Another Holiday Somewhere in South America

November 1st is a holiday where we live. It's All Saints Day. Had this day fallen during the week, schools and businesses would have closed, for the most part. It's that important to some here.

So what goes on? What do people do on All Saints Day? I can't speak for all parts of the world. But here, entire families often go to the cemetery where their departed loved were buried. Often musical bands will be in the cemeteries. The families makea big party out of the event. They bring food, flowers, and beverages. Strong beverages. Intoxicating beverages. They will place the flowers and plates of the deceased's favorite food, and pour them a drink. Then the living family members will often begin to drink along with them. The particpants drink themselves drunk. They dance, tell tales, and drink some more.

This morning, our house helper showed up early--8 AM. She told us that the streets were filled with drunks. I asked if she was speaking of her neighborhood, some 90 minutes away from here. She told me that yes, in that part of the city they were drunk; but right in front of my house the local security personnel had loaded up several who were drunk. Fights, she said, broke out all over. Men fighting men, women fighting women (I have seen the same, as well).

Seeing such a sight is heartbreaking. There is no way I can convey the images through words. Men and women alike pour themselves into this raucous carnival-like event. God is dishonored. Christ is ignored. He is mentioned, but only the most perfunctory manner. After all, it's All SAINTS Day. It's not about Jesus. It's about the dead.

I see little root difference between this kind of celebration and that of ancestor worship. I am pretty sure the same devil dreamed up both of them. And I am fully persuaded that God is not honored in either.

Why does it happen? It's because mankind has set up false gods to satisfy his desire to live free from the God of glory. Mankind seeks a means to justify his life; this is just another of many false truths circulating around the world.

May we seek the living Lord, not celebrate the dead!

Where Do They Stand?

Before you in America cast your vote, know where the two primary candidates stand on the main moral issues. As I said a few weeks back, it is not about the economy; this is about the moral future of our nation.

Vote with wisdom!

No Room for Complaints!

I don't know who originally wrote the following. It has been attributed to various TV celebs. It doesn't matter who the author was. I think it is worth a read:

'As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.'

'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move thro ugh each state.

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that i s what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see ;us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer wha t sell s, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek , and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

When We Pray for the Harvest

If the name were not a trademark, I would call myself an International Harvester. That is the calling upon my life. I am involved in soul-harvesting. It's a life-changing thing, both for me and the ones that respond to God's call.

Jesus told us the fields were white--ready to be harvested (John 4). He also said that there were few laborers to be found. I live in South America, where the harvest is big enough. But I try to think globally, not just about South America. So one thing I do is pray for the harvest. As Jesus told us to do, I pray for laborers.

Now when we pray for the harvest, we need to be ready. Two weeks ago a man approached me with a claim on his life. God answered our prayers for the harvest for a closed country. This man and his wife feel called to go. So, knowing I try to find ways for men and women to fulfill that call, the man asked me how I could help him get to his harvest field.

Not long before the man I just mentioned, I received other calls and e mails from other people who have answered God's call. They have the same question: how do they get from South America to the place where God has told them to go?

We are delighted to actually see God answering our prayers for laborers for the world. I want to encourage you to continue to pray for laborers. God is answering. God is sending his laborers. When we pray, the Lord of the Harvest answers...

A Time for Intolerance

The skinheads are on the march. Their latest antics include threats against Obama and promises to murder blacks in Tennessee.

Now is the time for intolerance. We should stand up and speak out against such a reprehensible plan. Such racial bigotry is repugnant. Thank God these thugs were found out before they could perpetrate such evil.

Christ broke down the middle wall of separation. As we sang when I was a child, "Red and yellow, black and white; they are precious in his sight." Obama may not share my values; but he has the right to his own personal journey. God said we should pray for him, not persecute him.

Where Can We Serve?

That was the question posed to me yesterday. The young man asking it is from Colombia. He has been in Peru for two years. I had just preached a message on answering the call of God.

