Seeking Transformation

New Blog

2011-02-09T18:46:00.003-06:00

I have started a new blog and would invite you to follow me there. It is called Intersections. I will be dealing with scripture and life and how they intersect.

Follow me at Intersections

All Grown Up, Now What?

2011-02-02T20:19:00.002-06:00

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A Toys R Us kid is just right!. Who wouldn't still love to be one of those?

What do you want to be when you grow up? As a kid I wanted to be one of several things: astronaut, president, neurosurgeon, anesthesiologist, and more. I did not dream, however, of ever being a preacher!!

This leads to another, deeper, issue. Why are we here anyway? What is my purpose of my existence? I would venture a guess that no one said to be a disciple. When I read scripture, this is what I find to be true for each of us. In fact, a disciple that makes a difference. This is exactly what God designed us to be so that we can make a difference wherever He places us. So often we segregate every part of life so that we make very little difference in all the places of our lives.

In Luke 4, Jesus travels through Galilee to Capernaum. Located on the Northwest side of the Sea of Galilee, this poor fishing village would become HQ for the Galilean ministries. Peter and Andrew live on the seashore and head straight out to work each day. James and John live down the shore a little as they work with Zebedee. No doubt they all knew one another and worked together. While in Capernaum Jesus teaches in the synagogue, heals Peter's mother in law, and heals many others. He tries gets away one morning to pray but is followed and nearly mobbed by the large crowd that was gathering. They begged Him to stay. His response is not what most would think!

"I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom to other towns also."

Really? He was going to leave? Aren't there still hurting, sick, and lost people in the village. He had already left Nazareth, but that was understandable. They rejected Him, but that doesn't sound like Jesus. He was leaving again. Why? Because many people still needed to hear the gospel.

We are called to be like Jesus. We are designed to be disciples that make a difference. This is God's design for you. He has placed you at home, work, or school to make a difference. Whatever you dreamed of being as a kid. Whatever you are currently doing. Your design is to be a disciple that makes a difference. We make a difference when we tell others the good news about the Kingdom of God. Before we get stuck in our personal space and never leave. Remember that Jesus left to go to other towns. This means to go on mission! Go! Take a trip short or long. Take a trip close or far away. Go someplace and share the Gospel!

This was the attitude of Jesus that we are called to have as well. Read the words of Paul to the churches in Philippi. Is this my attitude? Now that I am all grown up and supposedly have it all together. Is this my attitude? AM I obedient? AM I willing to die?

Jesus was. I am supposed to be like Jesus. Lord, help me be a disciple that makes a difference!

Hide and Seek

2011-01-25T15:58:00.004-06:00

When was the last time you played hide-and-seek?

I remember playing this as a kid. Honestly, I played this just the pother day WITH the kids. There is no simpler game, right? Someone count while every one else hides. Now they have to find someone and tag them.

Simple. The we had to change the rules. As we got older the simple game seemed, well, too simple! We then started adding new rules:

Move from hiding spot
Safety zones
Kick the can
Jail
Tag out of jail

The purity of the game was its simplicity! Everyone could play! If you could count, then you could play. Something within us decided that we had to make complex that which was simple. It seems that we do the same thing in church, doesn't it?

Church is supposed to be simple. A group of people who love God gather together to express their love and devotion while also receiving a message from Scripture. Why do we make it so complex? In this age of technology, which I love, we are determined to mess up the simplicity of church. We bring complexity in a variety of ways.

We try to hide our past because if others in church knew our past they would reject me. This isn't too difficult for those who are not indigenous to the community. However, for those who grew up in the community it becomes extremely complex. "Joe" may be living for Jesus today but everyone knows the little terror he was as a child and/or teenager. "Janet" may not be living for Jesus right now and all we see what she used to be without giving thought to how she needs help today.

Hide and Seek.

We try to hide our present. The technical word for this is hypocrite. Ouch! Doesn't that word sting? Attempting to hide our present is the majority of complications we have today. There are those who are immoral in town and "pure" in the church. I believe the devil is more subtle in his approach. Hypocrisy means to not be who you are in all places. We complicate matters because we read Paul who says that he became all things to all people. This sentiment is not the discussion here. How often I find people with whom I laugh and enjoy life with during the week only to find them all buttoned up and zipped up in church service. What a travesty? If we cannot be ourselves as we gather, then we have taken the simple and made it complex.

Hide and Seek.

What am I talking about? Did you know that Jesus faced this same issue? In Luke 4:14-30 Jesus has gone home. He is in church on the weekend as the guest speaker. Most likely, he was a well-respected member of the community. He rises and quotes Isaiah 61.1-2. He then proceeds to sit down, as was the custom, and speak to this passage. Do you remember what He said? Today this is fulfilled before your very eyes.

What did He say?

Someone tell me He did not just refer to Himself as the Messiah?

Blasphemy!

Hide and Seek.

Jesus could not run from his past. Humanity has a way of shackling us a preconceived notion and understanding. He was calling into question everything they had believed. The carpenter's son could NEVER be the Messiah. He is not royal enough! He is too human! He is too much like us! Even Philip had his moment when he said, "Nazareth? Can anything good come from Nazareth?" I find some solace in that fact that Jesus could not outrun the complications of the world. He was challenging them to overcome the humanity around us and put away past realities. What a strong word for the church today! We, the forgiven, are to accept each other as we are. We are not a perfect people. We do not have perfect churches, classes, or music. We do not have perfect pastors, families, or kids. We are human. Jesus challenged them to overcome the hypocrisy. Be who you are as God designed.

Let us release each other from the past that plagues us. Respond with love and grace while remembering who you are in Jesus. May we spur each other on to love and good works!

2011-01-18T11:05:00.010-06:00

Have you ever had one of those moments where you can't remember what you were going to do? It seems that once I hit the magical age of 40 they are coming with more regularity. It could be the diet coke, right? I was cleaning the garage and building new shelves for reorganization when I needed something in the house. From the garage to the house is roughly 40 feet. By the time I reached the family room I stopped. Typically in these moments I will look at the ceiling of to the side and throw my jaw out and grunt a little, this is what my wife tells me anyway. Then I close my eyes and concentrate.

No memory.

What had I come to the house to get? Throwing up my hands I go back outside. Halfway to garage I remember and turn around. Mumbling what I need over and over so I don't forget as I enter the house, I get these weird looks. I am sure my family thinks they live with a mumbling idiot! I know that if I don't keep saying it I might forget again which only wastes time and adds to the "my-dad-is-so-weird-that-he" list.

When Jesus was presented with temptation from the Devil in his weakest moments, he did not have this problem. A case could be made in light of certain experiences that because he was only 30 he would not have had this problem. Theologically, some would argue that because he was God he could not have sinned. Or, that because he did not have a biological father that the sin nature was not transferred. We must be careful not to drive so fast into His divinity that we leave his humanity in the dust. In fact, had Jesus not had the choice and chance to sin then the pure sacrifice would not have been so meaningful. Because Jesus could have sinned brings hope to us that do. It is possible! We could, if we continue to develop spiritually.

What is impressive is the simplicity in which he resisted the pleas of Satan. He was hungry and Satan prompted a physical appetite option. Turning stones to bread would be easy. A weak point for many people stems from physical appetites that consume us. From gorging at the buffet to gorging on the internet, we are driven by our desires, passions, and appetites. In addition, if we can do all of this in private we can justify the act because it is not hurting anyone. However, Jesus responded with scripture.

Jesus was starting a new ministry. He would need a lot capital, a fresh marketing plan, and the authority to speak to the leadership at large. How many times have we seen guys come through seminary and begin the self-promotion campaign. They create brochures, cards, email blasts, websites, and cool ministry names. It would seem that while all of this is done in the name of ministry it is also screaming "self" more than Spirit. We change our churches to capture the ever-allusive next generation and forget the Spirit. We change our organizations and conventions to streamline the work. Now, nobody knows what anyone is doing but it looks hip and cool and "leader-like". Jesus responded with scripture.

Jesus was trying to reach people. A spectacular show would entertain and drive people to himself. He could jump off the temple and instantly draw a crowd because he would land unharmed. It reminds me of a ministry leader in Tulsa that camped out on top of a tower and claimed he would not come down until a certain money figure was reached. He made the headlines and raised the money! Is this Biblical? We produce smoke and lights and concerts we call worship so that we can bring in the people. We reduce the message, remove the blood of the cross, and demand nothing in order to get more people into our building. Jesus responded with scripture. We clamor after the headlines and promotions. We deeply desire the awards and accolades. Jesus responded with scripture.

Simple. Clean. Powerful. Scripture.

Our lives hinge on placing faith in Jesus. Our journey of faith depends on knowing and living by the Word of God. When was the last time you could footnote a decision with scripture? Do we read for content or commands? Do I live by the Word of God or logical manipulations? Does the Bible direct my life? When we begin to read, study, and live by the word of God we won't have the same troubles with temptations as before. We won't have to stop in the middle of an issue and call up the preacher and ask for a good verse for the situation. Jesus just knew the right verse. Do you?

The transformation God demands comes from an intimate awareness and obedience to scripture. Get in the Book!

The Exam

2011-01-12T15:49:00.003-06:00

At the end of every semester it was crunch time! We had attended, listened, worked, partied, and studied little but now it was exam time. For many of our classes the exam was half of our grade! You would think we might have paid better attention, took better notes, and studied more. Yet, we did not. Instead, we would plan these elaborate all-nighters just before an exam. Yes, the night before! For some reason we thought it was smart to saturate our bodies with coffee and study all night to take the tests the next morning on no sleep.

In the words of my wife, "Stupid, stupid people!" In fact it was not the smart thing to do. We all knew it was coming. Why did we not prepare? Why did we act like it was a surprise? Those answers were apparently above our pay grade.

In Luke 4:1-2, we see that Jesus had just finished one of the greatest moments in life in baptism. As he rose from the water the heavens opened and the dove descended. The Father spoke to His Son in whom he was well pleased.

That same Spirit that landed on his shoulder now led Him to the wilderness. He fasted, prayed, and prepared. He was not shocked. He was not surprised. At the end of 40 days he was tested by the Devil.

Why am I so shocked in my own life? Why should I be surprised? After any "big" spiritual moment in my life the Devil hammers me in the weaknesses of my life. The Spirit of God leads us through different mountains and valleys in life. While always our light, He is most useful in the dark places of life. I am not speaking of the seedy spots to which we go. I speak of the desperate moments and experiences such as tragedy, death, loss of job, etc. I speak of those issues you thought were off limits. When we are led to a dark spot we need the light of God more than any other time. Not to say that we are not in need of Him in the good times. It is in those moments that we must praise, adore, and worship to prepare for the moments we encounter that are antithetical to the peace and prosperity gospel being sold to us.

I need God AT ALL TIMES! It is in the best of times that I must remember to study, read, and adhere to the Word of God. In this way, when the exam comes I will not have to pull a spiritual all-nighter. I can rest in the everlasting arms of Jesus because I have studied and shown myself approved. I have learned that dependency on the Word of God and power of the Spirit is like food and water. I cannot live without them and I certainly cannot thrive without them.

How God Responds: Direction

2010-07-04T23:10:00.004-05:00

How many times have we stood gazing into the future wondering what to do today? Like this picture, we so often find ourselves stuck. We don't know what to do. Do I change jobs? Do I marry this person? Do I move, purchase, leave, serve? There are so many decisions that need to be made. Having the patience to ask, seek, and knock and wait for the answer is tough.

What if an added stress is involved? There is severe loss whether it is life, job, or security. This stress complicates our thinking and ability to choose wisely. I always go back to that young couple who say they want to know what God wants concerning their lives and whether they should be married. However they complicate things and make the way fuzzy because of pre-marital sexual involvement. The fall-back code is "they love each other". I am sure they think they do love each other however they are complicating the issue and the validity of their future together because of the added stress of emotions and physical involvement.

Luke records for us in Acts chapter 1 that Jesus has returned to the Father. The followers are gathering together and praying. They have no clue what they should do, so the pray. The keep asking, seeking, and knocking and wait for God's response. He responds with wisdom and now direction. They needed to know what to do and what steps to take. Peter rises before the crowd and begins to lay out a plan of action.

20 Peter continued, "This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, 'Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.' It also says, 'Let someone else take his position.'*
21 "So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—22 from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection."
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.24 Then they all prayed, "O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen25 as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs."26 Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

God responds with direction. Do you have questions? Do you need direction? God will respond to those who keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking until He responds. How bad do you want to know? Make God your first resort. Use your other resources as a way for God to inspire you. Wait upon God and He will respond with the direction you need for the best life, which is what God wants for you anyway!!

