like breathing. We don’t even have to plot or plan before we start keeping score, and if the score gets too high the indebted person either pays up or faces wrath.

Now, let’s contrast this with a trinitarian-based view of relationships.

Within the trinitarian relationship of God the Father, God the Son, & God the Spirit, we find there is no score card. There are no transactions. You don’t hear Jesus say or think, “I’m only doing this for the Father right now so that I will get mine in the future.” Instead you hear him say things like, “Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Each member of the trinity desires to glorify (accurately represent the nature of) the other. Each is eternally self giving to the other. There is no score card. Each member does not glorify the other out of a desire to receive some reward. No, each member gives selflessly to the other out of love for one another, and out of trust in the love of the other. The members of the trinity give so selflessly because they want to share the knowledge of, and experience of, that love with all of humanity.

To adapt this trinitarian-based view of relationships requires a complete reboot and reformat in our thinking (you might even say a “repentance”). We live in a transaction-based world. We work jobs so that we receive payment. We employ marketing to initiate and facilitate exchanges which we will only act on if we believe the value to be gained is equal to, or greater than, the cost it requires to acquire the good or service. We even help people so that we can call on them when we need help. We deny help to people because they may never be able to repay us. Consider whether you have ever been invited over to dinner at someone’s house, and upon leaving, you immediately begin thinking that you are now indebted to that person to return the favor? These are all examples of transaction based views. I know that I have fallen victim to these all too often. Completely resting in the love of another, and endlessly giving love without the expectation of return is risky.

What would happen if we abandoned transaction-based views of life for trinitarian-based ones? Perhaps we would actually have to rest in the love of our spouses and loved ones. Perhaps we would learn to love people with no strings attached. Perhaps we would exhibit a view of relationships that those around us would not understand and the would be compelled to find the source. Perhaps we might actually begin to comprehend unconditional love.

May we all pursue the trinity, and leave behind the transactions.

It is recovery.gov

You can search your state to see what programs are receiving money, and how much.

//IN THIS UPDATE OF ‘BEGINNINGS’:
*What we are trying to do
*What has transpired so far
*Important upcoming dates
*How you(& others) can serve

*What we are trying to do is build a bridge of influence for the gospel into the Evansville community by creating an event that invites all area artists (christian & pre-christian) to create original pieces of artwork that is inspired by the scriptures. We believe that all artists are spiritual people, and we believe that artists are often disregarded by churches. It is our hope that this will encourage artists to seek God for inspiration for their artwork, and provide an opportunity for our church to invite people from the community to come and view the show. We pray that as people come to the show they will be compelled to wrestle with the scriptures, and in so doing, will open opportunities for discussions and conversations about the life-giving message of the resurrected Christ.

*What has transpired so far is nothing short of amazing! Over 130 artists from all over the tri-state have contributed almost 180 pieces of original art inspired by the Genesis 1-3 narrative. This is beyond our expectations given the size of our market. In short, the initial response has been very positive. The local arts community is very excited about this opportunity. We have had artists open forgotten bibles, artists request copies of the scripture, and artists express a thankfulness to be included that is very humbling.

*Important upcoming dates are:

April 25th & April 26th – reception of artwork onto the CFC campus
April 27th – Juror reviews artwork and selects winning pieces
April 28th & 30th – Art work is installed in the main foyer
May 1st – Opening ‘Gala’ to invite the Evansville community to come and view the show
May 2nd – May 16th – ‘Beginnings is open to the public for viewing & purchase of artwork
May 17th – Show ends and artwork is taken down

*How you(& others) can serve is to consider joining or inviting others to aid one of our volunteer teams:

Art Reception Team (10-15)
On Saturday, April 25th (8AM-12PM) & Sunday, April 26th (12-3PM) we will be receiving the art from the artists. We need people to help us greet the artists, guide them through the registration process, and escort their piece for storage.

Installation Team (10-15)
On Tuesday, April 28th (5-8PM) we will need help bringing the hanging systems up into the main foyer and prepping them for hanging the art. We need people to help us carry 35 panels from the garage to the foyer, and install brackets on them to create free-standing walls.

Security Team (10)
During the two weeks that ‘Beginnings’ is open, there will be times that the building is open, but the exhibit is not. We need people to take shifts during the “off-hours” of 5PM to 10PM and provide security for the exhibit. This is simply sitting at the welcome center, and walking the show to ensure that no pieces are walking out the door.

Tear Down Team (20-25)
On Monday, May 18th (5-8PM) we will need to dismantle the hanging systems, and take it to the barn. We will need several people and any truck or trailer we can arrange to help us clear the foyer.

