hbadgley

[hbadgley]

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subject to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Romans 8.19-21 Sing praises to the Lord for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Isaiah 12.5

[hbadgley]

Soon we’ll make it up there. #rainer #campmuir

[hbadgley]

Home

I recently preached on The Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 at Communitas, the church in Spokane that I consider home. Right now, I’m in Seattle at my home for the summer, Lisa’s house. In a month I will go back to Spokane to “the Homestead,” my home I’ve made with some Whitworth dudes. And I return to my first home with my family in Haines. Those places each remind me of rest. They are places where I can default. Where I can let my guard down. Where I know that there is no point in faking “it” because the people at home would know its not me. 

Back to Acts- at the very end of the chapter, Paul and Barnabas both begin mission journeys - but they separate from each other because of a dispute. They no longer had the relationship that had united them together, allowing the gospel to be heard as if there was tv broadcasting twenty centuries ago. It is a sobering reminder that human relationships are flawed, and that the apostles, full of the Spirit, weren’t even exempt from the brokenness.

The reason that I mentioned my homes is that they are formed by the people that I live with, not by the buildings or my beds or even the comfort foods and coffee. The problem with this model is that I fail those people who I live with. And they fail me. Paul and Barnabas parted ways because they couldn’t agree on whether or not to bring a man with them who had previously failed them. So they both did their own thing. If you read on you can see that they both end up being instruments of the gospel whom God is clearly advocating for. 

So I’m learning (slowly) that I should make faith my home. It is a hard lesson for me to learn because I am comfortable here. I am comfortable in my homes with my people. I want to be with them, to know them, and share myself with them. But, the reality is those will always be tainted relationships. As good as they may seem at times we will get in fights. We will disappoint each other. Its a reason to prioritize faith. God is steady and we are wavering. He is the rock when even Peter (or Paul) turns to sand. Where is home for you? Can it become far greater than the good you have now? Or redeem the brokenness you live through now? yes. You might  still feel broken, on a rocky road, and we know that for Paul and many of his contemporaries it led to premature death. It may be less comfortable, especially at first, but who wants life to be all comfort anyway? Lets begin searching for our new home.

[hbadgley]

Near Sighted

I have noticed, this summer, that when I drive it takes awhile longer for street signs to come into focus than it does for my friends with more perfect vision. I thought my eyes were 20/20. Although, the last time I was at an eye doctor was elementary school.

I had the privilege this week to drive from Spokane back to Seattle and experience the most beautiful sunset. The blue pastels and the deep oranges as well as the sun beaming on my face was enchanting. I wished I could capture it, but even if I had taken out my phone, the camera would not portray the experience of this sunset. The bight colors fading and then coming back as I drove around mountains, finally, faded into dusk. The deep rich colors brought me peace. I was in awe. It made that last hour of the drive fly by much more quickly that it normally might. 

The sight that was so captivating for me is not so for many of our neighbors here in Washington. As I drive down the interstate, others have lost their cars. As I take in the views, there are those who no longer have a home. As I focus in and enjoy the colors and the mystery and the occasional glimpse of the mountain, other families wrestle with the fact that they have to start over again.

So often we become captivated by our own experience. We want to fulfill our personal desires. We want as much of it as possible and we, at least, I, often forget that most of the story of what I consume is all a blur. The reality is that when I get up close I see that there is more. There is innovation. There is waste. There is destruction. There is new hope. There are relationships built and relationships broken. There is time. The clothes I buy and the coffee I drink and the gasoline that allows me to move my car; they all have stories. And because there are people and our world involved, those stories are each of value. 

I wish I could tell everyone to just buy organic food. To only shop secondhand at thrift stores. To consume fair trade coffee. That that's knowing the story enough. But, organic food can still come from a monoculture that is ultimately unsustainable. Goodwill apparently does not pay some employees even close to a living wage. And so much is spent on a “fair trade” label, that much of the premium pricing end up in rich middle mens' hands. We like the convenience of our near sightedness. We like it when the story is hazy and we can just enjoy a beautiful sunset without thinking of the destructive fires consuming acre after acre of land. 