What Makes A True American?

2010-07-04T18:44:00.003-05:00

How do we define those terms? What are we supposed to teach our children? What is a true American these days? Right now that is becoming harder and harder to define. We choose to tell the quaint stories of Washington not telling a lie and Franklin’s key and electricity. We choose to avoid the carnage and catastrophic loss families made to achieve what we call freedom. We have the freedom to speak, worship and pursue life and happiness all because of the bloodshed of many men and boys these past 234 years.

Freedom. It rolls off of our tongues without knowledge of the cost. Freedom is not in socialism. Freedom is not in persecution. My own lineage has preachers who sought religious freedom from the tyranny in other parts of the world, officers who fought in the revolution willing to sacrifice it all so that you and I could sit here today and worship the Creator. Freedom is not some politically correct speech. Freedom comes at a high cost.

It is hard to define what a true American is due to the seepage of socialism and relativism into our culture. It is hard to define when, in increasing numbers, people would choose to hyphenate their citizenship. It matter not what my heritage may be. I am an American. I choose to teach my children to honor the flag, say the pledge, remove your hats. All actions based on a respect for those who have come before that laid the pathway for freedom. Words like respect, honor, pride, and duty are being diluted with current philosophies and leadership. The freedoms we enjoy involve both the unalienable rights of humanity in concert with others that have been written down in the constitution. We have been given freedom. It is a gift to be cherished.

A true American respects and honors the freedoms for self and for others.
A true American takes pride in a job well done whether it be vocation, family, or community.
A true American pursues life for self and for others.
A true American pursues liberty for self and others.
A true American pursues happiness for self and others.

However, as important as it is for me to understand and pass on the wisdom of being an American, at the end of life citizenship ceases. On the other side of my final breath lies an eternity of different citizenship either in Heaven or Hell. By faith In Jesus I have already been assured of citizenship in Heaven.

I am a follower of Christ. I am an American. One does not make the other. I have had two births. I had no involvement in the first but am grateful. I made a decision concerning the second and will be eternally grateful.

Thank God for America. Thank God for Jesus.

God Gives Wisdom

2010-06-27T14:55:00.002-05:00

In Fall of 2005 I spent a lot of time talking with God about the future and what our family needed to do. I had been contacted by FBC Perry about being their pastor. I was happy where God had placed us but couldn't shake the feeling that He was up to something. So we talked. As time moved on we interviewed with the committee and met at a neutral site where I was able to preach. My wife and I began to feel a strong pull toward this church and her people. God and I kept talking.

I needed wisdom.

The followers of Christ, numbering around 120, were baffled about their current satte of affairs. Jesus had risen to life only to leave 40 days later. Now what? What were they supposed to do? Jesus said their would be a comforter to follow. Who was this? Where is He? When is He coming? Is He already here? No one knew and everyone was frustrated, I am sure. This group of believers kept gathering together and kept talking to God. The Bible isn't clear about how long it was, just that it was later. it was during one of these moments that Peter stood up and laid out a plan.

God responded to my wife and I with a sense of wisdom about what to do because we kept asking, kept seeking, and kept knocking. God responded to the group of believers by giving Peter wisdom that He knew Peter would share with the group. You see, the first way we see God responding to the prayers of the people is to give wisdom. James 1:5 tells us, "If you need wisdom, if you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you."

Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. God will respond. Are you listening?

How God Responds

2010-06-21T19:56:00.002-05:00

We all like to talk. Sometimes we talk to much and listen very little. I find those cell phone commercials where the tweener girl is talking for thousands of minutes non-stop both humorous and frightening as I consider my own child and how much she likes to talk already. Finding the balance between speaking and listening can be tricky. If I speak to much then I never listen and know if what I am saying is being received. If I listen and never contribute then it could be misinterpreted as uncaring.

Giving and receiving is the basis for good communication. Without both you simply have extended monologues. God desires to communicate with each of us. Jesus tells us that we should keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking. I could spend pages trying to decipher all the meanings and parsings of these words. I could hours putting together good hermeneutics. An interesting things keeps popping up in my mind. If effective communication requires both parties to be involved and I am supposed to continue to ask, seek, and knock, then when and how does God respond?

Recently there has been much discussion concerning the church and her viability. We are in desperate need of a movement of God. Almost instantly I was inspired to read Acts. As I began looking at it again from this perspective I noticed a pattern. The people kept pressing God in prayer, but in a humble fashion, and God began to respond in dramatic fashion. As I read I noticed 10 ways that God responded to the early church. It was not that God responded 10 times but in ten unique ways. God heard the people and responded to the situation in a unique and wonderful way.

Wisdom
Direction
Ability to Choose
Power
Transformation
Salvation
Presence
Shared Ministry
Leadership
Rescue

Impressive. The God of the universe hears us and responds. Are you asking, seeking, and knocking? Maybe you should start. We'll look at the first one next time.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

2010-05-06T22:26:00.003-05:00

Recently our church started a prayer campaign called the "153 Prayer Campaign". We are praying for 153 days to see 153 people surrender their lives to Jesus. I was reviewing John's telling of them catching the 153 fish and was struck by the feeling that many people in our lives are just like Peter, stuck between a rock and a hard place spiritually.

Let's review.

They were all together in the Upper Room sharing a meal together. Jesus casually expresses that someone will betray Him and verbal chaos breaks loose. Peter rises and states that he would die for Jesus to which He replied that Peter would betray before the rooster crowed. And it was so. The last glance of Jesus would haunt Peter. Before Peter could say or do anything, Jesus was gone. Before he could reconcile, or rationalize, Jesus is crucified, buried, and gone. Peter is caught between the sin he feels shame and guilt for and forgiveness.

How many people do we know that are in this position? How many of us are in this position? We feel shame and guilt. We are not sure if God is mad. A person in this position does not feel useful, wanted or loved. I've been there, have you?

Peter agonizes over the weekend until the ladies come running in the room with an astounding statement: Jesus is alive! Peter bolts out of the room and runs headlong into the tomb. Why? First, surely he wanted to see his friend. There is more, though. He has a need to talk with Jesus. He needs to be released. He did not have the scriptures like we do. It is possible he couldn't read anyway. He knew his actions. He knew how that made him feel. He knew something must be done but Jesus was unreachable. He had died and abandoned them.

The problem today is many people are in this same situation. It is possible they are not conscious of their sin. Our culture has redefined wrong on so many occasions that for those without a scriptural foundation there is no absolute truth as a standard. What people do know is that they feel something odd. They are caught between the sin they committed and a state of peaceful forgiveness.

Peter did not find Jesus that day. The disciples were gathered when Jesus walked through the wall into their presence. Peter wanted to speak with Jesus, but this was a group event and not a good time. Between the timing and Peter's pride nothing was accomplished that day. Was Jesus mad? Was Jesus avoiding him? There are many things that go through the mind of someone in this position. Thomas was with them the next time. Again, a group event and Peter is still stuck. John writes that Peter announces that he is going fishing. He is returning to what he knew. He was going back to what was comfortable and easy.

How many of us do this? We feel unwanted, unusable, and out of place. We are not sure if our relationship with God is solid. Our mind tells us one thing, but the heart tends to rule in these matters. We go back to what we know and feel comfortable with in life. We find other things to do than attend church. We find family, sports, chores, yard work, the bar and old habits. When we do find the time and inclination to return to church we are unfortunately greeted in such a way that heaps the guilt and shame.

"Where have you been?"

"Haven't seen in you in a while."

While we might not intend anything with these statements, but the received message is negative. Why can't we simply be happy with the present presence? When someone is caught between a rock and a hard place do they need to be reminded of their situation or just loved out of it?

Let's watch Jesus in action. Peter has gone fishing and has caught nothing. There is a distinct lesson to be learned here. When we, in our situation, go back to the comfortable we find no satisfaction. Peter caught no fish. Jesus arrives and makes a suggestion and they catch more than the nets can hold. After a nice breakfast on the beach Jesus initiates a discussion with Peter. He does not guilt. He does not shame. He does not ask for explanations. He loves.

"Peter do you love me more than these?"

The reference would be to the fish. In other words, do you love me more than what you have known to be comfortable? Do you love me more than your habits or past? Peter expressed that Jesus knew everything and yes he did. Did you notice what Jesus did? He loved Peter. What could happen if we just loved people? What transformation could happen if we simply loved people out of their position?

We often find ourselves between the action committed and the state of forgiveness we need. We feel stuck. Where is God? What does He feel? What will He do? When we go to church we are piled on with guilt and shame. Jesus lovingly and gently helped Peter. Will we do the same?

Desperation

2010-02-15T09:04:00.006-06:00

When God gave Jesus the green light on ministry it wasn't long before He began teaching. People had gathered to listen to the new teacher and decide if He was worth listening to and possibly following. He went up on a hillside and began to teach all who would listen. I wonder if the people then reacted in the same way as I do to what He says.

What He says is completely antithetical to all I have been taught in life.

He opens with "God blesses". Who doesn't want that? I would kill for ultimate well-being, inner joy, and peace. The problem soon follows though that those God blesses are poor in spirit. Really? I have been taught by many and there are those who propagate it now that all I need is already within me I just have to get in touch with myself and unlock the power. Somewhere inside of each of us, we are told, is the power to overcome; the power to succeed; the power to find fulfillment. Jesus, however, says that if any of us want the fulfillment of God, the blessing of joy, we are to be poor in Spirit: desperate. I don't want desperation, do you? This means out of my control. Desperation is beyond our control. I must call on someone else to assist and manage the situation. Over the years I have challenged this concept. I, and you, might not have ever verbally challenged this idea, but our actions are voluminous.

It was a Wednesday. I had dropped off my daughter at school and headed back to the house to pick my wife and son. He had an endoscopy scheduled at 1pm. We drove the hour to the hospital, parked, and checked in. While we sat and waited, my son played his video game, and I read. It wasn't long and we were called back into the room for the pre-op process. He changed into the monkey pj's they had for him, which he really liked. They said he could keep his hat on if he wanted, which he also really liked. The nurses and doctors were kind and efficient. After we discussed the procedure and also his background a number of times it was time for the separation. We kissed and hugged him as they took him into the surgical room. Dulcie and I went downstairs and got a coke before returning to the waiting room. We had just down when we got the call that all was fine and the doctor was finished. He would be right out to talk with us. "How smooth was that?", I asked out loud. The doctor came and said all looked fine and we could go into recovery to help our son as we came out of the sleep. About an our later we returned to the room for post-op watch care and finalizing the process. I remember looking at the clock and thinking that this was sweet! We would be home before supper and could get little sis early from our friend. We had signed the discharge papers and been given our instructions. As we gathered up items I thought, "All was well. All was under control. I had this!"

Our son began to moan a little about his stomach, which was the reason we were having the procedure. We didn't think much of it. Then it became a loud moan and we paused to consider it. For the next two hours he writhed in pain and screamed.

Desperate.

During the two hours the nurses came. The intern came. The doctor came. We had no answers. We rolled him down to radiology and they had closed for the day. We rolled him down to the ER and quickly did x-rays. I held him up. I moved him. I laid him down. I rolled the bed. I was doing all I could.

Desperate.

All the while I discussed the situation with God. We had called the church and asked for prayer. My wife prayed. I prayed. I think everyone was praying! I watched for two hours as my son, my only son, writhed in pain and I could do nothing to stop it. I hugged him. I comforted him. In one of those moments he said, "Nothing will help! I can't take it anymore!!" I was powerless. I was in poverty. I was desperate. God was our only hope. As we prayed, God provided a peace.

Once our son was able to empty himself, he basically passed out and went to sleep. He was quiet. He was calm. He breathed easier. He rested. We rested. Soon we left and went home. The power of Heaven resolved the issue that day. The prayers of many, including ourselves, called upon the King of Kings. I acknowledge in my heart what I knew in my head. I am poor in Spirit. In those moments, the kingdom of Heaven became ours in its power and glory. We praised God for the relief and rest that early evening as we waited to go home. The prayers of desperation were the answer. So often, our prayers do not come out of desperation. Our prayers often come from want, or anger, but not desperation. We have been taught to be self-sufficient. We have been shaped into a mentality that those in need got there on their own and can get out of it as well if they only tried harder.

Our only hope is found in God. He alone has provided the pathway of hope in Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus alone that we have hope of eternity, joy for today, and spiritual balance. The more I try to fix me, help me, solve me, manage me I fall out of balance and forget my desperate position. I have been fooled into believing that I can manage. To quote an old hymn, "My hope is found in nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

I will never forget what it felt to be desperate. It will forever mark our lives. I completely understand now...