Miguel told me that he has been overwhelmed by the plight of the Peruvian people, especially the poor. He told me that he had seen poverty before; but that poverty did not compare to the destitution he has seen in parts of Lima. I would have to agree. I have stepped across open sewage, running down the middle of the dirt road. I have stepped in all kinds of nastiness, including human waste. (You never get back into your vehicle without first checking your shoes.) The strong smell of dirt and mold in some homes and even in some worship centers is stifling. And I have seen worse: young and old alike combing through mounds of garbage, hoping for something of value they might be able to sell for a few cents.

But Miguel and his wife are discerning people. They know that the physical poverty is nothing compared to the spiritual destitution. Sin is rampant. Souls perish, lost and separated from God. Religion replaces a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Praise God for men and women like Miguel and his wife, who have lifted their eyes and seen the harvest around them. Pray they will find that place God is speaking to them about. Pray their own economic conditions will not interfere or distract them from the calling God has placed upon them. And pray for more laborers for this vast harvest around us.

SPREAD YOUR OWN WEALTH AROUND!

The Democrat presidential candidate wants to spread the wealth around. Is that new thing with him? No; he thinks the courts failed to address that issue when they had the chance.

I have a message for the gentleman who would be my president; SPREAD YOUR OWN WEALTH AROUND AND TAKE YOUR HAND AWAY FROM MY WALLET! The same goes for the next elected congress. Get away from my wallet! I work hard for what little I earn.

When you speak of redistribution of wealth, you are singing a Marxist song. We have done enough when it comes to stripping away our rights. Let's not take the next step this man asks us to take. It will be a fatal one for all Americans, not just the ones with a little money.

A Song of Praise

It's Sunday. The Lord's Day. Resurrection Day.

Think of it: around the world in the past several hours men, women, and children confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord. Some did it for the first time, giving control of their lives over to the one whose name is above all names. How many times today do you suppose the pure joy over repentant sinners caused the halls of heaven to thunder with praise to the Lamb? In that glimpse of heaven, John said the praise to the Lamb was thunderous, like the sound of many waters. And to think, we had the opportunity to unite our voices with theirs, bringing glory to the Lord all over the world.

And the Lord has to be praised. Jesus said that if man did not praise God, the rocks themselves would cry out. All creation praises the Lord. Those pesky birds we hear at daylight praise God. The cricket in the middle of the night praises God. The lion roaring out in the wilds of Africa praises God. Everything that has breath will praise God, because God will be praised.

All mankind will confess Jesus as Lord; some will do it now (May it be billions who do so!); some, sadly enough, will do it as they suffer forever in a hell God never wanted to send them to.

Confess the Lord Jesus now. Praise him now. Honor him now. Sing to the Lord a song of praise.

Decision 2008: What's at Stake?

The races continue, both for the legislative and the executive branches of our federal government. But, believe it or not, this is a race for the judicial branch, too. It is a serious thing. Activist judges have made it so. Consider the marriage amendment in California. Activist judges forced this public debate. They condoned that which is against nature when they agreed that men could marry men and women could marry women. Now Connecticut's activist supremes have joined the ranks of the rank.

One of these times there will be an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court; or perhaps another attempt at federal legislation. With the legislative branch controlled by the libs, plus a socialist lib in the White House, one can expect the kind of social activism that only causes the hoardes of evil to rub their hands together in glee. If a liberal wins the White House, you can expect appointments of activist judges that will continue what Bill Clinton began in 1992. That includes appointments to the Supreme Court. If you are a follower of Jesus, you don't want to see that.

Our founding fathers said that this government will only function properly for a Christian people. If non-Christians ever take power, the government of the people, by the people, and for the people will cease to be for us and by us. In other words, America as we know it, will cease to be.

If we do not humble ourselves and pray, plus put feet to our prayers by voting and encouraging others to vote a conservative ballot, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We will reap what we sow.

Sadly, some see the voting booth as an a-moral place; that is, there is no right or wrong in your decision. Not so. Vote for a man or woman you know has made evil legislative choices and you are directly responsible for the evil he or she continues to legislate or execute. You will not be held unaccountable when God renders judgment.

What's at stake? Your children's future. The integrity of the nation. You. That is what is at stake.

America, Others Are Praying for You!

We went to church today, as is our custom. Praise to the King of kings resounded in the small building where we had gathered. Some tried to clap with the music, played quite well by a small band of musicians. Others lifted their hands in praise. Occasionally one or another would cry out their Aleluyas to the Lord. It was moving to be there.

