October 16, 2012

  • Kingdom Seekers

    my_big_fat_greek_wedding "And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God." (Luke 13:29 KJVR)

    Living in another country has made me much more aware of different cultures than I ever have been before. Our church here in Denmark is a very international church, and this can be both interesting and challenging!

    My husband does pre-marriage counseling, and he often cautions the couples to be aware that they are bringing two distinctly different ways of thinking and acting into their new relationship. Once he had a young couple that was experiencing some difficulty. The husband-to-be was from a German background. In his family, if you were angry or upset about something, you internalized it. You quietly worked it through; keeping your frustrations to yourself. His wife-to-be was from a big Italian family. In this family, if you were upset or angry, it was totally acceptable to yell, slam doors, and be very verbal and emotionally demonstrative about the whole thing. Now, is there a "right" way and a "wrong" way here? Not really. You are just seeing two different styles of working through a problem. But if those two styles are going to marry each other---- wow!

    If you want to enjoy a movie which deals wonderfully with the frustrating and often humorous things that happen when cultures collide, try renting My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding. I appreciate that movie for how it shows two different cultures blending.

    The nice thing about our church here in Denmark is that no matter if your culture is Asian, African, Indian, Scandinavian, American or whatever – in Christ we share one culture, and that is the culture of the Kingdom of God. No matter where we came from, our focus now is on where we are going. We can join together with a common goal, and this makes us family. We are a very diverse family, and sometimes there is some friction, but we just keep applying the word of God to every situation, and this makes all the difference.

    There are some things we do in church which are not "American." I had to get used to this. I was really challenged. I found that many of the things I took for granted as being how "church" is supposed to be, were really just a style I was comfortable with. Sometimes when myself or my husband preaches, we stretch the faith and thinking of our Danish brothers in Christ, because we take them outside their comfort zone. Sometimes the way others in the church from other cultures handle problems and make decisions is not the way I would handle them. But the question here is not about what I think they should do, but about what GOD says is right.

    Often I have to put my "Americaness" aside and ask God what the KINGDOM way is. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33 KJVR)

    Are you seeking the Kingdom of God?

Comments (47)

  • Whose culture is correct? Whose way of doing church is right? Mine of course.

    It is so easy to think that what we are used to or familiar with is the right way. But when we became God's we know have to learn to do it His way.

  • Sometimes I have to do this in the churches I attend here in America.

    ryc. Jammies do not fit the dress code for southern Baptists.  

    Oh... and it is now 3:38AM. I gave up. I slept too long yesterday and I am too wired now. I should be ok.

  • Good morning . Stopped by to wish you a great day

  • Yes! You were first! Woo Hoo!

  • The Internet was giving me problems this morning! Not sure where it was... But it seems to be working for now...

  • Yes! Lite Brites! My sister had one of those - I think. I think she might have read Nancy Drew, too...

  • My husband is Italian (half) and they are a loud, door-slamming bunch of folks.  I, on the other hand, am a peacekeeper (of various ancestory).  I don't want conflict.  I want everything to be fixed.  Now!  Neither are right or wrong but I'm sure my way is right-er!  ha! 

    I hope I'm seeking the kingdom.  Sometimes it's a conscious effort but I'm sure there are times when I'm thinking too much of me to consider that.   

    ryc:  Thanks for the grandpa story.  That was too funny.  I guess that was as close as he was going to get to a real compliment.  :)

  • Awesome uplifting post again..................I do believe that under God we do share one culture....................hugs...........and blessings.........keep these coming.

  • Wonderful post today!!  How very true.  Sometimes we're accustomed to our church service being a certain way because that's what we're used to.  Hope you have an awesome day today!

  • I think I might like the Italian way of handling anger a bit better, at least you know the person is mad...  I LOVED the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

  • wonderful post:) it's so important for missionaries not to impose their "americanity" or whatever their own nationality is upon the culture they are witnessing to- it's hard, I know! thank you for allowing yourself to be stretched and caring more about the Kingdom than about your personal style:)

    good post- as usual:)

  • Having lived in Europe for 6 years I can really relate to this. This is a great way of thinking about it!