God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

We were blessed that day! God gave us a strength, peace, and joy in a moment that called for everything else. I pray I never forget it. May I never challenge it again.

When have you been desperate? Comment please!

Africa Day 14

2010-01-10T03:26:00.003-06:00

It's the Final Countdown

Sorry, music from the 80's just surfaced out of nowhere. I do understand that some will say that song was never really music...it just popped in.

Anyway, today is the packing up day. We spent the morning sleeping in and packing up. I led us in a Bible discussion of the Beattitudes. In the afternoon Pete looked at one of our interpreters and the Riggs' two children. We did a little final shopping and then supper.

It is really a slow day in comparison to the others. We haven't had to bust it out to make it someplace for a day of ministry today. I am glad though because the plane trip home is a long and arduous process. To have this day be restful...hmmm...the Bible says something about that doesn't it?...is a nice opportunity.

We are all very glad to have been a part of God's plans these past two week but are also ready to be at home. Now that the day has arrived it seems like forever to get to the midnight flight out of Africa! Somehow we have to balance restful with anxious. Pray for us as we travel. There is heightened security along the way but no real threats.

How has God worked? We will be sharing the answer to that question on January 24th at 6pm. No doubt, many of you will already sense and have heard about a movement of God in our lives, but we will formally share the trip with you on the 24th during the evening service.

May God bless!!

Africa Day 13

2010-01-09T13:50:00.002-06:00

Today was the CANOE TRIP!!!

I can tell you that not everyone was excited about this...Pete. He doesn't like canoes and expressed that to us at times. We had a missionary with us today and we floated off to the island for ministry. Around march the river drops enough that you can drive to this location but that was not the case today. As you will see in the pictures, the river is wide and the canoe seemed small. The driver loaded us in two boats and we were guided up river and then across fighting the current all the way. It was a peaceful ride watching the river flow gently. As we approached the bank the optical illusion was a little unnerving as it seemed the land was moving away from us. it was eerie! The return trip was much faster since we had the current with us the whole way.

We worked out of the school that is there. We found about 50 kids hanging out and a couple of people wanting care. Once we settled in and set up shop Pete gathered them all up and spoke about brushing their teeth and the big bad enemy of sugar. He took a stroll while we gathered patients since his back is giving him much grief. They soon gathered and we got started at 10:30. A little over 2 hours and 21 people later we packed up and headed back across the river. We ate lunch on the run nearly and headed across town to an area Cherry knew about and asked if we would help. There were 8 people who were helped and they were very thankful. There appreciation was so vast in comparison to other days that it made for a good last stop.

We returned knowing that we only have one more day until we fly home! Pete will look at the Riggs' kids and Bilo tomorrow afternoon and then it is off to dinner and prepare to go to the airport.

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Africa Day 12

2010-01-08T10:29:00.002-06:00

Tired!

This is a good word for today! It is taking us a little longer each day to get up and go. Knowing the bumpy road ahead causes a little pause, but with coffee and fresh croissants all is well and we load up for another day of ministry. As we travel we discuss a variety of issues not the least of which is what the letter for the day is. We have been playing this stupid game on the morning drives to pass the time. A letter is chosen and we spend enormous amounts of intellect trying to outdo each other using words beginning with the letter and multiple uses in one sentence. The only way to understand is to be here. Actually you could be here next year. We are planning on the same time leaving but only being here one week. You could go!!

We arrived at the village and were not sure how many would be seen today, but it ended nicely. We actually got Pete to relax a little with the kids before dentistry today. The pictures tell it all! We soon suited up and began work. I was the seller of tickets today and handled speaking on preventative care of the dental and spiritual nature. We had many that were around and gave a talk three different times. The day was hot and dusty but much was accomplished. Chuck and Kris had good conversations with a few men and Chuck shared the Gospel.

We were able to load up around 3pm and head toward the house! As we arrived we unloaded and were informed that Cherry had cooked for us and were expected at her apartment around 6pm. We could not have been more pleased when we arrived than to see steaks in gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and sweet tea. i though Chuck was going to convulse in excitement right then and there! We sat around the table and stuffed ourselves, talked, laughed, and totally enjoyed ourselves. We talked of this year and the years ahead and how we can serve God through ministry here in Niger. We have exciting thoughts and plans. God is good!

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Africa Day 11

2010-01-07T12:43:00.002-06:00

Today was another slow day. The missionaries were unable to go with us today and the preparation was done by one of the local believers. While I believe he did work at publicizing the event the people were either not in need or not interested. We worked on a few and left around 11:30.

Since we had the afternoon to ourselves we decided to do a little shopping. We visited one area that had many artisan pieces and picked out a select few. Since by daughter doesn’t read yet, I will tell you that she is getting a nice little purse when I get home that has the country of Niger on the front and, of course, is a beautiful shade of orange. Though some may say it is burnt, it is orange to us and we all know what that means. Anyway, acquired a nice piece of leather work that will go well in a focal area of the church so that we can promote not only where we have been but where we plan to be for the next several years. We have discussed at length, among ourselves, that it seems to be very plausible and spiritually profitable for us to adopt a particular village work there for 5 days straight and then return home. This would allow for greater dental care, greater relationships, and greater spiritual teaching opportunities. Through focusing on one village we could pool the resources we have toward helping them in real ways and opening doors for evangelism. Whether it is clothes for the kids as we outgrow them, or gloves for the women as the pound millet hours every day and have blisters on their hands, or thinking out of the box in ways of water and other essentials. We could help them through discussion of cattle and herding. We could cooperate together and see God work in tremendous ways.

Please be in serious prayer about this opportunity. I feel that it serves more efficiently and effectively the Kingdom of God.

We decided that we wanted to eat in on our terms tonight so I volunteered to prepare hamburgers with all the trimmings. They were pretty good, if I do say so myself!! The tomatoes and pickles were a little funky and twangy but edible. There is no internet at the guest house so we took an adventure out with a taxi to an internet restaurant including cappucinno's and ice cream! Good Times!

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Africa Day 10

2010-01-06T12:04:00.002-06:00

After the Bush taxi's clutch nearly went out yesterday I had a long discussion with the coordinator as to whether we would use it or not. We finally agreed to use it with the guarantee it would be fixed by this morning. As it arrived, we knew it was the same vehicle but it did sound much improved. We packed up and began the journey toward Doutouwel. We were in this area last year though we would not be in the village "limits" this time but out in the "burbs". As we were traveling, the carburetor began acting up. We stopping and he cleaned it out and away we went! The ride to this location was bumpy but we survived. Minor concussions...haha!

This area had a school and a clinic so we felt we were uptown! The clinic was small but functional. Once set-up, Pete and Bill began seeing patients around 10:15. We had all agreed that today we would be done by 4:00 so we could return at a decent hour. Pete shifted into hurry-up mode about 3:30. he had been averaging about 6/hr. He saw 8 in the last 30 minutes! He is very interested in getting everyone seen and he did.

While they were working in the clinic, Chuck and I went walking to a nearby compound. Our local host wanted us to visit the local pastor. We were well-greeted and invited into the "church" hut. We gathered and began discussing a variety of topics. As preachers, we talked about our last Sunday's sermons and what we were teaching our people in their walk with Jesus. Chuck jumped in the conversation and beautifully expressed the disciple's cross material I had been sharing with the other village's. There was another pastor present as well and he began asking a couple of questions concerning OT passages on their meaning. I had the chance to share why Hosea was told to marry an adulteress. God wanted to show how much He loved Israel even though she was in adultery with other idols. We also talked about some practical concepts of parenting from the story of Isaac and Jacob and Esau. Lunch was brought in and normally we, meaning the Americans, would not eat it for fear of sickness. Yet, I felt a peace from God about eating this time. The feeling was so strong it was as if God told me to trust Him today. So...I ate. I was proud of Chuck, he took a bite too.

We returned to the clinic to relieve them for lunch. Afterwards, Chuck and I broke out the frisbees and spent time with the kids and teens throwing frisbees and showing God's love. Later he broke out Bessie and presented the Gospel. Pete mentioned that we might want to give a dental lesson while they were all together, so we did that as well.

We wrapped up the day just after 4pm and were heading out by 4:20. Michelle had Hamstatud prepare a beef vegetable stew and cornbread for us tonight and we felt like we ate like kings.

Another great day in Africa!

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Africa Day 9

2010-01-05T09:46:00.005-06:00

Koomba

Today was a difficult day because we were without any missionary presence and the road was an extreme washboard situation. Pete decided that if he had soap he could properly agitate the clothes for a good wash! We arrive about 9:30 to an empty clinic area. We help setup and discover that the few people that had arrived were not there for the dentist so Chuck and I headed to the village to see if we could drum up some business. We begin walking through the village and greeting people and informing them of the dentist. We travel through looking for the chief's house. He is not in town today and soon found the elders under a tree and a house full of women not far away. It seems that someone had died earlier and they would be, as a village, tending to these needs. There were a few who went on to see Pete, but we packed up at Noon and returned to the city. We became stuck in the sand twice and realized that the van had no first gear or the driver couldn't find it. Either way we pushed our way out of sand twice and soon made it to pavement. We had made plans to go shopping a little before going to the guest house until we smelled the putrid odor of a burning clutch. No one else seemed to mind, but we instructed that we simply wanted to get to the guest house!

We did make it! We unloaded, stored things away, and sought after lunch. After a gourmet meal of MRE's it was time for Pete to work on the missionary kids by sealing their teeth. Since we had the afternoon in town, the best use of time and his skill was to work on them missionary kids. He is good with children. I think he got bit only once!

There is a conference in the city this week and the guest house is filling up so we will not be able to spread out quite as much! Several kids are screaming streaks of color through here now, so it feels like home?!?!

We have been discussing something today that we would like for you to pray with us about. Should God call us to return another year we would like to consider focusing on one village for a long period of time. Instead of hitting several villages over the days, we would minister and do dental work in one village for 5-6 days. In this way we could know them better, get more dental care accomplished, and our church body could begin to pool resources to one place rather than to many. I believe it would focus our attention and be a greater blessing in the long run for more people. Please pray with us about this!

Enjoy the pics!

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Africa Day 8

2010-01-04T14:43:00.003-06:00

A brand new week! How can God work miracles this week?

We started out running a tad late today but no worries. We are using a bush taxi for our travels this week and it is "like" using the church van, only worse! The driver is kind and helped us pack the top before leaving. We made several stops before leaving town this morning.

Fuel
Bread and Nutella
Fuel
Transport papers

The reason for stopping twice for fuel is that after the first time the driver informed me that if we are going to Bokki it would take more fuel. So we stopped and bought more fuel. Meanwhile the driver had to acquire certain papers to be hauling people outside of town so we waited a while for him before actually leaving town. We decided that we could buy some bread and Nutella for certain members of the team and they would be satisfied while also conserving our MRE's to last the week. I haven't been eating one for lunch trying to conserve, just picking the unopened portions of them and snacking.

Once all the errands were finished we headed out of town for the 1.5 hour ride to Bokki. The clinic is very nice and had an attached shaded area where Pete and Bill worked today. Melissa is an IMB missionary who has just returned but is unable to go all the way to her home in NE Niger just yet. She went and worked the door to the clinic for us. Every person that wants to be seen must pay 500 CFA which equates to just over a dollar. All the money is collected and returned into the community through various projects. Pete had a killer day today because several were difficult cases in tight spots. Kris' sister joined them today. She was OB nurse and is now a school nurse. She assisted beautifully with cleaning and prep.

Chuck and I went on a walk after being dropped off and visited with a Muslim priest named Mamane Amadou. We discussed several things about life and God. We agreed to a point and then he wasn't interested anymore. I did discover that Bokki comes from the name of tree leaves that were first sold at the market in town. It is from these leaves that the community acquired its name.

After a long and warm day we packed it all up and took the 1.5 hour journey to Niamey. Bill witnessed to one of our interpreters all the way home. Meanwhile, Chuck, Pete, and I had a rousing discussion of Bible backgrounds and religious politics. Woo Hoo!!

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Africa Day 7 - Sunday

2010-01-04T14:18:00.003-06:00

The morning came quickly after having been up late the night before for the movie. We were keyed up and did not go to bed quickly. Today was worship and pack up day from the bush to head back to the city. Pete and Bill had a few more patients to tend to before we left so they left out for the clinic while we went to church.

Pete had a little girl that needed a filling but had come in for an extraction. He just couldn't do that to her since it was not bad enough for extraction and could be filled instead.

Chuck and I went to church and we had some singing, praying and preaching. I preached on the temptation of Jesus and how He resisted. I wanted them to see that the Word of God is sufficient for our needs.

