The Sheep Whisperer

After getting our Schnauzer puppy Captain Jack, Cesar Millan became our new best friend. If you don’t recognize the name, you don’t own a dog. Cesar Milan, according to the introduction to his show on the National Geographic Channel, “rehabilitates dogs and trains people.” He is the Dog Whisperer.

Cesar is all about treating dogs as dogs (and not as four-legged humans) and encouraging humans to take their rightful place as their pack leaders. A dog’s needs are very basic. They have no desire for human soul mates. What they need is leadership. Dog owners can achieve this through what Cesar calls calm-assertive energy.  When the owner displays calm-assertive leadership, the pet can achieve a calm-submissive state, bringing dog and owner into right relationship.

Cesar can tell just by how you walk your dog whether or not you are the pack leader. Consider the last time you took Fido out for his daily stroll. Who was out in front, the dog or the human? Whoever leads is the leader. His philosophy is as simple as that.

Cesar gleans his views on leadership from the animal kingdom. In the animal kingdom, the role of the pack leader is twofold: to protect and to direct. The pack leader is always more concerned for the pack than for himself. It is an unselfish role, which instills trust and provides stability to the pack.

Why does all this sound so strangely familiar?

The psalmist David understood these leadership qualities from a shepherd’s point of view. Consider the shepherd’s responsibility to direct and protect the sheep in Psalm 23. “He leads me beside peaceful streams . . . He guides me along right paths . . . Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid . . . Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” When the sheep accept the shepherd’s leadership, they achieve balance, harmony, and tranquility because they are in right relationship with their leader.

Contrary to popular belief, sheep are not stupid but they are easily panicked, vulnerable to frustration, and tend to be competitive. However, sheep will thrive in a herd as long as they have a trustworthy pack leader, i.e. a shepherd. A good shepherd’s main concern is always for the sheep. He provides protection and direction because sheep have little or no means of defense and they love to be on the move.

It comes as no surprise to us that the writer of Hebrews extols Jesus as “that great Shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20).” Jesus well understood the necessity of quality leadership: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matt 9:39).” Moreover, Jesus, as the selfless leader willingly put the pack’s needs ahead of his own: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).”

Although, it may seem a crude analogy it is not a stretch to define the church as a pack and Jesus as her pack leader. Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus led with a calm-assertive energy, guiding his sheep into a calm-submissive relationship with him and with other sheep. Jesus continues to direct and protect his pack for his main concern has been and always will be to help them find stability and peace through right relationship with him. Jesus is the Sheep Whisperer.

Remember, Cesar Milan could evaluate the quality of the relationship between pack leader and pack by simply evaluating their daily walk. In other words, on our daily pilgrimage with Jesus are we following or are we struggling to take the lead? A calm-submissive attitude demonstrates our trust in Jesus’ leadership to protect and to direct his own. 

In recent years, our little pack has followed Jesus through some unexpected hills and valleys. We never anticipated living in four different countries in as many years and although I don’t think we ever tried to run ahead of the Shepherd, there may have been times we slowed our gait because what was ahead seemed so uncertain. Yet we did follow and the Lord was true to his nature. He guided and protected us through some difficult yet ultimately satisfying experiences.

Stuart and I look forward to more ministry opportunities in Mexico. We enjoy directing people to the shepherd of our souls so that they may find right relationship with him.

So is Jesus the Sheep Whisperer? You decide. As for me, “The LORD is my pack leader; I have all that I need.”

Esto y Eso

A few snippets of this and that today. 

Stuart had another opportunity to preach recently at our home church, Asamblea Cristiana in Mexico City. He received many compliments on his Spanish, which is always nice. We just started tutoring once a week so we could improve our conversational skills and be more effective in our ministry.

Isn't this a beautiful invitation? The pastor's family invited us to their daughter's quinceañera next month. As you probably know this is a very elaborate fiesta celebrating a young girl's coming of age. As a part of the quinceañera court, Wesley has been diligently learning how to dance and practicing with the court 3-4 times a week.

And lastly, for those who enjoyed our adventure into the center of the city here is Sophia practicing on her new Takamíne acoustic guitar that we found there.

On a Mission

Yesterday, we were on a mission to find a guitar for Sophia.

We took the metro for the first time with a friend from church and headed toward the center of the city. 

On the Zocalo or the main square in Mexico City is a large Cathedral (shown here) and the National Palace.

The cobbled streets are littered with people, but you can find almost anything down here as long as you are determined to look.

Loved the architecture.

We stopped for a snack at Mexico's oldest churro place, El Moro. Open 24 hours a day, you can enjoy a hot fresh churro with a cup of hot chocolate, a cafe or a milkshake. 

Lalo, our friend from church helped us find a great guitar for Sophia. 

He did a bit of haggling and we purchased the Takamine for $500 pesos ($40 US) less than the asking price.

A beautiful view of the Palacio de Bellas Artes from a coffee shop on the eighth floor of the Sears building.

The smog is bad here in the city, but you can actually see the mountains in the background today.

The concert hall also houses permanent and traveling art shows. 

We didn't get a chance to look inside, but we plan on returning soon.

So glad that we took the Metro rather than be in all that traffic.

Enjoying some lattes on the balcony.

Heading toward the Metro station, Stuart threw a few coins into the musician's cup.

The smirk on his face makes me wonder if it wasn't enough :)

Really enjoyed our trek downtown. Thanks Lalo!

El Día de los Reyes

Christmas celebrations continue today as Mexicans celebrate El Día de los Reyes, Three Kings Day. Also known as Epiphany, January 6 honors the day the three kings worshipped and gave gifts to Jesus.

Traditionally, Mexicans place the infant Jesus into his manger on Christmas day and the three kings join him today.

OK, so my little nativity is lacking a few key players, but you get the idea.

Today many Mexicans will eat this traditional bread, rosca de reyes; a tasty treat filled with symbols that tell a sweet tale. Shaped in a round like a King’s crown the bread holds a secret treasure; for baked inside is a figurine of the baby Jesus hiding from King Herod. The knife used to cut into the bread represents the danger that surrounded the infant king.

Bread is a fitting symbol as Jesus was born in Bethlehem (literally the house of bread) and declared himself to be the Bread of Life.

Traditionally, the one who finds Jesus in his bread will host another celebration on February 2 (which has nothing to do with groundhogs). Candelaria or Candlemas Day commemorates the presentation of Jesus the light of the world, in the temple of Jerusalem.