Somewhere in SOUTHERN America

Grace Works

2012-01-12T19:43:00.002-06:00

Coming Soon!

Grace Works is a devotional commentary on Paul's letter to the Galatians, published by Crossbooks. Crossbooks is a subsidiary of Lifeway Books. Check back soon for availability dates.

Occupy?

2012-01-04T14:19:00.003-06:00

My, how language changes! Did you ever stop to consider the definition of this word that now, ahem, occupies our news each week? Consider Miriam-Webster's definition:

1: to engage the attention or energies of

2a: to take up (a place or extent in space) occupied> occupy this corner of the room> b: to take or fill (an extent in time) occupies all of my free time>

3a: to take or hold possession or control of occupied the ridge> b: to fill or perform the functions of (an office or position)

4: to reside in as an owner or tenant

The current proponents of this nefarious movement that has taken ownership of a once-lovely word only prefer two definitions of the four seen above. They want to take hold or possession or control of businesses that have been successful; or they want to take up space so that the businesses cannot function. They themselves do not invest their energies in the success they envy.

These who imagine themselves to be the 99% should read and heed the first definition more carefully.

While they--the 99%--"busy" themselves, plotting their next strategies before the 2012 elections, let me speak to Christ-followers. Jesus expects us to "occupy till he comes." That means he intends for us to engage and invest our energies in advancing the kingdom of God, which is the first definition before us. In case we have forgotten, may I remind you that Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world? While you are busy being salt and light in this world, do not forget that your purpose in being salt and light is not just to make the culture look like you would like to look; your purpose in being salt and light is to attract others to follow Christ, whose kingdom is a heavenly kingdom. I don't think the kingdom of God advances far if we invest our energies in shaping culture. Show culture-followers the light of Christ and some will leave that culture and follow him. Then and only then will your culture truly change.

Occupy. What definition will you choose with this word? Let's get busy for the King.

GRACE WORKS

2012-01-04T13:51:00.003-06:00

COMING SOON TO A STORE NEAR YOU:

This devotional commentary on Galatians is my first work to be published in English. My prayer is that busy pastors and interested Bible students will find a resource to help them study this important letter that Paul penned under the Holy Spirit's inspiration.

The title reveals the heart of the letter: grace. In a time when Christ-followers are increasingly challenged about their walk with the Lord, Grace Works can serve as a guide for understanding the beauty of our salvation and sanctification in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Look for it soon in your local bookstores, on Amazon, and from this site.

Advancing the Kingdom of God

2011-12-18T22:04:00.000-06:00

Christmas is a lovely season for so many reasons. Gift-giving aside, the family time and renewed friendships is a great blessing. Today we saw some who were home visiting family. It was a delight to hug their necks and shake their hands. My great surprise was to be able to eat lunch with them and many others from the classes of one of our Bible Study departments.

For me, however, I think the most joyful thing about this time of the year is the opportunity to participate in the advancement of the Kingdom of God. I am speaking about missions giving. We were blessed to serve on the front line of missions for some twenty years. Now we are back in Mississippi, where we are encouraging others to head out to the front lines. And we are encouraging others to step up their financial participation.

Our small church has never been stingy; but they gave their largest offering last year. This year we have given the second-largest to date. Perhaps we could have done better, perhaps not. I only rejoice that we have given a significant gift for the glory of God and the advancement of the kingdom.

More will hear the word of God because of this. More will believe because someone gave. More missionaries will have needed supplies. More families will have needed support. Logistical support will be eased in some cases. The list goes on...

Be a part of advancing the kingdom of God by giving, going, and mostly praying. Be one of God's warriors for his glory.

Pray for North Korea

2011-12-18T21:52:00.001-06:00

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Il, is dead. Now is the time for us to redouble our prayers for this nation where the Holy Spirit sent revival and an awakening some 100 years ago. Perhaps this will be the time for a new visitation, a new day for the expansion of the kingdom of God.

Pray for North Korea.

In Pursuit of Godliness

2011-11-29T11:38:00.001-06:00

Two passages in the New Testament define my passion: Romans 12:1, 2; and Phil. 3:10 - 17. Both describe the pursuit of godliness that should characterize every Christian life. My wife Pam has often kidded with me that all my preaching centers around the concepts found in these verses. She may well be very close to the truth with that! I believe that all preaching should persuade men and women to pursue godliness.

I have discovered something recently, though, that bears a mention. It's not new, this thing I have discovered. It is as old as history itself. The concept I have discovered is the sinister imitation of godliness. Paul described it by saying there are people who have a form of godliness, but deny its power.

Let me try to explain what I see in this. A person with a form of godlines, but who denies its power, is a person who may consider himself as spiritual. But his or her spirituality does not reflect the results of godliness, thereby denying the very power that characterizes godliness. To be godly is to reflect the attributes of God. To be religious or spiritual is a form of godliness that denies the power of godliness. There are also those who deny the power of godliness by perverting that power into a self-serving thing. The inherit power of godliness is to make you more godly in your lifestyle, not to make you more appealing to the world. Remember, the crowds left Jesus when he told them what it really meant to follow him.

I counseled with one recently that spoke of how much he loved the Lord. He told me how he carried his Bible around, how he read it, how it blessed him. Then he told me of his regular activities. Those activities, including his sexual activities, all denied the very godliness he claimed to have. He had a form of godliness, but denied its power with his life.

The true pursuit of godliness transforms us from glory to glory. We are transformed from the great glory of the new birth, to the greater glory of a full-aged son of God. The pursuit of godliness reveals more of the fruit of the Spirit. The pursuit of godliness creates a greater intimacy, a deeper relationship, with our Lord Jesus.

Beware the type of godliness that denies the power of God.

Black Friday?

2011-11-24T09:29:00.001-06:00

I saw a news item this morning that became the final push to write these thoughts in this post. I saw some young men camped for the past 3 days in front of a Best Buy, somewhere in Tennessee. They are preparing for the best deals for what our merchants call Black Friday. What I saw stirred me beyond words. What I saw stood juxtaposed in my mind with others in other places that I have personally met.

We Americans, irrespective of race, gender, or religion, will begin our race to the malls and stores to make our annual pilgrimage to the shrines of plenty. We will amass great piles of goods to bestow upon others, but (if we were to be brutally honest with ourselves) that sometimes serve more to make us feel good about ourselves. Some of us will do it in the name of Jesus; many of us won't. In a matter of a few hours, all the hustle and bustle will be over until next year. And we will resume our normal patterns of life--except for that of paying off the credit cards we used to make our pilgrimage worth it.

In other parts of the world in which I have lived and served I have seen similar sights. People have waited for hours, if not days, for a great event. People have walked miles and miles, enduring sleet and other harsh elements. People have camped out under the evening stars. Some have risked their lives for these events. They slept where they could in front of or near the place of the big event.

The events I speak of are chances to hear the word of God preached. Yes, I know personally people who give all they have to be able to hear the word of God. And they really do walk for hours and days. I have known some to walk for 2 days, just to catch a bus they ride for 12 hours. Did I say bus? Sometimes it is a cargo truck. Sometimes they hitch a ride in the back of a pickup truck. But they press on so that someone will teach them the word of God one more time.

So this is what stirred me so: I have listened too many times to too many citizens of these United States who are far more concerned about packaging their worship and Bible study into a 60-minute box--120 minutes, if they are really spiritual and went to Morning Bible Study first. I have listened to those who groan over an extra 15 minutes of message and public invitation to respond. I have heard short-winded preachers praised and long-winded preachers plastered.

Do not misunderstand this post. It is not from the pen of Ebenezer Scrooge. I am not at all opposed to gift-giving. But when it holds higher priority for us than worship, we have missed something.

In short, we Americans of the USA do not seem to have much time for things of God. But we have a week to camp out in front of a store to get the cheapest LCD or Plasma Flatscreen. God have mercy on America! God give us hunger for His word once again!

Remembering Simpler Times

2011-11-13T16:00:00.001-06:00

It is 4 PM on a Sunday. I am in my office, going over notes for tonight's message. This message is one that I preached some 7 years ago. I guess I preached it some 10 years before then. You don't get to preach too many messages like these while on the mission field, which is where I spent 20 years of my life.

As I looked at the outline I began to think of simpler times. I also began to think of simpler truths. Yes, simpler truths. There was time that life was simpler. Therefore, truth was simpler in some ways. So I want to show you in bullet point form some of those simpler truths that have faded out of our foremost thoughts. To share these thoughts makes the preacher look "old-fashioned." I never thought anyone would ever accuse me of that! But here I am, remembering simpler times. Here goes:

There are three kinds of people listed in the Bible: the natural man, the carnal man, and the spiritual man. The natural man is the unsaved man. The carnal man is the one who has believed on the Lord Jesus, repented of sin, and entered the family of God by God's matchless grace. But he has stagnated and is not growing. The spiritual man is that Christ-follower who grows in his knowledge and understanding, as well as his obedience to the Messiah.
There are four levels of Christian living listed in the Bible: babes, children, young men (and women), and fathers (and mothers). This is from 1st John 2. These levels demonstrate the growth (sanctification) process in the Christian's life.
There are three kinds of "food" listed in the Bible--four, if you count water: milk, manna, and meat. Milk is for babes. Manna is for growth, but most often symbolizes the meal of the carnal Christian. Meat is for the spiritually mature.

These truths seem to have disappeared. I only find them spoken of in older books, by older men, to older congregations. Many younger preachers and younger congregations have more interested in the self-life. You know, self-help for families, self-help for finances, self-help for friendships.

We have simple life, simple church, and not-so-simple Christianity anymore.

I think what we need to do in the church in America is get back to the cross and hang there till all that self-life is dead.

But that is just my thoughts. I am only remembering simpler times.

Missions 2011 in Peru, Part 2

2011-10-06T20:36:00.000-05:00

We have done it! We have walked the streets of Lima and trudged up and down the sandy, rocky hillsides of one community and ministered together in the name of the 38th Family and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I may surprised you with this, but we don't have a clue how many people prayed to receive Christ on this trip; we did not count. In the end, only the Lord knows how many of those who did pray were serious, or comprehended the decision, when they prayed. But we shared with the young and the old alike.

Yesterday (Wednesday) may have been the most challenging day for us. The morning began in ominous tones. It seems that customs released a flood of containers from recently-arrived ships. The roads to our community were blocked. We slowed to a crawl and were forced to breathe the wretched pollution from myriad trucks that enveloped us. When we finally arrived at the morning destination--almost one hour late--we were already tired from the cacophany of the trucks' air horns and from eating so much of their dust and pollution.

But we headed to a market to minister and preach the word. My first stop with my small group was with a young lady who was glad to speak with us. I wondered if she was really listening as I shared the word of God. I finally told her I could return later and see if she had thought things over. She suddenly blurted out (in Spanish), "No! I am ready to do this now!" No one was more surprised than I. I could not read her, as I normally can do. "Pilar" prayed to receive Christ--the first of 7 that would pray with me that day.

Later in that same day we found ourselves before the casket of an 18-year-old young lady who gave up. Hopelessness swallowed her the night before. She drank a bottle of insecticide, thinking that was the way of escape from whatever demons chased her. Our host pastor had witnessed to her before, evidently; she had soundly rejected Christ at that time, if I understood him correctly. I was heartbroken to hear it.

We moved from one house of grief to another; the next person we visited has breast cancer. She is consumed with it. We came in, anointed her with oil, and prayed for healing, as the Lord willed. There was a moment of joy in that meeting. She said she wished she could attend the church (she received the Lord a couple of weeks ago). I suggested she could; the church could hold services there. It was well-received. Next week they will take their worship services to her place and celebrate Jesus there.

Today, after spending a good bit of time in prayer, we converged upon the inhabitants of the community once more. We forced our sore muscles to push us up the steep hills one more time. It was fruitful in the sense we managed to meet new families--believers--who were looking for a church home. We also met others who had just moved to the area and were interested in hearing the gospel. Our day finally came to a close and we made our way back to our "base." I left the team at the guest house and came to close out my business with my Peruvian friends. Now it's time to pack the bags...

We won't soon forget this good trip. We are returning to Mississippi tomorrow--most of us are, that is; two left tonight. We will carry with us treasures that cannot be assessed a monetary value. They cannot be seen here, either. They are heavenly treasures. They are treasures of joy and hope.

It was a good trip.

Missions 2011 in Peru

2011-09-30T21:50:00.000-05:00

10 days ago a group of us from Mississippi parted from the Jackson airport and headed to Lima. The majority went on for a few days of tourism in the mountains. I stayed behind to do missions. I was invited to be a "keynote speaker," as they put it to me, for the first annual cross-cultural missions conference. Though I did not see the fruit from it, I was told a dozen men and women responded to the invitation to be career missionaries. I can only shout praises to King Jesus over that. I saw a dream fulfilled in their decision and the burgeoning missions agency known as Peru to the Nations. It filled my heart with joy.

A week ago the rest of the Mississippi group arrived. It was the second trip for these men. Who are they? They are the Mississippi Singing Churchmen. These men and I, plus three ladies, converged on Lima and proceeded to present concerts of praise throughout the city. Each day was better than the day before. We sang before the wealthy; we sang before the very poor. We sang before the unknown and we sang before the renowned personalities in the city. And God gave a harvest. God showed himself powerful and answered prayer beyond our dreams.

When we lost permission to sing in one place, God opened other venues for us. We wanted to sing before Congress in their daily session. It did not happen. But we did get to sing in front of the congressional palace. Broadcast live across the nation. To thousands, not hundreds. Our God does far more than we ask or think.

Each day the harvest seemed to be better than the day before. We know of at least 60 who prayed to receive Christ; the Lord knows how many truly did. But we were able to be an influence in their lives, at least.

The trip has ended--for the Singing Churchmen, that is. I am still here; my church, the 38th Family, arrives tomorrow night. And the mission continues. And more men and women will be born into the family of God. And God receives all the glory.

Why Are We Surprised, Part 2

2011-09-11T22:05:00.003-05:00

In my last post I spoke of issues that has brought America to the point we are. I promised to make some and salient points regarding America and world relations. Please indulge me as I plead with America to look at the bigger picture.

Our nation has had three world-wide activities that I believe has produced the depth of blessing that has been ours. First, our nation has, since its inception, been a missionary nation. We have not hesitated in calling men and women out to go into the world with the gospel message. We have been increasingly diligent (perhaps until recent years) in our support of those men and women. America's Christian Church has been an example of obedience to the great commission. God has blessed this. God has smiled upon us. As we share the gospel message in all the world, God will supply our need to do so.

Second, our nation has been generous in sharing its abundance with other nations. We have not been selfish. We have been--and continue to be--a generous nation. When disasters strike in other nations, Americans are among the first responders. When famine has hit, we send food. When plagues and diseases assail, Americans respond with medical personnel and aid. America will readily offer to share its blessings with any nation, regardless of their political opinion and policy. It is born out of the Christian roots that shaped this nation over 200 years ago. May God continue to move us in that way!

Third, our nation has been a friend of Israel. Yes, that small, seemingly insignificant nation in the Middle East has had as its friend the United States of America. This is more than political. This is from the wisdom of God himself. Our Lord tells us that God blesses those who bless Abraham and curses those who curse him and his seed.

So long as America has done this, we have been blessed. In recent years, however, reaching all the way back to the late 1970's, we have shown increasing ambivalence when it comes to blessing the offspring of Abraham. Our most recent policies seem to favor Israel less and its Arab neighbors more. This is a dangerous policy. We must pray for our leaders to act wisely. I do not believe our Lord will grant us continued blessings if we insist on marginalizing those people through whom all his blessings have come. Yes, all his blessings have come through Israel. In case you have forgotten, Jesus Christ is of the house and lineage of King David. The Old Covenant was given to Moses; the New Covenant came through the blood of Jesus Christ. Any way you look at it, your blessings come through the offspring of Abraham. To spurn them is to risk the anger of the Lord God.

Discerning Christ-followers should not, therefore, be surprised when they hear that things are not well in America. To ignore our Christian heritage, to weaken our nation by compromise within the church, to curtail missions giving and thereby reduce the missionary force around the world, and to risk a policy shift regarding the nation of Israel--any of these things weaken America in more than one way. I pray we remember and repent while we can.

Why Are We Surprised?

2011-08-08T10:58:00.000-05:00

The news of the moment includes a downgrade of the USA's sterling credit rating, a plummeting stock market, and soaring gold. Tomorrow's futures on the other world markets reveal a continuing downturn on the world markets. The economists like to call such as this a "correction." That softens the blow of depleted retirement funds, annuities, and the like. The media are having a time with this news; theirs are the only ratings going up right now. Meanwhile, Dummy-crats point their finger at the TEA party; Republicans point theirs at the Dems, hoping for their demise next year; and no one looks under the proverbial skirts to see what the problem really is. So I want to take a look at this from another angle. And I may get it wrong; but I don't think so. . . .

While the problem the world now sees is most certainly an economic problem, there is much more to it than that. I won't spend my words analyzing the entire world. I want to speak about the USA; after all, that is where I write this from.

The problem we now face began in the early part of the 20th century, when (with respect to my Canadian and Latin American friends) "America," as we call it, experienced a radical heart shift away from God. We had just experienced a world wide awakening/revival. Hundreds of thousands around the world had been touched by the Holy Spirit and born into the kingdom of God. Then came what scholars labeled as "modernism." Man suddenly decided he was too rational to allow room for adherance to the word of God as the final authority in the affairs of life. The affairs of life, by the way, include everything, including economics, politics, and world relationships. We began a love affair with what would eventually be called humanism.

Fast-forward past WWII. Men came home from war. The nation was in a rebuilding phase. Many of those men, however, had been stung severely by the hornets of war and had become secretly cynical. They barely had time to breathe before we entered the Korean "Conflict." While men and women maintained in a cultural sense the appearance of godliness, in their homes they took off their masks. For too many, their religion was only "cloth deep." It was surface tolerance of the Bible at best.The stage was set for yet another heart shift away from God and biblical principles. The boomer generation was born, but not adequately schooled in the things of God. One of the great battles was forming: evolution v creation. Even pastors and preachers began to doubt the literal six-day creation. It showed up in their teaching. The decline in church attendance began to show as pastors inadvertently cast doubt on the veracity of Scripture by advocating a tolerance to the religion of evolution. In the home, where children were still in the innocence of Andy Griffith and other shows, there was less and less emphasis on spiritual things.

The Boomers began to come of age. Vietnam was escalating. The nation would not stand for it. And the Boomers took to the streets. As those young men and women came of age they demonstrated yet a third heart shift away from God. They cast off the shackles of what they called "organized religion." They were anti-organized everything. Time will not allow to discuss the impact of an increasingly secularized education; but this, too, had a major impact on the heart shift of Americans.

