A Cartoon Thanksgiving

“I’m not an artist. I’m a cartoonist.”

I’ve said these words more than I can count…and I’m thankful for it.

For as long as I can remember, I have been able to draw cartoons. That’s it. Cartoons. Sure, I can maybe fudge my way around a watercolor when I have to, but in the end…I’m still just a cartoonist.

The first time I remember really realizing this—and garnering the attention you can receive from drawing funny pictures—was in kindergarten. This was in 1966 and the Batman TV series was at the height of its popularity. It was at this time that (during playtime) I would take some crayons and construction paper and draw Batman. After I’d finish one, I’d give it to one of the kids watching over my shoulder. I have to admit; my little 6 year old heart and head loved having that crowd of classmates around me—oooing and aahing as I colored the Caped Crusader.

I was hooked.

I quickly learned the fastest way to break the social ice and make friends in school was to draw funny pictures, and it really helped me when we moved away from my hometown for two years and had to start anew in different schools. Then, it REALLY helped in high school where I honed my ability to do caricatures. Getting sent to Principal Sater’s office for caricaturizing him as Frankenstein’s monster was one of my personal highlights.

And I thought I was the luckiest guy in the world when I got to be a cartoonist for a living. Out of college, I worked my way through a handful of newspapers before landing my dream job: Editorial cartoonist for The Dallas Times Herald—a Pulitzer Prize winning major daily newspaper. Things got a little heady when my cartoons started regularly appearing in Newsweek, The New York Times and, The Washington Post. And just like little 6 year Danny in kindergarten, I loved the attention (and respect) garnered from having my work published nationally.

A little TOO much.

I began obsessing over this—landing in Newsweek. I would run to the nearest newsstand each Monday, rifling through the latest Newsweek—heart pounding—hoping…wishing…even praying that one of my cartoons had made it on to their Perspectives page. And when one of my cartoons did…it was like a drug! A huge rush! I would walk back to the newspaper, head swirling in ego…then pretending like it wasn’t a big deal to everyone else.

But it WAS a big deal to me.

Deep down…in that dark and secret place of my heart…it was a huge deal! It somehow validated me. Getting reprinted nationally became my idol…and I would have done anything to appease it. Which is one of the main reasons why it hurt so badly when The Dallas Times Herald closed its doors in 1991—ending my career as an editorial cartoonist.

I thought it was the end of the world, but in reality…it was the beginning of something new…and healthy…and right. The closing of the Times Herald doors marks the opening of my heart to God.

Since that fateful day in December of 1991, God has continued to pick away at that dark and secret place in my heart…and do a mighty work. He has painstakingly walked me through my own “valley of the shadow of death” and helped me kill that greedy, lusting part of my life that had become an all-consuming, unquenchable fire of ego. Honestly. I wouldn’t have done it on my own. Left up to me, I would still be craving and lusting after that attention.

Which brings me to another school and another time.

Last week I was in Kabul, Afghanistan with a team of men from Flatirons visiting our partner organization. We were asked to paint the walls of the cafeteria at the new school—a haven for the street kids of Kabul. Someone suggested that I draw some cartoons to decorate the walls; fun pictures for the kids to enjoy as they ate their free lunch.

As I worked on these pictures (painting side-by-side with one of the school’s leaders) I was struck by the difference a few years can make. 

I am still able to make friends and break the ice with a funny picture, but God has taken this odd, little gift He’s given me and allowed me to use it for His purposes. He had redeemed the brokenness in my heart and made it new…and healthy…and right.

Paul writes in Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." 

I used to question God about my fatal career as an editorial cartoonist. I doubted His goodness when The Dallas Times Herald closed down, and I often wondered what the heck He was doing (or NOT doing) with this gift He’d given me.

But sitting on that dirty school floor last week in Kabul…next to my fellow Afghan cartoonist…decorating walls for kids who might never see or meet me…I was humbled and grateful. Grateful that all things DO work for the good…according to His purpose.

