Crazy Disciple

Crazy Disciple: The Mission to Paris

Welcome to CrazyDisciple.com!   If this is your first time here, you are definitely going to want to subscribe to my RSS feed.  My name is Scott, l'Apotre Fou or The CrazyDisciple, and this is the 'joint' where I lay it all out, and write about what's going on in this crazy world.  You will see a lot of writing about my upcoming journey to Paris for a year of work in the ministry, and a lot of writing about just being a believer in a modern world.   I can't claim that everything I say on here is right, or even that smart, but I can assure you that it is always coming from a place of authenticity and a desire to find truth in my own journey with God.   I encourage you to come along and enjoy the spectacle...   heck, even participate, comment, and chime in.  Your voice is important here. So, have a look around and come back often!  Comment, read, discuss, and most of all... enjoy!   -Scott

Wonder

As I rode in the plane down to Houston, I was struck by the beauty of
the thunderstorms we were steering around. They look incredible from
30000 feet... Just wait till you see the pics. Anyway, I was
staring out the window of this little plane when the gravity of this
whole adventure hit me. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the doing,
that I miss the experiencing... So I stopped for a minute and just
thanked God for allowing me the pleasure of doing exactly what I am
doing. No matter if the visa gets approved or not, I am doing what I
am called to do; what an amazing feeling!

So tonight, I arrived here in Houston and picked up the cheapest car I
could find, to get to my hotel. After arriving, I followed my
directions to the Consulate, just to do a test run, and voilà; look
what I found!! It may be corny or even a little goofy, but I'll
recieve that as a wink from God himself. We're doing it... Together!

This is not a test...

The French are celebrating the EU Presidency for the next six months, and in honor of the EU, they have illuminated the Eiffel Tower in blue and affixed 13 stars...   WOW! 

un Très Grande Semaine Pour Moi

Oh man, this is a big week for me:  I am flying to meet with the French Consul tomorrow to apply for my visa to France.   So many people I have talked to say that this will be no big deal, but I have also read stories about visas getting denied.   That would be a big problem.   Anyway, my appointment is on Thursday at 9:00 AM and I sure could use all of your prayers!  Pray for favor, safety and that my interviewer is sensitive to the cause.   Up until that time I am a stress monster... lol   so LOOK OUT :-)

Still Being Blown Away

Here it is Sunday night, and I have yet to give you a post-game report on my part of the 40 day fast.   I have to tell you, it has been AMAZING.   God has shown up in so many amazing ways, and I am excited to share...   but the truth is that each time I sit down to write, I just cant seem to get much out.   Not that it is writers block, but moreover that I cant seem to get my thoughts straight.   There is so much to say, and so much to just talk about, that I cant seem to get it in any order that makes sense.    So tonight, I am going to just chill.   It's been a very intense weekend, and I think that maybe having a night of sleep will help things come together.   Thank you so much to each of you for your prayers, support, encouragement and love.   I am excited to have made so many new friends and cohorts for the adventure ahead.  

Oh and by the way...    You guys blew me away.  

Blessings,

Scott

40 Day Fast 2008 - Viva Le Dieu (God Lives)

I am honored to join hands, hearts and minds with the 40-day fast, once more we are proving that together we are able to accomplish so much more than when we are able to apart. 

While you may have been reading stories all week about starving children, broken homes or illiteracy, I would like to highlight a different area of need in a part of the world often disregarded, due to their established governments, opulence, and resemblance to us: the people of Paris, France.

Walking the streets of Paris, you might find yourself enamored with the beautiful shops, the amazing architecture, or the historical treasures of centuries of humanity walking these same streets. The gold-leafed, ornate columns or the statues of kings and emperors might distract you from the aching and hurting people who will not even look you in the eye. Symbols of opulence are what people want to see, and what they want to remember; but off the beaten path, there is a different picture, one of pain, emptiness and loss.

For a city touted as the spiritual hub of France, it is amazing to see the sheer number of broken, hurting people, begging, hiding, or just surviving through an ordinary and mundane life. Their veiled faces only serve as remnants to what they once were, and who they truly long to be.  France is a proud country, who has fought hard for the freedoms and rights they hold today, but somehow in the midst of protecting freedom, they have lost track of hope.

In the absence of any declared or public religion the nation of Islam has moved in and taken root. The churches and cathedrals of yesterday are being turned into the mosques of today. Muslim gangs patrol the streets of neighborhoods built once with the idea of fostering and creating art. The rampant Islamic culture is then contrasted by a fiercely agnostic and humanistic populous, built upon the foundations of self and the scars of abuse and neglect by a national church of old.  Furthermore, with over 7.5% unemployment, Paris, the city of light, is growing increasingly dark.

A glimmer of hope however now penetrates the grayscale world of Paris, represented by a person found looking for more, hungry for the real deal, the person seeking God. They are peppered all throughout the city, amongst the artifacts, catacombs and churches, seeking quietly something that their heart cries for daily, a true relationship with their Creator.  Romans 8:19 states "All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal His children" (GNB.)  This is never more evident than in Paris, where they are eagerly waiting to see real Christianity.  While they wait, a revolution is brewing.

This past Wednesday the revolution took another step, something monumental happened.  A young church by the name of C3Paris held its first Baptism service.   Two people, who had given their lives to Christ earlier in the year, were now making a public declaration of that decision.  They were being baptized amongst a crowd of believers and non-believers, who were all experiencing this type of event for the first time.  Worship, lead by one guitar echoed through the service praises of God in French. Merci Seigneur, merci… merci beaucoup.

