BEAT THE DEAD HORSE by Noel

Culture. Perspective. Questions.

THE SPEAKER  THE ACTIVIST  THE ATHLETE  
Ask me anything
“

”

GIVE THEM FISH…just do a bit more.

AFRICA JOURNAL ENTRY #1. 

Every summer for the past few years, I have traveled with a group of friends back home to Malawi, Africa.  I love traveling to Malawi.  I love having a chance to connect with my college and boyhood friends.  But what I love more, is to to bring my American friends and watch them as they meet, mix, and mingle with my Malawian friends.  From the awkward cultural moments to life changing exchanges, is there anything not to love?

…This summer, you have a chance to follow me as I introduce my wife Melissa and my buddies Chris Lawson, Chelsea Prout, and Derek and Alicia Hess to the pain and pleasures of Africa.   Derek and Alicia will be visiting for the first time.

Our mission:  To watch and follow the lead of my Malawian friends as they do what only they can do to creatively push back darkness.  In the words of Shane Claiborne,  “We give people fish. We teach them to fish. We tear down the walls that have been built up around the fish pond. And we figure out who polluted it.”
 
Let’s journey together!

Watch this space…

Noel Noxy

PS: For more on what my friends and I are working on, check this out:  http://vimeo.com/40731819

(Source: chisomoidea.com)

MUSICHA FAMILY NEWS

…And some cultural lessons. 

LESSON 1:
Yes, it is true.  We are pregnant.  Well, my wife is.  When we were talking to my parents and I heard Melissa say “We” are pregnant, I was like WHAT?  I had no idea we both are.  I know that culturally it is acceptable for people in the US to use the loyal “We” on pregnancy but it is different for us.  She is…thank God she is.  I am so stoked to be along for the ride. 

LESSON 2:
Yes, the baby will be colored.  I know my American friends are shocked while my Malawian friends are like “Obviously!”  In Malawi “Colored” is a term that is used for half black and half white babies.  It is not a derogatory term.  It can actually be a term of endearment.  So even though many of you reading this may not be able to use the term, it is good for you to know that you can use it in Malawi. 

LESSON 3:
We know we are still early in the pregnancy and that there are some weird things about that.  When do you tell people? When do you not?  Melissa and I had a conversation about that and we feel like it is good to allow people to share in our joy.  We don’t create and provide babies.  God does.  All creation reveals His majesty and it would be weird, no matter what, to not let you share is His awe. 

That’s it for now…

Speak to you soon,

Noel Noxy

(Source: chisomoidea.com)

HOPE HURTS:  Have you ever wanted something so bad?  Have you ever anticipated it happening that all of life seems to stop?  I have.When I was 15 years old I had a chance to be picked for the Malawian Under 17 National Soccer Team to represent our country on the international stage.  In the initial selecting process, the national coach picks 30 players from each of the 3 Malawian regions.  I was raised in Lilongwe so I got selected for our central region team, out of hundreds of other young players, which was a big deal.  Not only that, I even made the short list of 15 players that would join teams from the Southern and Northern regions.  In my time, most of the players that got selected to the final team came from the south so I was carrying not only my hope but also, in a weird way, the hope of our region.  Kind of like Hunger Games except the only death was the death of dreams.   So there we were.  Arguably the best players in our nation in our age bracket ready to mix it up. Many of us would see each other again in the Malawian top league and a selected few in our Men’s National Team a few years later.  If you have followed the Malawian game in the last 15 years, you would be interested to know that Maupo Msowoya, Fisher “Anong’a” Kondowe, Charles Ben, who would later captain my former club CIVO United, were all there.  They all came from the Southern Region and they were some of the scariest competitors then. After a few days of playing alongside and against each other,  we all got seated in a circle at Lilongwe Community Center ground waiting to hear our names called.   The crowd gathered as at a draft.  If you hear your name, you are in.  If you don’t, you are out…My dreams, the dream of my region all came crumbled together in one fierce moment.  Have you ever been there?  Have you experienced hope so palpable?  It’s hope that hurts, isn’t it?   …It is the memories of those moments that have drawn me out to prepare underprivileged young athletes from Chinsapo in Malawi’s central region.  Join me and my ordinary friends on this extraordinary journey of NOT PLANNING because we have no idea what the future brings but of PREPARATION just in case we will participate in the future.  Live in the tension and pain of our hope.  Take a look at this 3 minute video:: http://vimeo.com/40731819Speak to you soon,Noel Noxy

HOPE HURTS: 
Have you ever wanted something so bad?  Have you ever anticipated it happening that all of life seems to stop?  I have.