So, in this week of Thanksgiving, I am grateful that Crayola pictures of Batman in kindergarten led to…caricatures of Mr. Sater in high school…which led to President Bush in The Dallas Times Herald and Newsweek…which eventually led to a school basement in Kabul.

And I love God all the more for it. Happy Thanksgiving!  

        

—Dan   

Team Players

Wednesday, November 20, 2013 - Kabul, Afghanistan

There is a given with any Flatirons trip to visit one of our partner organizations: Every team has its own personality. You take a group of people, each with their own personalities, quirks, desires, and way of connecting...put them together for several days and the group takes on a life of its own.

As a whole, this 2013 men's team is a VERY fun group of guys. One of the group put it this way, "I don't think I've ever laughed this much...when beer wasn't involved!"  It's true. There's been more laughing and cutting up with this trip than any trip I've taken...in Colorado or Texas.

We've got seven guys on this men's trip to Afghanistan and I can't help but categorize them, like America did with The Beatles in the 60s (John is the "smart one", Paul the "cute one", etc.). Here's how I've broken down this team down in alphabetical order:

Bob is our wise and gentle leader...

Brad is our deep thinker...

David is our well-traveled, grizzled vet...

Jake and Jim are our young, wide-eyed first timers...

...and Zeke is our prankster.

Of course, each of these men are so much more, but it gives you a quick idea of their personalities and how they might play into the team dynamics.

So, each morning we've been getting up and going through a devotion centering the life of Abraham--the key (and common) Bible character in the 3 main world religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. This morning we started by answering the question, "Have you ever had God speak to you?"

Now, this team was put together half a year ago. We've gone through several trainings and prep meetings, and we've done a handful of social get togethers too. So, when Zeke answered, "Yeah, about 10 years ago when I kicked meth" and tried to continue, I blurted out, "Whoa! Whoa! Hold on there cowboy! You're going to have to explain that one!"

Zeke went on to share his story of being addicted to meth...of trying to get help and getting no answer from 8 clinics and a, "We're full, but good luck getting help" from another...and then, of his dream, where Jesus sat next to Zeke and told him he needed to change. Zeke finished by telling us he kicked meth the next day...with no help from anyone...except Jesus.

Some of the guys already heard Zeke's story the night before, but the old farts (yours truly) who went to bed early missed it...and sat there with our mouths hanging open...amazed at his story...and the way God works. As I already wrote, this team of 7 (now sitting in a living room in Kabul) had been picked 6 months ago...from a pool of about 20 men who were interested in joining us in Afghanistan and we interviewed.

And the devotion we were doing this morning...dealing with how God speaks to us...was prepared and written and printed almost 2 months ago...long before any of us knew anything about Zeke's story. And I was struck by these two truths:

God is always SO far ahead of us; orchestrating every step we make and piecing together our lives...like little, brightly colored tiles into one, big, beautiful mosaic.
God is at work in lives of the people in this church we call Flatirons like I have never experienced before...and a lot of times, I get a front row seat to it!

I know God can do anything and that He is in the redeeming business, I just never saw it as blatantly and in-your-face before as I do at Flatirons now. Maybe it's because I wasn't looking hard enough before or maybe it's because people are SO much more open and honest about their past mistakes here.

I don't know. All I really know is this, I love it!

And I love that God was WAY out ahead of us, planning, preparing and orchestrating the paths of:

- a BMW repair shop owner
- a charter school CPA
- a former editorial cartoonist
- a world-traveling engineer
- two best buds since childhood and...
- a former meth head

Working in the lives of each of us and putting us all together to do His will in Kabul, Afghanistan. No one could ever (or would ever) even think of doing things this way except God...and I am forever humbled and thankful.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."   Isaiah 55:8-9

Dan

Map

Tuesday, November 19, 2013 - Kabul, Afghanistan

We went to Istalif today--a beautiful little village north of Kabul known for its vineyards and pottery. Me? I think, more the clay pots, it should be known for its kabobs.