We packed up and started home about noon. It took about 2 hours to get home and another hour to unpack and settle back in to the guest house. I started blogging to catch up and the internet is so slow it takes a long time. We left out for supper at the rec center again. The boys need a Niamey burger which is just like a...

Have a great day! We sure did!

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Africa Day 6 - Saturday

2010-01-04T12:41:00.004-06:00

Dantiandou

Cherry Faile grew up in Western Africa as a missionary kid. She herself came to the mission field in Yemin and then in Ghana. For the past 8 years she has been the nurse and missionary for this village and surrounding area. She is a wonderful, amazing, loving Christian woman who has striven to bring Jesus, by herself, to a male-dominated world. She has earned the right and trust to be heard by all.

We awoke grumpy, sneezy, and sleepy. The other 4 dwarves were not far behind!! Actually we were sore and stiff fromt he cots but eager to address the needs of the day. After some much needed coffee, we went our separate ways.

Chuck went on a walking tour of several villages and covered at least 6 miles. He was able to pray with many people. He held a baby and as soon as he took her she wet him! He also went fishing and saw mud bricks being made all before lunch!

Pete and bill went to the clinic and began working on the 50+ people needing to be seen. Except for a short time while Bill ate lunch and I worked, I don;t know much about what happened. Pete's stomach is very bad. He powered through the pain and kept working and felt better by the end of the day. Though he may have a tough and rough exterior this man has a big heart and love for helping people. Once again, I am awed by his desire and skill in the face of pain and diversity!

PRAISE GOD!!

I spent the morning teaching the believers how to follow Jesus. I used John 15 as a model and we talked about many ways to follow Jesus.

During the evening Chuck and I went to a village and showed the Jesus film. We had many arrive to watch the story and life of Jesus though none made professions of faith.

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Africa Day 5

2010-01-03T15:43:00.003-06:00

In the Bush!

We have been sleeping outside during these days and the evenings are quite cool. While it is not the frigid arctic where our families are, it is still cold to be outside and seemingly odd for Africa. We packed for Africa and not the North Sea Expedition Trip! It has gotten to 45 degrees at night andis chilly.

After the required cups of coffee we packed up for another day. Pete and Bill went to the Dori village for the clinic while Chuck and I went to a new village named Weenu Mama. Dori is the village where we walked the village perimeter with the chief Kareem and heard the good and bad of village life. Pete and Bill worked over...sorry worked on...45 people.

In Weenu Mama we had a day of teaching the believers. After arriving and the standard greetings we were ushered into a hut where we would be spending the day. I did the bulk of the teaching on this day and had Chuck give testimony at times for emphasis and to keep him awake...haha! The believers are very young in the walk and needed guidance on a few basic principles such as authority of God, Bible learning, prayer, fellowship, and evangelism. In the afternoon, after the teaching, I noticed one man that had been listening intently all day. I asked him his name and it was Saeiido. I asked him if he was a follower of Jesus and he said no but wanted to be. I asked him what was keeping him from deciding right then andhe said nothing. i reviewed the gospel message and called for a response. We got on our knees together in that in front of everyone and prayed to receive Jesus. he had been seeking for a while, but today he made a definite decision for Jesus. So often people are seekers and never actually make the decision or connection. While we at FBC are in a 21-day challenge, I pray that each of us are asking the right questions and seeking responses of those God puts into our path.

PRAISE GOD!

We met the dental group in Dori and began a conversation with the chief of the village, Kareem. His father is very ill and went to pray with him. On the way back I asked if, in all the decisions he makes, had he considered following Jesus. He said that he has and is teaching others Bible stories to all who would listen in the village.

PRAISE GOD!

We returned to Dantiandou for bucket baths and supper. I began teaching a night session with a few believers while the others went to check on a baby with cerebral malaria. Hamadou is in bad condition and needs and ambulance. The guys paid for the ride and we are waiting for the ambulance. The moon rose, the temperature fell and our eyes grew heavy waiting. We know we can do nothing so we are going to...

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Africa Day 4 Redo

2010-01-03T13:45:00.005-06:00

Today was a FULL CLINIC DAY!!

I got up and started the coffees for the guys about 6:45. After arising slowly we got the kinks worked out of ourselves and slowly prepared for the day. Once the interpreters arrived we prayed and started out.

30 km can be a really long time on African roads. Listen as Pete seems to describe it very well in only the way Pete can! It took an hour to get to our destination.

Lilo has had 4 generations of people. Its name comes from the harvest of the first millet crop. When the first settlers arrived there were trees everywhere. They cut cut for fields and planted a crop they did not believe would grow. At the harvest, the gathering was so plentiful they proclaimed, "Lilo", which means one seed produced much on a stalk.

Before opening the clinic Pete gave his preventative dental lesson and away we went. While he and Bill worked on over 35 people, Chuck and I went to the village. As we walked we had a choice of two directions. God led us to the left and what an opportunity it was. We approached some men and began talking to them and explaining why we were in the village. I told them that we would love to know more about their life and village. As a result, we found ourselves in an open air hut with 20 people. For the next 90 minutes we shared about Jesus and the difference He can make in their lives. From creation to the cross and our choice. I led the group in a prayer of confession and salvation. I am not sure if any accepted Jesus that day, but the truth is in their hands, hearts, and heads. It is difficult in this culture to call for a public decision because of the potential hazard to them. We pray and share with them and hope for the best. I am sure Cherry will return and follow-up since this is a focus town in 2010.

After lunch we were able to witness a baby-naming ceremony. At 7 days old the head is shaved and baby prepared for naming. Mommy and baby stay in the hut while the men of the village gathered to pray for the child. How wonderful would it be if the men of our church gathered to pray for every new child and family?

We got back on the "road" about 6pm and raced sunset. We arrived just after dusk to homemade sauce over stew. After a good bucket bath and bowl of food we felt like new men?? I distinctly heard the sweet siren call of the bed and couldn't resist any longer.

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Africa Day 3

2010-01-03T12:31:00.013-06:00

After lunch at the Rec Center, which is on the embassy grounds and serves American food, we gassed up and headed out of town. With Cherry sick, Michelle Spanagal filled in and took us to Dantiandou. I rode in the rented 4WD with our driver Moktar, our interpreters Bilo and Stefanos, and Chuck. We stopped at a tollgate and I had a chance to ask Stefanos is Moktar was a believer and he said no. I am sure he still is not but we continue to pray for him. Stefanos pointed out his village as we drive by. We will be there one day next week.

Stefanos, in the white shirt, is a bible student who has studied in Benin and now in Niger. He pastors a small group of people in his village.

Bilo, in the dark shirt, is with us again this year. We outiftted him properly this year in an OSU shirt because anything is better than a Texas one. At least this was the consensus of the group.

We thought we were going to have an international incident on our hands because one of the group, left unnamed, decided to step out of the vehicle for some relief and stepped through a lot of fresh concrete. I hope they don't remember us when we return!

After arriving we unloaded the rucks and prepared to walk through the village. We had a wonderful opportunity to share preventative dental care with the people. He tried to help them understand how to take the chewing stick and make a simple brush for cleaning their teeth. He explained why the tooth decays and how brushing makes a difference. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing him have the opportunity to be out in the village with the people and not just in the clinic.

Amiru is the chief of the village.

After supper I shared with the believers from Mattew 22.34

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again.35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question:36 "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?"
37 Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'*38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'*40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

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Africa Day 1-2

2009-12-29T11:28:00.002-06:00

Another year has come and gone and there are 4 men in Africa again. We have been praying and preparing for this day pretty much since we left last year. There were two things that really caused us anxiety in the past two weeks: political issues and weather. The politics are in negotiations and we were assured that there have been no problems. The weather began to set in at O'hare and then in Kansas and Oklahoma. We began to be concerned whether we would make it or not but the roads were cleared and everything went fairly smoothly.

PRAISE BE TO GOD!

Our travel began at 6:30 am as we loaded up the suburban and went to Wichita. I want to thank Amy Hall for driving us to the airport again this year. Being the morning person she is I know it was not as hard for her as it was for us...haha! As we went through security an odd thing and a regular thing happened.

The regular item was that Pete was "randomly" selected for review. This is usual. In fact, he was randomly selected at every transfer. That is some kind of random, but thatwoudl lead to a whole other discussion...let's not today! Honestly, he took it in stride though it did get annoying for him and I understand. The odd thing was that I got selected for a search as well. i have traveled for 20 years and this was the first time. Probably won't be the last!

Chicago was our next hurdle since we only had a 45 minute layover and left late. As we landed we prepared to sprint through two terminals to reach our next flight before the gate closed. As I rounded a corner sucking wind hard...I caught a glimpse of the departure monitors. They had delayed our flight for 20 minutes! We were able to slow down grab some lunch and board calmly.

PRAISE BE TO GOD!

As we landed in Newark we needed to get our boarding tickets. Our ticket agent was able to get our passes all the way through to Niamey. He also informed us that our luggage was checked all the way through. We all looked at each other and simply smiled. We would be able to go through Paris customs with only our carry-ons!

PRAISE BE TO GOD!!

Our final leg of the journey was the hardest because we were tired! The good doctor was selected again and then we had some coffee. Our arrival in Niamey was uneventful except for the discovery that the suitcase with Bill's clothes was not on the plane! We are praying that it arrives on Thursday. Pray with us! We all came through customs easily.

I have praised God for a number of things because it is He who guided us all the way through and provided a smooth path. God watched over us and will watch over us. When we left it was 20 degrees and now it is 90. What a difference!

Tomorrow we pack up for the bush where we have no electricity. I will catch everyone up when we get back. The first set of pictures will come with that update.

PRAISE BE TO GOD!!

To the Ends of the Earth

2009-12-28T09:46:00.002-06:00

The godly are like trees that bear life-giving fruit, and those who save lives are wise. Proverbs 11:30

I am writing this as I sit in the Wichita, KS terminal waiting to go to the ends of the earth. Yesterday I challenged the people as I was challenged by God that for the next 21 days we would find ways to tell the story of Jesus and call people to turn over their lives to God. We have been called to go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the Earth. While four of us go to the ends of the Earth you might be in one of the other areas. We are going to share the story of Jesus and call for decisions.

Will you where you are?

The 21-day challenge and Proverbs 11:30 call us to do three things:

1. Plant yourself in the word of God not your own wisdom.

2. Bear spiritual fruit not personal fruit

3. Win souls to Jesus

On January 17, let’s praise God by seeing people profess new faith in Jesus! What a divine moment it will be hearing from you how you helped people turn their lives over to Jesus! God will receive so much honor and glory and we will be blessed in the process. To hear how someone turned their life over to Jesus brings chills and excitement, right?

How do we do this? How do we help someone turn their life over to God? How do we find that person? What do we do? Here are a few tips:

1. Initiate a conversation

2. Relate with the person and develop trust

3. Communicate the love of God through actions and words

4. Deviate the conversation to spiritual dimensions

5. Elevate to Jesus and bring them to decision

I am going to Africa because God told me to go and lead others. We are going because each of us feel God has called us to go. There are many reasons not to go, but there is one that overrides them all: God said go. When God calls we are to obey in spite of current events and feelings. God is calling you to go also. He wants you to talk to the one across the hall, across the street, across the room. He wants you to win souls because he that wins souls is wise.

In all the ways you could resolve to add to or change your life this month, do so about sharing the message of God’s love to a hurting world around you. You are in your Jerusalem. Win it for Jesus in the next 21 days.

Are you ready? GO!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T01:16:00.000-06:00

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Pursuing the Christ, by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

2009-11-24T13:04:00.002-06:00

In Pursuing the Christ, Jennifer Kennedy Dean explores the very familiar in a unique way. The Christmas story for many of us has become too familiar and overly commercialized. In this 31-day devotional book Dean explores the fear of the elements that weighed heavily, the exhausting fatigue of a young girl in labor, the bleak surroundings and absent mother, and the love of God on display for all of the world to see. The King of the universe came and breathed his first breath. He left the throne room of God for the stable. The aromas of Heaven exchanged for the harshness of earth’s dust and fume. The exquisite love and devotion of God is intimately written in beautiful morning and evening devotional thoughts. I have been re-awakened to a new perspective. I have been challenged to rethink my descriptions. May you allow the love of God to shape your heart and His power to change your mind. Let December slow a little. Take in a freshness while Pursuing the Christ. You will want to year after year.

