Skip to content
You are running an older version of Internet Explorer.
Please upgrade your browser by clicking here.

Tell the Truth, or else…

“Everyone lies. The only variable is about what,” repeats a famous fictitious doctor who explains why diseases can be so difficult to diagnose.  Symptoms, causes, effects—all of the descriptive content of every disorder must flow through the oral filter of the patient, who may or may not be ready to disclose every detail.

When is the last time you lied? (Tell the truth!)

This may come as a surprise to you, but every time you sin, you lie and you believe it.

This failed decision-making reveals a broken internal moral compass, which points to you as the Truth.  Your way is better than God’s way.  Every day you turn to sin, you lie.  You say, “Its my life, not God’s, and I define what I think is the ‘right’ way.”

Every wayward thought, action, or plan is the result of someone who lied and thinks they got away with it.

These words are shocking to many Christian readers. From the beginning, this reality is precisely the reason so many relationships, work environments, and homes are broken in our world. Every cosmic, global, cultural, communal, and personal sin is the result of someone believing a lie.

In a world of brokenness and pain, the worldview properly oriented toward God and His Truth helps us to understand that we are the cause of all that makes creation groan for redemption.

Much of the brokenness that exists is perpetuated through cascading series of immoral decisions that continue to affect each day.  The consequences of these lies seems unending.

At T4 Global, we recognize that this brokenness spreads through cultures and societies, affecting the way  we think, act, believe, and follow. Until we hear the Truth of the Word of God and understand it, we will never break the cycle of despair and turn toward God, experiencing His touch.  As a result, T4 Global has transformed the way we communicate Truth, following the model laid out in Scripture, employing culturally appropriate media to deliver the eternal truth of God.

We consider every area of one’s worldview, the way one “hears” the Truth.  Then, we ask God to help us transform the way we deliver the message, so it can be followed from the heart.  Otherwise, we have seen it yields obedience that leads to destruction.

God has provided a Way of delivery.  For us, it means turning from the temptation to lie—or to believe one. It means turning from the lie to the only One who can deliver you to Truth.  God calls us to turn to Him, His Son, the Truth, and listen to the Word who delivers liars like me from ourselves. Then, He becomes our Truth. He restores our brokenness with His Truth.  He replaces our lies with Himself.  Billions remain removed from the sound of His Word.  Until the nations can hear and understand, our job remains unfinished.

Tell the truth.  Only He is Truth.

 


Posted in Mark Overstreet, Oral Learning, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

7’6” – Yes – Size 18

When I lived in Tulsa Oklahoma 25 years ago I had season tickets to watch the local college basketball team. They had a skinny player one year who was something like 7’6” tall. I do not remember his name but I believe he was the tallest player in college basketball that year. He had a t-shirt made that said “7’6” – Yes – Size 18.” They were the answers to the 3 questions he was asked most often: How tall are you? Do you play basketball? What size shoe do you wear? He stood out in a crowd.

I am fascinated by the story of King Saul. He was a big man – head and shoulders taller than other Israelites. The Israelites had asked Samuel for a king to be like other nations, rejecting God as their King. Samuel anointed Saul as ruler and given him 3 signs that would come to pass to confirm it. Seven days later Samuel gathered the Israelites at Mizpah to confirm for the people who God had chosen to be their king. The tribe of Benjamin, the clan of Matri, and finally Saul the son of Kish were chosen by lot. But when Saul was named he was nowhere to be found. He seemed reluctant to accept the responsibilities. They asked the Lord where he was and God told them Saul was hiding among the supplies. Saul could hide from the people but he could not hide from God. And when he finally stood up among the people, he stood out.

Then Saul went back to work in his fields without much fanfare. It was not until after he accepted the call to battle and God gave him a victory over the Ammonites that his kingship was affirmed and celebrated. Saul’s story arcs from reluctant king, to a victorious ruler, to one who does not obey everything God tells him to do for fear of his own men, to one who is erecting monuments in his own honor, to being rejected as king by God because of his choices and actions.

I pray that the arc of my life does not mirror King Saul’s. I pray that I will never try to hide from God. I pray I will always respond to the assignments He gives me. I pray that I never try to take credit for what God has done. I pray regularly that God will create in me a clean heart so that we can tell the story of Jesus to those who have never heard.


Posted in JR Whitby, Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Trust and teamwork

Last week we were in Peru, Ind., with our grandkids.

My mother grew up and is buried near the city that has continued its long tradition as the Circus Capital by holding the Peru Amateur Circus every summer. We were fortunate to be there during circus week to see the show. (You can visit www.perucircus.com to read  more about what we saw.)