Our 2012 men's team traveled up to Istalif in April to visit the clinic our partner established and supported. We also ate kabobs by the river and...hands down...kabobs by the river was (and is) one of my top 5...maybe top 2...favorite meals of all time.

Istalif, this (now) idyllic community, was a place completely devastated and destroyed by the Taliban during the war in the 90s. The Taliban took a slash-and-burn approach when they seized control of Istalif, cutting down or burning almost every tree and grapevine in town. But over the last 15 years the people of Istalif have slowly rebuilt this area into the small, thriving community it is today.

And all it took was a map.

Sitting there by the river today, waiting for these delicious lamb kabobs, cooked by a local vendor over a small wood grill about the size of a computer keyboard, we were told the story of the rebuilding of Istalif--and the turning point in its reconstruction. Our host explained that after the war the community of Istalif was fractured and unable to unite and help each other. There was infighting and distrust which stopped any chance of rebuilding.

Then, someone got the idea to draw up a map--one showing each of the various neighborhoods in Istalif. The map ended up serving as a great tool in showing this war-torn, fractured community where each person fit into the community as a whole--giving everyone in Istalif a "big picture" look of their home...and of their neighbor's homes.

Map = Community.

A map is really just a diagram. A diagram of the many parts that make up the whole...and the best way to see where you are...and how to get to where you want to go. I couldn't quit thinking today that it's the same with the church. The church is just a picture of a body of many parts--the Body of Christ. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:12, "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."

And just like those folks in Istalif, if we don't look at the big picture to see where each of us fits into the whole...we're in trouble. We will miss our connection with each other (called "community") and we miss our connection with Christ. What would those people of Istalif have done if they hadn't seen that map...the big picture...and started helping each other? They would have continued to flounder and struggle...and eventually...their community would have collapsed in ruin. Likewise, if we, as part of a church called: Flatirons, don't draw together in community...we will eventually struggle, and without any support, we will also collapse in ruin.

A sobering thought.

One of the best things that happens on these men's trips is the connection (and community) that is built. The 7 of us have already bonded as a group of men from Flatirons with a connection that I know will carry on long after we have returned home, and this trip is a mere memory. I mean, spend 10 solid days together traveling, laughing, eating and doing life together...and you've got something. Paul called it a body of many parts. We call it church.

And a church can be anywhere. It can be at 355 W. South Boulder Road in Lafayette, CO...and it can also be along a river side in Istalif, Afghanistan. Each one a holy place where you can bump into Jesus.

Dan

Dust

Monday, November 18, 2013 - Kabul, Afghanistan

Flying from Dubai into Kabul is jarring. One city, an oasis in the desert...the epitome of wealth, modernity and opulence. The other, the polar opposite...a dust-covered throwback to a hard time pre-dating the gas engine and indoor plumbing.

As we descended over the jagged, snow covered, ridges of the Hindu Kush Mountains, Kabul came into view. First, the sight of thousands of small brick and mud homes...the perimeter of each home encased by a mud and brick privacy wall. Huge industrial lots filled with cargo containers stacked upon cargo containers. Then, as the jet engines revved and the landing gear dropped, we could see, sitting in a haloed cloud of dust and exhaust fumes, the center of Kabul.

And it was beautiful.

Like everyone else I know who has visited Kabul, I fell in love with this place when I came here a year ago in April with a team of men from Flatirons. It is a noisy, frenetic, busy place clogged with trucks and cars and boys on bicycles. The streets are lined with men in shop doorways...and women covered in burkas...and children running, dodging the traffic...and soldiers at checkpoints. As we dart back and forth through the (insanely hard to describe) rush hour traffic we can see stores and shops and businesses that seem to repeat themselves again and again: a produce stand, a naan bakery, a butcher, a rug dealer, a parts shop, a produce stand, a butcher, a naan bakery...and so on.  