  • I am soo sick and tired of boring american churches!  What's with the dumb white guy with a guitar??  lol!  So glad that you get to have variety in your church service and can be challenged in ways that we need to be over here.  Having the dutch/german genes in me, and having gone to that style of church for most of my life, I find african style worship to be enthusiastic and enjoyable - for the most part. lol 

  • Happy citizen of the Kingdom of God, and proud of it!!!!

  • My husband's Mother's family is Sicilian, so, this post hit especially close to home for me. I also thought that movie was funny because of it. They are sooo different than my family. They are a loud and rowdy crowd. In a fun way though. The first time I was around them I probably looked like "a deer in headlights" I love them all very much now though. Thanks for your kind words and well wishes. Only one sick kiddo left. Hopefully she will be all better soon. She actually got well and came down with something else (I guess) But, I am just running on empty. I will survive though.

  • I Imagine that it is diffrent having American ways and having to find what is right where you serve. I am glad that we can all find shelter under the Kingdom of God

  • We own that movie!!!!  Its super good !

      Thanks for you comment.....I sure miss taking to alot of you ladies here on xanga. God bless you hunny bunny.

  • By the way....goood post! 

  • I'd love to hear you preach sometime!

  • I found out  that one of our sons was in Denmark last week.  He had to be there on business.  He spent a total of 24 hours there....not enough time to get into any trouble and I doubt that he got to see any of the sights...

  • Just thought I would drop by and visit.  I like your posts.  Uplifting and practical.  I am glad Denmark's got you in it.  God's Kingdom to the nations.  What a good thing......

  • We've been talking about this topic in our Sunday school class on missions. What is it that you've found most different in churches in Denmark?

  • Good movie and good post - I like that, Kingdom of God encompasses all believers no matter where they live!

    Thanks for your comments too....Mike

  • I think the Kingdom is here and all around us, at least in my heart. It is the way I choose to live. If Christ is the anointed king, then I say we should let him rule and give the opposing one no place to dwell.

  • I go to a church where flipflops amd jeans are totally accepted.  And believe it or not we are Southern Baptist.

  • Thanks again for another good remeinder......it is a privledge to be able to serve in another country, but with it comes many challenges....and even more blessings! Church is one of those challenges, but as I open my eyes and  try love my fellow african believers as Christ does.....what a difference. We have so much to learn from them....not the other way around.....as we sometimes think!!

    Thanks!

  • I hope the PT does some good! It can be hard work! Have a great evening!

  • i wish your husband had done our pre-marriage counceling...maybe we would still be married dealing with "normal" married couple problems!

  • which  one is you in the profile pic?

  • no, you just have more mature taste- movies are pretty dumb:)

  • I just visited Auntlada's site to see read your answer to her question in the comment above.  I thought it was a good question and I was curious to see your answer!  A few years ago my oldest daughter started going to a Spanish church that was held upstairs from our sedate Presbyeterian church.  People wore jeans and walked in and out, and I can still remember her first service there.  Hubby and I thought "surely" the service must be over "by now".. but no... they were still going strong.  Two women walked out and my husband asked one of them..."about what time does the service end?"  and she replied.."when God says it's over."  Oh, that quieted us lol.  Daughter went back to that church the next Sunday and never left until she went to college - she loved the Spanish church.  Actually, the people there were very warm and welcoming and loved her, and took her in to their church family in a way no other church had ever done. I visited once, and still remember the service.  Some people were dancing with tamborines during the singing part of the time.  My Spanish is okay-ish to understand 80% of the language, but I got 100% that they loved God with all their hearts.

    Re your question, my husband and I visited India the first year we were married.  His parents were medical missionaries there.  His parents lived in a small village in India and he and his siblings were sent to a boarding school that was several days journey away by train.  So hubby took me to see where he grew up and went to school, and we also visited other parts of the country.  I see I have written a blog in your comments section!  Also have been here awhile as the phone rang and I came and went..