When the Boomers began to have children they continued in their now very secular mindset. Less and less showed interest in the things of God. Sunday became "fun" day. More and more protested they needed their rest. Fewer and fewer showed interest in the things of God. Soon, between the Boomers and the subsequent generations, this nation called the United States of America was post-Christian in its outlook. Tolerance was the watchword. The only things is, this tolerance is the epitome of intolerance for those who stand for all things that conservative Christians do. The lines were made clear. For the most part, America now stood in blindness to the things of God. That's no surprise, since dead men can't see. And those who do not know Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior are spiritually dead, blind, and unfeeling to the things of God.

What does this have to do with the economy? Someone is shouting, "It's the economy, stupid!" And so it does--at least, in part.

I heard the late Keith Green say that when a nation turns its back on God, God may strike that nation in three areas: in their economy, their environment, and with their enemies. The USA has experienced all three since the mid-1990's. The economic woes are just the third blow of three slaps to her face. Unless the churches repent and return, we will see worse. Unless the unsaved repent and believe, we will see worse.

In my next post I will tie this opinion to world relations. Meanwhile, we should pray and repent. . . .

How to Deal with Unwanted Text Messages

2011-07-16T20:04:00.000-05:00

I got a text message from a number I did not know. It's been going on for too long and I was about to get miffed. But I think the Lord gave me an answer for those unwanted calls/texts.

I am going to share with you the exchange; forgive his language:

Texter: Whats up bud

Me: Nothing, just reading the Revelation of Jesus Christ, given by God for man to know the beginning of the end.

Texter: Thats deep and to think i thought you were just a pretty face
Me: Dude, my feet are the beautiful parts, as Isaiah said: how beautiful are the feet of them who preach good news! & I preach it all I can.

Texter: Wow i think i might have the wrong number because the guy i'm lookin for is ruthless but fine as hell
Me: I'm sure U might, but U were led by the unseen hand of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will lift us out of hell if we turn from sin to Him. Come to 38th Ave Church!

He never responded again. He had been texting every weekend for a month. I felt impressed to witness the next time. It was fun! Try it!

Just sayin'...

2011-07-06T11:16:00.000-05:00

The glorious celebration of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America has come and gone. Friends and family celebrated all over the land. In fact, they were still celebrating at midnight last night where we live. Fireworks thundered around us. The dog trembled beside me; he really dislikes such noises ever since we left South America for the Southern America of the northern hemisphere. I think thunder and lightning, something he had never experienced, has a lot to do with it.

We celebrated at a lake some 90 miles north of here. It's a nice lake, with 28 miles of shoreline. My brother-in-law carried his very nice boat up there. The majority of the family climbed in it and took off for fun on the water. I remained behind to wet a hook with my Daiwa open faced spinning reel; it was the first time since 2002, or maybe '03, that I had been able to use that rig. I think a man can't claim to be a fisherman if he hasn't fished since then (don't lose that thought; I'll go somewhere with it).

My first cast in 8 years resulted in what I did not want to see: my best spinner bait flying freely across the lake and into the water. Somehow my handsome 2-year-old grandson had managed to get tangled in the line while the pole was sitting by the chair they set him in. And the line subsequently wrapped around the handle. So when I cast the line, the whip action set in motion a freedom my lure could have only enjoyed as it hurtled across the open waters. The bass sat below the surface laughing, no doubt.

Those bass later amused themselves by striking lazily at my attempts to lure them with other spinners. They do that sometimes. They do it often with me. I could almost hear their gurgling laughter below the water...

After an hour of trying different lures, I gave up and went back to the clan who had gathered under the trees where we had set up our picnic. I got there in time to see them run off for round two on the water. More of us stayed behind that time.

And then came the rains. Not just rain. Thunder and lightning. The park ranger made us get into our cars (the boaters had returned--a wise move). My grandson climbed into our car, which he claims as his. His mom's car is hers; my wife's car is hers. But my SUV belongs to Michael; he cries out when he sees it, "MY car!" He sat in my lap, hands wrapped around the steering wheel, steering wildly. I thought his actions reminded me of a taxi driver in Lima.

We were in the car to evade the lighting and rain. That's when I felt it: water, slowly soaking into my lap. You can guess why. I decided I would stand in the rain for awhile... The lightning was preferrable to the sensation of that kind of water.

We were finally driven away from the lake by the storm cells. One would end, but another would form just as quickly. We saw no break in sight.

I went home reminded of two things: sometimes someone is going to pee on you when you least expect it. That's just part of life.

But worse, if you don't fish more than once or twice in a decade, you really aren't a fisherman.

And if you don't win souls any more often than that; neither are you a soul-winner.

I'm just sayin'...

Going with the Gospel

2011-06-03T15:30:00.000-05:00

This Sunday Night I will give a charge to a local volunteer group going on mission to the highlands of Peru. This is their second trip to this particular place. The group is composed of more than 50! I tried to persuade them to divide their teams and go 4 times in the year. They love one another's company too much for that, I'm afraid. So they have chosen to go once a year, descending upon the small villages of the Quechua peoples where they will work.

I will share 4 adverbs modifying the word "go" with them. It is a description of the Great Commission, as found in Mt. 28:19, 20; and in Acts 1:8.

I will challenge them to go obediently. This is for the entire church's consumption. The Great Commission is not just for some; it's for all of us.

I will tell the group to go expectantly. We have received the power of the Holy Spirit. We must expect him to go with us--even to be there before us--as we share.

I will teach the group to go courageously. In Acts 4 the disciples prayed for the presence of God to enable them to share the word with boldness. When political and religious figures oppose the preachers, fear can set in. They must be courageous in their witness, even if they face opposition.

And I will teach the church to go concurrently. To answer those who say, "Aren't there enough lost people around us, so that we don't need to go over "there?" I will say to them that we must go beyond our walls locally and internationally as we can. There is not a linear, systematic logic to Acts 1:8. It does not say we should be witnesses in "Jerusalem, THEN Judea, THEN Samaria, THEN the uttermost parts of the world." The conjunction is "AND." It conveys a concurrent action.

Most of all I will tell them to go.

And I will tell it to you now: go. Preach the gospel. Just go.

Praying for our Nation

2011-05-25T11:16:00.001-05:00

First it was Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama--among other southern states. This week it was Joplin, Mo and towns in Oklahoma. The heartache is extensive. The death toll continues upward. One woman dropped dead when she learned her father had died in the Joplin storm.

Undoubtedly, many are crying out, "Why us?! What did we do?" The first answer that must be given is that both good things and bad things come to the good and the evil (the righteous and the unrighteous) alike. Many good Christian families were ravaged by these storms. Many morally decent people lost everything. What God will do is show himself through their godly response to the horrible storms and disasters that have now tatooed their lives.

Yes, what is inside of us comes out in the worst of times. If a professing Christ-follower gets squeezed by disaster, like a large-fisted weight lifter may squeeze the juice out of an orange, whatever is in that professing Christ-follower is going to squirt out. If he or she is full of Jesus, then Jesus gets mixed in with the tears and anguish. People around that person see it and marvel at God's peace in that person's life.

But if we profess to follow Christ, but are in fact filled with deception, anger, bitterness, explosive wrath--and the like, then that is what squirts out with our response to disaster and devastation. I would add carefully that some are either thin-skinned or so full of these negative, sinful traits that it flows out rather quickly. Like the recent volcanoes in Iceland, they spew out ash and lava, disrupting things for anyone within miles of them.

While our compatriots suffer these disasters we who are untouched are held responsible to hold them up in prayer. We must pray for the God of peace to unleash His peace in their lives. And we may need to put feet to our prayers when we say, "God bless them!"

But start with praying...

Pray for Israel

2011-05-15T21:13:00.000-05:00

This is Israel's anniversary. While some in the world may rejoice over this news, there are others who are angry, dismayed, and even hostile to their existence. Some protest that Israel "stole" the land on which they now live. Others claim they displaced millions when the new nation of Israel was formed. Those are they ignore the convenient fact that the land was mostly unoccupied until word got out that Jewish people were moving in. Too many are praying for their demise.

Biblically, this was their land, given to them more than 3,000 years ago. Politically, the Jewish people were reinstated into their land in 1948. So whether you look politically or biblically, Israel is a legitimate nation living within their granted territorial borders.

Our position as Christ-followers cannot be clearer than God tells us in Scripture: ours is to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. This is the place to which Christ will one day return. God blesses those who bless Israel. He curses those who will curse it. Pray for Israel. Pray for peace. Pray for their repentance and faith in the Messiah, whose name is Jesus of Nazareth.

Pray for Congress

2011-04-19T21:18:00.000-05:00

There is little more important to ask of anyone who reads this, who calls this nation home, than to pray for our Congress. I hope many of you paid close attention to the recent debates over the current fiscal year's budget. You probably recall that, after a few continuing resolutions to avoid a governmental shutdown, we reached a point where they pulled off a "last-minute" deal to "save" the government. Our military were held hostage to the threat of withholding their salary if Dems and Repubs did not reach a deal. Finally, our president appeared with the great announcement that a deal had been reached. All was once more safe. We could breathe easy once more.

As the ink has dried and the dust has settled, one can see the truth of the whole matter. We were played. This was not a Democrat trick; this was not a Republic con. This now appears to be a carefully orchestrated move by both parties to create a win-win situation. Dems won and so did Repubs. Why does that matter? They won, but I believe at our expense. It made both sides look good to their constituents. Repubs could say, "We tried; this was the best deal we could eke out." Dems could say, "We tried to hold ground, but we had to give up a little."

The truth is, no one gave up anything. It was an accounting trick. We were duped. They see you, the voting taxpayer, as gullible.

We must pray for these men and women who now appear to be far more concerned with keeping their jobs than with corralling their lust for a big-dollar government. Pray for a change of heart for each one. God can do what looks impossible. He can turn their hearts as easily as he turns a river this way and that. I believe we can see it happen; but I believe it must begin with those who are Christ-followers. We must lead out in prayer.

Pray for Japan

2011-03-13T21:49:00.003-05:00

News reports now place death tolls above 10,000. Some scientists fear catastrophic aftershocks. We must pray for this crushed nation.

Baptist Global Response will help you channel your donations for relief in Japan. See IMB.org for more information.

Pray for Japan

2011-03-11T11:55:00.000-06:00

Re: Japanese earthquake/tsunami - Drudge reports the death toll in one area alone will top 1,000.

We must pray and we must put into practice our Christianity and seek to minister to these suffering people. For my brothers who would be tempted to point their fingers and proclaim that this is what happens to a non-Christian society, remember this: Jesus said the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. Don't cry judgment yet; I still see a log in some eyes....

Newt Gingrich Is Right

2011-02-25T21:08:00.000-06:00

This week our president made a serious error. He chose to ignore his constitutional responsibilities because he does not like a law that was duly passed by our United States Congress. The legislature makes laws. The Judicial branch tests those laws' validity, and the executive branch administers those laws. When Mr. Obama chose to declare the Defense of Marriage Act an undefensable law, he chose to usurp both the legislative and judicial branches of our government. Newt Gingrich is correct: this is a clear violation of the presidential powers and responsibilities.

What should Christians do about this? They should do the same that all conscientious citizens should do: they should register their profound disagreement with these actions, which are possibly impeachable offenses. They should take one step beyond the common citizen; they should pray passionately for our legislature and judiciary to reprimand the president for the violation of his role. They should pray for the president to repent of his unconstitutional actions.

If Congress and the judiciary ignore this, they will run the risk of setting a very dangerous precedent. If the president can pick and choose which parts of the law and which laws he will enforce, it will be a short walk across the face of the Constitution to the Bill of Rights.

We already have one Hugo Chavez in our hemisphere. We don't need another.

Do you believe in the power of prayer?

2011-02-15T19:19:00.000-06:00

Do you believe in praying? Do you believe in the power of prayer? Better said, do you believe in the power of God who answers prayer? Consider the following humorous story, related as true. It may or may not be. But it points out a fundamental weakness that grips all of us from time to time.

[begin quoted story] TEXAS BEER JOINT SUES CHURCH over LIGHTNING STRIKE !

ONLY IN TEXAS ...

Texas Beer Joint Sues Church In Mt. Vernon, Texas. Drummond's Bar began construction on expansion of their building to increase their business.

In response, the local Baptist Church started a campaign to block the bar from expanding with petitions and prayers. Work progressed right up until the week before the grand reopening when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground!

After the bar burning to the ground by a lightning strike, the church folks were rather smug in their outlook, bragging about ??? the power of prayer???, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church . . ."was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means."

In its reply to the court, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise.

The judge read through the plaintiff's complaint and the defendant's reply, and at the opening hearing he commented………

"I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but it appears from the paperwork that we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that now does not."

True Story. [end quoted story]

What a story! What about you? Where would stand in this story?

Faith Comes by Hearing

2011-02-01T19:39:00.000-06:00

Yesterday (Monday) we loaded up after staff meeting and we headed to Meridian, MS to the evangelism conference. It was a longer trip that I remembered; we got there just in time to hear them dismiss us for lunch. But it was a worthwhile journey.

I stopped on the way in a town with gasoline much cheaper than in our town. To my delight, they offered ethanol-free gasoline. My vehicle despises ethanol. It burns up the plugs and plug wires. To my greater delight I met a man from Yemen. By the way he shook my hand after our conversation, I gathered that touching me was not what he wanted to do. Little did he know that I made a point of taking his hand to establish contact with him. Neither does he know that our evangelism pastor just ordered a supply of tracts in Arabic. I will be back soon to see my new acquaintance.

The next divine encounter was the joy of sitting at the feet of three very good speakers/preachers. My heart was stirred. The men held up a mirror for me to see myself. They held up God's standards. I needed to see it. I was hungry for that. Some may wonder how a preacher can possibly be hungry for preaching; after all, he hears himself each week. That is precisely the problem. We hear ourselves. If you hear yourself long enough you will become the standard by which you measure all others. Elijah fell for that. He told God he was all alone in his work and tired of it. Every preacher needs to sit at the feet of others from time to time. It does not happen often enough, in my opinion.

The more I heard, the more excited I became. Faith truly comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So be it!

The World, or Something Like It

2011-01-30T17:00:00.000-06:00

I am stateside now. I have not seen an international airport for over 9 months. I will travel again, but not to live in another nation.

Still, for me, the world is my parrish, much as it was for John Wesley. I find myself tormented at times over what goes on in the world. I read world newspapers (online, of course) to see what I can see about places that the Lord places on my heart. At other times I find myself rejoicing; God is still at work.

One place that has caught my mind of late, as it should have, is Egypt. I know people there. I can't and won't say who it is I know. But I find myself concerned for them. It's not a safe place these days. In spite of that insecurity, I think the Lord is up to something that will shape the final days before his great appearing.

But for the sake of those who bear the good news, often with great peril to their lives, I would ask you to pray for peace in Egypt. Pray for the safety of those believers who live there. And most of all, pray for the gospel to advance in the face of the current friction.

The Power of the Word of God

2011-01-29T13:51:00.001-06:00

I just read the following from Baptist Press. I trust it blesses you as much as it did me.

Chinese woman leads dozens to Christ with 70¢ tract

By Sue Sprenkle

Jan 28, 2011

THAILAND (BP)--No one notices the young Chinese woman silently crying in the back pew. It's the only place she finds solace from her deep depression and fear of death.

She's not even sure why she sits in this church every afternoon; her communist education and Buddhist religion teach against a belief in God. Yet something keeps drawing Lily Wang* here.

She pulls a Bible from the pew. It's not in her native Mandarin, but she flips it open anyway. She learned to read a little Thai after moving to Thailand a few years ago to teach school, but she hasn't learned enough to really understand this.

So many questions cloud her mind that she finally musters enough courage to speak to a man carrying the same book. He brushes past the petite woman and goes about his business. The rejection reinforces everything she's feeling -- no one is interested in her; no one cares.

Distraught and angry, Wang walks to the foot of the cross and screams, "Are you real?

"I don't want to die. I want to live," she cries. "Please give me a way."

Wang storms out of the church, vowing never to return.

HOPE COMES

A few weeks later, Wang is sitting at her desk preparing lessons when a student rushes into her international school's classroom.

"Teacher! Teacher!" the girl exclaims. Wang jumps up, startled and concerned, until she hears, "I found your book."

The student hands her a soiled booklet. She found it in the trashcan on the playground. Wang scrunches her nose against the stench and explains it isn't hers. The girl must throw it back in the trash.

"But teacher, it must be your book," the girl insists. "It's written in Chinese."

Wang quickly scans the first page. Her heart leaps. The story is about Jesus' death and resurrection. She thanks her student for the book and sits down to read. The booklet, a tract called "Song of a Wanderer," answers every question she whispered in the church. The information is shocking. Her education since childhood taught only evolution, but this booklet claims life started from a complete human form, not a single cell.

"This has to be true," she mutters to herself.

The book opens a new world for Wang as she discovers a Creator-God. She stuffs the booklet in her back pocket and takes it everywhere, spending every spare second reading and rereading.

For weeks, her whole world revolves around the torn book. Finally, Wang decides she needs more. The booklet quotes Scripture throughout; she wants a Bible -- but she has no idea how to find one. In her home country, China, you can't just go out and buy one at the corner bookstore. Wang decides to write to the address on the tract requesting a Bible.

"No matter the cost, I will pay for the Bible," she adds to the letter, fearing the Christians might reject her again.

"I don't really believe anything will happen," she thinks, preparing herself for disappointment. "It will be just like when I prayed in the church -- nothing. God isn't interested."

Wang can't help herself, though. She watches the mail daily, but nothing arrives. Just as she's about to give up hope, a woman speaking Mandarin calls. Southern Cross Project, a Chinese Bible distribution ministry, received her letter. The woman offers to deliver the Bible in person.

Over coffee, Wang learns that as she was screaming at God months ago in the church, some American mission volunteers were distributing Mandarin Bibles and Christian literature packets to Chinese tourists. Somehow, one of these books made it across town to her.

"I'm in God's hands. He does care about me," Wang admits. "I need to accept these teachings."

HOPE SHARED

After her meeting, the teacher rushes home to call her mother in China. She excitedly recounts her new discovery and urges her mother to tell her sister.

"How can I share if I do not understand it myself?" her mother asks.

It hasn't occurred to Wang that her uneducated mother might not understand the tract. It speaks to educated Chinese, those who learned about evolution and were taught to doubt God's existence. Wang wants her family to find the same Creator-God, so, she calls everyday, reading from the tract and talking about God. By the end of the book, her mother and sister also decide to follow Jesus.

The first time Wang visits a Chinese church in her city, she notices everyone gathered around two women. The discussion about God heats up but the two remain stone-faced, unbending in their denial of God's existence.

Wang pulls the precious tract out of her purse and discreetly hands it to the women. They read parts of it together and discuss it with the young teacher. Both ask Jesus into their hearts.

Wang takes the soiled booklet everywhere she goes. Even when she travels to England to work on a master's degree, she slides it into her carry-on. While in Europe, she uses the tract to lead more than 20 people to Christ during her two years of study -- not to mention 20 others in Thailand.

When Wang goes to China for vacation, her childhood best friend, Chen Wu*, notices something different about her. Wang starts to tell Wu about the change in her life but her friend stops her mid-sentence. Wu doesn't want to hear; she thinks God is only for lucky people. Rather than argue, Wang comes up with a compromise.

