Food for the Hungry is currently testing out several small, cost effective video recorders. The recorder is called a Flip video and is roughly the size of a cell phone. The hope is to find an easy and effective way to send camcorders with missionaries in the field so that they can better document their experiences. FH allowed me to take one of these recorders to Mexico when Love God Love People went down for spring break.

I had an hour of raw video, little time to edit, and a hankering for some new music. Actually, this music choice was a dedication to Andy, a LGLP volunteer leader who had a birthday while in Mexico. The artist, Lacrae, is one of his favorites. I was pretty skeptical of Christian Rap, but I have to admit, the lyrics weren’t to bad. The second song is a personal favorite entitled “Instead of a show,” by Jon Foreman. Without further ado, here is the video:

Love God Love People Spring Break 2009 from Love God Love People on Vimeo.

Things are getting pretty busy. I have three weeks before I leave for Rwanda, and instead of my to do list looking more manageable, it seems to be growing by the day. Last weekend was a nice break for me. I was in Louisiana shooting a wedding for a couple I met just a few months back. George & Brittany, the now newly weds, were both missionary kids who met in Brazil. They were both a lot of fun and the entire wedding party was a great group. While there I also had the pleasure of sharing a room with Charles Ciepiel, the officiant of the ceremony. Charles, a former youth pastor, now has combined his love of music with a heart for missions. He is doing some great things in the kingdom. One such achievement was putting Psalm 119, the whole Psalm, to music (click here to find it on iTunes). I thoroughly enjoyed my discussions with Charles.

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Overall I really enjoyed the chance to get away for a weekend. With the constant hustle and bustle of my days right now, it was great  to document their wedding and just focus on photography. Thanks to Tara Malouf who shot the wedding with me, you did an amazing job, and it was great to catch up! Here is a slideshow from the wedding, pictures will soon be available on my photography blog for those interested.

As I mentioned in my previous post, we studied the book of Jonah in its entirety during our last trip to Mexico. Before I get side tracked, I want to be sure to post the rest of my reflections and thoughts that came out of that time.

Jonah, Chapter 2

A sermon I listened to pointed out that this chapter, this prayer from Jonah to God, is in reality Jonah experiencing the power of the Gospel. It can only be speculated weather or not it is the first such encounter in his life, and, to be sure it is different from the Gospel we discuss so often in that Christ had yet to come. But, the power of the Gospel, the grace of God and his unconditional love for us, that is present and powerful in this chapter.

v.3-6 This entire chapter reads much like the Psalms to me. It is that raw and honest dialogue with God. These verses for Jonah were more than just the physical depths and realities of his body. These words were a cry to God recognizing the despair in his heart and in his soul, the kind of despair that comes from separation from God.

v. 6-7 And like He does, God redeems, he restores…he resurrects. What is so beautiful to me in the last sentence of verse 6 and on into verse 7 is that God has not yet saved Jonah from the depths of the ocean or the belly of the fish. When Jonah says “you brought my life from the pit, O LORD my God. He is speaking to his eternal life. What a powerful reminder of the priorities we should live for.

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:28-31

God weather I find my fear in the physical world or in future concerns, let this instance of Jonah coming before you, at the bottom of the sea, in the belly of a fish, surrounded by darkness; let this instance serve to remind me that I have already been saved. By Christ, I have already been “brought up from the pit.”

Jonah, Chapter 3

v. 1-5 I continue to see God’s sovereignty throughout this book. Jonah, being a prophet of God, had no apparent sway on the city of Nineveh. In fact one could speculate that he didn’t even like these people. And yet, God used him, who he was, who he had been created to be. This one servant of God, dragging his feet into the presence of the Lord through a delayed obedience, moved a city of 120,000 to repent and fall before the Lord. It is interesting to me (and I think proof that it was God’s Spirit at work here, not the charisma of Jonah) that verse 5 says “and the people of Nineveh believed God.” They didn’t believe Jonah talking about God, but rather saw him for what he was, a messenger to the Lord.

v.6-10 Having read that Nineveh was one of the most wicked and evil places of its day, I think about Las Vegas when reading these verses. I’ve been to Vegas twice. Didn’t really like it either time. The buildings are neat, the shows are great, but it is the darkest place I’ve seen that didn’t try to hide that evil. When I read these verses I imagine God changing the hearts of the city of Las Vegas, even to the point that the city officials and owners of the casinos would fast and bow before Him. The thought is surreal. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be in Nineveh as this transformation occurred. What must Jonah have thought?

Jonah, Chapter 4

I don’t want to be long winded in this post so I’ll attempt to wrap this up. A large part of our discussion on chapter 4 in Mexico revolved around the question: Why did Jonah respond the way he did to God’s mercy towards the people?”

We came up with several possibilities. Instead of elaborating on them and then discussing the rest of this chapter, I’d like to hear your thoughts on chapter 4, specifically the above questions. Even if your comment is one sentence, I’m extremely encouraged by any contribution you have towards this conversation!

If you are interested in listening to a sermon series on Jonah from The Village Church click below:

Jonah Chapter One
Jonah Chapter Two
Jonah Chapter Three
Jonah Chapter Four