We were warmly greeted at the guest house (our home for the next several days) by our friends--the staff from our partner, based in Kabul. It was a time (for some of us) to get reacquainted with our old friends...and a time (for others) to meet these amazing people and start relationships that with leave indelible marks on their hearts and souls...the same way our hearts have been marked.

Then we ate...and we ate...and we ate because they feed us (and treat us) like kings here.

After a sound night's sleep, we spent the morning in discussion, and debrief, and in devotion. We're going to look at the life of Abraham on this trip--a man called "God's Friend" and a main character in the story of the three main religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Then, we ate...again before heading out to the little village of Barek Aub, a community of displaced Afghans that Flatirons has been trying to support and help for over 7 years. As we made the hour drive from Kabul to Barek Aub, I was struck by the amount of dust everywhere. It hung in the air all the way from Kabul out to the tiny community of Barek Aub.

Dust. Dust everywhere, reminding me of what the world was like when Jesus walked it. It had to be worse back then. Walking everywhere. Heads, beards, feet...covered in dust and dirt. Feet that needed to be washed...by a Savior...a lesson to be learned in what's expected as a follower of Him.

There's an old Jewish saying that goes like this, "May you be covered by the dust of your rabbi." Meaning this, may you be so closely connected and involved in the life and work of your rabbi that you are completely covered in his dust. I know that each of us on this trip wants to be as closely connected as possible to our rabbi and Savior, Jesus. Walking through Barek Aub, it's so evident that the followers of Jesus who call themselves Flatirons Community Church have had a great impact on the lives of these Afghans collected on the side of this mountain. The well. The school. The clinic. All evidence of our faith...lived out through generous giving.

But the thing that keeps gnawing at me...standing on the dusty streets of Barek Aub, driving the dusty Afghan roads, and sitting here...staring out the dust covered windows of the guest house is this: Am I covered by dust too?

And the answer hurts.

I wish I could say that the dust of Jesus covers me, but the truth is, most of the time, I'm covered in my own dust--dirt from my own selfish interests and self pursuits...more interested in my own comfort, than my character...which can only be honed by closely following Jesus.

I hope and pray that when we come home from this beautiful, dirty, dusty land...and once we've washed the dust of Afghanistan from our clothes...that each of us remains dusty and dirty...

...and that we're completely covered in the dust of our Rabbi.

Dan

Wrecked

Saturday, November 16, 2013 - Dubai, UAE

"Your second trip into Afghanistan is always the hardest."

I have heard this over and over again as our 2013 Flatirons Men's Team has prepared for the trip to visit our partner in Kabul. I know these aren't empty words because the warnings have come from people I love and trust...people who have made multiple trips into this beautiful, exotic part of the world...and people who know firsthand what to expect. 

So, I know this has to be true.

Even so, I don't know what really to do with this...or how to prepare for its inevitable reality. I guess it's going to be a hard trip. Period.

Still, it feels very much like the last trip I took here: 

The packing...

The re-packing...

The sudden realization that I forgot something (at least THIS time it wasn't my underwear!)...

The multiple flights and connections...and the seemingly endless lines of customs and security...where I have quickly learned that humorless, bureaucratic, desk jockies are all the same whether they're in the good, old U.S. of A. or on foreign soil.

But the main thing that feels the most familiar about this trip to Afghanistan is that I am (once again) joined by another great group of guys from Flatirons Community Church...and partnered up to lead again with my good friend Bob Tunnell -- one of the kindest, most generous men I've ever come across.

I don't know why the second time around in Afghanistan is so hard on folks. I've heard it explained this way; it has to do with the eventual comparison with your first, life-altering trip here. One good friend told me, "In your second trip, you experience a whole new level of Afghanistan, one that was almost hidden your first go-around. The first time, you're taking everything in, but the second time, you're seeing smaller details...and it wrecks you."

This surprises me because I feel like my first trip here wrecked me. When I came home from Kabul a year and a half ago from our 2012 Men's Team trip, I was dazed...amazed...confused...in awe...and anxious to return.