"If you promise to read this book, I promise not to talk about God until you bring the topic to me," Wang says, inwardly grimacing about leaving her precious, worn-out book in China.

Her friend agrees, not really believing something that looks like a piece of trash really holds answers for her life. It's months before Wu opens the book. But when she does, Wu reads the entire thing in one sitting, then immediately calls Wang. They kneel together -- one in Thailand, the other in China -- and Wang helps her best friend invite Jesus into her heart.

"Isn't it amazing how God uses a piece of trash to call people to Him?" Wang asks her friend about the 70-cent tract. Then she adds, "Now, give me my book back!"

Wu ignores her. She now uses the booklet to tell others in China how her life changed. She's lost count of how many have prayed with her to receive Christ.

--30--

*Name changed. The next Southern Cross project, Jan. 30 to Feb. 6, will be live-blogged at www.mreport.org. You can join six volunteer teams as they pray and distribute packets of Christian literature. To learn how to get involved in the Southern Cross Project, e-mail scptravel@pobox.com. Sue Sprenkle has been travelling the globe for more than a decade as a writer and photographer for the International Mission Board. She currently resides in Southeast Asia.

Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press

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Nashville, TN 37203

Tel: 615.244.2355

Fax: 615.782.8736

email: bpress@sbc.net

Why Was Jesus Born?

2010-12-25T09:47:00.000-06:00

The sound and the fury of the Christmas holiday is mostly over where I live. The cold rains fall slowly outside; the paper from the few gifts we bought has been collected and placed into a bag. Music about Christmas (some carols, some not) caresses the sound waves in the background, muffled by hair dryers as my ladies prepare for our next event--a brunch with family.

With all the activities around us, it is so easy to forget what Christmas is truly about; why exactly Jesus was born. He came to put a stop to things like the murder-suicide just north of us. When Jesus rules, insane acts like this one are dispelled. But it is more than that....

2,000 years ago, about ten miles from Jerusalem, in the tiny town of Bethlehem, a baby was born that would change the world. He was given two names: one was Jesus, meaning Jehovah Saves; the other, Emmanuel, meaning God with us. Both names bring great news and great promise.

God is with us in all of life. He is with us today. He is with us in the hard times; he is with us in the good times.

God is with us in the beginning, in the middle, and in the end of our lives. God with us.

That, neighbor, is what this season is all about.

That is why Jesus was born.

Faith Giving

2010-12-19T17:28:00.000-06:00

This one is to the point: we set a missions offering goal in our church of 13 thousand dollars. We surpassed that goal by more than 3 thousand today.

Do you think God will not bless this group for their generous spirit? I tell you that he will give back so much more that they won't know what to do with the blessings!

How Great Is Our God!

I challenge you to give, as well. Give of those blessings so that others may hear. We are not yet where we need to be in sharing the gospel. God is calling out men and women to go; but many cannot because we have not given to our potential.

Be generous today.

Reality Check

2010-11-27T18:44:00.000-06:00

I read some amazing headlines today:
"VIDEO: Crazed shoppers stampede at TARGET..." "Marine stabbed at BEST BUY..." "Shopper arrested after packing gun in belt; knives, 'pepper grenade'..."

I promise you, I was not motivated to go out and join the throngs. A friend said she went to the "other" discount chain that much of America shops, only to see women tussling over toys, cursing one another; men pushing back and forth, battling for position in the aisles. This kind of insanity baffles me beyond words.

It's time for a reality check, ladies and gents. This sense of desperation and anger is not a healthy sign. In the last days, Paul said, perilous times will come. Men will be selfish and godless. They will think more of pleasure than they do of God. They will have a some kind of godliness, but not the kind you get by knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.

This time of the year is supposed to be about the Lord Jesus, first; then it is about showing our families their love. I hope you find that true in your life.

A Tale of Two Pastors

2010-11-17T14:37:00.000-06:00

I read today two news articles about two pastors. One has chosen to turn away from the truth, perverting it to fit his life. The other has chosen to teach the truth, letting the truth of God's word sway the men in his community.

Yes, Mr. Swilley, of Conyers, Georgia, has chosen to come out of that proverbial closet. He grew tired of hiding his sin. But instead of repenting and renouncing sin, he has reveled in it. Mr. Swilley's motivation, according to the article, was the death of a student from Rutgers U. He ignores Scriptures like 1 Cor. 6:9, 10. He attributes to God what God attributes to our fallen nature.

Are you not amazed that it is always God's fault when sin overtakes us? I am! David said in Psalm 50:21 that the evil man thinks God is completely like him, because God kept silence while the evil mann sinned. Know this: the day is coming when God will no longer be silent about any sin.

Equally amazing to me is the fact that this man was married for 20 years, or so, and that his former wife still attends and works in the church where this man is allowed to be pastor. Heaven weeps today.

A few hundred miles away, in Jackson, MS, Pastor Dwayne Pickett stands before 5,000 congregants each Sunday to preach the gospel. His church grew from less than 200 to this great number as Pastor Dwayne gave himself to teach the truth of God's word to the men of his community. He taught them that sin was sin, not to be tolerated in one's life. Today, 45% of his church members are men he has won to Christ. Heaven also rejoices today over men like Pastor Dwayne.

What a contrast. One man circumvents the Word to live in sin. The other man proclaims the Word to liberate from sin. It is the best of times, it is the worst of times...

Those Choices We Make

2010-11-16T11:15:00.000-06:00

Saturday afternoon the University of Southern Mississippi football team stood tall in Central Florida University's stadium. The Golden Eagles soared away with a big win. The team was beside itself. The coaches were elated.

Sometime later, an undetermined number of those young men made a choice that will live with them for the rest of their lives. They visited a local "club." That is a cover name for a place of raucous behavior. Reports reveal that as many as 1,000 people will visit this "club" on Friday and Saturday nights. It's an accident waiting to happen.

And it did.

But it wasn't an accident.

Three of those young men found themselves at odds with an unidentified individual. For whatever reason (very few of them could be good reasons in a place like that), he wanted to put them in their place. Security personnel sent them out into the parking lot. The unidentified person pulled a gun, aimed it at the three young men and pulled the trigger. One is now paralyzed. One's vocal chords were severed. One was hit in the chest.

Thankfully, all will live. Sadly, all three lives have been changed. One, barring a miracle from the Lord Jesus, may never walk again. One, barring that same miraculous presence, may never speak again.

I pray for the miracles.

I grieve for the young men and their families.

I also grieve for the choice that motivated them to follow their passionate desires and to visit a place like that.

I grieve for the nation that has created the expectation that, if it is fun, it must be okay to do. So choose "fun," whatever form it takes.

I grieve for the expectation that we must sow those wild oats, as they were once called. So choose to sow those wild oats.

Those choices we make have consequences. Many of the consequences are good. Some are bad. Some lead to tragedy.

Pray for these three unnamed (by me) young men. Pray for the next choice to be one that brings them under the care of the Great Shepherd.

Life, or Something Like It

2010-11-09T10:42:00.000-06:00

Amazingly, keeping up with current news and doing things like blogging is becoming more and more challenging. I find myself occupied with a great calling. And it is great.

This past Sunday was a very stirring time for me, personally. I listened to an "M" to Oaxaca, Mexico challenge us to reach the lost with the gospel so that all nations may glorify God. His words carried great authority, far more than he realized in the moment (he had told me he was not good at public speaking). The conviction of the Holy Spirit swept over our congregation.

Then Sunday night I shared from Mt. 24. If I could preach on the return of Christ each week and keep it fresh, I would. The greatest news we can share is that Christ came, that he died for us, that we can be redeemed and forgiven in His name; but also that he is coming again. As the hymn says it, the skies will roll back like a scroll and Jesus will step from eternity into time once again.

Then came last night--Monday. What is special about Mondays? Nothing, really; but last night we saw fruit from our outreach ministry, called "Beyond Our Walls." Close to ten of us went beyond our walls and we were able to share the gospel. My associate pastor for youth has a great group he calls his E-Team. They converge on one of the two university campuses and witness to the students there. Last night one of those students repented and believed the gospel. I mention him because I am acquainted with him. What are the chances that our E-Team would find one out of 16,000 that I have seen and spoken with in another town? It was a divine encounter. Before the team left him, the young man was giving his life to Christ. My heart soared when I heard the great news. I was a half mile away with another team when this encounter took place. I thought I heard thunderous praise from the angels in heaven...

One more now stands with arms outstretched, hands raised towards heaven, singing hallelujahs to the King of kings.

And now we are looking at Tuesday. Aside from enjoying the presence of the Lord, I find that life goes on. Dishes are still staring back at me in the sink. The dog still stinks and needs grooming. And I ran out of Oreos, an all-important staple in this household's daily life. Now THAT comes close to a crisis...

A Thought for Ministers of the Gospel

2010-10-22T11:11:00.000-05:00

A friend sent me the following from Charles Spurgeon's historic and holy works. Nothing more needs to be said than is said below:

Excerpted from INCENSE AND LIGHT, March 11, 1883

I desire, in the third place, to show SOME SPECIAL PRACTICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE INCENSE AND THE LAMP. Let us read the text again: "And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it." So, then, there should be prayer especially at the dressing of the lamps: that is to say, when preparing our minds for that ministry by which we enlighten the people among whom we dwell we should be specially earnest in prayer.

Preparation for preaching and teaching is most important: God's work is not to be done carelessly as boys shoot arrows at random in their play. We must prepare both by reading and pleading: we must, like the apostles, give ourselves to the word of God and prayer. We are told by ancient Rabbis that when the priest who was appointed for that office went into the holy place he took with him the golden snuffers and the golden snuff dishes, and a vessel full of pure olive oil and by the help of these be attended to the trimming of the golden lamp. There were seven lamps on the candelabra:

some of these might have gone quite out during the night; he would have to take away whatever of snuff remained, wipe out the lamp, place a new wick, fill up with fresh oil, and then kindle the flame anew. In another lamp it may be the light was still burning but feebly: he might have simply to snuff it, take away the "the superfluity of naughtiness" in the golden snuff dish and make all things clean and right. Sometimes the light might be burning well and nothing was needed but to replenish it with oil. Thus all was set in order for another day. The like was done in the evening. In the process of trimming lamps there is a measure of offense: snuffs do not give forth a very dainty perfume, and the smear and smelt of oil are not altogether of sweet savor; therefore, before he trimmed the lamps, the priest kindled the incense. No snuff would then be offensive, for the overpowering fragrance of the incense killed it all and prevented the prevalence of any odour unfit for the house of God. When we go into our studies to try and trim our lamps let us remember that our first business is to pray. Alas, we have much of smoking wick about us; much negligence, much ignorance, many mistakes and errors; and thereby we shall grieve the Lord if Jesus is not called in to cover all. When we are preparing in secret to serve the Lord in public we shall make poor work of it if we do not beforehand draw near to God in prayer. We need that our garments should be made to smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia by being covered with the merit of Jesus, or else we shall offend even while engaged in the holy act of preparing to spread abroad the light of divine truth. You have to trim your lamps, brethren, and sisters, when you go into the Sunday-school - at least, I hope you do. I hope you do not run into your class with anything which first comes to hand: if you do not snuff your candles and fill your lamps with fresh oil your children will sit in darkness before a lamp which does not shine. No, there ought to be careful preparation, according as your time and ability will allow, and above all the pouring in of the holy oil of the Holy Spirit, by fresh fellowship with Jesus. In that process one of the chief elements is prayer. Dr. Adam Clarke used to say to young ministers, "Study yourselves dead, and then pray yourselves alive again"; and that is an excellent rule. Work in your study as if it all depended upon you, and then go forth and speak, trusting in God because all depends upon him.

Remember that the chief part of all study of God's word must be prayer.

This is the boring-rod and the powder by which we burst open the great rocks of truth. "To have prayed well is to have studied well," said Martin Luther, and so most certainly it is; therefore let none of us when we dress the lamp forget the incense.

The Secret to Greater Strength

2010-10-07T13:04:00.000-05:00

I shared with a group from our church today. The thoughts motivated me so much that I wanted to share them with those few who may read this blog.

Isaiah 40:31- But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I want to show you one of the secrets to finishing well. I think this is one thing that may occupy the minds of all present. I know it is in my mind almost every week. I want to finish well. I want stay the course, to keep the right focus, and finish well.

I think we can apply this to three parts of the Christian life:

1. Spring – mount up with wings as eagles. These are the warrior years. We have the passion of the greatest of the birds. We soar high and far. No challenge is too great. We are ready to charge forward in the strength of the Lord.

2. Summer – run, and not be weary. These are the working years. As we look forward we realize not much is left. As we look backward, we see where God has brought us. And we want to take advantage of every single day while we can. So we set a pace that lets us work hard and steady in the kingdom of God.

3. Winter – walk, and not faint. These are the wisdom years. We have learned to pace ourselves. We measure each step carefully, but do not fail in it. We see the Great City not far ahead and we want to reach it without growing tired of the life Christ has given us to live.

The operative promise is to renew our strength. The Hebrew word for “renew” means, “To replace with something better.” God takes away one kind of strength and replaces it with another.

The Lord has a lot to say about strength. Let me remind you of a text I preached in 2008 while furloughing here: Ps. 84:7 - They go from strength to strength, appearing in Zion before God. God wonderfully and miraculously gives you the kind of strength you need for each day and each situation and each stage of your life.

One kind of strength is praise – God inhabits the praises of his people.

Another kind of strength is grace – Be strong in the grace that is in the Lord Jesus.

Another kind of strength is God’s word itself (compared to meat, manna, and milk).

This is all conditional. There is a process. I want to show you the secret: you have to wait upon the Lord. For these things to happen, we must wait on the Lord. How do you wait on the Lord?

You look for him. I don’t mean necessarily “search for him,” though sometimes you have to do that, too. I mean you keep an eye peeled for him. I was given lookout detail more than once when I we went to sea. I would stand on the wing of the bridge on the ship with binoculars and look for small craft that may escape radar as we put out to sea. Sometimes we would scan the skies for low-flying spy planes while out at sea. The thing that both had in common was that we had to keep our eyes open. Waiting on the Lord implies you keep your eyes open, looking for him.

Waiting on the Lord means to wait eagerly. How excited are you about meeting with the Lord? You should be waiting eagerly.

Waiting on the Lord means to wait expectantly. It means to hope for his coming. Now I am not speaking about the second coming, though I wait for that. I am speaking about when I pray I expect that God will show up. When I come here to worship on Sundays and Wednesdays, I expect God to show up. If you don’t come here expecting God to show up, you will probably miss him when he does.

Do you remember Elisha’s waiting for Elijah to be taken? Elijah told Elisha he would have that double portion of strength (spirit) if he saw Elijah being taken away from him. So Elisha looked expectantly. He looked eagerly. They tried to distract him on the one side. They tried to distract him on the other. But Elisha persevered. They tried discouragement when distraction did not work. But Elisha persevered. Soon Elisha saw the chariot of fire, drawn by horses of fire. Behind it was a whirlwind. Before anyone knew it, Elijah was gone. But there stood Elisha, watching the whole thing. He saw it because he looked for it. He waited for it.

You and I will be renewed if we wait eagerly and expectantly. That, good friend, is the secret to greater strength.

Trying to Remember What I Forgot

2010-09-28T20:23:00.000-05:00

Today I took a drive in a part of the country I have not seen for decades. When I was a boy my grandfather would drive me up and down those roads. Sometimes it would be a trip to "the big city." Other times it would be a drive to visit a church member (he was a pastor), or a cousin. Sometimes it would be his route to one of the few small towns in this part of rural Mississippi. He had one town for shoes, one for farm supplies, and another for the basic supplies. You only went to town when it was needed. You only went on a Saturday, except for emergencies. You NEVER went on Sundays, except to go to church if church was in town.

The back roads held so many forgotten, buried, but great memories. There were the stores we would sometimes visit. They always held promise of a 6 ounce Coke and some kind of candy bar. Never far away was the RC Cola and the Moon Pie if we wanted a change from the ever popular Coke.

One crossroad brought back the memories of catching my first bass on an artificial topwater lure. It weighed all of 3 pounds, but what a memory! I was a young teen becoming the Bass Master world champion in that moment. I was so pumped I even bought a membership with Bass Masters so I could have the patch. After all, I had now joined the ranks of great fishermen everywhere.

One bridge crossed a creek where I watched Grandaddy baptize those brave souls who had given their hearts to the Lord in the most recent summer revival. That creek sure was bigger when I was a boy. I can't imagine how it shrank.

The church was called Riverside Baptist, though I have no clue as to why. The river was miles away. It must be from that old Spiritual that said, "Gonna lay down my burdens, down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside..." It was an old wooden building, with straight (so they seemed at the time) wood pews, and a series of windows on both sides of the building. Those windows were always open in the spring and summer. There was no air conditioning. There were no electric fans. There were what we called funeral fans--a large, shaped piece of cardboard with a soothing image and an advertisment for local funeral services.

The only water we ever saw in those hot summer mornings and evenings was the glass of ice water sitting on the pulpit, condensation dripping off the cold glass. As my grandfather warmed up in his passionate preaching style, the air grew hotter and the water more tempting. We cringed whenever temptation and coveting entered his message, because there we sat, coveting that cold glass of water. It was always worse whenever he would pause and lift the glass to his lips. The fans would begin to fan at a frenetic pace. A hummingbird would have been proud of the fanning of many of us.

Riverside Baptist holds two strong memories for me, maybe three. I remember my Uncle Simp's prayer for rain (he was really a cousin, but they told us we had to call him Uncle Simp) during a drought. I have not heard many pray like him, before or since. And yes, it rained a few days later. I think Uncle Simp was the only one who brought an umbrella to that prayer meeting.

And I remember Uncle Simp's message on Elijah being fed by the ravens. I was only 9, maybe 10; but the image painted in his word pictures still sits in my mind to this day. There are days when Uncle Simp's words bolster my faith and let me strengthen myself in the Lord.

And then there was the outhouse. I remember the outhouse. I hated that thing. I hated it more for the promise of red wasps than for the other unpleasantries that come with non-plumbed outdoor bathrooms. And no, we did not have corn cobs to use in the outhouse.

This was just the first half of the more-than-one-hour-long ride. But it stirred so many old memories. So many things I wanted to remember peeked over the distant hills in my mind.

One day I will take that same journey again. This time it will be the spiritual roads with their markers that God has impressed on my heart. It will be a good journey, because there are those times that we need to try to remember some things that we have forgotten.

Should Followers of Christ Burn the Quran?

2010-09-10T10:02:00.000-05:00

The news around the world is occupied with the promise by some to burn the Quran. It makes headlines on both the internet and television media. In Amercia, it has turned into a war of words. In other countries, the protests are loud and look violent.