Then came the very good message on being involved in the missionary task. The pastor preached with pathos, pleading with us to get on board and go with him to win this country and the world for Christ.

Then, as the service ended, in the pastor's final prayer, he shifted gears and prayed for America. He prayed that we would once again return to a positon of power through virtue. He prayed for justice. He prayed for America to once again have spiritual power. Men and women all around us cried out their agreement to what Samuel prayed.

The current economic and political situation weighs on many around the world. But believers in the Lord Jesus Christ know that the right and best answer is found in repentance and return to the Lord. And they are praying for America.

Take heart, America; others still love you enough to pray for you.

What Have our Supremes Done?

News sources report that the U.S. Supreme Court refused to force Ohio's Secretary of State to hand over the list of voter registrants with discrepancies in their forms. According to the television media, the most liberal associate justice was the one who was to receive the case. This is terribly frightening. How can they wink at the obvious and insist that the wrong person/entity filed the suit? How can they further erode confidence in the greatest test of honesty in our American system? We are not speaking of a few signatures; we are speaking of 200,000. That's TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND irregular registrations.

My trust in the system wavers just now. But think of this: the next president will have the power to recommend for appointment other justices. Do we want more of the same that we are getting through the Ohio debacle?

I think not.

We Voted!

Today was voting day for us. We left our house before ten, drove to the U.S. Embassy in our city, and cast our ballots. It was an energizing thing. Perhaps that is because we were concerned about the arrival of our ballots from Mississippi. But they made it on time, thanks to the diligent work of the office staff of our circuit clerk. They made sure we were able to exercise our voting rights.

The recent concern over voter fraud is growing. The media now report that as many as 200,000 registrations in Ohio alone have irregularities. That, along with the other states where voter fraud is capturing the spotlight should concern us. Our election system was built on honor, a Christian virtue. We are demonstrating that we are spiraling downward when it comes to virtue. Dishonesty and deception should not characterize any aspect of American society; but it has become too common.

I hope you exercise your right to vote. But do not do what some have promised in their sick slogan, "Vote early and vote often."

Has Our Savior Returned?

You may think I have lost my mind. But I have not. There are people out there that have placed their hope in Obama as Messiah. You can read it here. You will see that some see Mr. Obama as the hope for mankind. Beware of such a belief!

Only Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary, crucified for our sins, raised the third day, ascended to the right hand of God, ever living to make intercession for the saints, and returning in the glory of the Father--only he is the hope for mankind. Only Jesus can save you. Only Jesus can change the heart of mankind. Only Jesus offers lasting peace.

Our hope does not rest with any man or woman on this planet. God is not going to share his glory with Mr. Obama, or Mr. McCain. He is a jealous God who demands our loyalty to him.

Our Savior will return. When he does, every eye will see him. Everyone will know it. There won't be any question as to who he is.

Until then, we need to beware of those that would tell us otherwise, of those who are willing to accept the title of Messiah.

Watch how you vote! You may be sustaining a false god when you do.

Pray for Cuba

Cuba was ravaged by Hurricane Gustav a few weeks ago, along with other Caribbean islands. Now Cuba is suffering from a food shortage. If you have ever gone to the store and found the shelve empty, you understand this. If not, you have no idea about the desperation that can sink into the hearts of parents who wonder if they will be able to feed their children.

Pray for Cuba and other nations that have been so adversely affected by the recent rash of hurricanes in that part of the world. Pray for open doors to both minister to physical needs and meet spiritual needs. This could be one of those tools God uses to open wide the doors to a nation like Cuba.

Which Way, America? (pt. 2)

The news is finally all over the story of Bill Ayers and Barak Obama. Obama now (according to radio sources) claims he thought Ayers was rehabilitated. That means he knew about his past and still chose to use Ayer's home to launch his state campaign in Illinois. But get the point of the above statement. Mr. Obama has flip-flopped yet once more regarding his relationships with those who have a penchant for hating your America. First, they were casual acquaintances; now he thought he was rehabilitated. If that is true, this man is among the most naive to ever run for the presidency. That level of judgment on his part should frighten us all away from him.