Watching seven young women form a human pyramid and walk a high-wire 22-feet (6.7 meters) above the ground was a little more than Julian, age 5, could stand. When he couldn’t bear to watch anymore he turned toward me and said, “This is freaking me out grandpa.”

The high trapeze team was not as scary for Julian until there was was a collective gasp from the crowd when one young woman missed grasping the trapeze by few inches and fell safely into the safety net below. We clapped as she climbed back up the ladder not distracted by her fall.

The circus reminded me of how important trust is for a team to accomplish its goals and purpose.

The young ladies in the high-wire pyramid were trusting each other. The women flying thru the air were trusting the timing and strength of the young men ready to catch them.

The teams performing that night had spent months, sometimes years, working together. Hours of practice and conditioning were apparent.

The results were ordinary young people (everyone who preformed that night was between the ages of 7 and 21) demonstrating extra-ordinary feats.

T4 Global’s teams working around the world are no different.

We all ordinary people trusting each other to finish the task.


Posted in Orality, Partnerships, Susie Brown, Tim Brown, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Love like that

A financial advice newsletter I was reading this morning said that nothing happens until you get off the couch and do something. That’s true whether you are getting your financial house in order or starting a diet or exercise program or almost any good thing in life. You cannot just sit and do nothing and expect positive things to happen. Yes, I know there are scriptures that tell us to “wait on the Lord” and “Be still and know that I am God.”

But the “do something” part of the newsletter advice has me meditating on the command in the book of James to not be hearers of the word without doing what it says. That advice is given over and over again in the Book of Deuteronomy where we are told to “observe to do.” Watch. Listen. Then do.

I am reminded of the almost-true story of the man who was looking for advice from God. He opened his Bible, closed his eyes and stuck his finger on a verse. It said Judas ”went away and hanged himself.” Since that could not be God’s advice he turned to another page, closed his eyes and pointed to a verse. That one said, “go and do likewise.” Getting frustrated, he tried again. This verse said, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

We are reminded to “pray without ceasing” but the busyness of my life gets in the way. Or “give a cup of cold water.” But I’m not sure I want to associate with “those people.” How about “love one another?” But you don’t know what she did to me. I can’t love her.

Ephesians 5:1-2 in The Message says it this way, “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”

Observe to do. Love like that.


Posted in JR Whitby, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

The 3rd Dimension of Orality Ministry

One of the big challenges in any ministry is how information becomes transformational, rather than just transmissional.  How is the information going to be easily remembered and therefore easily shared?  How does information go “viral”?  Additionally, when the information goes “viral”, then how do you control the accuracy?

These are some of the daily issues we work to address at T4 Global.  We believe that it’s always easier in ANY culture to remember a story, a song, a drama or a proverb.  I know people in the US that can quote large segments of their favorite movies – or at least give you a few quotes and tell you the general storyline.  Driving with my wife the other day, something struck me funny about a few words that I said and ended up singing the Alphabet Song (it’s been about 17 years since I last sang the song).  So, while we focus on reaching the unreached in cultures that don’t read or write, it is still easier to remember information in our literate culture when delivered in a way that is “comfortable”.  So this is a given.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out or agree with us that this is a good tool for communicating information.

In addition (or should I say in multiplication), we believe this is the fastest way to communicate information that will transform a culture by being transmitted more frequently, with accuracy and intentionality. Accuracy is checked by a collection of pastors prior to recording of the “final” story, song or drama, but then is kept accurate by having that recording used in ministry, and stored as an archive.   Oral culture people, though, have tremendous memories and correct each other when someone makes a mistake while repeating it via voice.

This is the third dimension that we cannot and should not count out.  The “checking” that goes on constantly – the surrounding of the content by community and their preservation of the Truth.


Posted in Ed Weaver, Listening Groups, Oral Learning, Orality, Stories | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Heading the right direction?

Flying from Tucson to Indianapolis this week I found it interesting that our granddaughter, 11, was very interested in using a compass application on my phone. She set it on her armrest and checked frequently to make sure the pilots was flying the plane east toward Indiana where her cousins, aunts and uncles live.

Today I discovered there’s a compass on the digital dashboard of the car we’re using while we’re here. I’m now able to tell how fast I’m going the wrong direction when I’m lost.

My grandfather’s car had a small compass glued to the windshield. Navigating the flatland country roads here in the midwest when you can’t see the sun on an overcast day, or at night, isn’t always easy. I’ve already gotten turned around this trip.

Susie says I usually have a good sense of direction, but I confess that in unfamiliar places I’m not always sure if I’m traveling north, east, south or west until I check a compass.

Scripture lets us know the direction our life journey is taking.

Glad to be working with T4 Global to help people who want to hear Scripture.

 

 

 

 

 


Posted in Oral Learning, Orality, Tim Brown, Travel | Leave a comment

The grandkids are coming! The grandkids are coming!