The proponents of the book burning claim their motives are fueled by something greater than just the infamous date of 9-11. That would be enough for some out there; but for these folk it is even more sinister. It was not enough that terrorist Muslims attacked our nation. Please let me be clear, in case anyone has a doubt where I stand: may those who perpetrated this burn in hell if they do not repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. May all who attack my nation suffer a terrible fate if they do not repent and believe the gospel! I watched this attack, just as most of you did. I saw the second plane hit the second tower. I saw the live reports as the third plane hit the Pentagon. I was ready to sign up and go fight those illegitimate sons of the devil. I was angry. I still am.

BUT, I was also compelled to find ways to preach Christ to them. As angry as I am, I understand that their root problem is spiritual. They need Jesus. They need to repent and believe the gospel. They need missionaries, not military (this is not a treatise on the justification of wars; this is a spiritual lesson).

So now we get back to the issue. 9-11 was not enough to provoke the book burnings. The Muslim world has had the historical practice of placing a mosque on or near the site of any place they have won a battle. To place a mosque at "Ground Zero" of the WTC is a message to the Muslim world: it says they won. And the Muslim community wants to send that message out.

So the erection of a mosque is an offense. It should be seen as an offense. It should be reported as an offense. But our news media are more interested in reporting sensationalism than they are truth. If the Muslim community proceeds with their plans, if they build this mosque, it will be a slap--no, a kick in America's groin. I would cast my shoes at them for this wretched plan. I would extend to them my left hand.

Is the proper retaliation on our part to burn their sacred writings? While we know those writings are not truth with no mixture of error, as is the Bible, the writings are still sacred to them. So to physically attack their writings is an offense of significant proportion. It would be a serious setback for those seeking to win Muslims to faith in Christ Jesus. It flies in the face of the teachings of Jesus who told us to be wise as serpents, but harmless as doves. It resorts to the very things that they do to believers and to the true Word of God. We should be careful not to imitate their stupid, irrational, and blasphemous behavior.

Lest those who name the name of Christ have forgotten, this is a spiritual battle. I say to those who wish to burn their book: if you spent half as much time on your knees seeking their salvation, and the other half witnessing to them, you would have likely won many of these misguided, lost souls to Christ. If you want to be a true offense to them, send missionary teams into their lands and preach the risen Savior. Win them for Jesus' sake. That is the proper response.

The Big Question in Christian Circles: Is Glenn Beck a Christian?

2010-09-06T14:35:00.003-05:00

Americans have been going round and round about Mr. Beck, an active Mormon and very famous talk radio host. Is he or is he not a believer? I can answer this accurately for all who wonder: I don't know.

Mr. Beck has stated emphatically that he is trusting in the atonement of Jesus Christ for his salvation. The trouble is, Evangelical Christianity and Mormonism mean two different things about atonement. Dr. Al Mohler agrees: "You're having the language, but you're not having the definitions here," he noted.

Consider the following: Mormonism teaches that the primary place of atonement by Christ Jesus was in Gethsemane, not at Calvary. The New Testament, however, teaches that the atonement occurred on the cross.

Additionally, in which Jesus does Mr. Beck believe? The Jesus of the Bible? Or does he believe in the Jesus of the Mormon books? The Jesus of the Mormon literature was not conceived by the Holy Spirit; rather, Elohim came down in human form and had sex with Mary. Also, the Jesus of the Mormon literature was a polygamist.

That's not the Jesus of the Bible.

If Mr. Beck, a former Catholic, will answer clearly that he is trusting the full work of Jesus on the cross, not on his having sweat blood in Gethsemane, we can assume a break from the Mormonism that has gripped him for several years. If he will affirm the Jesus of the Bible and publicly disavow the Jesus of Mormon literature, perhaps we can accept his testimony.

Remember this: the devil will say anything to deceive you and dilute the power of the church in this world.

Growing Churches Have Vision

2010-08-09T10:56:00.000-05:00

Now that title may be the most understated thing anyone could ever say: growing churches have vision. I can hear some say, "Tell me something I don't know." Well, I can't. Did you know that there is no new thing under the sun? That is what Solomon said, at least. I believe he was a bit wiser than I am. He was also penning God-breathed words, making that statement authoritatively final. So I am afraid that my few readers won't be "wowed" by what I can say.

I do know a few things, though, about vision. These principles are general and apply to external church growth, better known as church planting, as well as internal church growth.

One thing I know is that you must begin with a vision. Starting out without a vision is much like putting the car in drive and not holding the steering wheel. You will go forward, but you don't know where you will end up.

If you are a church planter, a strategist, or a facilitator, someone has likely suggested a vision to you. On church planting teams, the lead strategist generally communicates his or her vision to the rest of the team. Your job is to apply that vision to your ministry; you must build on that vision. But I need you to hear me: you must still develop your own vision to complement the overall vision. The better strategists will empower you and expect you to develop your own vision. The micromanagers will balk at this. They feel too great a need (it's false, of course) to control everything.

HELLO!! You can't control it all, Mr. Micromanager! Leave that level of thinking and move on! Encourage your team to be visionary.

If you are a staff worker, or pastor, your vision is not unique to you, either. The same principles apply on both levels. Find your vision, but let your staff build off of it, so long as it does not contradict your overall vision.

Ministry teams with vision are focused teams. Focused teams get things done.

Growing churches and church planting teams have vision.

Growing Churches in North America

2010-08-01T16:25:00.000-05:00

I have moved from growing churches in South America to the challenge of the pastorate in a southern city of the great state of Mississippi. I have enjoyed the first 3 months. I think one would be alarmed if I said anything else.

Seriously, the challenge of preaching God's infallible word each week has been a great blessing for me. I cannot think of anything else I would want to do. I enjoy discipling believers, new and old alike; I enjoy the challenge of "birthing a sermon" to feed God's flock. There is nothing like it. The major differences between the past 20, plus, years and now is the language I use. In Peru it was Spanish, sometimes translated by someone else into Quechua. Here, it is English (though I find the chance to use my Spanish from time to time). Also, the depth of my teaching is different. I spent far more time on the basics in those new churches, with those new believers. Here, I can go deeper into a passage.

The challenge of all challenges is to create a growth attitude in this great church. Do not misunderstand me; they want to grow. Many have said something like, "Just show us what to do so that we can grow." But what many of you reading this may know is that growing existing churches is often a very difficult thing. There are some relatively easy things I guess I could do. As one writer has said, anyone can grow a church if he wants to put on a better show than the churches around him. I don't want that kind of growth, quite frankly. I am of the school of thought that teaches that God is not in "show business." So we won't have motorcycles cruising down our aisles. We won't drop commandos from the ceiling while an orchestra plays exciting music. We won't be giving away flatscreens and large (or small) sums of cash for those who visit us.

What will we do? Three things that give birth to many other things I can't write about in one posting: we will deepen our love for Jesus, stand firm on his doctrines, and seek to obey all things he has said in that infallible word that gives us his doctrine. Yes, for us it will be love, doctrine, and obedience. What we do in our great church is going to flow from those three foundational values.

Growing churches in North America can be done! God has not withdrawn his presence, yet!

When the Spirit Speaks

2010-07-25T21:25:00.000-05:00

Most believers are aware that the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, speaks to God's people. He speaks to churches and he speaks to individuals. But the important thing is that he speaks. How does the Holy Spirit speak to us? In what ways?

Now I could go to Henry Blackaby's and Claude King's Experiencing God and give you some pretty practical lessons. Those lessons have been made popular with us now for 20 years, or so. Lessons like, God speaks through the Holy Spirit through his word, through prayer, through circumstances, and through others to make his will known to us.

I could write all night about all of that. I want to go a different direction. I want to try to help you, the reader, see that God will speak to you according to how he has made you. Now he will use all of the above to do it. But he has given you a unique personality and wants to speak to you in a way that you will understand him.

God will also speak through the Spirit in accordance with your faith level. There are a number of levels of faith living we can be on. Some are little children. They are newly born again. The Holy Spirit has a way to teach those newly born believers so that they can grow quickly. Some are young men or young women, spiritually speaking. The Holy Spirit will address these accordingly. And some are young adults. The list goes on.

There are things I have learned about the Holy Spirit's voice. Sometimes it is a soft and gentle voice. Its tenderness is unrivaled, even by the greatest of lovers.

Other times the Holy Spirit's voice is like a gentle wind on a summer night. He moves, you feel his presence, and you are refreshed by what he says to you.

There are those times that he speaks as strong as a central plains thunderstorm. When God gave the Ten Commandments his voice was accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Some of you are like me. More often than not, God has had to speak more like a winter storm, blowing his winds across you with such passion as to push you towards his will.

This is what I have learned, though: the longer I walk with the Lord, the better I know his voice.

The question is, when the Holy Spirit speaks, will you be listening?

Pray for Turkey

2010-07-19T22:04:00.000-05:00

We who follow Jesus must pray for Turkey. You can read the latest atrocities here, or also here.

We who have traveled to Turkey find the acts mentioned in the two related articles above to be reprehensible, but also surprising. Supposedly, Turkey has been more secular, meaning they ignored to some extent the existence of Christians in that country. Not so any more.

Please join me in praying for those persecuted believers. Do not be surprised when Turkey allies itself with Iran and other anti-Christian countries. The time for the Messiah's return is close. Those final pieces seem to be falling into place.

Jesus is Lord, even over Turkey!

What's Right about America?

2010-07-02T16:41:00.002-05:00

Once more we are at the eve of one of the greatest holidays in America. The celebrations may have changed in size and style; but be assured that celebrating our indepence is nothing new. This year we need to stop and remember what made America great. We need to remember what is right about America. We can speak all day about what is wrong and never exhaust the list. I think if we would remember what is right and apply it, perhaps we would discover that what is wrong will steadily fade away.

Sunday I will preach from Proverbs 14:34 - Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Believe it or not, there are some moments when America has shone brightly in light of righteousness.

With a little research, we can discover that America has the right foundation. The great majority of the founding fathers--especially the most influential of them--believed that the hand of God had guided them to establish this republic. They believed in the fundamental and absolute law of God, above all else. These men were persuaded that all moral law came from God's law and that man was incapable of governing himself apart from God's law.

Many of the men were influenced by the Puritan teachings of the age. Consequently, they believed that, due to the untrustworthy and sinful nature of man, any government needed its checks and balances. This gave rise to the three branches of our government: the executive, legislative, and judicial. They did not trust any single branch to hold and administrate all power.

Where did this foundation come from? Why such a view? It is because most had the right faith. The United States of America, contrary to the current secular-humanist and agnostic viewpoints, was founded with a Judeo-Christian worldview. And to speak frankly, there was more emphasis on the Christian than on the "Judeo." When the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, John Adams wrote to his wife and said, "The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals (sic) of Christianity... I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."

Alexander Hamilton boldly claimed that two things made America great: 1) Christianity, and 2) a Constitution formed under Christianity (emphasis added).

Yes, America had the right faith.

America also had the right focus. While not stated explicitly in our great documents, there is ample evidence of the desire of man to form a republic for the purpose of the expansion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is, America was to be a platform from which men and women went into all the world to preach the gospel. We were, as John Winthrop stated, to be a city set on a hill--a light, if you will, shining in the darkness.

The desire for liberty was strong. Men were weary with the rule of a king. They wanted liberty and they wanted it for all people.

And this nation was to be a nation where one could find a better life. Even today men and women want to come here for a better life. While too many do so illegally, we must understand their desire to live among us. We are, after all, the greatest nation on earth in modern history.

My question is if America can possibly have the right future. We have spurned our Judeo-Christian values. We have so embraced the heresy of complete tolerance that we have cracked and tried to shatter the very foundation that makes America the nation it is.

We can have the right future if we do two things: we must repent of our sin. We must seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. If we do these two things we will do well. If not, I cannot say what future we may have; probably none.

Signs point to hard times just around the corner. There are those who would see our demise so as to create a new world order. It will happen; the book of Revelation shows us that. But perhaps God will be merciful and allow us a few more years of greatness before that great and horrible day comes on the earth.

Pray for the Persecuted Church

2010-06-16T10:43:00.000-05:00

So many of our brothers and sisters around the world pay a high price for following Jesus. Many so-called "faiths" not only reject Christ, but persecute those who follow him. Most recently, I came across the following:

AFGHANISTAN: Urgent Call for Prayer

Source: Open Doors, June 10, 2010

Devastating reports have been released from various news agencies that a member of the Afghan government has called for the public execution of Christian converts from Islam. This is in response to a video broadcast by the Afghan television network Noorin TV, which showed footage of Christian men being baptized and praying. The deputy secretary of the Afghani parliament said, "Those Afghans that appeared in [the footage] should be executed in public." The video clip, along with inflammatory statements against the Christian faith, has repeatedly been broadcast on different television stations.

According to Afghan law, proselytizing is illegal and conversion from Islam is punishable by death. Many Afghan followers of Jesus have been frightened by these events and have gone into hiding while others have fled. Afghan Christians want the world to know about their situation, that in a country where they have few rights and no voice, they want their voice to be heard. They are asking for our prayers. [end quoted story]

This is one of many examples. Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and a host of other countries have those within them that persecute followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray for the persecuted church. Pray for those believers to stand fast in their suffering. Pray for many to come to Christ as a result of their faithful witness.

Are You Connected?

2010-06-12T13:59:00.002-05:00

Today they turned on my phone service in our new home. It supposedly came on at 8 PM, local time. Now how the time managed to be set in such a way is a mystery to me. Almost all things related to this particularly well-known phone company that begins with the letter “A” is a mystery to me. But that is the information they sent me.

So at 3 PM this afternoon I dialed my new number from my office. Sure enough, I got an invalid number notice, along with a fast busy signal. So much for hoping for an early connection.

At 7:30 I looked at our brand new cordless phone, probably made by some outsourced subsidiary of the same company that will be my phone service provider. The phone is modern enough it had, in bold letters, “No Line.” That should have been a clue. But I am not up to speed on all these fancy things that can happen in the US of A. 20 years in Peru dulled my knowledge of technology.

At 8:04 I looked again.

Still no line.

That did not surprise me. I have never known phone companies to get in a hurry. Once we waited a week before someone called to ask what we even called about. By then I had forgotten what I had called about; oh, yes; it was a bad phone connection.

At 9:15, I called my new number, using my trusted cell phone (which is not controlled by this world-famous company). My new number rang and rang. But it never rang in the house.

Mr. Clueless was catching on. “No line” means no signal of any kind is making it into the phone jacks.

So I proceeded to set up my wireless network, making it through 2 steps. Step 3 is registering the service online. But there is no line to go online to.

Along came my latest thoughts. You can have it all in the right order, but be disconnected from God. If you are disconnected from God, you won’t get His signals. You won’t get His messages and calls. You won’t go “online.”

There are many things that can cause a disconnect. You can have a disconnect because of a broken line. You may have allowed your life to be corroded by sin and to chew through that prayer line that keeps you in touch with God.

You may have not used the proper connections. Your prayers must be in the name of Jesus. Sorry, no one else can give you access. He has a monopoly. He paid the bill. He owns the line. You pray in his name, or your prayers are disconnected.

Are you connected? If not, why not?

Get online. You won’t regret it.

Remember! You're in Charge!

2010-05-30T22:14:00.000-05:00

Today in our morning worship, one of our men reminded me of something as he prayed for this country many call "America." He said that this country is a republic, and therefore belongs to us. I was particularly moved by that prayer, especially those words. My friend who prayed is exactly right.

America belongs to us.

America does not belong to the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, or the Judicial Branch of government. Instead, it is ours. In fact, those three branches of government are ours. Those men and women in power would have you think and believe that they are in charge; but they are not. Folks, they work for you if you are a tax-paying citizen of this country. They are called public servants for a reason.

My friend continued to pray and made the most poignant statement. He said that he was laying his part of the United States of America at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was declaring that his part of America was under the Lordship of Christ.

I agree. And I laid my piece down again today. My piece is also under the Lordship of Christ.

Remember this: each of us has a part of this great nation. If the followers of the Lord Jesus would do what my dear friend did, what a difference we would see in this nation's activities and life.

What will you do with your piece?

Life in Southern America

2010-05-11T21:45:00.000-05:00

We left South America for Southern America just over a month ago. We left one style of ministry for one that is more traditional in its scope: the pastorate in a traditional church.

So imagine my surprise when the first people that I am able to evangelize, sitting right in my counseling office, were not Mississippians. They were not even "southern" Americans. They were from Venezuela. And our conversation was not in the rich southern English of Mississippi. It was almost entirely in Spanish. The Bible open in front of me was a Spanish Bible.

I came expectantly, hoping to use my years of work in South America to further the kingdom of God. The joy of seeing my first two to pray to receive Christ, and see them do it in Spanish, was delightful. May God give us dozens more!

The Heart of Worship

2010-05-02T16:51:00.005-05:00

It's different, this ministry in the southern United States. The very cultural atmosphere is so distinct than that which was our predominant culture for so many years. While we sang wonderful songs and hymns in this morning's worship, for example, NO ONE showed up with a tamborine. The drums were silent. There was no guitar, trumpet, or sax. It was just piano and organ. My senses, once regularly assailed by such beautiful (but too loud) music, have had to adjust to our more subdued worship styles.

Or, do they? Worship is what I make of it. The intensity of worship does not begin in the sensory canals of my ears. It does not begin with my eyes, hands, feet, or any other part of my body. It does not even begin in my soul--that place of the heart, mind, emotions, and the will.

Worship is a choice, yes; but worship begins in my spirit. "They that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." Some say that "spirit" is properly capitalized: Spirit. Still, THE Spirit speaks to MY spirit and there worship begins.

If worship begins in the Spirit speaking to the spirit of man, then something important needs to be understood: you don't need all the external trappings that we often think are necessary to worship.

Matt Redman learned that lesson several years ago. The result was his song, "The Heart of Worship."

Thanks to Mr. Redman for listening to the Holy Spirit and teaching us via that great song.

Tonight, I choose to worship. I choose to let it begin in my spirit, not in the seat of all those senses that God has also given me to enjoy and relate to this world. If my senses are suddenly surprised by something more akin to what I have grown more accustomed to, wonderful. If not, it does not matter.

It is, after all, all about HIM.

My Car Is too Smart!

2010-04-26T20:42:00.000-05:00

In our transition to the United States and a new ministry, we have had to purchase a vehicle; before it is over, we will have purchased two vehicles. The first one we purchased has demonstrated to me the fact we both knew: time and technology did not stop while we were overseas for the past several years. In fact, I discovered that my car is far too smart. Its information center tells the driver so many things that we never figured we would need to know. Because I am easily fascinated with technolgy, I keep mashing the information button to see what it will tell me next. But when the car began to base oil changes, not on mileage, but on engine revolutions, well, that was too much. I am most certainly impressed by these things that are now at least four years old, but new to me.

We should be so easily fascinated by the things of God. Walking in the newness of life is one of those things of which we should never grow weary.

Lose some sophistication; let the Christian life become fascinating--as fascinating as smart cars!

Somewhere in Southern America, end of week one

2010-04-16T15:24:00.002-05:00

We are once more in southern America. We have now been here one week. In many ways, life in the northern hemisphere has been the same as it was in South America. In other ways, it is quite different.