We Win As a Team

2009-11-24T12:41:00.001-06:00

I am a big fan of college football and will soon really enjoy college basketball, but one season at a time. I like Gameday on ESPN. I like the game within the game. I like rivalry week and bedlam is just around the corner. While the media may hype one player or two, it takes the whole team to accomplish a victory. Every year the team establishes the purpose, goal, and vision for the year. Every week the team is reminded of their goal which is to win this game, the conference, and a bowl game. The team has the goal because they will win as team and lose as a team. As one person stated, there is no “I” in team.

God has a plan for Perry. He has a vision and goals. He wants to see the lost found. He wants to move people from darkness to light. He wants to take people from slavery to freedom. He wants to take people from death to life. Amazing at that may be, He wants to do it through the people of God and the local churches. You can find Jesus’ final statements in Matthew 28 and Acts 1. Merging these together we see that God’s vision is that all people be transformed by the power of the Gospel. His goal is that we make disciples by and through the power of the Holy Spirit and our witness. We must take the power of God to the people of Perry.

Every Bible-believing church has the same words of Jesus giving us the same mandate. We must make disciples. We aren’t making Baptists, Methodists, Assembly of Gods, or Nazarenes. We are to help people choose Jesus, follow Jesus, and lead others to Jesus. This is every church’s, every person’s responsibility. May we in the days ahead agree and unify together for the cause and kingdom of Christ. He gave us these words before He left. May we obey them until He returns.

The Family God Uses, Tom and Kim Blackaby

2009-11-03T08:12:00.001-06:00

From the author of The Man God Uses comes another practical, challenging, and inspiring book. The Family God Uses takes a thorough examination of how God has used the family throughout time as recorded in the Bible and applies what is learned to today’s family. Drawing on their own family as contemporary material, Tom and Kim Blackaby share insight into the way God wants and chooses to uses families.

They begin, well, at the beginning. God’s design for the family is evident in the first family of Adam and Eve and then through the Old Testament. In an easy-to-read style the reader walks away with a good foundational knowledge of the Bible stories and application into the family. Using families did not end there. Jesus re-establishes the prominence of family by inspiring the writers of the New Testament to use such language to describe the church. In a fascinating way, the reader is introduced to the choice of God to use families as metaphors for the church and as building blocks for the church. The family structure is central to the growth and development of the Christian community. The second half of the book describes how families today can become families that God uses. Through motivating passages, the reader is encouraged to engage in practical, meaningful activities.

The Family God Uses provides positive Biblical insight, encouraging application and practical reflection opportunities. If you want to know why God chooses families and how He’s choosing them now this is a must read.

Give Thanks!

2009-11-03T08:10:00.000-06:00

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the LORD.
Search for the LORD and for his strength;
continually seek him.
Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
you children of his servant Abraham,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Psalm 105:1-5

Someone once said that possibly the two most powerful words are thank you. The apostle Paul, being well-acquainted with Psalm 105 as a Pharisee, was very generous with saying thank you. As you know, Paul traveled quite a bit starting churches throughout the Middle East. In every one of his letters that he writes to these churches once he is gone he tells them he thanks God for them. He thanks God for their faith, strength, outreach, and more. He thanks God for the people and the church whether it was a positive or a negative experience. Paul had learned that gratitude is critical to a stable and growing faith. He needed to be thankful to God for every occasion because in every occasion God has a plan.

Thanking God for the good things in life is easy: salvation, family, health, friends, good times, etc. Thanking God for the bad things in life is not easy, but necessary. Have you thanked God for the furloughs? Have you thanked God that the month is longer than the paycheck? Have you thanked God for the difficult child, wayward teen, failing grade, loveless marriage, roof damage, wrecked car, bad hair days, your teenage daughter’s pregnancy, or bullies?

I am not saying we should be happy about any of these items nor am I making light of the very strong emotions some would cause. What I am saying is we should find ways to be thankful, even in the difficult moments of our lives. What can I learn from this situation? How can God receive glory in my trial? How can my faith deepen through this difficulty? In the good, see things God’s way. In the bad, see things God’s way. Be thankful in all things.

Set Apart, by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

2009-10-20T10:27:00.004-05:00

Set Apart, A Review

Who wants to be blessed? Who wants pure unadulterated joy? Did you know you were designed for both? These are questions that author Jennifer Kennedy Dean answers in her new study called Set Apart. This 6-week study explores how the Beatitudes and Lord’s Prayer can set us apart for God’s power and our true happiness. Through exploration and identification of Old Testament covenant principles and practices, Jennifer Kennedy Dean prepares you for the reality of God’s design as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. Each portion of Jesus’ teaching is explained with a wonderful balance of exposition and application.

Too many people wander through life without knowing for what they were designed. It is critical for everyone to know how they were wired and for what reason. In Set Apart, the answers become clear. The life we were meant to live, and have, after salvation is revealed through the teaching and example of Jesus Christ. We were set apart for something special. This 6-week study will help you identify how to receive the power of the Spirit of God for your life today!

Choose life. Choose joy. Become set apart through the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.

“Become a New Hope Book Review Blogger. Visit www.newhopepublishers.com for more information.”

Trees

2009-09-23T23:04:00.002-05:00

I have learned a few things in the years of living in Oklahoma. I grew up in TN, so trees were everywhere. When we arrived in Oklahoma 13 years ago, I noticed a distinct lack of trees. As I learned more about Oklahoma, the heat and droughts come often. The grass burns and trees wither. Yet, there is a place where trees do not wither: river and creek banks. Here, we find long curving lines of trees that live. Actually, they thrive. Not only do they thrive, but everything around that tree thrives because of the food, shelter, and relief it brings to all who come near.

The Bible tells us that those who trust in the Lord and have made Him their hope and confidence are like those trees.

7 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

I want to be around that kind of person. Those whose trust is in the Lord have reconciled their life, actions, and eternity with the life, actions, and love Jesus Christ. He has become their hope. I need hope these days, don’t you? With the increasing financial concerns in our families and in our churches, hope is a high commodity. Jeremiah told the people they would be blessed if the Lord was there hope. This hope is precipitated by our trust in the life and activity of Jesus Christ. Our trust, or belief, brings hope. Those who have this trust and hope are fun to be around because they have joy. Just being around them lightens your load. The way they trust. The hope that oozes out of their attitude, tone, and posture can cause you to forget about the trouble briefly. He has become their confidence. Trusting in God allows us to walk tall in the face of discouragement, stand strong in the face of fear and the enemy. These people have trouble. These people have difficulty. However, their trust is not in themselves or anyone else. Their trust is in the Lord. Those who are around that kind of person thrive because of what they provide. They are like trees that are not bothered by the heat of the moment or long months of difficult circumstances. They provide the food, shelter, and relief others need.

I want to be that kind of person who, because of being close to Jesus, becomes help and hope for my family, friends, and future. Don’t you? I must place my trust in the Lord. Whether in good or bad I must trust in the Lord. With my past sin, my present situation, and future sentence I trust in the Lord and not myself. In Shade for the Children, Steve Camp writes,

“Shade for the children, a shelter from the storm. To be a place where they can grow. In the ways of the Lord. To train up my child, to live a pure and godly life. Through the struggles and fears, Dreams and tears of every day, to be shade for the children.”

I watch our people as they come in and out of church with emptiness in their souls. How many people do we interact with everyday who simply need a little spiritual fruit, shelter from their storm, and relief from their journey?

May we trust in the Lord making Him our hope and confidence so that those around us may benefit.

Oh God, may my trust be in You today. Bless me with hope and confidence. I want to be like a tree planted by a river. Make me that tree today. Let me feed the hungry soul, protect others from the brutal winds of life, and relieve them from life’s burdens. Amen.

Beyond Belief to Love

2009-09-18T21:40:00.003-05:00

Isn't it beyond belief that God would condescend to our needs? He had, and has, every right to demand holiness. He had given the law, the priests, the leadership, the sacrifices, etc. Humanity had all it needed to understand and maintain the unique relationship with God. But sin changes lives. The law became god. The priests became political. The leadership became lazy. The sacrifices became scheduled more than spiritual. God had no logical reason to come to us. He had created. He had fed and clothed them. He had protected them. He had fought for them. He had forgiven them. He had warned them.

Why should God do more? It is beyond belief…to love.

I love the book, Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney.

Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears. He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening. "Guess how much I love you," he said. "Oh, I don't think I could guess that," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "This much," said Little Nutbrown Hare, stretching out his arms as wide as they could go. Big Nutbrown Hare had even longer arms. "But I love you this much," he said. Hmm, that is a lot, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you as high as I can reach," said Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you as high as I can reach," said Big Nutbrown Hare. That is very high, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I had arms like that.
Then Little Nutbrown Hare had a good idea. He tumbled upside down and reached up the tree trunk with his feet. "I love you all the way to my toe!" he said. "And I love you all that way up to your toes," said Big Nutbrown Hare, swinging him up over his head. "I love you as high as I can hop!" laughed Little Nutbrown Hare, bouncing up and down. "But I love you as high as I can hop," smiled Big Nutbrown Hare- and he hopped so high that his ears touched the branches above. That's good hopping, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I could hop like that.
"I love you all the way down the lane as far as the river," cried Little Nutbrown Hare. "I love you across the river and over the hills," said Big Nutbrown Hare. That's very far, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. He was almost too sleepy to think anymore. Then he looked beyond the thornbushes, out into the big dark night. Nothing could be farther than the sky. "I love you right up to the moon," he said, and closed his eyes. "Oh, that's far," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "That is very, very far." Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him good night. Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, "I love you right up to the moon- and back."

We can’t account for love. It is hard for us to understand, right? We write people off. We have irreconcilable differences. We denounce. We divorce. We destroy. We abandon. We hate. We leave. God loves.

At just the right moment, God stepped in with love. A love that says…

It doesn’t matter where you have been because my love is greater. It doesn’t matter what you have done because my love can forgive you. Not to believe the lies you’ve been told because this love is forever.

This is beyond belief, right? Isn’t He way up there? Aren’t we left to natural law and physics? Though God may be silent He is not absent. Though you may not have answers God still does.

The Jews had gotten it just the way they wanted. They had it all figured out. But they were not happy and God knew it. At just the right moment, God stepped in with love. It all began with a man by the name of John. This is not the John who wrote this book, he comes later. No, it began with John the Baptizer. He was loud and raucous. The Pharisees even came all the way out of there security of the temple to examine what was happening. He preached a message of repentance and expectation. He was preparing the way for the light.

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist,*7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

John 1.6-9

This light is Jesus. He leads us out of our dark places. He leads us beyond our dark memories, our dark side. For those who believe and accept him, he gave the right to become children of God!

What? How can he do that? Who gave him the right? This is unbelievable! There’s the problem. Somehow in the back of our minds we have this judge and jury that examines the claims of people. If it seems unbelievable, then it must be. After all, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually isn’t. Right?

So the writer, John, is telling us that Jesus is the son of God. He is the light for our darkness. He is the promise for our problem. He is the strength for our weariness. He is the wisdom for our ignorance. He is the light. John is telling us, right up front, that He was sent by God to give away the family jewels.

12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
John 1.12-13

For those who believe him and accept him, they receive the right to be children of God.

How fantastic? God’s design for the family is that it would be child-centered, not child-controlled. God, through Jesus, is offering us the opportunity to be at the center of His attention, His love, His home.

Do you realize what this means? By believing the claims of Jesus and accepting his activity on the cross as sufficient for you, then everything can be different…better.

That horrible home life can be exchanged for a home with God.

That difficult upbringing can be exchanged for the loving leadership of God.

The beating, the abuse can be traded in for a new home, new life, a new moment.

That is beyond belief! That is love!

I'll Have the Elephant

2009-09-06T15:02:00.005-05:00

How do you eat an elephant?

This is a very good question for us today. Too often we try to accomplish too much in short amounts of time. If I remember correctly, the tortoise won the race going slow and steady. Our conventions hand out awards every year that, I believe, promote detrimental movements. I am sure these churches who win these awards are good churches filled with good people. It is the machine that is our problem. We want the exciting. We want the growth. We want big churches, budgets, and salaries. We want to grow faster than the Pentecostals and be earlier than the Methodists. All the while we become distracted from our primary goal: make disciples. This is not a quick, large group process. We as Christ-followers are all capable of making disciples through relationships and long-term strategies.

We must understand that the process is not quick. Jesus took three years to develop his disciples and they still all ran off in times of difficulty. Let us not stress out over similar issues. It will take a while for a person to adjust habits, change patterns, and develop new thoughts about God. Here are two thoughts:

First, a church must have a long-range plan of what a committed Christ-follower is to be. This long-range view extends out 10-20 years. What kind of disciple are we going to make? What is the most God-honoring way to develop others? What types of teaching styles and learning styles will be offered? What levels of development will we offer? How much doctrine? Theology? Missions? Hands-On?

