Crazy Disciple

It's a GO

After the input of several friends, and some deep thought and prayer on the issue, the decision was made last night to purchase my airline ticket to Paris.  It's official now, I've got a ticket to Paris on September 15, but still don't have my visa...   Man, what a ride!

What was the most fun about buying this ticket was that I bought it last night at my birthday celebration with my family members.  We looked at several flights together and when the time came to click "book it now" my mother, grandmother and step-father all crossed their fingers with me and celebrated the step.   What an amazing birthday!

Thanks to everyone for their input yesterday, each of you made an impact in this decision.   Now let's see if Tam is right...  how long will it take for the visa to show up now.   Not that it matters, I'm going anyway :-)

A very untimely death

Last night I went to sleep watching the Olympics, only to wake up at 2am with the TV in my bedroom shining that annoying light.   So I did the natural thing, I turned it off...   little did I know that it would be the last time that TV turned on. 

So here it is now, 6AM, and I have awakened earlier than normal.   In fact, I wish I could sleep about 2 more hours.   So I tried and tried to turn my TV back on...   no go.  It's gone.

This introduces an interesting dilemma.   In 30 days I leave the country, so replacing it would be STUPID...  but I really like watching TV in my bedroom.  In fact, I don't watch it in any room BUT my bedroom (probably why that particular TV crapped out.)   So now do I take the plunge and start forcing myself to live without TV, expecting that will probably be the world I experience in Paris...  or do I take advantage of the fact that I have 30 more days of American TV available to me, borrow a TV from someone, and indulge?  Decisions decisions decisions!  :-)

Passion Paris

DID YOU KNOW???

I didn't.

The Passion world tour stopped in Paris on June 3rd, and somehow I missed hearing about it.  Check out the Passion blog for the full story and more pictures...   God showed up HUGE!  What is also very exciting for me is that other people are connecting into the revolution in Paris.  Other people are feeling it, and other people are investing into the grassroots movement for God that is just erupting over there.   It is so exciting to think that I will be there soon. 

Sunday post-game

Wow, what a weekend.  I've been re-reading "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus (one of my favorite speakers) and I am shocked at how differently the book reads with a few years of faith under my belt.    It is a very encouraging book, but also a bit cautionary as I prepare for my current adventure.  It's a good read, full of some amazing quotes (that I cannot recall at this moment... lol)  But somehow, after all is said and done,I think this book sums up the weekend well.

I feel like I got my first real taste of sacrifice this weekend.  Up until now everything I had even come close to giving up were just things.   This weekend I had to consider giving up a piece of my heart.   As I stood there, preparing to step into that pain, I realized that I *could* do it, but that it wasn't what I *should* do.   God wanted me to cast those nets over the side of the boat one more time and see what comes up. (ht: Pastor Mark) I need to find a path to that moment that involves a lot less turmoil...   I don' know if there is one, but I will keep looking for it. 

When the chips were all the way down, my Sister blew me away.  Thank you Teri for stepping in.  That literally changed my world (as you apparently noticed today.)   It's a much less daunting idea to venture out into the journey of a lifetime when you have friends who hold you together.   That factor of comfort is multiplied by one thousand by family doing the same thing...    I feel more prepared than ever.

Tony introduced a fairly new song into the worship rotation this weekend called "Healer."  If you haven't heard it yet, check out his blog for a video and history of the song.   It's amazing, and instantly a favorite for many churches...   such a powerful story.   Tanks for bringing into worship this weekend Tony!

Lastly, it is just nasty hot here in Tulsa right now.   As I write this post, it is still above 80 degrees in my bedroom, and it is after 10 pm.   Interestingly, the high in Paris today was just 76.... (compared to 104 here in Tulsa) man... that sounds like heaven right now.  It's going to be an intense week at work...   but let's get er done.

What did you do this weekend?

We need your help

I'd like to introduce you to my two best friends, Sam and Kaiser.   These are my boys, my babies, and my buddies.  We've been together for a long time, Sam (Labrador) is 9 and Kaiser (German Shepherd) is 6, and I have known them both almost that entire time.   As many of you know, I am headed to Paris in about 50 days, and its impossible for me to take them, so that is why I am asking for your help.   I need to find new homes for these amazing pieces of my life.  