Life is faster here. Now, that's not necessarily a criticism; it's more an observation. Everything seems faster. Meals are consumed more quickly. People drive more quickly. People seem to want to do everything more quickly. Why, I would not be surprised if the speed of light was faster. Okay, maybe that's too much. But I hope you get my point.

If there is a criticism about the high velocity living of North Americans in Southern America, it's the stark reality that this kind of living may be good for business, but bad for relationships. We have even adopted a philosophy of quality time, thinking that if we pack more personal attention into five or ten minutes, we have had some kind of significant relationship. It bleeds over into everything we do: doctor's visits, sermons, time with children--everything. The result? We hardly know one another!

I purpose in my heart to avoid high velocity living. Life is simply too good not to enjoy the ride!

Kevin, in southern America

The Second Day Is Not the End

2010-04-03T17:21:00.003-05:00

Some 2,000 years ago Jesus died on the cross. No one murdered him. No one took his life. He laid down his life. He willingly gave it as a sacrifice for our sins.

Some of his disciples watched that gruesome scene. They saw their Master, stripped, flayed open by the whips, tufts of hair ripped from his beard, eyes probably swollen from the beatings, welts from the caning. His body endured all that a body can endure. His soul endured far more. His spirit bore the brunt of it all. He bore the wrath of God. He took my punishment. He took yours. And he commended his spirit to the Father and breathed his last.

From the human side, those who saw it saw a corpse. A dead man. Those disciples who were there probably looked for those who were in hiding to deliver the news. Rabbi Jesus is dead. It's over. I don't doubt they sobbed deep, painful sobs. I would not be surprised if some were on their knees in grief. Others may have held their stomachs from that deep pain that comes from such unwanted news. It was unbelievable. Their hope died in that moment. Nothing would ever be the same again.

End day one.

Now comes day two: the second day. It may have been daylight outside; but it was black as midnight in the hearts of that group.

I wonder what they did on the second day. Could they eat? Did they leave that upper room? Was their fear of arrest greater than their grief?

Where was Peter? Did he continue to weep for his denial and broken pride?

Did John go help Mary, Jesus' mother, gather her things and move in to his home?

Were the three Marys that went to the tomb on resurrection morning gathering the spices and fragrances they would need?

Did the more practical ones in the group tell the others something like, "Suck it up, guys! We have to keep moving on." Did the more tenderhearted ones look at them with anger and angst?

Maybe towards the end of the day, which would have been late afternoon, someone finally shrugged off some of that grief and found some of the unleavened bread that had been prepared for the passover.

Maybe others engaged in some "Do you remember when" stories about their time with Jesus.

To their surprise, day two drew to a close. Little did they know in just about 12 hours the middle of day three was going to change their world forever.

I am glad the crucifixion story does not end with day two. There was a day three. And on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. And he lives.

And because he lives, you can face the fourth day.

The Yard Sale

2010-03-26T19:40:00.000-05:00

One thing happens when a family moves: they find out what they really have. Our things looked reasonably nice, tucked away in this cabinet, hidden in that drawer, placed in this room or that one. Then you begin to pack. As you pack you discover things you had even forgotten about. You say, “I wondered I did with that!” And so it goes.

We decided to have a yard sale. Though I am writing this now, the sale is still in the near future: tomorrow morning. Now, to have this sale we had to pull out all these things that were hidden here, there, and everywhere. We had to pull things out into the light, examine them, and decide if they were even worth selling. Some of it was valuable to me; other things, to Pam. But what about Jose Q. Publico (don’t forget where we are!)? We filled the entire front yard (it’s very small, believe me) with items. Much of it is on tables, other things on the ground. Some is hanging, some is shelved. But there it sits. It was a painful process to weed through those things.

Think of your heart. I suspect that the Good Lord would be delighted to have a “yard sale” and de-clutter our hearts. But you may not want him pulling some things out into the light. You may be very comfortable with—even attached to—some of those things he wants you to “sell.” Some of it may embarrass you. Some of it may sadden you. And you might just get a little angry if he touches some of your “stuff.” Yet, to move on it must be done. Let the Lord have a yard sale in your heart. Let him get rid of the clutter so that you can continue on your pilgrimage with him.

Integrity, part 2

2010-03-21T22:04:00.000-05:00

Tonight was a historic moment for citizens of the United States. Tonight, your congress sold its soul to socialism. Voting to nationalize healthcare is only the symptom, so hang on to your hats.

The foundations of our republic are seriously cracked. They cracked with the slow, but steady, turn from being a Christian nation to being a Christ-less nation. They cracked when moms and dads found Sunday to be "Fun Day." They cracked when we reached a point when sin and sinful leadership is tolerated and even expected. They cracked when churches began to overlook sinful behavior in the name of love and acceptance at any cost.

Only a self-governed people can tolerate a free republic. By "self-governed" I refer to people who are self-disciplined. I refer to people of integrity. I refer to people who have a moral foundation. That foundation has serious flaws and is in danger of completely crumbling.

Unless America's Christians put away pride, persevere in prayer, seek the face of the Father, and walk away from wickedness--unless that happens and happens soon, this nation will go the way of the few European nations who once stood strong, blessed by their Christian citizens.

Repent, America! Repent, or perish.

Changes

2010-03-21T14:37:00.000-05:00

Did you notice the title change? This is by design. My address remains the same for this blog. But my place for publishing will be changed. Our ministry is in transition. We are closing a volume of this journey, opening a new one.

As of April 18th, I will be a pastor in the United States. I will be in the Southern block of those great states, in south Mississippi.

The change is bittersweet. It has been delightful to serve our Lord Jesus in South America. We have done so since 1988, except for a brief return for medical needs at the beginning of the 21st century. So we have plenty of great memories and great hopes that we will see many hundreds of Peruvians and others in heaven one day. Only the Lord knows how many of the thousands that said they believed on the Lord under our ministry truly did. But we have great hopes.

Now it seemed good to the Lord to send us north of the equator once again. And we are excited. It's an exciting time in the world. It's a great time to be an active Christian. I can't wait to be back in the pulpit, equipping believers, challenging the congregation, seeking to evangelize the lost.

So, rejoice with me. But pray with me, too. The change is just now beginning to dawn on us. I look forward to it, but also walk in fear and trepidation.

Counting the Cost?

2010-03-21T13:53:00.003-05:00

I wonder if we realize how much of the Bible is plain common sense for every day living? That is one of the things that sometimes we overlook.

One of those common sense teachings is in the Gospel According to Luke. It's Jesus' parable about counting the cost. Now, admittedly and most importantly, it refers to counting the cost to be his disciple. But don't ignore the common sense analogy. You don't go to war against a larger enemy without counting the cost. You don't start a major project without counting the cost. Those are the simple truths that Jesus used to impress the spiritual truth that we must count the cost to be his disciple. More about that in a moment.

First I want to point to the historic vote taking place as I write this. What so many do not know is that these men and women who are voting in favor of what is now called "Obamacare" have no clue as to the real cost of the bill. They are ignorant of that fact. In fact, they don't even know everything that is in that bill. That 3,000-page bill. That monstrosity of legislation. Aside from the bill that Obama's own actuary said he cannot calculate, the Congressional Budget Office only sent an estimated cost. Read that again: an estimated cost. The Dems are pushing for a vote on an item for which they have not counted the cost.

Only a fool votes for something or someone they know nothing about.

They are praying for 217 fools today. I am praying for 218 wise men.

Let this battle be a lesson for believers. Although my heart is broken for the United States, the United States, ultimately, is not my home. Heaven is my main home. The United States is just one place in which I and all believers are pilgrims. This is because I have counted the cost. It is wiser to be on the winning side. Jesus is the winning side, no matter what happens in this crazy world we are passing through.

Let's use this image and the subsequent fallout as an illustration of what happens when you do not count the cost. Many will suffer an eternity in hell because the failed to count the cost and "vote" the right way.

Integrity

2010-03-15T19:59:00.003-05:00

Where has all their integrity gone? Where is integrity in America? Where is it in Congress?

If you have been listening at all to what is going on in Washington, talk is strong that the healthcare bill is going to be deemed to have passed without even voting on it. How can they do that? By changing the rules in the house. It's insane to think about. Passing a bill without voting on it is chicanery. It is the lowest of integrity.

Integrity is all we have, people. You will not stand before God and be a liar. You will not see his face if you are characterized by duplicity. God hates lying. Hear that: GOD HATES LYING! He is the Spirit of Truth. Lying is counter to God.

Pray that we return to integrity, people. Pray for revival in America; perhaps it's not too late.

Why All the Disasters?

2010-03-01T09:32:00.003-06:00

Unless you have been totally isolated in some dark part of the world, or have been held hostage and kept away from all forms of media, or have been in a coma, you know that recently there have been unimaginable natural disasters in the world. The latest of these is to the south of us, in Chile. We have a little first-hand information about that, because one lady who is from Chile is in our home. She was to have returned the night the 8.8 earthquake hit. Now she is a refugee, separated from all her family (all safe, they live well north of Concepcion). With the intermittent communication systems the lady has been able to talk to her family; she has even had to Skype video chats for about 5 minutes each. Each time she comes downstairs our friend tells us another story that her family relays to her about the earthquake.

We all know that this one did not compare with the death and mayhem in Haiti. But it was at least 500 times stronger than the earthquake that destroyed so much in Haiti.

My question may be yours? Why is all this happening? The scientists have given us their answer. The tectonic plates pushed and shifted, creating undue stress that was relieved by the seismic activity. I would be the last to argue that. Anyone who does would be trying to restrain the wind. I think, however, there is another answer that is more profound--though it may not appear to be so in the eyes of some.

A little-noticed verse in Romans 8 teaches us that all creation groans, waiting for redemption. Meditate on that for a moment. When Adam and Eve sinned, setting in motion the curse of sin, it was not just on mankind. The earth was cursed, too. That which was once perfect was now imperfect. That which was called "good" in Genesis 1, is now described as "groaning" in Romans 8.

That original sin had far-reaching consequences. Trees began to grow deformed. Thorns sprang up. Eventually, God placed fear in the animals, because he had given them to us for food (I cannot imagine being a vegetarian, but everyone was at one time).

Your sin and mine also have consequences. I don't know how far-reaching it may be; I think that depends on the sin. But they do have consequences. I believe when nations rebel, there are consequences. When we violate God's moral law, there are consequences. Does this rebellion merit natural disasters of gargantuan proportions? I am not God; I won't answer that here. Further, God did not "tell" me that they did. But I suspect that it should be considered in the realm of probabilities.

Those who find it difficult to believe that God might consider using natural disasters to get our attention are often those who find it difficult to believe that God will punish any sin for anyone. If God tolerates sin, then God is not holy. Then the Bible is a lie. Then Jesus died for nothing. But God is holy. His word is true. Jesus died to deliver both us and this creation that groans more and more.

In light of the horrendous calamity we have witnessed, we should do two things. One, pray for those in the throes of the calamity. Two, consider ourselves, because we are no better than they.

Something Has to Be Said

2010-02-25T10:22:00.003-06:00

The primary purpose of this blog is related to all things Christian. But sometimes I just get angry at what I read.

The latest dog and pony show going on in DC right now is "The Healthcare Summit." But you need to know, it does not matter what is said at this summit; Dems have already made up their mind and have their plans in place. Read about it here.

Then write your senator or representative and file a protest over the chicanery and rejection of your wishes. Send a strong message, because something has to be said.

They Won't Take No for an Answer

2010-02-19T20:23:00.003-06:00

Barack Hussein Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi don't play nice. In disregard to the overwhleming majority of Americans, this gruesome threesome intend to ram an unwanted healthcare plan down Americans' throats and make the very obese government even fatter. The plan is amazing. They plan to use a filibuster-proof method called "budget reconciliation." Read about it here. It only requires 51 votes in the Senate. There are 51 insane senators that will grovel at the feet of the threesome, in exchange for future (and some immediate) favors. For those less-liberal senators, they can abstain or vote against it, improving their chances to be reelected. In the mind of the liberal, this is a win-win. For America, it is a total loss.

This is not the once-famous character named Fat Albert we are talking about here. But down the road trod the trio, pulling the frightened Democrat party with them, crying, "HEY, HEY, HEY!!", running roughshod over any voter and any citizen who dare to stand against their socialist agenda.

The days of representative government seem over for those sitting in Washington. The days of the oligarchy have arrived.

This is not unlike Israel. Israel's leaders, in Israel's days of rebellion against God, simply chose to reject anything logical and godly. Even when they asked for God's guidance, when the prophets shared the plan, they would call them liars and do what they wanted anyway.

America has rebelled, true. America is ignoring God in many, many ways. More may now call themselves "spiritual," but they follow the wrong spirit. All that is duly noted.

But we don't have to take this kind of thing lying down. We can make those men pay who disregard the will of the people. After all, this is still a government of, for, and by the people. They won't take no for an answer; we can make them pay the fullest consequence of their actions. Write your representatives and senators. Tell them what you will do if they don't take no for an answer.

Do You Have Passion?

2010-02-12T19:15:00.003-06:00

I preached for the first time in my life 32 years ago tonight, February 12th. Thirty-two years. I remember where I preached and what I preached. I still have the outline on a yellow and faded sheet of legal paper. It was at least a 12-point outline. Those poor folks!

It's been a great ride. I discovered quickly that preaching was my passion. It's more than a calling. It's a gifting for me. And because it is a gift, there is a level of passion that cannot be easily explained.

The passion a believer has to use his or her spiritual gifts has an underlying secret source of unfailing strength.

First, there is the understanding of just how much Christ paid to save you. Your sins placed Jesus on the cross. Your SIN (singular) placed him there, too. The difference is that your sins are what you did and sometimes do. Your SIN is your nature before knowing Christ. Sadly, too many believers do not understand how sinful sin (forgive the redundancy, please) really is. The one who understands just how much they have really been forgiven tends to have more passion about being with the Lord and serving him.

Then there is the fellowship and worship factor. To the measure a believer seeks the face of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, to that measure will his passion grow. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:14, "The Love of Christ compells me..." As you seek the Lord's face, you get lost in his love. As you get lost in his love, your passion increases.

Do you have passion for the Lord and those things that interest him? If so, unleash it! Life is good! Enjoy the ride.

Who's Fault Is It?

2010-02-09T21:49:00.004-06:00

In Haiti, some authorities are reporting the death toll at 230,000. They expect this to continue to rise as authorities uncover more bodies and continue to investigate the many private burials that have also occurred. It's nothing short of an inexpressible tragedy.

Meanwhile, strong rains pound the mountains of Peru. Thousands have been left homeless from the northernmost mountain villages, all the way through southern Peru.

It wasn't too long ago that one famous evangelical figure tried to make some kind of correlation between Haiti and their love affair with Voodoo, and this earthquake. Perhaps one could even make a correlation between Peru and the prevalence of shamans and witch doctors here. Perhaps.

But then I read the words of Jesus, who asked the, in Luke 13:1 - 5:

Some present with Jesus reported to him about how Pilate mixed the blood of some Galileans with their sacrifices. Jesus asked them, "Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all other Galileans because they suffered like this? I tell you, no. Unless you repent you will also perish. Or do you think the eighteen who died when the tower of Siloam collapsed were more sinful than all others in Jerusalem? I tell you, no. Unless you repent, you will also perish. [somewhat paraphrased by this writer]

Do not miss this. Jesus is saying we are all in the same boat. All of us. Several years ago a prominent man in my home church lost his home to a fire. The preacher who happened to be there that Sunday actually insinuated that this prominent man lost his home to the fire because he had failed to tithe (give a tenth of his possessions). So God took his home. That very week, the preacher's home caught fire and burned. Someone went to him and asked, "What happened? You forget to tithe this month?"

Do not think that we are better than those poor, Haitians. Do not think we are better than those thousands of Peruvians wading through knee-deep (and deeper) mud, whose rivers have swept away their houses.

Do not think you are better than those snow-bound folks on the East Coast of the US, or those in California, fighting their own natural disasters.

You live today because God allowed it. You were blessed with the wonderful mercy of God. So weep with those who weep and rejoice with those whose rejoice.

Above the Law?

2010-02-05T13:06:00.002-06:00

Many of us have followed the tragedies in Haiti, wondering what could be done to help them faster. Then arrives a group of missionary volunteers, armed with information about how to help orphans. Their desire is to help. But, from all appearances at this moment, someone coordinating the group made decisions that has cost this group their freedom. Why does such as this happen? What entered into the mind of the "leader" that would justify what some news sources report as an attemt to circumvent the law? Are missionaries and their volunteers above the law? Or should we also follow the norms and statutes of a country where we may happen to be serving?

I am speaking from personal experience. Not that I have attempted to be above the law (that I am aware of!); there have been volunteers and others who have come down and decided that their cause is a noble one and, therefore, they do not have to obey the law.

Take, for example, those who arrive here, rent vehicles, and then drive off as though they were in a cross-country rally. Speed limits mean little or nothing. Respect for local laws in the target community may be ignored as well. The thought seems to be, "I am an American (or Candadian, or Englishman, whatever) and I have my rights." Those rights do not include trampling local laws, though, to the surprise of many.

Others have arrived here in the airport with as much as 20 thousand dollars of meds that they intend to smuggle in. Why? Because they don't agree with the tax laws! Neither do I, for that matter; but the law is the law and we leave a bad testimony when those bags are opened and the customs agents discover a swimming pool of prescription drugs.

The group melting in the oven-like jail in Haiti serves as a stern example for us. If they had gathered the proper paperwork for their trek into the D.R., this group would be newsworthy for a different reason.

We can only hope someone shows them mercy for their recent attempts that led them down this unfortunate road.

Meanwhile, let's try to remember: our heritage does not give us the right to trample the laws of our host countries when we travel out on mission for Jesus. As said Peter, we don't need to be surprised when we suffer persecution because we broke the law, just as we should not be surprised when we suffer for the glory of Christ. This group's best move will be to ask the court's mercy. Let's pray they find it.

Pray for Cusco, Peru

2010-01-27T18:05:00.002-06:00

Cusco, Peru, the home of Machu Picchu, is under water. The heavy rains have fallen for days now. In one community alone 400 families are now homeless. The rains loosened rocks in Machu Picchu, killing at least one person. Others have died in the area from the severe flooding.

Pray for those seeking to meet this disaster head-on. Pray for wisdom in sharing the gospel as a result of the open doors this tragedy will create.

Huaraz 2010

2010-01-24T13:51:00.003-06:00

Last week men and women from Ingleside Baptist Church, Macon, GA, came to Huaraz, Peru for the annual leadership conference. This conference has been a growing annual event for the past four or five years.

Huaraz, Peru is a mountain town of about 100 thousand. It is situated at more than 10 thousand feet (3,100 meters) above sea level. On the west and the east stand tall, rugged mountains. In the hills and valleys of those mountains live thousands of people. Some live hours from the closest thing that could be called a "road."

The conference began on a Tuesday, but Pam and I could not even get there before Wednesday night. My first session was Thursday morning. I stood on the podium, looking out over more than 300 men and women. They had a look of hunger in their eyes--spiritual hunger. I did not want to serve them an empty plate.