Our 3 oldest grandchildren are coming for a visit today. My wife and I can hardly wait. After seeing them several times a week for the 15 years they lived nearby, they moved last summer to our son-in-law’s hometown on the other side of the country. Phone calls, email, Facebook and Skype video help us keep up with their lives and we visit there as often as we can. But there is nothing like the physical presence of family members you love. I’m sure the 3 weeks they will be here will pass all too quickly.

Grandparents have an important role in the family – to be role models, mentors and to have a good listening ear. And roles change as grandchildren get older and their interests mature. Among their interests are performing, music, athletics, horses and animals. Sharing their passions gives a chance for them to catch your passions as well.

In other cultures grandparents and extended families have different roles than here in the US. Multi-generational families live together and extended families who live nearby have a responsibility to care for each other for life. In Asia and Africa where T4 Global is working to bring audio teaching that transforms, translating the Gospel and community development information into the heart language of the oral learners we reach is only part of the equation. The teaching must also be translated for the culture where we have been invited to help. Understanding the roles of grandparents and extended families gives one more lens through which the Gospel needs to be seen clearly.

Grandparents are not referenced often in the Bible although we certainly know who the grandparents were in the genealogies. King Asa’s grandmother had to be deposed because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah. The Apostle Paul singled out Timothy’s grandmother Lois for the way she had lived her faith and passed it on to her daughter, Eunice and grandson, Timothy. What we worship and how we live our faith has a profound impact on those we love.

I pray that we live our faith well. Not just for the next three weeks they are visiting, but everyday, as we live to glorify our Heavenly Father.


Posted in JR Whitby, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Losing One’s Head

I’ve been thinking a lot about Christianity Today’s post yesterday regarding TOM’s founder, Blake Mycoskie and his apology to gay’s and lesbians over his appearance at a Focus on the Family event. I believe there are moments that can define a person’s life and Blake may have just defined his.

This has caused me to recall the incredible story of John the Baptist in Mark 6:17-28.  John the Baptist had stated to Herod that marrying his sister-in-law, Herodias (wife of his brother), was a sin.  Simple as that.  For this, he was arrested and ultimately was executed by beheading.

Today, that accusation would most likely be laughed at, rather than throwing a person in prison much less executing.  But John held his ground.  He never backed down and never “apologized”.

I admire John.  I pray that if called upon, I can take that stand.


Posted in Ed Weaver, Stories | Leave a comment

For His Pleasure

It is our joy to become a part of the T4Global team and as such we’re the new kids on the block with T4Global, but not new to the work in general. My name is Durk Meijer and I am married to Sandy. Together we have five lovely arrows in our quiver and we have been serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators since 1989. Our interest has always been in serving the unreached, unengaged peoples of this world and most of these have little or no access to God’s Word in a way that communicates to them within their worldview. Having been friends and co-laborers with the founders and most of the current T4Global staff led to a partnership with Wycliffe Regional Translation Services in Africa and as such I have become a part of the T4Global team. My previous experience has been relating to cross cultural communication, orality, Scripture engagement, media use and production, as well as the use of relevant communication art forms. I have served worldwide as recordist, coordinator, trainer, and consultant. It is a privilige and joy to serve and grow with T4Global.


Posted in Initiatives, Oral Learning, Orality, South Africa | Leave a comment

His Unique Design

In my travels, it’s always interesting to walk through the markets and watch how people shop.

In India, when a woman goes shopping for a Saree or Salwar Suit, she is not only getting a new outfit. She knows that she will truly be pampered.

When you walk through the door of the clothing store you are greeted with a cup of chai and given a special chair. Each piece of fabric is placed in front of you one at a time. This ritual doesn’t stop until you have found exactly the right color, fabric and ornate outfit. Once you have made your choice it is wrapped in a beautiful package that becomes a treasure to cherish for the coming months.

Women dancing in Chennai, India

What I find amazing is that no two Sarees ‘ look alike. Each one has it’s own unique color, beading and design.

What I also find amazing is God designed women so uniquely that no two are alike. Just like the Saree, we carry our own beautifully designed image that He values as HIS treasure.

According to God’s Word, the following truths help us understand how God views and values women:

  • Women are creations of God (Gen 2:27; Mark 10:6, Cor. 11:13)
  • Women are lovingly made in His image and Likeness (Gen 1:26, 5:1)
  • God blesses women. (Gen 5:2)
  • God gives women authority with men over other life forms (Gen. 1:28-30)

We truly are His creation that He cherishes and loves. We can be proud that He chose to create us in His image.

 

 


Posted in India, Susie Brown | Leave a comment
Page 3 of 141234510...Last »