I had the pleasure of visiting this church, nearly four months ago, and let me tell you, the spirit of God was so thick there.   At that time, regular attendance was around 20 people each Sunday, doing whatever they could to get to church to cultivate their own personal relationships with Jesus.  Since then, God has moved in so many ways, and hungry people keep showing up for church on Sunday and finding ways to build relationships and community during the week. It is an authentic grass-roots movement for God… and it is AMAZING. In those four months, attendance has more than tripled, and people are hungry for more.

So today, I am fasting and praying for the people of Paris.   I am praying that God will bring them the revolution and relationship that their hearts cry out for.   I have seen the beginning of this movement, and it is beautiful, and so inspiring.   God is at work in France, and he is inviting us all to be a part of it.   I don’t know about you, but I’m in! 

Separation Anxiety

Wow, last night was a big deal.   If my old friend Dan reads this, he is going to freak.   I actually got rid of nearly all of my records last night (GASP!)   Now I know most of you are probably thinking "CD's he means CD's"  No, I mean records, 12" records...   the kind that fill up crates in the spare bedroom of your house and require air conditioning so that they don't warp, and the kind that are the life's-blood of any respectable DJ.  I really used to pride myself in my record collection... and no I didn't have anything that you would have wanted (all but you DW!)

It was bad enough when I got rid of my 1200's (lingo for Technics 1200's, or turntables) a few years ago, but I just haven't been able to part with the records...   too many memories.    Even still, as I sorted through the stacks and stacks and crates upon crates until the wee hours of the morning, I could look at a record and tell you how it started, how it ended, and what speed it was.. just from seeing the graphic on the center label. 

I have to admit though, looking at those records was like seeing some old friends.  Josh Wink and Public Enemy...  wow what a classic.   George Acosta, DJ Icey, the Crystal Method, and a billion artists that just went away after that one smash club hit.   You guys will be missed.   Oh wait, I guess that is why I have them on my iPod now!   WOO HOO!

Feeling Nostalgic

So, I have been doing a lot of praying and thinking about Paris this
week. Next week is a big deal, as I am traveling to Houston to apply
for my visa, and getting everything together for that process has been
a trip.

So, just as a reminder of where I was 3.5 months ago I had to send
this picture. That was a fun day, it was rainy at times but still
fun. I was there with some people I love very much, and I was sending
this photo back to everyone who couldn't join us. And yeah, it really
is absolutely huge.

Positive Post Tuesday - Mark McCord

Almost two years ago, I met this crazy dude that came to speak at our church, his name was Mark McCord, and he was a pastor and a missionary from Switzerland (although originally from Texas.)   This guy rocked my world, talking about taking risks, and how that is the best way that we can stay in the joy of the lord.   "God is happiest with us when we are taking risks and trying to make the most out of the lives He gave us."  Those words riveted me.  At the end of Mark's sermon, I went up to introduce myself, and seemingly out of no where, a friendship began. 

Mark is one of those crazy guys, the kind of guy who sells his guitar to buy a ticket to Africa so that he can spread the word of God.   He is one of those guys who starts a church in the middle of Switzerland and begins a passionate revival, turning people on to a faith built on love instead of works.  He even served as the pastor of that church for 14 years, until God said there was more to be done.  

In 2006, Mark McCord got his latest marching orders, to start a church in one of the most unassuming places, the heart of Paris.   God told him to do it, and once again Mark abandoned all he knew and chased the wild goose into a new country, a new city, and founded what we now know to be C3Paris.  Over the next two years, Mark would travel by train back and forth to Paris to build up this church, to love on people, and not only bring them the gospel, but also bring them the LOVE of Christ.  

Now two years later, with the passionate help of his family, and many volunteers, C3Paris is growing like crazy.   C3Paris is at a great place, they are in the process of making that next right step in their own walk with God.   As a church, they need our prayers, they need our encouragement, and even our support.  So on this Positive Post Tuesday, I lift up Pastor Mark McCord. 

Pastor Mark, I believe in what you are doing, where you are going, and I am honored to be coming to be a part of it.   We'll be together again soon my friend!  

 

PS.  Mark doesn't YET have a blog...   but we're working on it.  If you have any encouragement for him, or feel lead to support his ministry, he is able to be contacted here. 

YAY!!!! A Praise Report

Asher, the baby boy I wrote to you about just last week has gone home from the hospital!   The story is far too complex for me to outline here, especially considering that CJ, Asher's dad, has already done that here.   I encourage you to read this story though, it will underline and emphasize the power of prayer, and most importantly will bring Glory to our God.   Congratulations CJ, Andrea, Jadyn, and Asher...   What a blessing it is to have been given a chance to be a part of this story.   Thank you.

40 Day Fast Kick Off

Well today is it, this is the beginning of the 40 Day Fast, where 40 bloggers fast, each for one day and write about a cause that is near to their hearts.   This year, there has even been the addition of Team 2, a secondary team of fasting bloggers...   the response has been really exciting and encouraging.

Many people (myself included) will be fasting certain aspects of their lives, or certain things throughout the entire 40 day fast.   Join us! 

Ok, now off to today...   Brant Hanson is kicking us off, and he is blogging in support of Compassion International.  His blog post today is entitled "Where God Lives" you might be surprised by what you read there...   I was deeply touched by this post, please check it out and let Brant know you came by. 

PS, We will be featuring a new blogger every day and their own causes, this very blog will be highlighted on Saturday, so please make sure and spread the word!