Some of these men and women had traveled for hours to get there. We had traveled 7 hours ourselves; but we did it in a Toyota RAV. Some of them had walked more than that just to get where they could ride in the back of a truck for 7 hours. It's not an easy stroll along a meandering path, either. That walk would have been up one hill and down another, looking for places to cross streams. The night temps, for they would have left before daylight, would have been in the low 40's. And it is rainy season there, so the paths would have been muddy and slippery. But onward they came, gathering from many towns and villages.

Yes, these men and women had made great sacrifices to get where they were. Many were sleeping in less than desirable conditions while there. I did not want to leave them wishing they were elsewhere.

I took a breath, said a silent prayer for grace to preach and teach, and proceeded to try to feed this group of leaders from many Christian groups. For three hours on Thursday and three more on Friday we studied God's word together. We laughed together. We groaned together. We grew together.

It was a great moment of inpsiration for at least one of us. I can only pray the 348 men and women who had gathered felt as much. I can only wish more of us were so hungry for the word of God that we would be willing to walk a day to get to a place we could ride in a truck bed for another 7 hours to be able to be fed.

Praying for Haiti

2010-01-13T14:17:00.004-06:00

I am, as I am sure you are, praying for the tiny nation of Haiti. The latest report on Drudge.com's aggregate news site says that some authorities fear that as many as 500 thousand may be dead. Many are "comfortable" with saying that the death toll will exceed 100 thousand.

Tens of thousands are homeless. Water problems abound. Food problems abound. It is, in general, a picture of complete chaos.

Pray for Haiti. Pray hard. Southern Baptists can give via the International Mission Board's emergency relief. Contact them at 800-999-3113 and ask how to help. IMB response teams are headed there in the next few hours.

Many other organizations can also help you help Haiti. Choose one and give these unfortunate souls a hand.

Again, pray for Haiti. Pray hard.

A Look Ahead

2010-01-02T11:40:00.002-06:00

I don't really want to do what so many others have already done, which is philosophize over all the opportunities that the new year will give us. But I am going to, anyway. That being said, I want to lay out a challenge for the few that read this.

You now have 363 days left to be able to do at least one good thing for someone else during 2010. 363 good things. Now that won't open a single door in heaven; Jesus Christ is the door and you cannot crawl in through the window. But what a difference it will make around you.

You have 363 days you can tell someone about Jesus. If even one person turns to Christ during those 363 days, you will have done more than most.

You have 363 days left to pray for others. We are good about praying for ourselves. But what about praying for others? Do not underestimate the power of the One who answers prayer offered in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You have the opportunity to give out at least 363 smiles. There was once a song that said,

Give the world a smile each day
Helping someone on life's way...

A friendly smile may make many suspect you are up to something. But believe me, a smiling person is much more delightful to be around.

You have 363 days left to laugh at least once a day. Did you know that the Bible says that laughter does good, like medicine. Do not be afraid to laugh at the right things. It will heal your body of a lot of ills. Go see a good comedy. Read some good jokes. Laugh.

You have 363 days left to tell the Lord how grateful you are for his inexpressable love. Tell God you love him. Then live like you do.

You have 363 days to look forward. Do it. Don't spend your time looking backward. You can't accomplish a lot if you keep looking over your shoulder. If you have to spend your time like that, you probably have something you never resolved. Resolve it to the best of your ability and move on.

I am looking forward to a great year. It will be great because God is great. The Father is great. Jesus is great. The Holy Spirit is great.

Looking up,

Kevin, in South America

It's Still the Bible Belt

2009-12-23T14:02:00.002-06:00

Mississippi. The butt of so many bad stories. The disdain of many as an undesirable place. Well, we're number one! We are the most religious place in America. You may laugh at our overweight populous. You may snicker about the rednecks that live there. You may overlook them for so many things. But you will find that we are the buckle of the Bible belt. You will find more people willing to pray for you there. More will invite you to church there. More will stand up for the Lord there.

So, come on down and enjoy a plate of fried catfish and fried dillpickles; and then come on to church with us...

May It Never Be!

2009-12-17T20:48:00.003-06:00

The desperate Demmies in Washington have planned a nasty Christmas for you. They want healthcare passed on Christmas Eve. Why such a rush? Why the hurry? Here is one opinion: they have more taxes they need to impose on Americans. Did you know that they have not even allowed the Senate bill to be seen outside of Mr. Reid's private circle? If you are American, your senators have not even seen that bill! And they want to vote on it! They need to force it down your throat before you discover how damaging it will be for you.

I have another opinion, not that men like Mr. Limbaugh are necessarily wrong. My opinion is that the ultraliberal democrat party members believe that they have finally arrived and that now is the time to impose their socialist agenda on America.

Why is that a problem? It denies the foundational principles that have been a part of America for well over 200 years. And one of those principles is the God principle. That is, God Almighty is to be at the heart of any well-governed nation. Socialism and freedom through Christ do not mix. They are antithetical. And there is no synthesis that can lead to anything righteous. Anywhere such a synthesis has been attempted has resulted in such a secular humanist society that Christianity is actually bound and prohibited in much of public life. Oh, wait! Now it sounds like what America is becoming!

Many oppose the healthcare bill for economic reasons. Me? It's a matter of righteousness. So I am praying against this thing. Please join me in praying against another move towards the fall of America.

Copenhagen 2009: What's it all about?

2009-12-17T11:28:00.003-06:00

You want to know what the summit on climate change is about? Look at who gets the hearty applause: none other than the likes of Hugo Chavez.

Folks this meeting is not about climate change--not the kind you are thinking about. It's a climate change, to be sure. The perpetrators want to globalize the nation. They want the wealth of Australia, New Zealand, the US, England, Canada, France--anywhere that has even the slightest semblance of capitalistic ideology--to be seized and passed on to the rest of the world.

To sign on to Copenhagen 2009 means signing away the sovereignty of one's nation.

Beware the buyer!

Was it a Revival?

2009-12-17T10:37:00.002-06:00

Last Sunday I took a trip to a city north of here, not far from the equator. I had promised to make this trip and speak to the leadership and church in this particular city. I had also heard for a long time what an exciting thing was going on up that way. So I was looking forward to this trip. Sort of.

The night before I took my bride to the airport so she could celebrate Christmas with our girls and our grandson. When I got home at ten, my neighbors had cranked up a party. As it so happens with such parties, the music grew louder and louder as the alcohol bottles grew emptier and emptier. Sleep was not going to come.

I had to leave the house at 2:30, anyway; so I got on up and headed to the airport for my 4 AM flight. It should be against the law to fly at that hour. It means being up all night for most of us. I mean, I don't live there; I don't even live close to the airport. So, with no sleep to rest my eyes, off I went, arriving at my destination at 5:30. There is not a lot one can do at 5:30 AM. But I had investigated and found a 4-star hotel there with a nice breakfast buffet. And off I went, polishing off a nice breakfast and settling in on a very comfortable leather couch. There, I managed a thirty-minute nap to give my brain a rest before preaching.

The time finally crawled on to the hour the local pastor said he would get me from the nice hotel. The pastor showed up and drove me to the rented facility. His church would not hold all the leaders that would be there. I asked how many would be there; he told me only about 4oo, or more. This was their "small" meeting. Now for you megachurch types, that may be small. But these are missionaries and lay preachers, plus cell group leaders. It's quite a sight.

I watched and listened as the pastor called forward each one of these. This is where I was so impressed. This church has started 31 churches over the past 10 or 15 years. Thirty-one. They train a leader and head out to a new village or community. There they preach the gospel and let God go to work.

I am amazed at their response. They are hungry for the things of God and want to be more involved. Is that revival? Is that what I saw? Or is it just simple obedience--the church being the church?

Whichever it may be, we should all be so motivated by the things of God. They get excited over spiritual things. Do you? When they are stirred, they do something about it. Do yo? Do I?

It was a great ending to an exciting year. May we see yet more of it next year!

Enough, already!

2009-12-03T11:16:00.003-06:00

Okay, guys; I am sick of it. "It" refers to all the press coverage of Tiger Woods' personal junk. While what the man apparently has done is repugnant and indicative of an unregenerate nature, I don't think it is any of our business. But you cannot turn on the tube, or go online to any news site without seeing extensive coverage of his dirty deed. Please, if we did not have such a morbid sense of curiosity, such a desire to dig up dirt on any and everyone we can, we would not be facilitating the media's desires to publicize this garbage. But we love to read about it, we love to see stories on it, so we foment the gossip.

Yes, gossip. True or not, it's gossip. Gossip is poison, ladies and gents. Gossip is unbridled tongues that wag faster than my dog's tail. Gossip is sipping from a teacup filled with sewage water. God hates it. And God loathes our hearty approval of those who engage in that, along with a long list of other sins (read Romans 1 and you will see).

Some argue that people like Mr. Woods are public figures, and therefore have no private lives. Wrong. My single right to Mr. Woods' life is what he does publicly, unless he personally invites me into his private circle. All of us are public figures to some extent; the size of our public is the difference. Our influence is the difference. Do you believe we should apply that same standard across the board? Shall we contact the local media and report our gossip on one another?

With that in mind, I have chosen to ignore all news articles and broadcasts that spread this poison. It's not "news." It's trash. God help Mr. Woods and his wife to heal their relationship. God help them to find forgiveness in Jesus Christ. God help us to learn to ignore such junk.

They're Going Home

2009-11-27T09:42:00.003-06:00

Did you think that the economic downturn in the world stopped at the steps of the church? Think again. Many are headed home. They don't want to--most of them, that is. But many are leaving with tears in their eyes.

The latest public announcement came from Southern Baptists. The International Mission Board (IMB) has reached a point that it can no longer increase its missionary force. Not only that, but it cannot sustain its current level of 5,600 missionaries serving around the world. In spite of 12 billion dollars in offerings in the churches in 2008, Southern Baptists did not or could not give to missions at a level that can sustain its missionaries. If just 3% of that 12 billion dollars reached the field through the IMB, there would be a budget of 400 million. Three percent. Three. JUST THREE.

When I think of the reduction in personnel, the consequences are not pleasant. Less people will hear the gospel through IMB efforts. Less of those who are called will have a venue to fulfill their calling. Let me put that in very clear terms: more lost men and women will go to hell because we cut our giving and reduced our personnel.

Do not misunderstand me. The IMB is not the panacea for the lostness of the world. We are not the savior, Jesus is. But the downturn is unmistakable. Some would say this means we have to step up and do something else, and we do. Some would say that means the national believers will have to step up in their own countries, and they should. But let's be realistic. If God is still calling, and he is, then God must have a reason for wanting to send out the ones he has called. God has some in mind that only those he called can reach. God has plans in mind that involve the ones he has called. It should not be an either-or situation; it must be a both-and effort.

Now then, what the article I cited does not say: those remaining 5,000 (or less) missionaries must learn how to do more ministry with fewer resources because the remaining force will still be significantly challenged by the overall level of funding.

This year we Christians must demonstrate our willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of the gospel. This year, we around the world as you to step up to the plate. Perhaps that means you will ask your church to reconsider its giving plan to be sure more funds make it to missions causes. Perhaps it means giving more than ever. What it certainly means is that we must show ourselves faithful.

While you read this, some were were preparing the bags. Because they are going home.

May we change the trend now!

What Are They Thinking?

2009-11-20T07:32:00.003-06:00

The House of Representatives has passed an historic tax and destroy bill, one known by many names: Obamacare, Pelosicare, and by the oxymoronic Healthcare Bill. Congressmen and women, like the proverbial lemmings, hurled themselves off the cliff. They got their votes by bribing so-called conservatives with the abortion-exclusion clause. So they got their majority and crammed it down our collective throats.

Now it is the Senate's turn. This week--tomorrow, in fact--they will begin debate on their version. Madame Pelosi's bill was 2,034 pages. Mr. Reid's bill is over 2,075 pages. We have not heard the same ruckus over his additional pages; nor have we heard a lot about the built-in bribes within the bill, those which will satisfy the senators who have chosen to prostitute themselves in order to ride the party wave. Nauseating does not begin to describe the idea...

The Repubs and few Independents in the Senate are strangely silent. Have they also prostituted themselves over this destructive piece of legislation? What are they thinking? Why so silent?

My greatest fear is that they are going to allow this bill to pass, then make all kinds of political noise about it after the fact, all so that they can make political hay in 2010. So many are so corrupted by power that I would not put it past them. This tactic has been tried in the past; sometimes it works, sometimes not. It is not a good strategy. Country must come first.

Make no mistake about it, this bill will damage America in so many ways. It will be a nail in its coffin. It will strap your children with great debt. It will sap your wallet within 2 or 3 years of its implementation. Your healthcare costs will not go down, they will go up. Way up. Fox News has reported it to be as high as 2.5 trillion dollars, not just the totally insane 1 trillion that they promised to stick you for. You will be forced to pay an abortion tax. It's there. The president wants it and will not settle for anything less. Listen, please: YOUR TAXES ARE ABOUT TO GO WAY UP AND YOUR FREEDOMS WAY DOWN!

So what are they thinking? It's time for action, ladies and gents. It's time to spend time on your knees and seek the Lord. Perhaps he will be pleased to show us some mercy...

Lesson from a Mite

2009-11-06T10:02:00.004-06:00

We live in a place that has a very unwelcome guest: a wood mite. Those little critters burrow into almost all untreated wood, slowly chewing away everything in site. They are merciless. And they are hard to eliminate.

Today, our house helper came to me holding a dust pan filled with the residue those pesky things leave behind. But this time there was more than the very fine wood dust. This time I could see the fully developed adult mites roaming around the dust pan, searching for their next meal. They are usually unnoticed. They seldom grow to such a size that we can see them. Not these; some were almost as large as BBs (remember those, guys?).

So we grabbed the chemical treatment, the only one we know will eliminate them, and began to apply it to the basket where they had taken up residence. This powerful liquid overwhelms the senses, making one sneeze, making one's eyes water, making one's sinuses hurt. It's not good on the skin, either. But it kills quickly, so we endured the unpleasant effects and attacked their latest home.

Then I thought of those sin habits that creep into our lives. Like the mite, they can be small--almost unnoticeable. They find their way into your soul. They begin to chew away, leaving a small trail of evidence behind: a short temper; a greater tolerance for other, larger sins; an ability to not think about God all day long and not even miss him. The list could go on...

Those spiritual mites must be eliminated from the life. They must be destroyed. Jesus said we would be clean through the word he speaks to us. We must apply the water of the word. That is what will kill those spiritual mites. That, and an intentional determination to keep our defenses against them in place.

So thanks to the Lord for the wood mites he used to teach me another good lesson.

When Personal Beliefs Become Hate Speech

2009-10-28T20:57:00.002-05:00

(WARNING: THIS POST IS AT LEAST PG-13)

I am now a potential criminal. The President will sign into law a new Hate Crimes bill. What does this mean? Well, some say this bill will spell the end to prejudice against a certain group within the United States. But those who understand God's word also understand that this piece of legislation has created a wall of protection around those who choose to live an aberrant lifestyle. Yes, people, scientists have debunked the genetic myth surrounding homosexuality and lesbianism. It is a personal choice. But now it is a protected personal choice.

I fear the domino effect will shortly follow. If this type of perversion is now protected, why not pedophilia, bestiality, polyamory, and even necrophilia? Do you believe this is a stretch? Google the words; you will find hundreds of sites, along with scores of protests to legitimize every form of perversion I just listed. Now some jerk of a lawyer who thinks with the wrong organs will get the bright idea to use this Hate Crimes Bill to slither up under the umbrella of its perverted protection.

If America's Christians do not exercise some intestinal fortitude and begin again to aggresively evangelize the United States, we will see the end of our freedoms. And maybe that is what we need to begin to grow. But it is coming. Just wait. You are not far away at all from having your Christian beliefs to labeled as hate speech. God have mercy on America.

Persecution: Not Just "Over There"

2009-10-22T11:33:00.003-05:00

We who read Christian-oriented news find that there is a lot of persecution in this world, especially in some Muslim-dominated countries.

But it is not just "over there." The western hemisphere suffers from this kind of persecution, as well. Just last week a Colombian pastor was killed, brutally murdered for preaching the gospel. The terrorist group, which some would try to call a legitimate voice in Colombia, feared the freedom that the gospel brings. It's not surprising. The gospel is liberating. It frees men from the tyranny of godless rulers, especially because Christ's kingdom is not of this world.

We should not be surprised when we read of such things. Paul told Timothy that those who choose to live godly in Christ Jesus would suffer persecution. You can have a form of godliness, you see; Muslims do, as do Buddhists, Hindus, New Agers, and a long list of others. They will even tolerate you if you are a nominal, compromising Christian. But you will not be tolerated if you live godly in Christ Jesus, for it is He that makes the difference. Dare I say it? Jesus is the X-factor. Add him to the equation and it upsets the balance of things in the minds of those who follow the prince of this world.

The day is now upon us in the west when we will pay a price for our commitment to Jesus Christ. It will seldom be televised or reported. After all, we're just Christians; we are dispensable in the world's eyes. But it will be recorded and noted by the Lord. And those who suffer for Christ's sake should rejoice (see the Sermon on the Mount, as well as Acts 5). They have been given a special honor when it happens for Christ. Rejoice and pray. And remember: they persecute us because they hate Jesus.

Indescribable

2009-10-18T16:43:00.003-05:00

The weekend was everything we had hoped for, and then some. While the world continued to debate all those issues that seem important to it, more than 45 of us gathered together in a small retreat center, where we concentrated on the true things that matter: things like lostness, salvation, ways to get the message out. Those things occupied our minds.

Now that is not unusual. In our line of work, it is our passion. We think on these things almost daily. What made it unusual were the 45 who sat there. They ranged from age 18 to 70. These were women and men from different parts of the country. Almost all were poor; they barely had enough to pay the small registration fee for this retreat. Yet, each one sat there trying to figure out exactly how to get from here in South America to the farthermost parts of the world.

Yes, these very poor men and women are men and women who feel a strong need to be involved in foreign missions. Some feel the call to go, others just feel the need to be mobilizers. All agreed, however, that now is the time that South Americans rise up and take the baton that we are passing on to them, and heading out with the greatest message ever told to any man.

The significance of the weekend is seen in the approximately 25 who surrendered to go, no matter what. They are ready and willing. Now, if we can only find ways to send them....

It was truly, wonderfully indescribable. It was a God thing. It is a new day for this fledgling evangelical work in Peru.

Signs of the Times?

2009-10-01T16:00:00.003-05:00

Suddenly we are witnessing the unfolding of disaster after disaster. The islands around Samoa and American Samoa; the Philippines; and once more Indonesia all took their turn in the unwanted disaster spotlight this week. Pray for these stricken nations. Pray for hearts to be turned to the Lord, as well, as a result of these tragedies.