When I was 15 years old I had a chance to be picked for the Malawian Under 17 National Soccer Team to represent our country on the international stage.  In the initial selecting process, the national coach picks 30 players from each of the 3 Malawian regions.  I was raised in Lilongwe so I got selected for our central region team, out of hundreds of other young players, which was a big deal.  Not only that, I even made the short list of 15 players that would join teams from the Southern and Northern regions.  In my time, most of the players that got selected to the final team came from the south so I was carrying not only my hope but also, in a weird way, the hope of our region.  Kind of like Hunger Games except the only death was the death of dreams.  

So there we were.  Arguably the best players in our nation in our age bracket ready to mix it up. Many of us would see each other again in the Malawian top league and a selected few in our Men’s National Team a few years later.  If you have followed the Malawian game in the last 15 years, you would be interested to know that Maupo Msowoya, Fisher “Anong’a” Kondowe, Charles Ben, who would later captain my former club CIVO United, were all there.  They all came from the Southern Region and they were some of the scariest competitors then.


After a few days of playing alongside and against each other,  we all got seated in a circle at Lilongwe Community Center ground waiting to hear our names called.   The crowd gathered as at a draft.  If you hear your name, you are in.  If you don’t, you are out…My dreams, the dream of my region all came crumbled together in one fierce moment.  Have you ever been there?  Have you experienced hope so palpable?  It’s hope that hurts, isn’t it?  

…It is the memories of those moments that have drawn me out to prepare underprivileged young athletes from Chinsapo in Malawi’s central region.  Join me and my ordinary friends on this extraordinary journey of NOT PLANNING because we have no idea what the future brings but of PREPARATION just in case we will participate in the future.  Live in the tension and pain of our hope. 

Take a look at this 3 minute video:: http://vimeo.com/40731819

Speak to you soon,

Noel Noxy

TOUCH SOIL ON BEHALF OF OTHERS

Experts commenting on the state of the global economic crisis seem to suggest that there is a mobility issue, upward mobility.  Apparently there is a clog in the movement up which is needed in order for society to function effectively.  The problem is that most people I know are convinced that this means we need to have more.  After all, that is how society defines moving up.  Meanwhile Jesus continues to invite us to be content.  To touch soil on behalf of others.  To feel the pain of those who are downcast.  Sounds like downward mobility to me. 

He also seems to suggest that less criticism and more fixing of what is wrong with us may be more helpful.  You know the whole, “you have something in your eye” thing? 

So it is clear, is it not?  There is a crash in ideology and those of us that want to not only follow Jesus but also believe him are caught in the middle of it.  Will we be a part of the Jesus Revolution or will we turn on our pursuit of the American dream which is, by the way, the global dream?  What brings us the peace we desire in order to make sense of this moral-conomic crisis?  Pax Romana or Pax Christi? 

The radical narratives of scripture have jumped out of human history and they live in our neighborhoods…they demand that we make a fearless moral inventory of “self” and make a choice. 

For My Friends in Malawi to Whom This Blog Was Intended
There may be racism in our country but it is definitely not felt at the same level as it does in other countries around the world. There is; however, clear and hurtful classism.  The pursuits of the “HAVES” continue to make a negative impression on the “HAVE NOTS” and a few of us are trying to makes some moves against that predicament.   

Join the struggle.
WATCH THIS VIDEO:  http://vimeo.com/40731819
DONATE:  http://www.stayclassy.org/events/vision-60/60-future-looks-brick/e15546

Go to www.chisomoidea.com for more. 

Speak to you soon,

Noel Noxy 

I am convinced that most human beings want to do good.  I am also convinced that because of the pain that many of our brothers and sisters are going through around the world, it would ultimately not be possible for us to do well without doing good. 

So why do we fail our convictions? 

The problem is complex but the answer is simple.  Monday.  Monday is the reason we feel one way but act another.  Monday suffocates our passions.  We all have dreams.  We all have inklings of the world the way it could be.  But the moment we begin to really move in our on convictions, Monday comes around and remind us of the reality of what we have to do in order to make it day to day— in order to survive. 

Monday has mastered common sense and many of us have bowed down to its tyranny. Unless we are willing to be a little weird for the sake of others, we will submit to life and things the way they are…

I for one, on conviction, don’t want to dream dreams that don’t involve the poor…I pray that I have company. 