Second, the church process should encourage disciple making opportunities. One church began a new approach to development. The process begins with worship. As people attend worship contact is made with the encouragement to move into a Small Group/Sunday School class. Out of these classes movement into further development and service is stressed. Several development opportunities on Sunday evenings as well as several opportunities for service on Wednesday nights. In this way faith is fed and exercised. Every Sunday School class is encouraged to do ministry that impacts the community [Power Up Your World]. Through impact the church and classes find potential members for their class, but more importantly begin to earn the right to be heard on spiritual matters.

How do you eat an elephant? You do so one bite at a time. Disciple-making takes time. Pick out a small group and begin to assist transformation. As they transform they will change the lives of those around them. Soon their fringe friends find themselves in worship and the cycle continues.

It's a Process!

2009-09-06T14:24:00.003-05:00

"6-week old baby runs Boston Marathon"
"2-yr old allowed driving test for license"
"Toddler surprise medal winner at national track event"

If you were to read these headlines two things would happen almost instantly. First, you would smile or laugh. Second you would assume they came from a National Enquirer or Star. Either way, you would immediately believe these statements to be false.

Why?

Everyone knows that people of that age cannot accomplish those feats! They very well could accomplish them later in life, but not right now. There is a process of development that must take place first. The very things you take for granted today are a result of a forgotten series of events. A baby must learn to roll over, which strengthens muscles. Next we will sit up and begin to pull up. Once we have strengthened our stomach and arm muscles our legs must gain strength and balance before walking can occur.

Once that starts, look out!

Though our spiritual life has many similarities, we often by-pass crucial stages of development for more exciting moments. As adults, especially, we try to shrink the process. Because of intellectual and physical acumen we believe ourselves to be past all that childish learning. However, without the basics we set ourselves up for misunderstanding, malnutrition, and disaster. There is a reason why Jesus said we should come with a child-like faith. He also said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven. Both statements speak to the issue of skipping stages having negative impact.

Most churches today are plateaued or declining for a number of reasons:

No outreach plan
Poor door-greeter mission/ministry
Too many lost people leading the church
Too many immature placed in mature roles

Now, some might take offense to the third and fourth statements. Bear with me. Over the past 30+ years of my relationship with God, I have noticed that we have shortened the gospel presentation down to "ABC: Admit, Believe, Commit". We call for decisions more than we do converts. We beg and plead for people to just ABC and never tell them the life-changing, transformative gospel message. Because of this we have churches full of members who made a decision but were never converted. These poor souls are attending, ushering, serving, teaching out of themselves and have no presence of the Spirit of God because of our irresponsibility with the Gospel.

The fourth statement is too often true. When a person makes a true confession and conversion, we fastpass them to the next level. We tell them to attend everything and something good will happen. There is no strategy to this line of thinking. There is no plan. Did Jesus come to Earth with the hope of something good happening? No. He came with a well-thought out plan and so it should be in our churches. If a church has a transformed life they often don't know what to do with him except tell him to keep showing up. The mandate is very clear. We are to make disciples.

Jesus took three years to make his disciples and they changed the planet. How long is your plan? Jesus took 12 people and shaped their behavior and thinking. Are you alone trying to change the whole church? I believe we need to review the plan of Jesus don't you? I believe we need to pattern our development after how Jesus did it, don't you?

Development is a process. Do you have one?

Hired Hand

2009-08-26T10:54:00.002-05:00

There once was a hired hand, a good hired hand. The old farmer found him in town one day looking for work. After a short discussion and several cups of coffee the hand was employed. He gathered his things and jumped into the truck of the old farmer. As they drove out of town with windows rolled down the farmer expressed a few more rules to the employment. He had already told him about the hours being from sun up to sun down and sometimes longer. He had already expressed that the wages were room and board and some spending money. As they turn from one dusty road to another the farmer pointed to the farm. There was a nice house and barn, several implements, and fields of grain for what seemed like miles. The old farmer stopped the truck and just short of the driveway and looked right into the eyes of the hand and told the hand one more thing. He said that once they crossed through the gate there was no turning back. The hand was so excited to have this job he never noticed the other farm across the road. He was so excited he did not care that he had to put on an ankle brace much like a cattle tag. No one had ever shown any interest in him until this old farmer came along. Why would he ever want to leave?

The next morning he woke early anxious for the day to begin. He dressed and went downstairs only to find nothing for him. The kitchen was dark and musty. The refrigerator was empty. He noticed a note on the table…chores. The list seemed endless and he found no tools to repair what he was asked to repair. The old farmer passed through and grinned at the hand with a sly grin. Day after day the hand worked hard but there was no joy in the labor, but what could he do? The ankle brace couldn’t be removed and if he ever walked outside of the fence the shock was so great he fell nearly unconscious.

Was there any hope?

One day the hand was working the fence line by the road when he heard someone hollering from across the road. A man was standing there waving at him with a smile on his face and twinkle in his eye. The hand seemed drawn to him but knew not why.

“How ya doin’?” he asked.

The hand replied that he was fine, though he and the man knew it was a lie.

“How’s the old man treating you? Gettin’ fed? Gettin’ paid?”

The hand looked down and kept right on working. He had not been getting fed very well and was not getting paid as promised. In fact, everything was horrible but there was no way to leave. He desperately wanted to jump right over the fence and run over to the man but could not because of the ankle brace. He had tried to just step outside of the gate one day and felt a jolt so bad he fell down. He tried to get it off but could find no way. In his excitement of all that was promised he didn’t care, but now he did. With no hope he gave a nod to the man and kept working.

“He told you there was no leaving. Once you crossed through the gate there was no turning back. He has not told you the truth. You have a choice. You are only bound to him as long as you want to be.“

The hired hand looked down…

“…even that can be taken of.” The man called for his son and sent him across the road. He told the hand that his son would remove the problem. The hand refused immediately. He couldn’t let that happen. He would figure out a way to get the brace off and cross the road.

But there was no way. What kind of person would he be to let the man’s son take the hit? How could he?

“There is no other way. He is the only one who knows how to remove the problem. Will you let him?”

The hand was confused. He couldn’t stand being with the old farmer any longer. The more he talked to this man the better he felt, the stronger he felt, the happier he felt. Yet, he was trapped. He wanted to be there but didn’t know if he could let the boy get hurt. The pain he felt inside was so overwhelming and the hope that was being offered felt so completely honest and pure he decided to trust the man. He looked down at the boy and agreed.

The boy reached down and as he skillfully released the shackle he took the shock and jolt that was far beyond his ability to handle. The boy lay motionless. The hand stood there mortified. He looked at the man and questioned how he could have done that to his own son.

“I know what you have been going through. I wanted to help. There was no other way. Trust me. Walk across this road and stay with me. Work my farm where the kitchen is clean and the fridge is full. We feast every evening after a long days work. You will rest in a comfortable bed. You will have everything you have always wanted.”

The hand crossed the road. He was saddened by what just happened to the boy but with each step he took there was a release of the burden of his past. Each step felt lighter and more free. As the man welcomed the hand onto the farm the old farmer came blazing up in the truck screaming obscenities at them both. He could not contain the rage and anger. When he looked over and saw the boy lying on the ground he smiled that same sly grin. He laughed cruelly and drove off.

As the dust settled the hand turned and began walking to the house when he felt something in his hand. He looked down to see the boy holding his hand and walking with him. Bewildered he looked at the father.

“His life for yours was the deal made long ago with that old farmer. He never said I couldn’t call my son back home. Let’s get you cleaned up. We have a new set of clothes for you and supper smells like its ready.”

The Climb

2009-07-26T15:30:00.005-05:00

Have you ever been hiking? I mean, really hiking? Gone up a mountain hiking?

I haven’t done much of it myself but when I did it was worth the effort. Les and I had gone mountain lake fishing in Colorado in mid-September. The snow had begun to gather on the peaks. We were driving around looking for this one lake we wanted to fish and found the trailhead. We parked and gathered our packs and began the 2 mile hike. Along the way we began to question whether this was a good idea. We couldn’t see this lake. How did we know if it would be there? No one was around to tell us for certain the presence of the lake. The map told us it was there and there were signs all around but could we know for sure?

At 11,000 feet we were out of breath and stopped to drink some water. We looked at each other and knew we had to keep going. There really never was a question, but our bodies and our feelings wanted to express opposition. At around 12,000 feet we had no clue how far we had come. We still saw no sign of the lake. Everything ached and we were out of breath. But we knew we had to continue.

Our desire to see the lake and to do what we had come to do was stronger than the desire to quit. We came to what we hoped was a final surge uphill. As we crested the hill what lied before us was absolutely breath-taking! It was at that moment I realized the camera was back at the truck. While I cannot show you what it looked like, I can tell you how wonderful, peaceful, beautiful, and exilherating it was to be there. I guess you will have to climb it yourself to feel that way too.

So it is in the life of a believer and the church. God is calling us to climb the mountain with Him. The only way we will experience the fullness of His blessing and beauty is to follow and reach the journey’s end. Today we stand at the trailhead. Many churches are gearing up for the new church year, late summer/early fall revivals and conferences, and renewed consistency in the people. Every year we stand here. God calls. Will we follow? To make it to the top we must work hard, make concessions, and commit. As the church grows as a family of believers that are spiritually thriving and impacting the culture we do so as God would desire. Like seeing the landscape at the top of the mountain, we shall see the fruit of labor come in the form of increased attendance, increased spiritual development, and increased impact on the community.

What goals do you have? What is the challenge God has laid before you? For us that day it was a 2-mile hike up a mountain. It was difficult to do but the result was worth it all! I have never returned, though I often consider going back. The picture is forever etched in my mind's eye. God is challenging us in the church today to come back to Him. God did everything necessary to get us in the relationship and now it is time we do our part. We must climb out of our pleasure-driven lifestyles and humbly crawl into the presence of God. We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices. Without this sacrifice on our part we will never experience the exhileration and rush of God's presence.

I must climb. We must climb. The church must climb out of yesterday and look toward tomorrow. The air may seem thin and our chests will pound as certain changes take place; looking outward more than inward, service and sacrifice more than selfish desires. We will not be disappointed at the summit.

Today we stand at the trailhead. Let us climb.

Live Well, Learn Much, Love Often

2009-07-23T11:45:00.002-05:00

There are three simple things that God wants us to do as church family. God wants us to live well as a family. God wants us to learn much as we develop spiritually. God wants us to love often in ministry and service.

We begin living well as a family of believers as we experience God through worship. Gathering together is a beautiful opportunity for us to know each other better in light of God’s presence. Families get together rarely, usually around holidays, special events, or deaths. We have the opportunity to gather together one time a week! Let’s enhance those moments by getting to know one another and worship God together. In a multi-generational setting we have the opportunity to experience different perspectives. Learning from one another is integral in a family’s development.

Living well as a family deepens as we enjoy small group studies. In these small groups you are with people in a similar life stage. Just like those family reunions and gatherings where you see different sets of cousins sitting in groups. Each defined usually by age because every time they would gather that group would play together and eat together at the kid’s table. As they grew and the next set of kids came on the scene they took the kid’s table and the others found somewhere else to sit. Family development happens as we enable ourselves to live better through small group studies. These moments are well-suited to develop relationships in a relaxed but biblical setting.

A family lives well as it works together. We can live well as a church family by serving together. When the pressure is on we see each other without our masks. In this level of family we can finally love each other for who we really are. We can be real and authentic. There are times when having the entire family involved in a project can slow things down a bit but the bonds that are formed are worth it all.

The church family is a great way to live well, learn much, and love often.

When is your next family gathering?

Daddy, Daddy

2009-07-23T11:12:00.001-05:00

When a child walks with a parent and comes to an anxious moment he will often turn and raise up his arms to be picked up. We often forget that feeling of being small and defenseless. A child feels scared because they cannot handle the situation around them and will seek safety in the arms of a parent. In turn, the parent smiles and tries to reassure him that all is well, but in some moments nothing will pacify until he is in the arms of mom or dad.

To the parent the anxiety may seem out of sorts and without merit. We can see the bigger picture. We can see above the knees and hips of the surrounding crowd. We can see the greater distance because of our vantage point. We see that all will be ok. Bu the child cannot see what we see and does not know what we know. They do not have the experience we have.

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. [John 1:12-13]

When the bible calls us children we should not take offense, but rather take notice. Our physical age is irrelevant. Our experience and wisdom lacks the perspective of the parent. We often become confused about life. We become anxious. We try, then, to figure it all out. We try to make plans. We ignore the obvious. We scramble around frightened and confused. All the while, God stands there with an empty hand. We removed our hand trying to fix our lives. If we would turn and raise our hands we would find ourselves in the grip of God’s grace. He sees the bigger picture. He has the vision and wisdom. He has the ability.