Now, laying here in our hotel in Dubai...I am anxiously waiting to get on the plane for Kabul tomorrow to get "wrecked" again. I can't wait to re-connect with our friends in Afghanistan...to eat with them...to laugh together...to share...and to continue the hard work of building a bridge of relationship; a bridge between the hopeless...and the hopeful.

Whatever happens on this trip...on this team...and in Afghanistan over the next several days, I pray that God will bless it...use it...and wreck us all...for His glory.

Dan

More Than We Can Handle

Here's some good stuff from our friend Kevin Vannorsdel. Check it out.

-Dan

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“More Than We Can Handle”

Recently I was in a discussion where someone mentioned that “God wouldn't give us more than we can handle”.  It seems like this idea surfaces every now and then and often I am unsure exactly how to respond.  I thought given the recent events here in Colorado, it would be good to examine the idea just briefly.

The use (or mis-use) of certain Bible verses in today’s culture is one of my favorite topics [1].  It turns out that the notion that God won’t give us more than we can handle falls squarely into this category.  The Bible simply doesn't make this claim.

So where does the idea come from?  I am actually not sure, the closest verse that I can find is in 1 Corinthians [2]:

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Of course it is plain to see that here Paul is talking about temptation specifically and not “hard times” in general. 

So what does the Bible say about protection from suffering?  Unfortunately in my view, not much!  In fact it seems that suffering is a very integral part of life as a Christian.  All of us in the ultimate sense, will eventually die from something that is greater than “we can bear” [3]. Take a look at the book of Job, consider the life of Jesus himself, have a look at the lives of those in the early church (Acts).   Suffering seems to be an integral part of the Christian experience.  I’m not exactly happy about it but I am not defeated by it either.

Numerous passages discuss how we are to be “Joyful” in the face of sufferings.  These passages at first glance can be extremely hard to stomach and may seem nearly impossible to make real in our lives.  Perhaps someday I can share with you some about my journey through these concepts.  Suffice it to say that there are some VERY real reasons that we indeed can be joyful when suffering comes our way [4].

One of my favorite passages in this regard is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.   I've written a bit about this previously here:  http://flatironsmen.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-desert-song_26.html  .   I noticed that Trent has referenced some of these passages in his blog posts as well.

The bottom line is this:  God never promised to protect us from suffering in this life.   In fact, just the opposite seems to be true [5].  We certainly all will experience hard times that are “more than we can handle”.  God does ask us to depend upon him during these times.  He promises to ride with us through them, to help us learn from them, and to use them in our lives for good.  Frankly, I wish things were different, but I’ve decided that God knows more about this than I do.  I hope you have too!

-Kevin

[1] See “The Most Misused Verses in the Bible” by Eric Bargerhuff for some interesting reading on the topic.

[2] Jim actually referenced this verse last weekend in his sermon.  Of course he used it properly!

[3] Unless Jesus returns first!

[4] Some of these reasons are not so obvious but are indeed satisfying.

[5] I highly recommend a book by RC Sproul entitled “Surprised by Suffering”.

Our good friend Trent Culver has some wise words for us--a great "Me Too" addition to the Men's Blog. Enjoy.

--Dan Foote

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

We resist adversity. Should we? God uses adversity in our lives to create character and wisdom and to draw us and others to His light.

"His light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5

  

Perhaps I'm too thick headed, stubborn or stupid to seek God in good circumstances. 

Why is it easier to contemplate and consider God when I'm off center and otherwise out of balance?

Is this indicative of the human condition?

Christ died while we were still sinners. He didn't come for the healthy, he came for the sick. It is much harder, perhaps impossible, to acknowledge my utter dependence on Christ when I perceive myself healthy.

On a base understanding of God, this makes no sense. This world, by itself, offers nothing of eternal significance.  

"Every good and perfect gift comes from above" (James 1:17).

God brings eternal significance to our lives. Without Him, we are nothing. Our lives and relationships carry no lasting meaning without Christ. Our earthly circumstances, good or bad, are irrelevant when related to eternity.

-- Trent Culver