Latest Travels

We took the train into Montreaux on Thursday. We toured the Chateau de Chillon (pictured behind us) which was a castle used in the 14-15th centuries. It was great to get out and begin exploring the cities around us. Today we had our first hitch-hiking experience up to Villars so that we could post these pictures for you at a wireless cafe. Au'revoir.

Does Christianity Teach Male Headship?

This is the book I just finished, compiled by Don Browning. It is a collection of essays written by experts on the matter. The book had various Biblical interpretations ranging from “the Bible does not teach male headship” to “the Bible defines specific gender roles for male headship.”

I am still putting together my own thoughts on the matter. Thus far, after reading the Bible on this topic, it seems as though many of the verses could be taken out of context. Paul was speaking to a specific culture in Ephesians. And it is not just Ephesians that reference this relationship. Each verse needs to be read within the surrounding text as well as the whole Bible understanding the point of the writing and to whom it was originally directed. We like to simply strip verses from the text and then apply them to our personal lives today. Although the Bible has truth for all ages, we need to read it in context before we pull application from it.

An approach the book speaks contrary to “male headship” is that of the “equal-regard marriage” as an approach to family relationships. I won’t force my opinion on you, but from what empirical evidence has shown me, this seems to be the dual servant-like position that the Bible speaks of. Think about the fact that so many Christian marriages fail. One possible reason for this might be that we are living by a standard that wasn’t meant to be played out in male headship. I try to play out “my role” (I’m mocking the idea of roles) as wife the same regardless of what either interpretation suggests. There is something to what Christ has called men not necessarily the exalted Christ figure, but to the servant that Christ played here on earth, in which he sacrificed his being for those he loved.

If you’re curious, it is actually my husband’s approach that has made me think. I am thankful that he values my thoughts, insight, leadership (yes, I said leadership), love, and respect. I also value all of those things about him. I enjoy being a partner in all ways of life with him. It is my goal to serve him above myself, and he puts me before himself. So, I guess the whole male headship thing is not an issue for us…but wrestling is! ☺

Overwhelmed But Not Overcome

It’s a weird thing leaving behind everything one knows in this world.

It felt uncomfortable leaving California back at the end of June. We said goodbye to what felt like home, the environment we knew, the friends we loved, and a church that we finally were growing in.

It was down right scary to add culture and language to that list… especially knowing we’d be doing so for a more extended period.

Our first night here we were overwhelmed. It was late. It was dark. We couldn’t communicate. We had difficulty figuring out where we were going. We had a few moments of doubt.

But at daybreak we found that we were not alone. We were not lost. We were home. We are in an environment that feels so good. A place to work. A place to think. A place to be real.

(Oh... and the pictures are of our house that we're living in and us on our way to the local village)

Hello Switzerland

We've got good news... No! We're not pregnant, stop thinking that!

We made it to Switzerland!

The most exciting part of the trip was waiting in line to check in at Chicago and hearing them announce a news update had just been released approving electronic devices for travel in a single small carry-on bag. Everyone in line started opening up suitcases to pull out computers, mp3 players and books since prior to that moment we could only take on a plastic bag with our passports, wallets, and a few other travel documents.

Our flight to Chicago was delayed so long that we missed our connection in London. The next flight to Geneva from London was cancelled, so we ended up spending the day in Heathrow waiting for the evening flight which brought us to Geneva much later than expected. We caught the evening train to Aigle but arrived too late to catch the last bus to Huemoz. We were forced to take a taxi (much more expensive!) to L'Abri and showed up at their doors at 11:30pm.

Oh well, it was a fun and enjoyable experience nonetheless and we're here. We're making new friends (with whom we'll be living for the next 4 months). There are about 30 of us living in one house... almost like dorms all over again. We were given a room with bunk bed... which we quickly disassembled to make a queen on the floor with the two mattresses. Our room is right at the top of the stairs on the floor we all stay on so we get to watch everyone walk past as they come and go (the best location to get to know people and make friends).

We don't have any way of posting pictures yet... we need to find an internet cafe that has wireless internet... hopefully soon.

Crazy

It seems to me that we do not often hear the whole story of the faith process. We hear sermon illustrations and read Christian living books that tell us brief stories of people who took a “leap of faith.” We make it sound like blind faith and we miss the part of the story that led up to the people taking that step. You see, blind faith is an oxymoron. Faith is belief based on the evidence we experience in our lives. These leap of faith stories are more aptly Christ moving one to do something that seems completely rational but may seem crazy to others who do not understand their personal relationship with God.

Many of the “crazy” things we do are not really so crazy. “Crazy” is a label given by our culture based on what is termed normal or not. As Pastor Phil always says, “Christianity is a rebellion against the status quo.” It’s intentional and with reason. There’s nothing “blind” about it.

In application to our own lives, we are going to Switzerland because we have both felt, for similar and different reasons in our relationship with Christ, that this is where we are supposed to be for a time. Some have thought this to be a crazy decision, a “leap of faith, something that we need to do to get “out of our system” and “while we are young.” Although it will be a stretch for us in many ways, it seems completely rational to us. The evidence that we have in our hearts and minds is overwhelming. We both know this is where we have to be. We believe this is the next step in our life that we have to take before we can be more effective people with a purpose. It’s because of our communication with God, and where He has been leading us, but it doesn’t mean that He is leading you there.

However, if God makes himself evident in your life, you better do something about it even if your culture (which may include your Christian culture) says it is crazy.

Family Requisites

One thing non-Palpants don't know is that every Palpant must have a picture on the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lion shrine... every time we're in town.