May we stop believing the lie that we can handle our lives, or that we should because of our physical age. We are called children of God for a reason. Never in scripture does it tell us that we are on our own after a certain time or age. Take your concerns to God through prayer. Listen for His response through the reading of scripture. Be patient and wait for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

It will come. Be patient.

We Are Family

2009-06-06T19:52:00.002-05:00

According to the Bible [Romans 8:15,23; 9:4] we are the adopted children of God. This makes us joint heirs with Jesus Christ [Romans 8:17; Gal 3:29]. We have, by faith, been brought into a unique family situation. When you take into consideration the context we actually have taken precedence over Jesus in that while God the Father sacrificed His one and only Son, He WILL NOT ever do that to us. God would never forsake the relational contract of adoption. Once we are in the family we can never be out of the family.

All of us in the Church and local church are siblings by faith. We are all joint heirs with Christ as the children of God. Do you remember Sister Sledge back in 1979? They sang a song that is helpful in this regard. They sang about family. They sang about commitment. They sang about love. What if we were like that with each other?

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

Everyone can see we're together
As we walk on by
(FLY!) and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won't tell no lie
(ALL!) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose

Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get our share of the world's delights
(HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future
And our goal's in sight
(WE!) no we don't get depressed
Here's what we call our golden rule
Have faith in you and the things you do
You won't go wrong
This is our family Jewel

What if we exemplified these kinds of feelings toward each other? Is not the local church an opportunity to get used to eternity? As family, we are to be committed to each other. Intellectually we know this fact. However, in practice we often fail miserably. We have become distracted with the here and now which is baseball, tourneys, water sports, family events, etc. Putting Summer aside, we have become committed to everything EXCEPT the church family. Which brings us to one of two disturbing points. Either we have sold a short-cut gospel to raise numbers, baptisms, and accolades or much of our so-called family is not family at all. They are outsiders trying to be insiders.

After Matthew got up from the collections table and followed Jesus he brought Him to his house for a party for introductions. The Pharisees, who were on the outside, could not understand. Those who were on the inside, though, were receiving a wonderful evening of the presence of Jesus. The blessing is reserved for those on the inside. No one else can quite grasp the concept.

We are called to be family. Let's start loving like it. Let's start committing like it.

Unleashing God

2009-05-12T23:42:00.002-05:00

Have you ever watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?

It is amazing to watch how these dogs stand so still while the handlers primp and prep them for the upcoming show. The dogs will jump through hoops, run up and down ramps, through obstacles, and more at the command of the handler. Later they will be walked, on a leash, by the handler and obey every command, receiving treats for good behavior. The dogs by this time probably do not know any better but is that what they were designed to do?

What of they were unleashed? What if they were freed to do what they were created to do? There might be more pleasure and enjoyment in our life.

Too many people treat God like those dogs by putting Him on a leash and leading Him around. It is expected that God would obey every one of our commands. We give praise when He obeys, possibly treating Him with a tithe or ministry project. We become frustrated when He does not do what we command. We tell Him when to come, when to bless, when to curse, when to provide, when to be excessive, when to stay, when to leave.

What would happen if we unleashed God? What if we freed Him to do what He wants to do?

We are not the handlers we are being taught that we are. We are to be followers of God not leaders of Him. If God were unleashed power and majesty would once again reign supreme. If God were unleashed the church would become relevant in an ever-changing culture. If God were unleashed churches would be reaching, evangelizing, growing, changing the very face of their community instead of plateauing and shrinking.

If God were unleashed...

If God were simply unleashed...

Everything would be better.

Unleash God in your life today!

Make a Vision For the Future

2009-04-19T23:02:00.002-05:00

I have spent the better part of today considering a spiritual flowchart for our church. For years we have not had a plan for people to follow other than show up at all the posted times. We try to meet people's needs as they arise but that only truly works in death.

Why can't we be more proactive in marriage, parenting, and finances?

We don't have a plan. The Bible tell us that where there is not a plan people will run into chaos. Rick Warren has a plan. However, his plan probably does not work verbatim in your community. Ed Young has a plan, but does your community have 6 figures as a base salary? Bill Hybels has a plan...for Chicago.

Now we feel cheated.

The reason each of these men and the churches they lead have done well is because there was a simple plan that was followed. If we are going to move past the past and live in today we must do so with a vision for the future. If we live in today without a vision for an acceptable future then we run the risk of shifting into living for yesterday. As everyday passes we get farther out of touch with the reality that lies within our communities. We desire "back when". What does God desire for each person?

A saving faith in Jesus Christ
Growing in knowledge and service

Pretty simple. The critical issue is that we figure out how that translates in our local communities. Every community has a DNA that must be unraveled and understood. If we try to place our personal preferences onto a community that does not have a shared heritage or interest then we run the risk of creating a wedge among the people. I have learned over the years that what works at one church does not necessarily work at another. You have to back up the thought pattern to a common denominator and begin restructuring the plan of attack in each setting.

Paul said that he became all things to all people. He contextualized ministry and so should we.

Making a vision for the future means that we must embrace what God wants, contextualize it where we have been planted and engage in ministry. Of course, this means we must begin making plans and preparing for needs before they get there. Here are a few questions to consider:

What evangelism method works best in your community?
What is the front door of your church? When do most people attend?
Do you know what the next step should be for them?
How about the next one?

A great chess player thinks several moves ahead of the opponent. If we are making a vision for the future then we must think several moves out. Post-evangelism flow is important. Once a person has entered into the flow of church through worship, what comes next? So often, we simply lay out the schedule and tell them to pick what is best for them. Whoever heard of sheep deciding where to graze? That was, and is, the shepherd's responsibility. We need to lovingly guide people through the development process. God desires that we grow in knowledge and service. How will you do that? What does it look like?

I believe that we must balance our approach. Sunday School, or whatever you call it, needs to remain shallow. If people are coming to those small groups as the entrance to your church or as the step after large group worship, then often they are not prepared for deep abiding doctrine and spiritual philosophy. Let SS be a time where they get a taste of friendships, shared ministry, and a relevant truth from God's word.

The next level is to move them into a directed and guided balance of development and service. This allows for a bright future of developed and mature servants of God. This approach also creates a new expectation and model for future generations, but it does require a paradigm shift. We must make a few adjustments so that we are not adding to but complementing what is already provided for by our schedule.

Without a vision the people perish and so do families, children, churches, and a positive future.

By God's wisdom and your prayerful commitment create a vision, cast the vision, and change the face of your community forever.

Mark the Moments of Today

2009-03-31T21:19:00.010-05:00

Much of our culture wants to live for today. I suggest that we live in today. One word makes all the difference. Living for today means that the choices made do not take into consideration the past or the future. A person living for today is only concerned about today. The experiences of the past are not guiding him. Thoughts of the repercussions are not guiding him either.

A recent episode of Life has an office romance in the middle of the investigation. They were not supposed to have an affair. Because they lived for today they fell in love without any thought to the issues of the past or the future. She winds up pregnant. During the investigation the truth is revealed. When asked why she did not tell the police this portion of the story, she replied that she was afraid of losing her job and insurance.

She just didn't think everything through, apparently. Living for today just doesn't think things through completely.

I believe God wants us to live in today. We are to live in the world, but not be of the world. God wants us to take into consideration all that we have experienced and apply that knowledge to today's needs in light of future goals. Living in today, for the church, means to understand our heritage but not to get stuck in it. The church becomes regulatory when she forgets in what decade/century she is living.

"Why, back in my day we dressed up for church. " So the glares and stares happen towards those who do not "suit up".

"There was a time when this church was packed. These parents today just don't get it." Now the glares and stares come when they do come to church because they are not there every time there is church.

The church must mark the moments of today. She must understand from whence she has come but apply that knowledge to today's need for relationship and family. The church exists in a society that yearns for relational authenticity. Brandon Heath expresses a change of view in his song Give Me Your Eyes.

Marking the moments of today realizes that times have changed, but loving God and loving others is still the same mandate of God. May we see others through the filter of God's love and not our prejudice. Our actions and words condemn quickly. The initial judgment of a person often causes us to pre-determine what they can and cannot be in our kingdom. In reality, we are to see the potential of what everyone can become in God's kingdom as it is played out through the local church. The great commandment is more than just being tolerant of others. We are called to love, accept, nurture, befriend others.

May we take the responsibility of marking today as an opportunity to love God by loving others in whatever way God chooses.

Moving Past the Past

2009-01-25T23:44:00.009-06:00

I had breakfast with a friend this morning and were discussing the woes of the economy and how each at our respective churches were having to prioritize ministry and be efficient in our expenditures. During this conversation we began wondering how efficient economically our massive programming really is.

How can we do things better?
How can we make a difference?

I believe that if we would embrace a paradigm shift from regulatory to relational religion we would see a dramatic increase in ministry productivity. How do we make this shift? I see three things to be done:

Move past the past.
Marker the moments of today.
Make a vision for the future.

Let's begin with the first item: move past the past. Calvin Whitman* in his sermons based on Exodus says that "the past is to be a guidepost...not a hitching post." I concur. So often we fondly look back at the past and the nostalgia is so thick we cannot find our way back to the present. We hitch our lives, our ministries, our churches to the ways of the past. The past is something we are to remember without replay. We are to recall the past, but live in the present. Our present is vastly different in the information age as we experience a doubling of intelligence every few years with increasing speed.

In order to move past the past and begin our transition from regulatory to relational religion we must understand the principle of reciprocity. This principle, as I define it here, means that we extend the same amount and kind of grace extended to us. Relational religion expresses this type of grace. Regulatory religion tends to hand out guilt and shame by holding on to your past and bringing it up every time there is an opportunity. Regulatory religion operates out of power by setting up levels of sin and disciplining through calling out, shame, shunning, etc. Other ways to express discipline include glares and stares, whispers in hallways, and silent treatment. Who wouldn't want to go to that church? This is the exact point I am making. Relational religion does not create levels of sin but levels out sin since all sin is equal in God's eyes. Relational religion does not feel a need to discipline to make ourselves feel better but to disciple to make others fully devoted followers of Christ. Relational religion loves people as they have been loved rather than focusing on the hatred of sin. Operating out of a negative position creates negative results. Regulatory religion is not a healthy approach. Further, regulatory religion exits when things get a little tough.

When the addict relapses do we exit or encourage?
When the marriage is dissolving do we exit because of their lack of faith or do we encourage them through love and devotion?

These type of questions go straight to the heart of our religion. We must not only move past our past, but also move past other people's past. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Let's move past the past.

* Calvin Whitman is the pastor of Applewood Baptist Church in Colorado.

Awareness to Action

2009-01-14T22:11:00.004-06:00

Crystal Darkness was aired the other night through Oklahoma and our church hosted a watch party and discussion. There were many good questions and concerns that are opening lines of communication. Meth is an insidious drug that ruins families and victimizes children.

If we become aware but not take action we waste time.

Action is the next obvious step. What should be done? What can be done? Our church will host a follow-up discussion on Sunday night the 18th at 6pm to grapple with these very issues.

In the same way we have spent the better part 6 months to discuss the problems with religion and the state of the church today. We have become well aware of the problems that surround us in the church and its effect. We feel it. We live it. We know it.

We are aware. Now what?

I would like for us to spend the next six months investigating and discussing ways of bringing back relational religion rather than regulatory religion. Religion is not wrong. We have been wired to desire God. We are called to worship and serve God. He established the church. Religion is a part of our following God but it must be relational.

This will feel a lot like taking tea and making it water again, but it can, and should, be done. Let's begin with Biblical principles.

Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love God with all your being.
Jesus then said to love your neighbor as your self.

Both of these involve love. I have grown up in an environment of regulatory religion where anyone with a problem should "have more faith". Although the sermon would convey that God accepts us as we are, the church members would not. I believe that God demands differently. I believe that God desires relational religion. If we are to love God with all of our being and love our neighbor than why do we judge and condemn? Are we lacking in self-esteem so greatly that we cannot accept others as God does? If God loved us enough to die for us, does that not, in some way, increase our esteem to a level that we can finally accept ourselves? Can we not, then, learn to love others so that we can help them become what God wants?

How should the two great commandments translate into an ongoing relational religion experience?

Creation To The Cradle

2008-12-23T17:28:00.003-06:00

From the creation to the cradle God has been desiring a relationship with humanity. From in the beginning to a journey to Bethlehem, God has been providing ways back into this relationship. Adam and Eve had it made. They had a perfect environment, a perfect relationship, and a perfect eternity but more is what they wanted. Out of love for them God banned them from the garden. If they had eaten from the tree of life and death while in a sinful state they would have become immortally separated from God, who did not desire this.