Does this mean something for us? Are these disasters signs of the times? Scoffers may say that all things continue the same since the beginning of time; we just have not heard about it before the modern technology that we have. Maybe, maybe not. Seismic geologists have long ago demonstrated that the earth shakes far more now than ever before. Even historical accounts reveal more earthquakes than before.

But there is more out there than earthquakes. There are newer strains of viruses that turn out to be resistant to our sophisticated drugs. There are more nations poised to strike one another. We worry on every turn about terrorist plots, nuclear plots, and deranged mass murderers.

All this must be so before Jesus steps foot on this earth again. But we should wake up! It may be that time that the Restrainer is taken out of the world. Who is the Restrainer? The Holy Spirit of God is the restrainer, according to what most scholars believe. Just before the end, the Restrainer is removed. It's a sign of an imminent event that some call a heresy, others call it a fallacy, and others call it their hope. That is the rapture of the church. I believe it will happen sooner, not later. And once it does and the Holy Spirit's influence is removed from this world, watch out. Those who remain will find suffering beyond comprehension. It will be the end of life as we know it.

Yes, for me, these events are signs of the times. It motivates me to work hard to bring as many with me as I can once the "end" arrives. Watch. And pray.

To Whom Do You Pray?

2009-09-29T11:45:00.004-05:00

As far back as I can remember, I was taught to pray. I remember (vaguely) being in Diamond Springs, VA, sitting at our kitchen table as a little boy of not even 5 yet, praying that prayer all children were taught to pray before a meal. Remember it? "God is great, God is good, let us thank him for our food." I remember it still after all these years. We prayed in church, we prayed in school. We even prayed that little prayer before we left our classroom for the cafeteria for lunch. Please do not gasp too loudly if you are among those who now find praying in school to be abhorrent; there were a lot less social ills then than there are now.

We have come a long ways since then. That is why I chose to publish this link; you need to see where we are going.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by me." No one else is the way; no one else gives life. When you pray, it should be to the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ. Anything else falls short at best, and is idolatry in most cases. We are now resorting to idolatry of the worst kind. God have mercy on America.

Enough Is Enough

2009-09-23T21:56:00.002-05:00

Some things just ought not to be. Go to the following link:
Shock video: you will see what many hope comes to pass all over America. I hope you are offended and repulsed by what you see.

Jude: A Letter for Today

2009-09-19T11:13:00.003-05:00

I am in the process of preparing for a spiritual retreat. My part includes teaching the little letter of Jude. The more I read and meditate, the more convinced I am this little letter is as relevant as the day it was written, way back around 30 years after the death, resurrection, and some 40 days later, the ascension of Jesus. Time after time, the apostles had prophesied that a group of false teachers--apostates--were on their way. These men and women were unscrupulous perverts. They knew the truth and rejected it wholesale. They used their gospel for gain. They thought only of their immediate pleasure. They laughed at the idea of their impending judgment. Ungodly men. Ungodly women. People who mocked God, who mocked God's people, who made a mockery of Christianity had slithered under the cracks of the doors and become a part of the church. Some stand in the pulpits. Some sit on the benches. Some teach Bible study. Some sing on the praise team. All are condemned and headed to hell.

The message is hard to hear. It penetrates the fanciest of veneers that we can cover up with. Perhaps that is why so many scholars have said it is one of the most neglected messages in the entire Bible. Or perhaps those who believe it is due to its brevity are the ones who are right. It does not matter why; this little letter needs to be read from every pulpit around the world. These 25 short verses should be heard again and again. Take the time to read it today. But be ready to search your heart when you do.

9-11: NEVER FORGET!

2009-09-11T09:32:00.007-05:00

NEVER FORGET!

NEVER, NEVER FORGET!

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER FORGET!

NEVER FORGET!

NEVER FORGET!

NEVER, NEVER FORGET!

NEVER FORGET!

I won't forget it. I purpose to remember how my country was attacked. I recall the vicious slaughter of innocent people. But I also remember the healing grace offered by our Lord Jesus Christ. This event reminds us why we need to be ever so vigilant to send out men and women around the world--not as foot soldiers, though they may be necessary for a short time--but as fearless evangelists of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, more than ever, Americans must stretch forth their hands and support those who seek to bring a heart change to ruthless villians as those who attacked on 9-11. Now is the time to remember that only Jesus can truly change a heart for good. May the photos above stir you to dig deep and give to your Christian missions ministry.

Oh, Lord! How Majestic Is Your Name!

2009-09-09T22:31:00.004-05:00

Our great God has numbered all the stars; he calls them each by their name. - Psalm 147:4

In the case of Omega Centauri, that would be more than 100,000 stars. Think of it! God named each star as he made it! And this is one "small" part of the heavens that God created with a single command.
Nothing can rival the majesty of God's creation. Our great inventions have only served to show us just how great and majestic our God truly is.
How can we not want to worship such a poweful, wonderful, delightful Lord?

God at Work in Muslim Nations

2009-09-04T18:11:00.002-05:00

PRAYER REQUEST
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE AND REPRODUCE

The conversation reported below took place during June, 2009, in a Muslim nation.

A pastor here was visited by a Muslim asking prayer for sleeplessness. He reported being awakened every day for ten months by voices saying, “Wake up, wake up!”

When asked what had happened, he related a dream he had ten months ago. Two angels picked him up from his bed and took him to the foot of the cross. There he saw the women who were watching Jesus’ crucifixion, the Roman soldiers in their armor, a spear that was used to pierce Jesus’ side, and the crucifixion itself. He saw nails driven into His hands and that His blood was used to write the sign over His head. When asked if he had ever read the Gospels, the reply was “No, I am a Muslim.” He affirmed repeatedly that Jesus was indeed crucified.

The angels picked him up and took him to a beautiful place in Heaven, so beautiful that all the architects on earth could not have designed even a small part of it. There he was visited by a man dressed in white with light shining all around him whose face he could not see. The man offered him a bowl of beautiful fruit and told him that he should go and share the fruit with everyone.

He was then picked up again and taken below the bottom of a very deep hole at a Muslim holy site in Iran where he could hear the voice of the ruler of Hell shouting that he would still rule the earth. And he was finally taken back to his bed.

Two pastors heard the telling of the dream, then told him that God was telling him he had to make a choice. His reply was, “I’m a Muslim. I’m a Muslim.” Each day since, he has been awakened to reconsider the dream. He has been given a Bible and told to read for himself.

If God is beginning to shake those whom He wants to have as Muslim evangelists, we are truly in a new day. Pray for more such dreams and visions. Pray for more evangelists from within the church and from outside, in numbers like we've never seen. And pray for the church to be made ready to receive men and women like Cengiz (not his real name) when he and they come to Christ.

Another Attempt to Destroy Your Freedom

2009-08-28T15:53:00.003-05:00

One thing that the world enjoys, and has so for more than a decade, is this amazing thing called the internet. The world wide web changed how the world communicates. I have had comments from readers on the other side of the world. I have noticed site markers from people on almost every continent. This has truly brought to pass what Daniel said in his prophetic book; knowledge has increased and runs to and fro about the world.

That is why when I read this story on CNET's site, I was very concerned--for America, at least. The idea that any one man can unilaterally seize control of the internet and shut it down in the name of a cyber security emergency is beyond the scope of reasonable government. Do you know where the internet gets shut down? Try places like Iran and China--places where the government feels threatened by free speech.

Granted, it has been demonstrated to an extent that there could be kooks out there who can hack into a system and control it. There are many who can and do use the internet for fiendish means. The idea that extreme pornography is permitted so freely, for example, is disgusting. But our courts, though wrongly it may be, decided that such trash is an acceptable form of free speech. In short, the internet is a tool that has been used for any number of purposes. But many, many people use this tool for good, not evil.

What is the danger of such sweeping powers for the president? He can be persuaded, or decide for himself, what constitutes a cyber-security emergency. What if he decided that speech against the socialistic healthcare bill was an emergency? What if he decided that disagreement with his economic policies was an emergency? What if he decided that your personal blog was a threat to national security?

I am not especially surprised to see such an attempt to further control America. As America has turned its back on its foundational Judeo-Christian beliefs, America has sought a replacement for the vacuum that this created. Secular humanism, socialism, and any number of false religions have all rushed to fill that void. It is, unfortunately, an inevitable step that America will take if this great country does not repent and return to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our founding fathers insisted that the only way for America to thrive was to do so as a Christian nation. Repent America. Repent.

Government WHAT? Spies?

2009-08-06T10:21:00.006-05:00

Is it a conspiracy? Are we being watched, so to speak? I was in the middle of a strong post, expressing my dissention to this current administration. I was almost finished, reviewing my lengthy treatise, when to my amazement, the entire post disappeared. My fingers were nowhere near the keyboard. My hands had written nothing for almost 20 seconds. The post just disappeared. Do they "watch" us as we write? Or am I spooked by the typical glitches that can happen with these machines we now depend upon?

So what was it I was saying, exactly? Nothing much. I was just reminding the few readers that I have that the latest news reports reveal that someone in the current administration has requested some of you to be spies, reporting the dissenters you encounter online. Whoever that man or woman is, they want you to be their support system. And for what reason? Do they want to silence dissent? Are you not amused that our government so fears disagreement with their socialist policies?

Mr. Goverment Spy, I want you to know who I am:

First, I am a Christian. I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am born again and heaven-bound. My ultimate allegiance is to the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why I find myself somewhere in South America as I write this. He sent me here. He is my boss, so I go where he says to go.

Second, I am an American. I served in the United States Navy. As such, I swore an oath to defend and protect the United States of America from all enemies. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Third, I am what the hippies of the 60's called an "American Capitalist Pig." I reject socialism in all its forms. But I also reject capitalism that is not governed by the Judeo-Christian principles of love, mercy, and equity.

Let me continue to describe myself:

I fear no one, but God, Mr. Government Spy. You may find a way to take away my online words, but you cannot silence me. I am found in large cities and small towns. I am white, black, brown, yellow, and red. I am male. I am female. I am young. I am old. I am from the North, West, East and South. I am not a Democrat. Neither am I a Republican. I am fiercely independent. No party can claim me and hold me.

I agree with the Founding Fathers of America: the best government is the one that fears its constituents. Conversely, the worst government is one we constituents must fear. This current government hopes to create a government of the few, for the few, and by the few. We must not allow that to happen.

Send forth your spies. We welcome your demonstration of your stupidity and fear.

Don't Sit Around Talking About It, Just Do It!

2009-07-29T14:53:00.003-05:00

Southern Baptists formed a new task force. They are tasked with figuring out what's going with SBs and the Great Commission.

I have a piece of advice for SBs. Don't sit around talking about the Great Commission. Just do it! Don't talk about all your churches that baptized no one. Go out yourself and win more, if you can. Don't talk about the efficiency of your state conventions (which are not technically "yours," but partner groups), just go out and win some more to Jesus.

When your task force meets in Atlanta and in Arkansas in the coming months, forego the meetings; go out into the highways and hedges and compel more to come in to the great banquet.

Do what Dr. Paige did in Texas earlier this year: find a group of struggling churches and hold a weekend meeting with those good folks. Modeling a little bit of the Great Commission might be shot in the arm for some of them.

Too simplistic? Maybe. Maybe not. I am not convinced that our collective personal evangelism amounts to much. We have, albeit unwillingly so, yielded to the cultures that surround our cities and communities. If you listen carefully, many will tell you in so many words that you cannot effectively share your faith on a personal level anymore.

Evangelists; oh, professional evangelists, I call you to spend your days out with pastors (or alone, if they are too "busy" to go win the lost), doing what you can to preach; don't just wait for night to fall, and for the lights to come on so you can stand center stage and preach your polished messages.

Why are SBs having such a time with the Great Commission? Could it just be that we are so busy looking at form that we have forgotten that the very gospel itself is the power of God unto salvation?

Southern Baptists: JUST DO IT!

Turning away from God

2009-07-26T17:49:00.000-05:00

Turning away from God is an article that we need to read. Cal Thomas hit the proverbial nail square on the head.

Seizing the Day

2009-07-13T21:25:00.003-05:00

Sometimes you have one of those days. Sometime it can be one of those weeks. You know the kind. Things happen that just make your day, well, to be nice, exceptional. Sometimes it is beyond your control. Sometimes it is something you did.

Today was a combination thereof. Part was beyond my control. That little pill the doc urged me to take last night did not wear off when I needed it to. So things started late. The person who showed up late for his X-ray, causing the rest of us to be late, was not something I could control. But it threw me off yet another hour. It was lunchtime before I even stepped foot in the office.

Then, when I had the proverbial tiger by the tail, other unexpected needs surfaced. I thought I had that one timed well, but then came the small (but important) detail called "parking." The good municipality that holds jurisdiction over our office has decided we cannot park on the street in front of our office. I found myself riding around and around the block, seeing that priceless parking spot in a "legal" area. So once again I was behind the clock.

Now I had two choices in front of me. I could let the situation control me, or I could practice the first lesson every missionary ever learned: be flexible. While I was tempted to react to the situation, I began looking for an opportunity to use my time. But I can't afford to let my BP spike for no good reason. Turning the situation into a "God-moment" is one of the best things I can think of in those circumstances.

One thing we can do almost anywhere at all is pray. God is really amazing. He can hear our thoughts. He delightfully listens to us. God takes joy in hearing you pray. Did you know your prayers are incense before the throne? Yes, when you lift your voice, it rises before the Lord as a sweet smell.

We can also meditate. We can think on God's word, tossing it about in the corners of our mind. Like a piece of butter candy you can turn the word over and over again, wondering about the significance of that precious morsel God has given you. He will whisper its meanings to you, for God delights in sharing his ways with those who seek him.

Next time you find your day seized by the time mongers, take advantage of it. Next time you sit in a traffic jam, turn off your audio book, turn off your cell, turn off your music, and use the time to speak to the Lord, or to let him speak to you.

Calling Out the Called

2009-07-07T15:04:00.003-05:00

The city sits in a valley. The valley sits in the cradle of three mountain peaks, two of which are extinct volcanoes; one is still active. The valley is more than 7,500 feet in its lowest point. These are high mountains. Most days of the year the skies are clear, a vivid blue that lifts the spirits of most who see it. The air was once fresh; pollution from the seemingly endless lines of buses taxis has changed that. Now, if one looks off into the horizon, a brown cloud serves as a shroud for the outskirts of the city.

I was there for business. There would be time for pleasure--the pleasure of seeing old friends, of eating in my favorite haunts, of strolling along the picturesque streets with a Colonial Spanish flavor. The sounds and sights were mostly familiar to me. Some stores had replaced others. "Progress" had closed one main street to traffic, making it a lovely alameda for a leisurely walk.

Night fell. It seems to fall so suddenly that if one listens, he may hear the sun crash into the bottom of the horizon. There is not much of a horizon to see, of course; it is hidden by a massive, brown, barren mountain. Brown and barren because this is an oasis in the middle of a desert.

I found myself standing before a cluster of men, women, and young people that I had not seen in several months. As I looked, I thought, "These are my friends. These are my brothers and sisters." We have stood side by side in so many opportunities. We are brothers in Christ.
Together, we have battled the one true enemy, the one who wants to keep all mankind imprisoned: Satan.

Before long, some forty believers from 4 or 5 churches had gathered. It was to be unlike any gathering they had been involved in. I was there to call out the called. Because of the nature of my purpose, I decided to take my time and carefully lay out our plans and God's challenge. Tonight I would not do more than end our time together with prayer. The pastor was in agreement. At the end of the first night, he announced that we would receive a missions offering the next night. That was on a Monday....

On Tuesday, the scene looked much the same. We sang. We hugged in Christian fellowship and love. We smiled and praised God for his abundant blessings. Then I shared how God could use them with their own careers and professions to enter other countries and cultures with the intent of preaching Christ as Lord. Their eyes told it all. It was a night to call out the called. Only about forty were there. I thought if one or two responded we could call that a great success. My faith was too small. Eleven responded. Eleven. Not one or two. Eleven men and women stood with tears saying, "Here am I, send me."

Before the week's end, most had confirmed the seriousness of their response. And before the week was over we had collected the first international missions offering ever received by this particular denomination. It was not especially large, just passing $165; but it was certainly significant.

These men and women make a pittance, when compared with most who will read this. I only hope you will respond with the same excitement and conviction as these men and women, all made good by the blood of the Lamb. I only hope if you are among the called, you will allow God to call you to go out and get busy.

Yet Another Example of "Peace"

2009-06-16T13:10:00.002-05:00

A Christian man boarded a bus for a planned trip. Along the way, the bus stopped in a remote village. The man ordered tea. When he tried to pay, the owner noticed the customer's cross. The man was beaten to death for drinking from a cup designated for Muslims. Fellow travelers tried to intervene, taking the wounded man to a clinic, but this so-called "peaceful" religion claimed yet another life.

While America's insistence on tolerance is far beyond the biblical doctrine of the same, this kind of intolerance is sickening. Such hatred should be punished quickly and severely. If it is true that Islam is a religion of peace, why so many stories of murder, rape, incarceration, ad nauseum? Why such a distaste for Christians and Jews, along with other non-Muslims?

Pray for the Muslim world. Pray they come to the feet of the one and only Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ, God-incarnate, Savior of mankind.

How Involved Are We, Really?

2009-06-07T12:41:00.003-05:00

Let's be generous for a moment. Let's say that there are one billion evangelical believers in the world. I think that is a little high, personally; but let's call it an even billion, as some claim.

Of those one billion, how many do think are missionaries? Go ahead, take a guess.

Would you believe about 98 thousand? I jest not. Ninety-eight thousand, give or take a few, have responded to the call of God.

Now the world is at an estimated 6.7 billion. One billion of those are evangelical believers. Ninety-eight thousand are missionaries, those men and women who carry the gospel around the world to others who have not yet believed.

I did some rough calculating, mainly because I did not want to invest all the time I have left today into the precision it would take to set this up. But let's just suppose that those 98 thousand are represented by the thickness of one sheet of paper. One sheet of standard paper is .0038 inches thick. I checked. If the internet says it, it must be true, right??? For argument's sake, we shall say it is true.

One sheet is .0038 inches thick. If that represents all the evangelical missionaries of the world, then it would take a stack of paper some 31,000 feet high to represent all the evangelicals of the world. Shades of Mount Everest, folks! I can't even get my mind around the ratio for the other 5.7 billion left in the world.

Do you think that perhaps God may be calling more than those 98 thousand who have responded? Did he call you?

What are we waiting for? How involved are we? God is calling. It's time to go.

Pray for Puno, Peru

2009-06-06T10:15:00.003-05:00

There is an emergency in Puno, Peru. Puno is located high in the Andes Mountains. It is most famous for Lake Titicaca, the highest navegable lake in the world.

That department (state) has suffered extreme cold for many days now. 153 CHILDREN HAVE DIED TO DATE. Relief organizations of all types are working overtime to get blankets and coats to the 1.3 million habitants of that department.

Pray for Puno, especially for the children and the elderly.

Free to Worship?

