http://disqus.com/by/whitebullrunning/enThu, 02 Jul 2009 10:57:02 -0000http://www.chrisheuertz.com/post/129370149#comment-12033002<p>From a fellow traveler on the road to Freedom with very similar experiences in different areas of struggle and healing, I need to say that what you've written is probably the most beautiful and Truthful witness to the Power of Love that I've ever read.</p><p>I'm crying right now, overwhelmed at seeing the Grace Jesus has given you &amp; am filled with desire to experience His powerful Love again. I'm SO thankful that you're writing this. Words cannot express...thank you, thank you, thank you... LOVE sets us free!<br></p>whitebullrunningThu, 02 Jul 2009 10:57:02 -0000http://ifiblogged.tumblr.com/post/40666254#comment-1084681<p>Chris, first of all I want to thank you for bringing up this conversation, it is DEFINITELY a conversation that the church needs to begin to have. I agree that we need to honestly estimate the cost of our exposure among those who are very oppressed and I'm so thankful that you articulated this Truth: that the luxury of gaining the simple exposure<br>now makes us indebted to the community which graced us with this opportunity - and I see the freedom in living an indebted, enslaved life to Jesus (which is worked out in our relationships with those who are oppressed).</p><p>Honestly, though, I feel you're being really harsh against "adventure junkies". I am a self-confessed adventure junkie. I love excitement, danger, new things, extreme experiences, and it was a desire for these experiences that led me to travel throughout the world and form relationships with the poorest, the most oppressed, the abused, the trafficked. Sure, adventure was never the core reason (which was my covenant-relationship with Jesus), but it was part of the reason I first left my comfortable suburban existence to immerse myself in the suffering of my brothers and sisters worldwide.</p><p>This "adventure tourism" did eventually provoke me to years of thoughtfullness, prayerfullness, and eventually to action. Adventure and Deep Thinking are so ingrained in my personality - and I don't feel the slightest bit of guilt I'm proud to be super adventurous. Yes, adventure for adventure's sake to simply get a new "shocking" experience, is selfish, and a slap in the face to our brothers and sisters who suffer in the majority world, however, don't throw out "adventure junkies" just because some have misused their freedoms (and no one here is fully counting that cost) and cursed the Grace of God by allowing the suffering to continue.</p><p>I would rather allow the Grace of God to continue and send out over thousands of "adventure junkies" knowing that only a few of their lives would be changed, then deny so many that Grace of God because their motivations are impure. It is often in the crucible of these experiences that totally impure motivations are refined and brought into submission with the Heart of Jesus. I strongly feel that the main problem is not what we do or even why we do it but how we are changed through those experiences into Christ-like people and how they Bless and empower us to bring freedom to our brothers and sisters, because the Truth is (and you know it) that no one with 'extreme experiences' among the most oppressed can afterwards live an honest life and not find themselves fully involved in fighting for the freedoms of others, living simply, giving up everything. This is without exception, even among adventure junkies like me. If someone finds that they can return to living as if they have no relationship with those who are oppressed, then that person is only living a lie.</p><p>I appreciate so much what you're sharing, the wisdom and Truth that fills your words, but don't deny the Grace of God to people just because they might or will misuse it or because their personality is different. I strongly feel that Grace needs to be unconditionally given to all people to enter into experiences among the poorest and most oppressed - regardless of whether or not we trample upon it. This is the beauty of Grace and our Loving God. It is up to each of us to decide what actions we need to take after entering into these experiences - and we have only one judge who has the final say on whether or not we are doing what is right according the experiences we've had. It is the Spirit of God who buys us, who redeems us and who directs our steps and if He loves us as much as He says He does, then He will pursue us until we submit, allow His Grace to fill us and change us into the people He wants us to be and empower us to bring freedom to others and live in the Truth. This is not so much about the character of broken people but the character of our Loving God. If we trust in the character of God and His Love then we can trust that He will bring about a good outcome, good character, good actions through these experiences both in the lives of the adventure junkies that He has called by name and CHOSEN SPECIFICALLY for that purpose and in the lives of the oppressed who have been further stripped of dignity and value by adventure junkies.</p><p>Don't throw out advenure junkies just because a few have never come around to living in the Truth (and we are all on that journey) - it is often adventure junkies, those who have enough courage to risk new and threatening experiences and have the willingness to see their lifestyles change, that make change happen. Thank you for awakening in people like me a desire to accept the full Grace of God according to the incredibly extreme experiences we've had and live a life filled with Love for those who are hurting, addicted, oppressed, used, and enslaved. It is all about Love and you've made that pretty darn clear. Please don't misunderstand, I know everyone tells me I sound harsher when I write than when I speak and I feel it's the same for you. I love the Truth you bring to this conversation which is shown True by the Word of God and fully validated through my own experience. Peace be with you, bro.</p>whitebullrunningSun, 03 Aug 2008 06:54:19 -0000