There is not a formula for getting clearer vision. The eye doctor of the university or the documentary or the press release only can help so much. Sometimes he even gives lenses that blur our vision more. Instead of becoming overwhelmed, lets begin to be driven to appreciate the origin of our morning brew. Lets begin to realize that we desperately need each other - rich, poor; liberal, conservative; Christian, Jew; woman, man. Even the richest man cannot survive without the world sharing life with him. Even the most innovative woman cannot create something fresh on her own. 

I believe God lives in relationship. And I recognize a yearning within myself to also share life with others. I want to put on the glasses that really work so that I can really see people, and as terrifying as it is, I long for them to put on their spectacles too so that they might know who I really am too.

Today, share life with someone, and appreciate that you have a moment with them, an hour, or a lifetime. Today, be grateful that there are farmers who work long hours to harvest the grain on your table, and bakers who work to turn it into bread, and designers and factory workers who created the oven you warmed it with before your meal. Today, be grateful that Jesus redeems relationships so that we may continue to live intimately together, we 7 billion, we the very good human race.

[hbadgley]

Thank you, wounded veterans

This week we had the privilege of guiding a three day Mt. Baker prep trip for the wounded Warrior Project. We spent the beginning of the week with three veterans, one’s wife, and another’s son. Each of the three had served in combat zones and now suffer from chronic pain among other ailments. It put my tendonitis that flares up occasionally into perspective when I saw the way that these men and women worked so hard despite their hurting. We walked and talked and learned about safe snow travel.

The trip was challenging for me because war is a challenge. The people who serve our country in the military are pushed beyond their limits. For these three veterans, this was no exception. Regardless, when another guide thanked one of our new friends, he said he wouldn’t do it differently. That it was worth it and he would do it again.

According to some research by Open Doors International, there were 2,123 people killed because of their faith last year. Surely many more experienced traumatizing evils that are comparable to the experiences of soldiers in combat. Experiences where life is flashing before one's eyes and they are unsure if they will get to take their next breath. Some of you know of Saphano in South Sudan who has experienced some of that terror first hand, as some of his congregation has been martyred. If you read this Saphano, know we are praying for hope and redemption in your country.

To each of you who have experienced the brokenness of our chaotic world. I thank you. To those of you who have suffered loss because of war or persecution. I mourn with you. May you be filled with the peace of Christ. And may we learn to love one another in our place. To listen, and to learn. Let us show other people that they matter, and appreciate the sacrifice others make regardless of our political slant, because their life matters. And so does yours.

[hbadgley]

Choose with Jesus

“But here’s a secret answer you must know when trying to pick the perfect choice: There is no perfect choice. And if you understand this, it will set you free from the fear of making a mistake.” - Lysa Terkeurst 

Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep knowing how flawed “the rock” of the church really was. After Peter had abandoned his best friend, his leader, his God, Jesus still sent him out. After Peter hid in fear following the crucifixion, and after seemingly giving up to go back to how things were before Jesus of Nazareth came along, God still sent Peter out. Peter then lived moment by moment making decisions. He was given authority to spread the Gospel and to speak on the church’s behalf. In the wake of the most earth shattering event of history, God trusted Peter to make decisions and lead his people, following the soon to be named triune God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the holy living Spirit. 

I just finished guiding the father-son raft trip, a multi-day float down the Grande Ronde River in Oregon. I was able to go with my dad, which was a huge blessing for me. We talked about Peter as a man of courage during our Bible studies. I told him that I feel at peace when I study Peter throughout Jesus life and after. I can relate to this guy. He knows Jesus. He has seen his works. And, he still screws up. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not claiming to have any right to consider myself the Rock of the Church. I can’t pretend like I can truly understand the emotions of Peter. And we seem to have very different demeanors. But we both know Jesus, and we both make decisions, and we both make mistakes.