They are *both* absolutely amazing dogs, who are very well trained and very well behaved.   Both are exceptional with kids, loving and very loyal.   They will make a family or person feel very loved and blessed, as they are the epitome of "man's best friend."

So, if you know someone who might be a good fit, please have them get in contact with me.  I would drive almost any distance for the perfect fit of a home for my boys.   Furthermore, I would *love* to keep these guys together, if at all possible, but also realize that is nearly an impossibility.   If you don't know anyone, and aren't interested yourself, then please add us to your prayer list.   This is literally my family, and it will be, and is heartbreaking to split us up, but I truly believe that God will bring the right person along our path.   They will be a blessing to the person who God brings along, and that person will be a blessing to us as well.

Thank you for your prayers, and your help, we definitely need it. - Scott, Sam and Kaiser

Enter the Gauntlet

Doesn't that sound like the title of some awesome movie? Well to me,
it's how life is right now, and will be for quite a while. I am in
the process of training several people at my job, finishing a huge
software development project, and everything associated with heading
to Paris.

I have been so stressed out, and have even felt some cold feet, but
was fortunate today to find all sorts of encouragement in many
places... So tonight, I cannot sleep... Funny how that happens, but
I am just too excited!

So anyway, here it is 11:10 pm and I just decided to randomly post
this meandering message and cool picture of a Parisian morning. We're
getting close.... Man, this is actually happening!!!!! Crazy :)

Random Journaling

Man, it has been so hard to not write a post everyday about what it feels like to be getting ready to leave home.   In fact, this past week had been so busy that I haven't really been able to write much of a post about anything.   But today, as I sit here in my home on a hot Oklahoma Saturday, I am overcome with the realization that all is temporal.   I can more vividly imagine the day that I leave this place, but wonder how it will feel to stand alone at the gate waiting to board a plane to the next chapter of my life.    I expect it will be hard.

Most of my waking time now is spent in deep thought about how to proceed, and how to wrap up my life here.   I dream of all the ways to sell my car sooner than later, and the freedom that will buy (but also sacrifice.)   I try to think of ways that the perfect homes for my beloved dogs will just magically appear in front of me, and then how I will look them in the eyes as I say goodbye.   I wonder too when that will be... it has to be soon...   but then what will it feel like my first night without them?   It will undoubtedly be silent and difficult...   but necessary.

Watching TV last night, I saw an advertisement for a new series starting in October...  I wonder how I will be feeling in October, in a strange country, in a strange city, in some borrowed or rented bed, staring at the pictures of the people I have left back home.   How could I possibly be homesick, when I haven't even left yet...   funny huh.

I can only imagine what must be going through some people's minds as they read this...   the simple remedy is to not go.   The simple answer is to stay in the life that I have created, meet someone, settle down, chill.   Unfortunately however, I really believe that would be the death of me.   That is what I have had to come to terms with as I have faced this decision every day, and had to re-decide, and re-decide, and re-decide. 

No matter how much I am not looking forward to the pain and difficulties ahead, one simple truth continually is revealed in front of me:  I have been created for a time and a circumstance such as this.   I have been brought up, trained, recruited and shaped to raise my hand, and say Here I am God...   Send me.  

I never expected that I would be one of those "missionary" types...  yet suddenly I realize that is exactly who I am.   The problem is, that I never really thought through what a missionary was, and is...   and why they devote their lives to something larger than themselves.  I never thought about what it would take to really make a difference somewhere, anywhere, and the heavy costs associated with that sort of life.  I still don't really think I grasp it, but I do know that I my getting closer to departure date also signifies my readiness.  

I keep thinking about how it will be when I am in Paris, or what it will be like to leave... as if this process has something to do with that actual destination.   What I am realizing more and more is that the process of my mission has already begun.  I am today, and every day seeking God in a way I never knew I could, and looking for his guidance and direction as I make every decision, and plan out my next steps.   And part of that today involved writing this post...   the post about nothing more than how I feel.   Strangely, as I started the post I felt scared...  now as I am finishing it, I feel alive.   Let's do this thing:  T minus fifty-eight days and counting.  