  • love this movie :o )  your comments about different cultures being one in Christ remind me that every letter my dd has written home from Africa has included something about how wonderful it has been to go to church in a different culture but to feel the brotherhoos and sisterhood of Christ so strongly.  It most definately is  "tie that binds".  How blessed we are to belong to the Family of God.

  • I have some danish ancestry. BTW since you are there LOL what is the suffix "sens" mean at the end of a surname? Or is that not Danish? I was told it meant daughter of...?

  • Amen to that!!! It isn't what "we" think we should do. It's what God "tells" us we should do. Awesome post!

  • Love the message, lots of great stuff you put out there!! We enjoy that movie My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding" its just as you mentioned.

    Have a great week!

  • Hit the nail on the head again, my friend.  My parents do church completely different than we do.  I don't think if it as "right way" or "wrong way" it is just different.  I think God is more interested in what is in our hearts than our methods of Sunday worship.  I still copy and paste your messages to a friend or two that don't xanga.  Thanks!!!!

  • My church is pretty off the main stream I'm told...and I love it! So many enjoyable ways to worship our God...what's not to love about any of them that give Him the glory????

    By the way..how is your back doing?

  • I'm also wondering what unamerican things happen at your church! Unfortunately for us (we are poorer for it) we cannot have our Chinese brothers and sisters in the services with us, but we do get a mixture of some other cultures. Currently we have 3-4 Philipinos attending and sometimes one Swede, but the service is pretty much run by Americans so I don't feel I learn much about other cultures' church practices, and I'd like to.

  • I just love reading all your posts, Mae. You're so insightful, and are truly a woman after God's heart. Thanks for sharing this. I love learning about new cultures and practices, though it's not easy to agree with them all the time!

  • The movie ~ I shall put on my to do list for the summer.... I've heard it is a good one. The message of your post ~ I loved this! Having an international background myself, I appreciate the multi-culturalism of the Kingdom of God! IN CHRIST, WE ARE ONE! Blessings to the Brothers & Sisters of your church from this sister & brother (hubby Mike) here in Ohio. {{hugs to you!} Carolyn

  • lol Frank and I were just talking about this this morning. My hubby and I lack good communication but Frank said,"that's normal." We are different people and we see things so differently.

    When we bought out house 17yrs ago I liked it since all that was in the backyard was grass and fence and I saw no work of tearing out someone else's cacti garden or rocks or bushes. Dave saw a lot of work to do cause it was so empty.lol

  • hear, hear! 

  • Brilliant post, Mae.  I shall have to share.

  • Love your post!

  • i am a christian but i have a friend who is 7th day adventist.  i was telling her about my death experience when i went to the light and was sent back , i am sure you have heard of that from many people a neurosurgeon even had a story on yahoo news about it.  anyway she said that my experience was false it was demons trying to fool me because the bible says that no one goes to heaven until jesus comes to bring us all up together.  she says death is the long sleep because of lazuraus an jesus said my friend is onlly sleeping.  i would like to hear your comments??????? i stil maintain i went to the light it was so vivid and it was so peaceful i was angry that i was sent back.

  • Hi Mae, I see it is tricky having an international type church. I am sure you and you husband have a lot to share when the time comes for those who may follow you in similar pursuits.

    It is nice--we are headed to One Kingdom and He will be the center of attention.

    frank

  • I really like that movie, though when we showed it to the younger girls we explained to them that the right way to do it is wedding first, bed after.  I think my parents had some cultural differences.  My dad was Armenian, and I think they argue a lot.  My mom was Scotch Irish and Dutch.  She held things in.  Maybe if she had yelled at him he would have gotten the message that she was unhappy with his behavior and changed it.  Maybe............

    We saw an example of "Christian culture" in Africa, where people from many different tribes worshipped together.  

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