Guiding involves making one or many decision(s) every moment of work. There is no single perfect line through a rapid. There is no formula for how many strokes it takes to safely get somewhere. Rivers are dynamic, as are mountains, and even more people are dynamic. And they are the purpose of it all. In the first stages of guiding, the decisions were exhausting for me. in many cases they still are. But I imagine that the guide who does not have the foundation of mercy and grace that I do through Jesus would have an even harder time. I have to make decisions that are going to keep people safe or kill them. I have to make decisions that will make people swim or keep them in the boat. I have to make decisions about where to put something so that the rest of the guides know where it is. Some decisions have huge consequences. Some decisions may add or eliminate thirty seconds of work. Regardless of the weight of a decision, I am still known and loved by God.

I imagine that Peter continued to mess up even after the redemptive conversation with Jesus we find in the end of John. And we know that he made plenty mistakes before he ever even denied that he would deny Jesus a few days before. The fact is that Jesus loved him through his mistakes. Jesus wanted Peter to keep following him. To keep growing. To keep learning and understanding and serving and loving. 

And we have that calling too. To live we must make choices. During this summer season, and as I graduate and move on to the next steps in a short half a year, please pray that I would be bold like Peter, and make big decisions. That I would go out and do. That I would make disciples. And I hope that is a prayer for yourself too. Regardless of your stage in life. Make decisions with confidence. Don’t worry that sometimes you will make a mistake. Be bold in serving our maker, even though you and I are broken and will never get it all right.

[hbadgley]

And it begins

Yesterday I went rafting with clients, marking the first trip of my official season. From here on out I will be spending much of my time with new rafters/hikers/mountaineers marveling with them in the beauty of creation. The Spokane river just has two class 3 rapids, making it less eventful than many of the more popular rivers in our area. But I was reminded on the trip yesterday that it can still be a blast for our participants. We were taking an alternative school out. I had a fun group of kids that seemed to be well bonded and respectful of their principle and guides. It is a good reminder not to give up on someone just because the education system we have in place doesn’t work for them. These high schoolers have stories and gifts and joy. I was privileged to spend a couple hours with them on the river, playing and celebrating another finished school year. 

[hbadgley]

Notice.

It took me a long time to recognize the beauty that I woke up to every morning for my first 18 years. When i was home I went running a couple times. I would stop a little early, go down to the beach, walk slowly, and take in the beauty of my old front yard. 

My team has just spent a couple days together so far, the Peak 7 summer staff has begun to bond. I am already reminded by many of these new friends of mine to really appreciate creation. To notice the beauty of a river. Of a mountain. Of sharing the pleasure of biting into aged white cheddar cheese, or the excitement of seeing a mate gourd for the first time in real life. 

I learn so much working with these people. I pray that the kids we work with every week can learn something too. I hope that this summer is far more transformational for some of our participants than it will be for me. I hope that we get to watch as God moves in someone's life and enters, invited, for the first time. 

Mountains are beautiful. But - people, relationships, interactions mediated by God. That's a special beauty. I am glad I get to be a part of that beauty that I could never post a picture of. That beauty of brokenness being redeemed by the love of Christ. It is why we are here.

[hbadgley]

Where is our real treasure?

If you find yourself lusting for wealth, as I too often do, it may be a good indicator that it’s time to get out into nature to remember that real treasure is not purchased with the American dollar. Sure, you could buy that land or preserve it, but even the majestic mountains that draw reverence from the most unenthused teenager are not treasure in themselves. 

