As I write this, Tommy and Kevin are being broadcast live on the internet as they near the top of the Dawn Wall on El Cap for a successful ascent of THE PROJECT! Their celebration will be sweet and they will be worthy of a hardy congratulation as they will have finally completed the hardest big wall, free climb in the world. The doubt before the dawn, Pitch 15! With the ascent all over mainstream media, have you tried to share with a non-climber the significance of their ascent? Not easy is it? In the same way, Christ-followers face similar difficulties in communicating Jesus Christ to those who havent yet grasped the worth of a relationship with Him. Lets take a look at why communication is hard in both circumstances and consider ways to improve it in the later. If you hadnt heard about THE PROJECT until recently, it means you werent paying attention for the last six years to its coverage on the web or in print. We had the privilege of enjoying the attempts, failures and successes in our little climbing community bubble. But in early January, it all changed as their attempt burst into the mainstream press, propelled by a New York Times article. It was amazing to see climbing receive so much attention but at the same time, the collective cringes that the climbing community took upon hearing some of the coverage has left us disfigured. The climbing the media quickly poked fun at those comments with Dead Point Magazine posting 7 Hilarious Dawn Wall Quotes by the Mainstream Media which included this quote from Independent UK, Apart from the ropes that they bolt to the rock as they go, and their smartphones, they are alone. Clearly, especially when it first became a mainstream story, reporters understanding of climbing was very limited. Furthermore, non-climbers took this opportunity to lecture Tommy and Kevin, and the climbing community in general, about Why the Dawn Wall Climb Is Dumb. The New York Times posted some of those comments online. One of the most poignant is Strikes me as a dumb way to spend ones time. Dangerous, and for what purpose? A thrill. One should devote such considerable energies to something more constructive. By the end, most of media had gotten up to speed and could explain to their audiences what a free climb versus aid climb was all about and share the incredible effort it too. But if you havent worked your way up through grades (even if its far from 5.14+), projected climbs, failed and come back for more, then you have no way to put this into perspective. Additionally, even climbers who havent done a big wall (aid or free) have a limited understanding of what they have accomplished. So without framework, many will not be able to begin to relate to the significance of free ascent of the Dawn Wall. In the same way, the lack of context often produces difficulties when we share our faith. What are the reasons for this? Here are several to consider. Mystery of the Message: In Colossians 4:3-4 (ESV), the Apostle Paul writes, At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison- that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. The message of redemption was indiscernible by man; God had to reveal it. This revelation has been made to all mankind but needs to be made to each one individually. Pray for God to revel Himself to the ones you share with and give them space to hear God speaking to them. Ignorance of the Message: They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. (Ephesians 4:18. NIV) This self-produced ignorance will keep them blinded from the truth. Pray for open eyes. From DC Talks album Supernatural, the lyrics from the song The Truth are so encouraging: The truth is out there, the truth is out there. I am living proof that the Spirit moves. Its a Holy interceding absolute. Enemy of the Message: Jesus reminds of this truth in John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. The context is that Jesus is the Shepherd we are to follow. The thief refers to false teachers who say the way to full life is not through Jesus. The enemy (from other passages we understand him to be the devil) will do all he can to make the person you are sharing with hear a distorted message. Now, while I dont see much point in trying to communicate more to a non-climber about the significance of the Dawn Wall, I do urge you to work hard at developing a context for the message of Christ to be heard by a climber. Start by establishing a relationship, (this doesnt necessarily need to be a long process). Then have the courage, under the Holy Spirits direction, to give witness. Many will not to grasp its worth, but we must move upward on this big wall because the consequences of them not receiving the Message are so significant. Pray for the Mission Trip to Mexico and Cuba! Please pray daily according to this schedule: 1/22 USA Members* Arrive in Mexico City and stay in the area. 1/23 Travel to Pachuca Area for Mexico National Conference, approximately 30 will be in attendance. 1/24 Mexico National Conference with climbing outreach. 1/25 Mexico National Conference, PM Return Mexico City area. 1/25 Remaining USA Trip Members Arrive in Mexico City, all gather for training. 1/26 Fly to Havana, Cuba, travel to Vinales, stay at Campismo Dos Hermanas 1/27-29 SRCFC Cuban National Conference, approx. 25 will be in attendance. 1/29-2/1 Cuban National Climbing Competition & Outreach 2/1 Church in the morning and travel to Havana in afternoon. 2/2 Fly from Cuba to Mexico. 2/3 Travel home. Please pray for the members by name: From USA - Adam & Brandon Ermatinger (Oregon)*, Kent Vogel (Oregon), Torrey Piatt (Oregon)*, Roger Kubly (Texas)*, Calvin Landrus (Oregon)*, Trevor Barry (Oregon), Daniel Rova (Washington), Selma Nunes (Virginia), and Matt Fultz (Idaho/Utah). (Note: USA members marked with * will be part of the Mexico Conference.) From Mexico - Lynnette Mujica (Mexico City), Arturo Cervantes (Michoacan), Natalie Carrillo (Michoacan), Yakill Maldonado (Mexico City), Isaac Martinez (Mexico City), Daniel Ramirez (Texcoco), and John Unruh (Hidalgo). From Cuba - Justo Fidel Piñeiro (Sancti Spíritus), Héctor Días Marín (Sancti Spíritus), Osmany Porrero García (Clara), Lianet de Pedro Delgado (Clara), Yamil Rodriguez Guzmán (Clara), Rafael Roche (Clara), Pedro Alí (Habana), Arturo Artemisa (Habana), Edgar Riveri (Viñales), Fidel (Viñales), Maikel Gomez (Sancti Spíritus), and Yadira Gomez (Sancti Spíritus). Please pray these specific requests: Pray for all the details each one must attend to before leaving. Pray for the teams protection and unity before, during and after the trip. Pray for protection from the enemy as this continues to be new ground and the enemy will try to disrupt our efforts. Pray for provisions for all to go and for the general fund donations to replenish the funds that make the program part of the trip happen. Pray for open hearts and minds for many to come to salvation and many to grow in their faith.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:03:42 +0000
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