Who else supports Obama for president? Among others, a man named Terrence Bean. Read about Mr. Bean here. [caution: the previous link is to a PG-13 article, filled with disturbing news]
Let's not forget our old friend, that racist Louis Farrakhan. What does he believe about Obama? He said that when Obama speaks, the Messiah is speaking. For Farrakhan, Obama is the voice of the Messiah. Are you frightened by that? You should be!

Do we want a president who is supported by the porn industry? I don't! Do you want a man who is lauded by one of America's most notorious hate-mongers? I don't! Vote, but choose wisely. A vote for Obama is a vote for more smut and more perversion. A vote for Obama is a vote for socialism. A vote for Obama is a vote for hatred and division.

Which Way, America?

America is at a crossroads. We have been there before. This crossroads, though, may be one of the most crucial of all times.

America will make choice soon. We will choose whether our wallets control us, or whether we are still a people of reasonable judgment. I fear the choice we will make. I pray for reason, not finances, to prevail. There are a few choices out there for leadership that may be able to make a reasonable difference in America's future, both economically and morally reasonable. There is one choice that is plain immoral. That choice is Barak Obama. He lacks judgment. He is duplicitous. He is dangerous.

Consider the following factual item:

Though the above video is a pro-McCain video, it's not so much I am for him as it is that I am against any voice of insanity, no matter the political affiliation. But the choice for president will come down to McCain or Obama; we have to be realistic here. And given the choice between those two, if we choose to become an Obama-nation, I fear the final consequences.

My desire is for revival and repentance in America. Perhaps we need to do something stupid like vote for Obama. Perhaps that is the only way we will finally come to our knees and repent.

Before we do, though, please consider that this election includes more than the economy. This president will probably appoint 2 or 3 Supreme Court justices. Obama will choose activist judges, both on the S.C., as well as lower courts. We will reap the consequences for a very long time.

This election is not about the economy. To rephrase a former campaign slogan, "It's NOT the economy, stupid." It's the moral direction of our nation. Please be aware of that. Please choose your candidate with discernment, not with dollars.

An American Carol: What Message Does It Send?

There is a new movie coming out; it's called an American Carol. I just read an article about it here. If I were in the USA, I would watch it. Why? Because of one statement by one of the pseudo-intellectual elitists that mainstream media portray as a voice of reason in America. His name is Maher; Bill Maher. He allegedly said, "We are a nation that is unenlightened because of religion. I do believe that -- I think religion stops people from thinking. I think it justifies crazies." Shades of Karl Marx!

Maher and his kind represent the intellectual stupidity and spiritual deception that Paul wrote of in Romans 1:22 - "Professing to be wise, they became fools...," Why? Paul said in the verse prior to this, that their foolish heart was darkened. They refused to acknowledge God.

So go see this movie. Go see it and make your stand for Jesus Christ.

IS AMERICA READY TO REPENT, YET? PROBABLY NOT!

Many North Americans, citizens of the US of A, will agree that America needs to repent. America has been on a downward slide for 100 years. At her prime, this great nation saw herself as a Christian nation. That did not mean everyone was a Christian; it meant that her values and decisions were influenced by Christianity.

Not anymore.

Not even close.

We are a shadow of what we once were.

I really thought that the current economic "crisis" would be enough to cause us to repent. AIDS did not do it; droughts did not do it; storms have not swayed us. Terrorist attacks almost did it, but not quite. Failed wars, politically known as "conflicts," did not do it. So I thought massive bankruptcies and foreclosures would lead us to repentance. And perhaps yet it will.

But it seems that Americans have replaced a strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ with a faith in the government. Let the government bail us out! Let the government fix our poor spending habits. America, you have sold your soul for a mess of porridge.

Now I fear that we will turn our hearts farther away from the God who calls out to us and we will vote for men and women (both congress and the presidency) who will lead us farther away from the once-solid foundations that characterized America. Why? Because we no longer have spiritual discernment. We think with our wallets, not with our brains and hearts. And we will forget the pressing issues that really matter. So we call for "change," but not the kind of change that the word "repentance" means. "Repentance" means a change of your mind/heart that leads to a change in one's behavior. But we want a change in government, not in ourselves. After all, it's far easier to lay blame on external sources than to accept our mess as one we have created.