I just finished reading The Hobbit. **Spoiler Alert** Near the end, I found myself questioning the desires of the dwarves. They had only a little food left, and they were preparing for battle to fight against the only people who were near enough to provide them with any more sustenance. The dwarves knew that troops were coming, and they didn’t want to give away any of their reclaimed gold. Gold is fairly useless for a starving army of dwarves. In a matter of days their leader Thorin disowned Bilbo for taking the prized gem, the arkenstone. Later, he reinstated their friendship, realizing on his deathbed that even the most precious earthly treasures are owned for mere moments. Even in good health and with the option to have much more than he took, Bilbo was content with a relatively small portion of the plunder he was originally promised. It was not worth the toil of transporting the wealth across the misty mountains all the way back to his hole. He valued other things. 

This story along with some people like my mother and my friend Grant prodded me to think seriously about what I value. I get to go on all of these adventures with young people who have very challenging stories. I get to peep into their lives. And I learn that life is about so much more than it appears. I realize that there is depth to the high school student who can’t finish a sentence without at least one f-bomb. I am shown that life is more important than my list of values. People teach me that they matter, and that regardless of what I might think at first, they are generally good. 

Spending a week, or a summer away from the demands of western society allow us to remember what we really value. Some of my favorite moments last summer were spent with people when one of us realized how special life is. Not all of our clients are Christian, and these moments were not all in the context of faith. Regardless of whether Jesus’ name was explicitly said or thought in those moments of transformation, a heart was being softened, and I pray that it was in a way that will allow the gospel to move. 

I hope that it does not take impending death for us to realize that the significance of our life is beyond the things we own. As a people immersed in a constant commercial I hope that we can recognize that a camera will not ever be as magnificent as the landscape it captures, and that a computer will never trump the love of a real human. I know that I need constant reminders that I serve a God who is greater than all of my desires. Peak 7’s trips are a great reminder of all the big words we try to describe God with, and a reminder that our place is actually one of speechless wonder before our Creator. 

This summer, when you find yourself really wanting more, join me. Join me in the wilderness as I try to be content spending my life in creation marveling at God’s beauty with people - his very good creation. Let’s remember Jesus’ words to store up treasures in heaven “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21, TNIV)

[hbadgley]

travel.

Sometimes traveling is so easy. This Saturday I was in Spokane. I woke up and within fifteen minutes was a mile from my house drinking coffee with a friend. A couple hours later I had boarded a plane; I was back in Alaska in time for lunch.

But travel is not always that way. When I was in middle school I hiked the Chilkoot Trail with my best friend and his grandparents. One of my most vivid memories from that trip was looking down at a small river on the first day and wishing that I was a water molecule, because then I would probably be at the end of the trail that day, and the pouring rain would have made the journey even quicker. I remember the trip in middle school because of the challenge. At this time next year, I will still remember the trail, but I won’t have a thing to say about my flights home two days ago.

This summer I will be working for Peak 7 Adventures for a second summer season. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve with the team that makes this organization thrive. Their website will do a better job of articulating the specifics of their mission than I would. But essentially, the organization exists to take people into the wilderness and share the gospel while doing it. 

The journeys that we take our clients on are challenging. We push youth towards limits that they may not have realized existed. We get them up earlier than some of them go to bed. We put backpacks on them that have all their food in it for the week. And they have to carry it for miles. The trail is never even paved. Like middle school Hunter, sometimes our kids already want to be done by the end of the first day. But, most of them leave proud of themselves, and glad they made it through. Some of them leave with a fresh perspective of love. Some realize that not all Christians are terrible people that force them to be someone they aren’t. Some share their desire to serve other people in situations like their own. Sadly, some still finish the trip and did not like it, for some the truth of the gospel is still a stretch.

But I trust that the experience these students have will stick with them. We don’t just take them on a challenging trip. We take them out and we talk about what we are doing. We share our lives for a week. And we share the gospel, through a few words, and a lot of listening and loving. This summer I hope to keep you updated through this blog. I believe that Peak 7’s ministry is a beautiful way to share the gospel and I am excited to share the ways in which God moves with you. It is a blessing for me to watch the Spirit move in people’s lives. I hope you will join me in prayer this summer as we attempt to be a light in the lives of youth.