2009-05-30T14:25:00.004-05:00

This Sunday, when you are in your relative comfort and freedom to worship the Lord Jesus, whether you do it in a house church or traditional setting, remember this story, found here. New Iranian followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, along with their house church leader, were arrested recently. In Iran, you are free to worship, just so long as it is the false god Allah. If an Iranian wants to follow Jesus, he is as good as dead. Yet men and women are turning to Jesus; why? They love the Lord Jesus more than their own lives.

In Pakistan, the Christians face the same kinds of horror. Muslims told one couple that guilt or innocence (of blasphemy against Islam) did not matter; they would kill them anyway. Death is the only thing a follower of Jesus deserves, according to these twisted men.

If you think this is isolated, maybe this story will be a little closer to home, especially if you live in a state like California. San Diego (or nearby) authorities have decide his home Bible study of five years is an unlawful assembly. The pastor and his wife are facing fines of up to a thousand dollars a day for gathering to worship.

Now granted, facing a fine does not even come close to the persecution others face. But wake up! It's a step in that direction. Forces against Christianity in the Western world are feeling bolder each day. Your freedom to worship will soon fade away, if something does not change.

It may well be that is what it will take to bring revival to the Western church. Also, it may well be that this will be the final days before the return of Jesus, something we Christians are exhorted to look for and desire.

Enjoy your freedom while you have it!

Are You the Missionary or the Mission Field?

2009-05-22T23:21:00.004-05:00

It's been a fast and furious three weeks since I posted anything. Teaching and then playing with my new grandson has taken up most of my time.

I saw a video today that I want to share below, if I can. Since I have never been able to get this blogspot to receive videos, I will simply post a link to it; please go here. But the video should be a challenge to every Christian who may read this. Our task is clear: be the missionaries or become the mission field. Watch the video and decide which you want to be.

New Birth

2009-05-02T19:19:00.002-05:00

Michael Aiden Patrick

Meet Michael Aiden Patrick, born late afternoon on April 30th. He came into this world at 7 lbs, 6 oz., measuring just over 20 inches. He has a set of pipes that makes me wonder if he won't be one of God's prophets one day. Or maybe that is just my personal wish.

What's so special about this little fellow? He's our new grandson!

Our daughter and son-in-law are still in awe of the fruit of their love. Both are doing well, though we have had to tie a rope to their leg to keep them from floating off.

A Little Airline Humor

2009-04-15T11:40:00.003-05:00

I fly to many places that I must be. In fact, I flew last week, and will be flying again in two weeks. These anecdotes were a humorous reminder that life is good and we must enjoy the ride. Number 17 was one of my favorites.

Subject: AIRLINE CABIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
All too rarely, airline attendants make an effort to make the in flight "safety lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:
1. On a Southwest flight (SW has no assigned seating, you just sit where you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we’re not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"

2. On a Continental Flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we’re reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants."

3. On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your belongings. If you’re going to leave anything, please make sure it’s something we’d like to have.

4. "There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane"

5. "Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."

6. As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Ronald Reagan, a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"

7. After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced, "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, it is a sure thing that everything has shifted."

8. From a Southwest Airlines employee: "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight 245 to Tampa.. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab in the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if yo u don’t know how to operate one, you probably shouldn’t be out in public unsupervised."

9. "In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one small child, pick your favorite."

10. "Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we’ll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines."

11. "Your seat cushions can be used for flotation; and, in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."

12. "As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."

13. And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Delta Airlines is pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"

14. Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in Salt Lake City the flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump, and I know what y’all are thinking. I’m here to tell you it wasn’t the airline’s fault, it wasn’t the pilot’s fault, it wasn’t the flight attendant’s fault, it was the asphalt."

15. Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what’s left of our airplane to the gate!"

16. Another flight attendant’s comment on a less than perfect landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."

17. An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the Passengers exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline." He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?" "Why, no, Ma’am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we land, or were we shot down?"

18. After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Capt. Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we’ll open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal."

19. Part of a flight attendant’s arrival announcement: "We’d like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you’ll think of US Airways."

20. Heard on a Southwest Airline flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing and if you can light ‘em, you can smoke ‘em."

21. A plane was taking off from Kennedy Airport. After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, nonstop from New York to Los Angeles. The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight. Now sit back and relax... OH, MY GOD!" Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!" A passenger in Coach yelled, "That’s nothing. You should see the back of mine!"

Pray for the Mountain Villages of Peru

2009-04-15T10:06:00.002-05:00

I received the following update from Russ and Sherri Fleetwood, two missionaries working in the outback of Peru. Many villages are facing the same kinds of things. One man spoke to me about how the excessive rains have ruined their crops for this year. Potatoes are rotting in the ground. Wheat and corn is also in danger. Pray for these villages.

April 13, 2009

Donde Corren Las Aguas (Where the Waters Run)
When we mentioned in our last update that it was raining a lot, little did we know that even more was yet to come! “It’s the worst it has been in 40 years”, some people say. We certainly hope that this year is the exception, not the rule! Landslides have been the biggest issue, but flooding has also been prevalent. One street became like a muddy river with water running through doorways into people’s homes. In other locations, foundations for walls have been eroded, leading to collapses. One hillside behind a group of houses melted into mud and was running down into doorways and passageways. Almost every roadway in the area has been blocked by slides at some time or another. As quickly as they can be cleared by a bulldozer, more hillsides give way and block the road anew. There was even a 2-day stretch when every route out of the Conchucos valley was impassable. In recent weeks, city officials have rented more machinery in an effort to keep roadways open. They have also been trying to size up the damage that has been done. At least 10 houses have collapsed and as many as 100 are in danger of collapse. The city water supply has also been in danger. The cement holding tanks had to have some emergency repairs. Thankfully, the rain has let up for a few days at a time – enough for things to begin drying out. But the occasional heavy shower or extended drizzle continues to cause problems.
As recently as last night we had a downpour. A canal up the hill behind our house became blocked, causing water to run down through a pasture and into our yard. The back wall of our adobe storage building collapsed. Water then ran through the building and into our neighbors’ living room downstairs. (We live upstairs.) We quickly dug drainage ditches in the yard in an effort to divert the water. Thankfully the rain eased up before any of our neighbors’ possessions were damaged. It was a personal reminder of how people have suffered through the rains this year.
Please pray with us that the local government will take steps to improve drainage here in town and along the roadways when the weather clears. It is likely that with dry weather the need for improvements will be forgotten – that is, until the rains return next year! But at this point, we’re just waiting for them to come to an end this year!

Good Friday
Here in the mountains, Semana Santa (Holy Week) is important. For weeks leading up to it, the custom is to gather in your local Catholic church building and review each week a different story from the life of Jesus. Two weeks ago it was the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, when the people laid down palm branches and their cloaks in his path, as if welcoming a king. This past week, the focus was on Jesus’ death on the cross. There was some reflection on His resurrection, but the focus here is more on His suffering and death. It is good to remember how He suffered for us – the price He was willing to pay and how He can identify with our pain. But to not celebrate His resurrection is to deny the victory and hope that Christ provided for us. As Paul said: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1 Cor. 15:17-19) Indeed, it is the subsequent resurrection of Jesus that allows us to call the Friday of His death “good”!

On this Good Friday, we were planning to be in the community of Conopa to show the Luke Video in Quechua. Our friend, Magno, had arranged this opportunity with the local catechist and community leaders. Showing the video would have required that a heavy electrical generator be carried by hand up several hills! Due to road closures, we were not able to make it to Conopa. Magno was nice enough to come into town and let us know that the road and the trails were in horrible condition. We hope to show the video in early May. God’s Spirit is working in Conopa and we are excited. But in some ways we don’t know what we are getting ourselves into. There are a lot of traditions here that conflict with scripture. But there are a lot of traditions that are suspect or whose original purpose has been forgotten. We are always eager to share with anyone who is open. May those who are seeking a real relationship with Christ build upon good traditions while letting go of bad ones.

20 Years!
Not to trumpet our own horn, but since it is the custom here to throw your own party, we figure we should announce to you our recent 20th wedding anniversary! On April 8th in 1989, Russ and Sherri were married at Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas, TX. Where have the years gone? Wow! God is good to have blessed us in so many ways during these 20 years. We typically take some sort of outing on our anniversary. Last April, while in the USA, we sought out the blue bonnets and paint brushes (wildflowers) of Texas. This year, since so many roads were blocked or at least damaged, we stayed home and celebrated by cooking hamburgers and watching a movie.

Many of you prayed for our friend and sister in Christ, Natalia. On Sunday, March 15, Natalia went to be with the Lord. After her stay in the hospital some weeks earlier, she had returned to her son’s home where she had many visitors in her last weeks. She remained sure of her heavenly destination and was ready for relief from her pain. Her passing was especially difficult for her daughter, Elida, who is a single mother of two and was very close to her mom.

It was our first wake and burial since living here in Peru. Customs here are quite different than in the USA. The family endures some very difficult days not only of mourning but also trying to provide food and refreshments for visitors. They also accompany the casket all night long getting almost no sleep until after the burial. It is almost as if the culture here feels that family members should suffer physically as well as emotionally – as a tribute to the deceased. Many people joined the procession to the cemetery. It was not as “reverent” as one would expect in the USA, but it was a sign of how much Natalia was loved and respected. Some good words were shared by a brother in Christ – Natalia’s pastor from when she was part of a Pentecostal congregation.

Change Is a Part of Growth
You may have heard that the IMB is going through some restructuring. The goal is to position our agency for the future – through better use of resources, better engagement of people (both on the field and worldwide partners), better support, streamlined administration, more local ownership… Certainly, the world is changing and we must adjust to those changes. Here in Northern Conchucos, we will be affected minimally. But we will be part of a new team – the Ancash Quechua Team. Brett and Brenda Cargile will be moving to Huaraz to lead this new team, which will include those of us currently serving in Northern and Southern Conchucos, as well as others working with nearby Quechua people groups. We will also be part of a new “Middle Indigenous Cluster” belonging to the “Americas Affinity Group”.

As the Ancash Quechua Team meets next week, please pray with us that Father will give us a vision for the future that has Him at the center of creative and effective strategies for reaching our people groups. We confess that we have no genius or adequacy for the task, but pray that His power and glory will draw many to Himself.

Praises
- Protection of many homes and lives during the heavy rains.
- Protection of Maximo, brother-in-law of Eulogio, during a recent fall from a muddy trail.
- Natalia’s promotion to Heaven – freedom from pain, being with her Savior.
- Recent x-rays showed that Lucho’s fractured leg has healed. Now he only lacks exercise to regain mobility.
- Time spent with Magno (from Raj Raj) here at our house when not able to reach the communities of Conopa.

Requests
- For relief from damage caused by flooding and landslides. For preventative measures to be taken.
- Please pray that leaders will emerge from each of our Bible study outreach groups.
- For unity and the Holy Spirit’s leadership during our Ancash Quechua Team meeting in late April.
- For opportunities to build new relationships with new communities in the area of Conopa.

May you know Father’s abundant blessing,
Russ and Sherri

Let Me Be
Caedmon’s Call

Lord, You are the maker of my heart
The framer and reshaper of my soul
Master and Creator, Healer and Sustainer
I will put my trust in You alone

Teach me to be faithful to confess
In this way my spirit will be blessed
Though my sins are daily, You have loved me greatly
Removing them as far as east from west

Let me be open, let me be humble
Let me find the joy of my salvation in Your cross
Let me be broken whenever I stumble
Let me remember the great mercy of my God

Give me the full measure of Your grace
And as it is reflected in the Word
Faith and reassurance, mercy and endurance
Carry these to those who haven’t heard

Let me be open, let me be humble
Let me find the joy of my salvation in Your cross
Let me be broken whenever I stumble
Let me remember the great mercy of my God

bridge
All I have needed is laid at Your table
All my achievements, I lay at Your feet
Alive in Your spirit, I’m willing and able
You make my joy complete

Let me be open, let me be humble
Let me find the joy of my salvation in Your cross
Let me be broken whenever I stumble
Let me remember the great mercy

…You make my joy complete…

Dream Big

2009-04-14T11:58:00.003-05:00

We should dream big. We serve a big God. Dream God-size dreams. Watch this video on You Tube and see what I mean. Take time and let it load if your connection is somewhat slow. Susan Boyle is a great illustration of dreaming a big and fearless dream. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did.

Did Jesus Die on Friday? Is This a Good Question?

2009-04-10T11:07:00.005-05:00

This a repeated byline on one cybernews site: "Did Jesus Die on Friday?"

Wrong question.

Completely unimportant when looking at the big picture.

I have my opinions, ones that will be reserved for academic discussions. But this is not the question we need to be answering for the general public.

The question is not even, "Did Jesus Die?" The legal evidence, found not only in the Bible, but also in history books from that time show that it was common knowledge that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified at the time of Passover somewhere around 29 or 30, C.E. (that's CHRISTIAN ERA, not "Common," folks). So we know he died. We know how he died.

The question you must answer is, "Why did Jesus die?"

Paul answered it this way, when correcting some heresies that were prevalent in that great Grecian city of Corinth:

1 Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it. 2 You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed to no purpose. 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, . . . (1 Corinthians 15, Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The most important thing Jesus Christ taught Paul in that Arabian desert was that Christ died for our SINS.

There are four important words that we need to be clear about here: "for," "sins," and "according to."

Jesus' death sentence was handed down from the highest court--that Heavenly Court where God sits as the Judge. Think of a prison. A new guy or gal arrives and his cellmates begin to ask, "What are you in FOR?" The newbie answers, "Robbery," or whatever it may be. It does not mean (we hope) so that he can learn to rob, but instead because he robbed. Why did Jesus die? It was because of our sins. Ours.

Your sins. My sins. The sins of the world.

Though the Jewish leaders wanted him put to death out of jealousy, and though the Roman court laid down the sentence, "King of the Jews," the Heavenly death sentence was the prevailing one. It was the true sentence.

You killed Jesus. So did I.

He suffered my death--the one that was hanging over my head, just waiting to be carried out.

God turned all his wrath, his hatred of sin, that sin that kept you separated from God, onto Jesus so that he could bring you back to himself.

All this was in keeping with all of what we call "The Old Testament." Those divine and innerant words prophesied that Jesus would suffer this kind of death. This is what "according to" means. It is in keeping with what was already said.

I fear too often we have begun to take "according to" to mean, "some say;" or, "some sources tell us." In the case of Jesus' death, it is all in keeping with what God said would happen, going all the way back to Genesis 3. Everything was planned, in other words. It was not accidental, as some lost and misguided God-thinkers have said. It was planned and carried out to buy your freedom.

Jesus died. He did it to take your place.

Accept what Jesus did for you. Embrace the cross.

A Jungle Saga

2009-04-07T20:43:00.004-05:00

The following is from one of our IMB missionaries serving in the jungles between Peru and Brazil:

Ashéninka Team
Peru

April 7, 2009

The entrance to the indigenous community of Ashéninka people called San Pedro is a long grade at about a 40 degree angle, about 300 yards long. You have to carry all your gear from the river, across some muddy ground, across a log that lies over a small brook, then up some 50 degree clay steps to the main sloping pathway that rises into the village center. By the time you get there with a heavy backpack you feel like your heart will never slow down. In many communities the folks hear your motor and know that someone is arriving. They hurry to the river to see who it might be and quickly descend to the boat when you reach the bank. Then they generously grab your cargo and carry it energetically to the place where you will lodge. At San Pedro the river is so far from the village center that usually no one knows when we arrive and we’re left to carry everything on our own! When I’m laden with my overstuffed backpack, a bedroll under one arm, a folding camp chair slung over one shoulder, and my back of teaching materials and cameras in the other hand, I look more like a storage rack trying to walk uphill. I asked Dena today how many trips down and back up the San Pedro hill I should make per day in order to get into shape. She suggested three. I just glared and wondered when you’re too old for this line of work.

Because of our short-handedness during the last several years and our emphasis on the farther extremes of the Pichis River valley, we’ve simply not been able to get back to the Río Azupizú to visit and encourage our friends at San Pedro since 2007. In September of that year, along with volunteers from South Carolina, we built upon previously started ministry at nearby Puerto Pascuala as well, but we’ve since not returned. This outing will be to check on the status of the San Pedro church which we helped initiate back in 2003, and to look in on and encourage believers at Puerto Pascuala.

In San Pedro, Pastor Alejandro and his wife Ana, have labored with a solid commitment to the local church, and have weathered criticism and the opposition of errant sects. The formerly strong Adventist community no longer has an Adventist church, but throughout the region there is still much adherence to that group’s emphasis on keeping the Saturday Sabbath, as well as strict rules about which foods can be eaten. Alejandro has faithfully stood for an evangelical doctrine of salvation through grace, and liberty in Christ. They have faced additional obstacles as well. In 2006 their bamboo church building was blown down by a storm. The church rallied with small financial gifts and the Lord sent them outside help as well. Today they worship under a metal roof with walls of sawn lumber.

Please pray for this visit to these two Ashéninka communities and that the Christians in both places will be encouraged in the Lord and will deepen their commitment to following Him, even when persecuted.

Quilmer has been continuing teaching in the Río Negro communities since I left him there in March. He will be joining me again for this Río Azupizú trip. Please pray for the following:
1. Safety in all travels
2. Growth from all teaching and training in Río Negro communities
3. Transportation to San Pedro from town of Puerto Bermudez; we no longer keep a boat in Bermudez
4. Fruitful times of teaching and personal ministry in San Pedro and Puerto Pascuala
5. Leaders Alejandro and Ana in San Pedro, Giovana and Ernesto in Pascuala.
6. Dena, Jacob, and Berta who remain in Pucallpa

We love you and thank the Lord for your support in prayer.

Marty McAnally
Strategy Coordinator
Ashéninka People Group
International Mission Board
Pucallpa, Peru
mcanally@asheninka.net
http://www.asheninka.net/

Ode to a Dog

2009-04-05T16:03:00.003-05:00

Like many of you, we have a dog. He's nothing extraordinary; just a 5 year old Miniature Schnauzer. His name is Rufus. He does no tricks. He barks more than we would like. But his loyalty is without compare.

This morning, Rufus taught me a lesson.

A lesson about God.

When I got up this morning Rufus was there at the bedroom door, waiting as he does most mornings. He was standing against the door, but quickly moved to raise up and stand against my legs as I came out. All the way down the hall Rufus bumped and pawed at me. He stood, tail wagging, head moving from side to side, doing that thing that dogs to to let their masters know they are excited to see them. Rufus stood by my side, moving along with me, looking up expectantly. He wanted his morning attention.

The desire for attention was when I learned my lesson this morning. Rufus' tenacity reminded me how we should be when we pray. Jacob told the angel, as they wrestled, "I will not let you go until you bless me." Rufus would not leave my side until we engaged in his favorite game of tug-of-war with his blanket. I was reminded from that insistence that I must be so tenacious with my Lord. I must cling to him, remain by his side, and otherwise call out to him until he answers me. He promised Jeremiah, "Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know."

God used a dog to remind me of this. God took a simple created animal and taught a great spiritual lesson.

Learn from the dog. Cling to our God, through the Lord Jesus Christ.