If America is to thrive, America must repent. And we better be about it soon.

Let's pray for repentance and revival in America.

The Day After Yesterday

It's been a whirlwind week for us. We traveled to Quito, Ecuador, which most of you know is somewhere in South America. It's actually just a few miles from the country's namesake: the equator. And that was where our business ended: at the Inti Ñan Museum. "Inti" is Quechua for "sun." "Ñan" connotes "path." So this museum is about the path of the sun along the equator.

The museum is a hands-on kind of place. There were a few interesting experiments demonstrating solar clocks, as well as some tests showing the different results about gravitational flow, as affected by the magnetic forces. For those worried about weight, come to the equator; you will instantly weigh as much as 2 kilos (4.4 lbs) less!

You know that sobriety test, where you have to walk with eyes closed, head tilted slightly up, arms stretched outward with your palms up? Well, you can't pass that one walking on the equatorial line! Not even with your eyes open! The gravity pulls you one way or another. I stumbled towards the north, Pam towards the south.

And yes, water flows out of a drain in opposite directions in both hemispheres. In the southern hemisphere, it flows clockwise; the north is counter-clockwise.

Even with all the fun we had, there were very sober reminders as to why we are in South America. There was a section that demonstrated several people groups that worshiped the sun. If this were not sad enough, there was a ceremonial outfit that was used in both sun worship and a Catholic celebration; it clearly demonstrated the blending (syncretism) of pagan worship with "Christian-based practices." It was a sad, sad sight to see, much less think about. Things of the world should never feel comfortable within Christianity.

This suit (seen above), though, shows a clear belief that mixing the worship of creation with worship of the Creator is acceptable for too many.

[Now, before you wag your head in dismay, check out your own church! What from the lost world influences your worship? That should be cleaned up, too!]

We are home now. It is good to be back. Yesterday was good. But now it is the day after yesterday, and life in this part of South America calls out to us. And we must answer, while it is still called, "today."

IMB to Face Sweeping Changes

We're changing around the world. It's not a face job, either. The International Mission Board's (IMB) senior leadership, along with trustees, are seeking to do more than put makeup on a puffy face. The changes are intended to make us more efficient. They are supposed to enable us to expand and evangelize at a faster pace.

It's not the first time in the IMB's long life that they have changed. The more recent changes included moving from areas to regions in 1997-98. As a result, there are currently 11 regions through which more than 5,000 men and women engage the unsaved peoples around the world. Those men and women have largely worked in a team format; some teams were quite small and uniquely North American. Other teams were large and included both national believers and North Americans. Together, we sought to challenge the world with the gospel.

Now we are moving to 8 points of focus. These points of focus are to be called, "Global Affinity Groups." Most of them relate to the people groups in Asia; that is logical, since the majority of the world's population is there. But also included in the mix is the European Peoples and the American Peoples.

The groups will be led by Affinity Strategists, who will also have their team of assistants, just as regional leaders do. Within each affinitygroup there will be a varying number of clusters. Within each cluster will be a varying number of teams. Within each team...; you get the point.

Why am I mentioning this in my personal blog? Because I want you to pray for us. Some people will be asked to change roles. Some will take on more responsibility; others may have to take on less than they have right now. Some will have to move, though most will not.

Also, with change comes a disruption of our personal comfort zones. We have adjusted and acclimated to a certain lifestyle--complete with all the emotional and social implications, as well as physical comforts (or discomforts, in some cases). So when someone sends a note and says, "Get ready for change," one's heart can become unnecessarily unsettled. After all, the Lord holds us tightly in his hand. He is not at all surprised by what we are living and experiencing these days.

That's true about you, too. I don't and can't know what each reader faces. But I know this: nothing you face takes God by surprise.

Personally, we are encouraged by what we hear from Dr. Rankin and others. We feel the better days are still ahead, not behind us. Besides, in a world that changes as quickly as this one does, I am thankful to God for a discerning leadership that seeks to keep pace and stay on the cutting edge.

Thanks for praying.