Hospitality Team (10)
Help us coordinate refreshments for 3 dates during the show. We desire to provide light refreshments during art reception days (April 25th & 26th), the underwriters reception and opening gala (May 1st 6-9PM), and the “end of show” artist reception (May 17th 3PM)

If you would like to serve in anyone of these capacities, or if you have any other questions about the show, please contact me, Josh Schuler 8676464, or josh.schuler@onlinecfc.com

grace & peace,

Josh Schuler

Total value of all loans made through Kiva: $67,586,685
Number of Kiva Lenders: 475,709
Number of loans that have been funded through Kiva: 96,802
Percentage of Kiva loans which have been made to women entrepreneurs: 77.83%
Number of Kiva Field Partners (microfinance institutions Kiva partners with): 94
Number of countries Kiva Field Partners are located in: 44
Current repayment rate (all partners): 97.97%
Current default rate (all partners): 2.03%
Average loan size (This is the average amount loaned to an individual Kiva Entrepreneur. Some loans – group loans – are divided between a group of borrowers.): $422.28
Average total amount loaned per Kiva Lender (includes reloaned funds): $142.37
Average number of loans per Kiva Lender: 3.95

Did you see that repayment rate?! 97.97% Domestic lenders would give their first-born for repayment like that.

In a world where there is so much need, and information bombardment to the extent that many of us do not know where to start, Kiva is an excellent venue through which we can engage one of the great causes of our day.

I am planning on graduating this coming december from the MBA program. Problem……one of the classes that I need to take is not being offered in the fall (although it is supposed to be according to the long MBA schedule). Anyway, I found a good alternative, I can take the course online through Ball State. The only rub is that I have to complete a mess of forms in the next couple days to make sure that I get registered and into the class.

It’d be one thing if all this stuff was isolated to me, and I could just camp in my office and work 24/7, but I can’t, and won’t do that, and I need to ensure that Lauri and the kids are as sheltered from this as possible. So, pray for them to find peace, rest, and grace through these 5-6 weeks. Pray for me to
disconnect from all of this enough to be present with them, not just in body, but in mind and conversation as well.

Eden is turning “1″ next week, and my mom is coming in town for the week. That will be a great treat, and the kids are really excited about seeing “mimi”. It’s hard to believe that Eden is already a year old. It seems like the past year with her has passed much faster than with the boys.

I don’t have enough time to unpack it all here, but it has been a very formative and enriching Lenten season of study, conversation, discipline, and introspection, and I am really looking forward to celebrating the Resurrection on Easter. The gospel surely is the life-giving message of hope.

This morning we were wading through Ezekiel and lamenting how people are beholden to their idols (that which replaces God) and icons (that which points to God).

It reminded me of another morning at the same shop, but at a different location, and a conversation with a mentor and friend. While we were meeting, my friend stopped our conversation short to point out an elderly gentleman who was walking into the store. My friend told me that every morning when he comes to get coffee at the shop, that elderly man comes in as well, but not before lighting up a cigarette. Here’s where it gets odd.

This elderly gentleman is what we call a “gentleman smoker.” In other words, he never smokes in his home, office, car, or in the presence of his family. (My grandfather was a gentleman smoker and he was so good at it that I never found out until late into my teens.) Anyway, this gentleman leaves his car, strikes a match, and puffs the living hell out of the smoke until he reaches the door. When he reaches the door he conspicuously places the slightly dashed cigarette on the ledge of the outside window sill. He then continues into the store, purchases his coffee and paper, chats with friends, and then leaves. When he leaves, he picks up the half smoked cigarette, revives it, and smokes it until his fingers burn before he gets back into his car.

When I left the shop that morning, I looked at the ledge where he placed his cigarette day after day. I placed my finger on the warm brick. There were charred marks on the wall. I had to wonder how long it takes of this repetitive cycle to char the brick of a building.

This reminds me of Israel, Ezekiel, and embracing things that don’t bring about “life”. It does this in the way that we believe that we can limit the extent of our exile or brokenness by only giving into it when no one is around, or when we think no one will be impacted.

It must be one of the greatest lies ever told.

The condition of that elderly man’s lungs is not limited to the time he spends puffing away. Those lungs are always with him, and will restrict his ability to give life to others, or come to their aid.

We know that our best potential is found in community, but it is the actions and patterns of individuals in the community that affect the health of the whole body.

If you are a part of the body, perhaps a question to ask is whether there is something you are beholden to, that you need to let go of, which is preventing you from being able to speak life to others. Perhaps there is something that is robbing the hope from your participation in the message of the resurrected Christ. If there is, do not be ashamed, but be transformed by the truth, and allow the community to share in helping you to health, so that you are available to others.

I think of Chesterton and his comment that the truly healthy individual understands what is unhealthy about him or herself. This is my pursuit. I want to know my blind spots, and the areas of my life that are unhealthy. The reality is that we often do not recognize where we are unhealthy, because we either think we are healthy (when we’re not) or we don’t want to do the hard thing and find out. All I know is that I really, really want health……for my sake, for other’s sake, and most importantly for the sake of the integrity of hope found in the teachings, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.