Speak to you soon,

Noel Noxy

PS:  To find out more about the campaign in the video, please go to www.chisomoidea.com or http://www.facebook.com/events/295404577204429/

ON THE DEATH OF THE MALAWIAN PRESIDENT

THREE INITIAL THOUGHTS…

On Celebrating a Death:: I can never bring myself to celebrate the death of a man no matter how much I disagree with them.  I didn’t really understand or agree with most of the policies of President Mutharika and I think in the end his positions ended up being hurtful to the nation and the people he was supposed to serve.  But I think his death is still a tragedy.  To celebrate it would be to assume way too much of my own leadership…more there…

On Succession Dispute:: I continue to be convinced that every time we go to the polling station to vote someone into power, we are only ever vying for damage limitation and control.  I say this not necessarily as a critic to our eminent leaders, but as testament to my own fear of power.  It is true, “all power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  So yes, I think there are some people that will do a better job in power than others but one thing I can guarantee is that all humans are flawed therefore you can expect all leadership to be flawed. This means that whoever we end up opting for [hopefully constitutionally] has to be given a lot of grace especially as they figure out where to start in pulling the nation up by its straps otherwise the future looks even more bleak. 

On Forging Ahead::  I would still like to see people get involved in the process of making a difference a little bit more than just being critics of “a difference unmade.”  I realize that there is a tension here because some times policy makes this next to impossible; however, in my assessment, governments have a poor track record of getting things done. We have to argue with them only sparingly.  The reason Facebook, Craigslist and Let’s Do Business works is because people want to talk to other people.  We are creatures in search of connectivity.  We don’t need power-hungry mediators to tell us what to do.  Governments don’t lead people to well-being, people lead governments to well-being. 

From a quick reflection of one man aka my humble opinion…More to come as I continue to process…

Speak to you soon,

Noel Noxy

PS:  Stop by Flood Church San Diego [California] or Flood Church Lilongwe [Malawi] on Easter Sunday.  I promise, you will not regret it.  I will post the gathering times on my Facebook but you can also go to www.diveintoflood.com for the San Diego gathering times…

(Source: chisomoidea.com)

UNIFORMED FOCUSLast Friday I was teaching a youth seminar around the idea of REBELLING AGAINST LOW EXPECTATIONS.  During the time, I asked one of my 6th grade [Standard 6] students to define discipline.  In a moment of pure genius, the student related the idea to uniformed focus.  I have no idea where a 6th grader gets that kid of thinking but I was utterly impressed.  In a culture that prides itself on passion, uniformed focus could be a dream saving ingredient.  We will never be able to convert our dreams into real life experiences that will impact our lives and the lives of others unless if we make room for uniformed focus.  We have to find artistry in consistency and ultimately in work. Vision and passion alone can never create, develop, and sustain the substance required to make our dreams a reality.  Here is a tip I learned a few years ago that I am still trying to make sense of…  First:  Determine your big goal [Big Hairy Audacious Goal]Then ask the following questions:  In order for me to fulfill that goal, what do I need to learn [Learnings]? what do I have that may be helpful [Assets]? What do I need to have [Needs]? And may be more importantly, how will I know if I am succeeding [Measurement]?……And of course, be willing to do something for a long time.   Speak to you soon,Noel Noxy

UNIFORMED FOCUS
Last Friday I was teaching a youth seminar around the idea of REBELLING AGAINST LOW EXPECTATIONS.  During the time, I asked one of my 6th grade [Standard 6] students to define discipline.  In a moment of pure genius, the student related the idea to uniformed focus.  I have no idea where a 6th grader gets that kid of thinking but I was utterly impressed.  In a culture that prides itself on passion, uniformed focus could be a dream saving ingredient. 

We will never be able to convert our dreams into real life experiences that will impact our lives and the lives of others unless if we make room for uniformed focus.  We have to find artistry in consistency and ultimately in work. Vision and passion alone can never create, develop, and sustain the substance required to make our dreams a reality. 

Here is a tip I learned a few years ago that I am still trying to make sense of… 
First:  Determine your big goal [Big Hairy Audacious Goal]
Then ask the following questions:  In order for me to fulfill that goal, what do I need to learn [Learnings]? what do I have that may be helpful [Assets]? What do I need to have [Needs]? And may be more importantly, how will I know if I am succeeding [Measurement]?…

…And of course, be willing to do something for a long time.  

