My Rights

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (1 Cor. 10:23-24)

Tonia and I are in California this week networking and connecting with friends, family and partners. We have had the blessing of catching up on one another’s lives and replaying old memories.

I was reminded of my first overseas trip, called India Bound, which occurred in 1988, where my classmates and I experienced many cross-cultural lessons for the first time. We visited the slums of Bombay, leper colonies in Kerela and shared our testimonies and words of encouragement to many different people and diverse settings. We had prepared many months for our summer trip by reading books, gathering for prayer, and learning about Indian cultures and languages.

Early on, I realized I had to make a decision in my preparation for the trip. What would I do about my long hair? Back in 1988, I was the only male with hair below my neck on the college campus–after all, I was playing in a Christian rock band. I had to decide if my identity as a Christian musician was important enough for me to keep my long hair and risk offending those in another country who didn’t know the music scene in Los Angeles. This verse motivated me to do whatever I could to remove barriers from those I would meet while in India. I had it cut, and that question was settled as we flew to India a few weeks later.

34 years later, I think about that decision to cut my hair and ask myself what other forms, thoughts, or attitudes today I should be giving up for the good of others. I encourage all of us to keep this mandate from Scripture before us as we seek to uplift and encourage one another. Have a wonderful Spring Break!

Paz,

Scott

Israel Study Tour May

May 31–June 11, 2023, tour Israel with DIU in partnership with Biblical Byways. Tour open to everyone, and DIU credit available through IS3320/5320 Bible Lands Study Tour. Details here.

Friends of DIU Annual Festival

You’re invited to the Friends of DIU Annual Festival on March 24. This will be a special evening for current and future donors and supporters of DIU’s mission, filled with good food, entertainment by international band IziBongo, and a special speaker. RSVP here no later than Monday, March 20.

Coaching Workshop for Christian Leaders

This workshop is offered at Dallas International University May 16-19, 2023, from 8:30am-12:30pm CDT, both in person and via Zoom. Early registration is $150. More information here, or email richard_harman@diu.edu