Alright, it's time to get serious

In just two months from this past Tuesday, I am expecting to head overseas to Paris, to volunteer with a church, and see what God can do with my willing heart, hands and mind.   This means that we have crossed a line in my world, and I really need to be ok with asking for support.   So, the bottom line is this, I need your help.  I need your prayers, and I need money.  One-time donations are MARVELOUS, but what I am really asking for, is a monthly continued commitment, for one year, to partner with me for the Paris mission. 

Currently I am raising support to pay for all living expenses, rent, food, transportation etc for this year of service... as I will be unable to legally work in France. Your commitment and partenering will stand to provide the resources to minister and serve the people of Paris, and to give me a place to lay my head at night.  Through the help of several individuals and churches, the funds have been raised to get me to Paris, and now it is time to raise the money to live there.   Your help is deeply needed.

My sponsoring organization is Remnant Ministries, here in Tulsa, and through their sponsorship, all donations to me or to the mission will be completely tax deductible.   Make your checks out to "Scott Mocha c/o Remnant Ministries."  and send them to:

Scott Mocha c/o Remnant Ministries
1700 S. Aspen
Broken Arrow, Ok.
74012

Now I wish I could give you a fancy way to setup an auto-draft or even take your credit cards right here, and right now, but the truth is that we just aren't there yet.   Hopefully we will have the resources soon to setup things like that.   Until then though, please consider doing something to help out.   Unfortunately Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and living there, even quite humbley will be very expensive, so every bit of help is needed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.   That is my shameless plug for the week.   Expect to hear a lot more about this as the time to leave grows near.   Thanks for your consideration, support and friendship.   Together, we are going to do some AMAZING things...   

For the Kingdom,

Scott

Positive Post Tuesday - Pastor Mike

Wow, could I get any cornier for Positive Post Tuesday?   I mean, hey... how much originality does it take to write a positive post about your pastor....   Hopefully that wouldn't be a stretch for anyone...   but that isn't the point of this post. 

This last Wednesday, some very special visitors were coming to our church from Paris as a bit of a summer exchange.   Two Parisian teens from C3Paris came to spend a month living in the USA with Pastor Mike and his family.  While here, they would get to go to Youth camp, go floating down the river for a float trip, and do all the things that crazy American teens do with an active and teen-centered youth group.   They were excited to come, and we were all excited to have them.   But on Wednesday, as they flew into Chicago, a storm blew in and caused countless flights to be canceled and redirected. 

So, here are two teens, who have flown from Paris and are now sitting in Chicago with a canceled flight to their next destination, here in Tulsa.   They have no cell phones, no American money, and are hearing a foreign language pound through the loudspeakers of O'hare airport.   Can you imagine how scary that must have been?

Pastor Mike and Renae Goolsbay were terribly concerned for the kids and with several trips back and forth to the airport, you could hear the determination in their voices as they sought ways to help or change the situation.   On the last return trip to the airport, Pastor Mike jumped on a plane, flew to Chicago, and was determined to find and help these amazing kids find safety and get to Tulsa in one piece.

Two hours later, two weary and very exhausted french teenagers were huddling together in a foreign airport, trying to figure out how to make it through the night when a familiar American voice cut through the noise...   "David, Paola!  Let's get you kids safe." Can you imagine the smiles and the peace that had to come with that voice?   I bet David and Paola have never been so happy to see an American in their lives!   But hey, that's my Pastor and that is just how he rolls. 

So, through the grace of God, Pastor Mike found them in Chicago, he got them on a new plane to Tulsa that same night and found himself stranded in Chicago instead.   As I heard this story Wednesday night, my heart filled with joy; I couldn't have been more proud of my Pastor.  It is such a blessing to have a man serving as our leader who continually makes the right decision, even when it is tough or uncomfortable.  It is as much, or more of a blessing to have this type of man in my life as a mentor, a friend, and a pastor.   Pastor Mike, I salute you!  Thanks for being such a blessing to our church, and to all of us...   You are deeply loved and respected...  (and happy birthday a little early)

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!