Speak to you soon,

Noel Noxy

“ People who are fully alive look out of their minds to those who simply exist.” ~ Erwin McManus, ”

(Source: chisomoidea.com)

THE TYRANNY OF COMMON SENSE…

This last Sunday I had an opportunity to speak at Castro Valley First Baptist Church in Northern California.  As usual, my experience with people up there was a blast.  I am grateful for my brother, Jere Lester, who arranged the trip for me.  I am forever indebted to the Cruz family for hosting me [special mention, Lauren Cruz, who is the best daughter ever for giving up her room].  I am simply in love with my best friend from Malawi, Samuel Kawale, who I got to reconnect with and talk about love, life and why we must never DREAM DREAMS THAT DON’T INVOLVE THE POOR AND DESTITUTE. 

I titled my talk at CV First was BREAKING FREE FROM THE TYRANNY OF COMMON SENSE.  Given my deep accent, the people of Castro Valley are probably just finding out about the title right now…lol.. 

The talk was built around the idea of our EPHESIANS 2:10 calling, that we are God’s Masterpiece created in Christ Jesus to do good works that He Has prepared for us in advance to do. 

HERE IS HOW IT STARTED::
You are sitting in a circle with a group of your close friends.  You are listening to a leader that drastically changed your life.  He is the wisest person you have known.  To the World a great teacher.  To you the greatest visionary.  To the world, a life altering philosopher. To you, someone whose words have pierced your heart, the one that makes your soul come a live.  Yet this day is different.  You are uncomfortable.  He is restless.  Can you feel the tension in the room? 

Suddenly TO YOU it sinks in.  There should be 12 of you listening.  But there are 11.  You are filled with fear, anger, and frustration and SO SUDDENLY a gentle invitation.  “Lean in.  We don’t have a lot of time.  I am about to tell you something.  SOMETHING SO OBSCURE It is going to change everything.  This is NEW.” 

On the surface, it sounds normal.  It is simple yet profound.  It will have an implication on the way you live your life if you let it….

Apostle Paul personified this conversation for you and I.  Here is what he says, EPHESIANS 2:1-10
……

……

……
HERE IS HOW IT ENDED::
+Do you drink excessively even though you know that drinking keeps dimming the image of God in you? 
+Do you have kids somewhere that you are not paying child support to?
+Do you lie to get your way?
+Are you afraid of your teenage daughter/son that you won’t tell them what they need to hear?  Are you failing to hold your nerve as a parent?
+Are you addicted to pornography?
+Are you having an affair and you are just waiting for the next “irreconcilable difference” to bail on your husband/wife/family?
+Are you sleeping with your boyfriend/girlfriend before marriage?  

Do you know that you are God’s MASTERPIECE created in Christ Jesus? 

Do you know that every time God invites you on a journey, no matter how painful, it is because of WHAT HE WANTS FOR YOU, NOT WHAT HE WANTS FROM YOU? 

I hope you can wrestle with this even though you didn’t fully go through the message for more context.

Speak to you soon,

Noel Noxy 

(Source: chisomoidea.com)

DON’T MAKE A POINT, MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Today I was in shock when I read about the crisis concerning my friend, Jason Russell’s illness.  In a way, I didn’t even need to read it.  About two days ago I got a very weird feeling about the whole thing.  Somehow I was extremely restless and felt the need to pray.  I was telling Melissa, my wife, that I just have a sense that something was wrong.  I was honestly hoping to not be right.  I know a man, no matter how strong he is, can only take so much criticism before it starts weighing his soul down. 

I was already thinking this before my friend Sean Kampondeni articulated my thoughts in a Facebook message that he sent me from Malawi this morning.  Here is what his message said: 

Dude, what’s going on with Jason Russell? Is he ok? Is all this fiasco over Kony2012 taking a toll on him? Let me know if you know any more details as I am used to the media only having a skewed view. I just realized that I got so busy arguing for his corner that I forgot to pray for him in the middle of the whole world shooting at him. Poor kid.

Sean is right.  May be this may not be the time to win an argument.  Some things can only be dealt with on one’s knees.  It is easy to make a point but not always easy to make a difference. 

Make a difference:  Pray for Jason, Ben Keesey [IC CEO], and the rest of the Invisible Children family.  Both Jason and Ben [who I used to be in a small group with] love the Lord and are honestly trying to do their very best to do what’s right.  From now on, no more debates, just prayers. 

Speak to you soon,

Noel Noxy

(Source: chisomoidea.com)

More Information