God has been working through humanity to provide the pathway back to Himself. He salvaged humanity through Noah. He called out and blessed Abraham. God provided the Ten Commandments and Mosaic law. The entire sacrificial system was designed, if done properly, would provide atonement.

But humanity wanted more.

Humanity wanted to have the atonement coupled with the freedom to behave as they wanted rather than what God wanted. Prophets came and went, each trying to share the message of loving God and walking with Him. Yet, humanity mocked and killed them.

The He chose a young girl to carry THE child. She would give birth to the One whose sole purpose was to die to carry our sins away once for all. God loved humanity. Jesus loved humanity enough to become a baby. He left all that He had and become nothing in order that we could return to the family.

The cradle offers us help today and hope for tomorrow. The cradle reveals a birth. It also leads to new births in us as well. May we want for no more than a new life and hope in a relationship with God through Jesus.

From the creation to the cradle. God wants a relationship with you.

Africa, Coming Home

2008-12-16T13:26:00.003-06:00

We awoke Sunday morning to warmth of the sun as it began to penetrate the building. The temperature began to rise quickly as we prepared to go to the small village church in Torodi. We had passed through there the night before anticipating the stop but hoping for the guest house instead. God answered our plea and the guest house was available. Now we would trek back to the church to be respectful as they had planned on us being there. The trip was 45 minutes and we sat in a grass lean-to or hut and listened to the singing and teaching of the leadership. There was just a small band of believers in attendance but the Spirtit was there and they earnestly desired God to fill them strength and wisdom.

The rest of our day was spent back at the guest house packing, planning, and preparing for the long journey home. Unfortunately the flight would not leave until after midnight. We had MRE's for lunch and waited for 6:30 to come when we would go to dinner with our host missionaries and then take a final shower before going to the airport.

Dinner was at an Italian place in Africa where they spoke French. Can't beat a deal like that can you? Kris, our missionary, wanted to know our thoughts and feelings about the preparation and the trip itself. We talked for a while and then came back to the guest house for final preparations. The time had come and we packed the truck a final time to get us to the airport. We had considerably less luggage going home than coming because so much of the supplies were used or left for them to use in the clinics.

3:30 pm [OK time] We arrived at the airport and acquired our boarding passes and checked our luggage. As we walked through the door for security check, there was our luggage! We had just checked it as baggage and now we had to open it for manual inspection before we could go through customs and immigration for exiting the country. As expected, Pete had challenges. They did not have one of his bags out for inspection and we thought maybe there was no reason for this other than not all bags got checked. We went through immigration and down the stairs to wait for the bus that would take us 100 yds to the plane, because apparently it is too much to walk?!?! About 30 minutes later his name is called because there was a bag waiting to be checked but he was not there. He goes back through customs and gets the bag checked returns through customs just in time for us to walk toward the bus to have ourselves security checked.

5:40 pm [OK time] We left Niger and arrived in Paris. The flight was basically uneventful.

11:00 pm [OK time] We started our 7 hour layover in Paris. We walked around looking for something that was open and palatable. Not much to speak of here. We slept, we ate, we typed, we listened to mp3 players, we read, we walked laps...you get the picture. It was like 4 caged animals wanting to escape but not being able to.

SUNDAY TURNS TO MONDAY

7:00 am [OK time] We are still in Paris. We are on the plane, but still in Paris. And suddenyl to our wondering eyes did appear...Jimmy Carter! He made the rounds and shook everyone's hand and 45 minutes late we finally leave Paris. The next 10 hours we spent in that plane seemed much longer than they were.

5:35 pm [OK time] We have landed in Atlanta and I iam hustling to get through customs to see if there was a remote chance of still making our flight. I rounded the corner and looked at the time. The other three were coming through customs and I gathered the luggage fromt he baggage claim area. It could not be forwarded all the way through because of customs at teh first port of entry. We were changing from an international to domestic flight. I gave up all hoper of making the scheduled flight. We gathered the luggage and headed for the rebooking agents.

6:00 pm [OK time] We stood in line for rebooking as our flight left for OKC. We were not yet sure if we could get home tonight and on what carrier it would be. We did not care! The rebooking agent got us on a flight at 8:45[OK time] so we settled in through security and found something to eat. After we pounded Wendy's for some sustenance we strolled over to the gate and checked in.

7:45pm [OK time] The flight was overbooked because of the rebooking and lateness of the Air France flight...Jimmy Carter remember?...and we would have to see if someone would give up their seat for us to be bale to get on board. Thankfully someone did and we were told we would have seats, though we would have to be the last ones to board.

9:00pm [OK time] We take off and I sleep. I really do not remember anything about the flight. I had taken two Benedryl because of allergies and sacked out, but I think we all did a little.

11:30pm [OK time] We land in OKC and disembark the plane. After 32 hours of travelling we finally embrace our families and head home.

We are glad to have gone. We are glad to be home. We will follow our God to the ends of the Earth. Maybe you will be the ones next time.

Haruna [Aaron], Beto [Bill], Jachi [Chuck], and Pierre [Pete]

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Africa, Day Eleven

2008-12-14T09:43:00.002-06:00

Saturday.

We rose and packed the trucks for the last road trip and village tour. We were in two trucks and one drove straight through to the clinic with Pete and Bill. The clinic in this village has two rooms and a porch. Pete was able to establish himself in a room and create a privacy he enjoys. Teh patients came in slowly and wanted to "discuss" the terms of extraction. Obviously, this made it difficult. Several caught a glimpse of what Pete was doing and went back home thinking their pain was not so bad, but some did come back and Pete was able to make a day of it.

Chuck and I went to a village on the way and shared the gospel. Here we found a woman who was making soap. I believe you saw that in the day 10 pictures. It was easier to download them all rather than trying to separate them. She was boiling a mixture of items that when cooled would be balls of soap. We went on to our main village and met the chief. He is a young man and very concerned for his village. They do not have a well and need one desperately. The "lake" that is created through the rainy season dries up before the rain returns. If they had a well or pump and storage they could keep water longer and allow for better options through the dry season. We toured the entire village and prayed with some who needed it.

The day ended a little earlier than we expected and we decided to drive back all the way to Niamey instead of stopping along the way for the night. We drove straight to the American Rec Center where we ordered burgers and fries and watched basketball...what a great moment! The shower that night was a blissful experience. We sacked out around 11. The end of another day.

Africa, Day Ten

2008-12-14T08:50:00.006-06:00

Dry heat is what they call it, but 100 in the shade is just plain hot. I am not sure what it was in the sun, except that it was hotter. Once again we separated this morning in two teams. One team went to the clinic while the other team went to villages presenting the gospel with the roping demonstration.

I am amazed at how tight a grip Satan has on these people. I am certain, however that the grip here is not any stronger than the grip at home except that we have a look and feel of being OK. The reality is very simple. We have either turned our lives over to God through belief in Jesus or we have not. It has never been more simple. When someone chooses to walk the path of Christ in their life it means something more than it seems to at home. They will lose a job and possibly lose their family. This fear grips and tortures them. One man told me that he believed in Jesus as the son of God but was not ready to tell anyone else just yet.

Does that make him lost? How different is it at home where it takes 48 “Christians” to see one person turn to Christ? I would say that it really is no different than the silent believers at home. If we will say that since that have believed in t heir heart they are saved I would grant the same latitude in Africa. If a man says he believes in his heart and confesses to one of us, is that enough? I would say that is enough. It does not make him mature. It does not allow for much growth, but it does afford salvation. How great is our God!

We travelled to two villages this morning and shared Christ. Chuck was able to get into a good conversation about cattle with one man. We found out that he knows his cattle on sight without tags or brands. He even knows his cattle by hoofprint! His cattle know him as well. They hear his voice and come to him. What a picture of what our relationship with God should be. He knows the number of hairs on our head and formed us in our mother’s womb. He fashioned us and made a plan for us. Do we know His voice? Have we listened long enough to feel the heartbeat of God and follow?

After lunch we went back out to a village and sat down with a few men who were the heads of the compound. They wanted to hear a sermon and I obliged. I explained that the reason we were in Africa was to be obedient to Jesus’ final words of commission. We were here to share a story of truth about Jesus Christ. I began with creation and worked my way to Jesus. The gospel is so simple and they were encouraged by the word. One of the men was a believer but the other 3 were not. I answered a few questions that were asked and prayed for them before leaving. We arrived back at camp to a barrage of kids waiting patiently…well…maybe not so patiently…for the balls Chuck would hand out. They had a blast with them and played for a long time. The dust they were kicking up was getting thick so we sent them down the road to play away from the house.

Pete and Bill worked 11 hours today with a 1 hour break for lunch, although he took it begrudgingly. He saw 50 patients today. Each time someone would walk in after being numbed they would be prayed over. After Pete was done they would be prayed over. We very much believe in the power of prayer. The ones that we somehow forgot to pray for before Pete would work always turned out bad. Coincedence? Absolutely not. Prayer changes things and we would pray as often as we could. We will not know the long term effects just yet, but we have planted much love and seeds of the gospel. We pray that they will be watered and a harvest will come soon.

We had to pack up everything for the clinic in the dark because Pete wanted to work as long as possible. His final patient was done with nothing but his headlamp! We packed up and loaded the truck to be ready for tomorrow. Cherry had made a nut and chicken stew that was fabulous. We poured it over rice and ate. After supper there was a group of people in the camp that we visited with for a while. Tonight was just a visit without any questions or teaching. Our interpreter is a tea master and made us this very good tea each night. He would share it with us in three rounds. Each round was a little different than the one before and wonderful to drink. We soon finished our tea and our talks and went to bed at the very late hour of 9:45. As I write this it is 10:15 and everyone is asleep. It is my time as well…

Here is a peek at our day…

Make a Smilebox photobook

Africa, Day Nine

2008-12-13T15:46:00.001-06:00

The overnight low was around 82 in the mud hut where we slept. Our hostess was so kind to provide the hut that we hated to sleep outside where it was a bone-chilling 74. Besides, between the bats and lizards one never knows who might get under the sheets with you.

Welcome to the bush! The bucket bath on the second day had lost all of its magic and intrigue. I gasped as I poured the cold water over my head and scrubbed fast to be done with it. We had gotten spoiled in the guest house and now were really roughing it. The morning started easy and caffeinated, as most mornings do. Pete, Bill, and Shelly went to the clinic about 8 while the rest of us cleaned up the area and prepared to go to villages.

Chuck, myself, and Cherry went to what I call two villages in the morning, but Cherry says it was all a part of one village. At each location we would stop and greet the chief and elders if they were present. Once the formal greetings were done we would bring out the roping dummy and our presentation would begin. Chuck begins with telling about raising cattle and why we use ropes. Their cattle here are tame and used to people. They do not have grass prairies fenced off to let them run free. He tells them our cattle are wild and must be roped to be able to doctor and care for them. He shows them how this would be done and transitions this to how are lives are like that cow. We run from Jesus though He only wants help and care for us. He mentions that I am there and I am a teacher to him and woujld like for them to hear me as well. When they discover that I am religious teacher they smile and look interested. I share the gospel with them and invite them to make the choice of faith in Jesus rather than doing more good than bad or sacrifices to attain Heaven. I express the truth: Jesus is the only way to forgiveness and Heaven. I pray for them and tell them I would gladly talk with any you would like to talk while Chuck lets them practice on roping.

There were many seeds planted this morning and I hope that water will soon come and harvest in the end. We all convened back at camp for lunch and discussed our day. We split again and went our separate ways continuing what we had done in the morning.

At the end of the day we had helped 39 people with teeth and shared the gospel with 3 villages. Not a bad day! We convened again for supper after taking turns with the bucket baths. Our supper was cooked by a local woman. We had a black-eyed pea, bean and rice mixture with a tomato sauce on top. It was very good and filling. While we finished eating a few guys from the night before came by to have more discussion with me about Biblical matters. We had a tea that thick and sweet and discussed several issues.

By 9:30 we were already under the mosquito nets for the night. The concert of snoring would commence and the audience would not be pleased!

Welcome to the bush!

Here is a peek into our day…

Make a Smilebox photobook

Africa, Day Eight

2008-12-13T15:25:00.002-06:00

Roughing It!

Cherry Faile is an R.N. and IMB missionary living in Donchandou. She has served in this location for 6 years and a total of 26 years. She arrived last night and we gathered the game plan for the next few days. We were spending the next three nights in the bush. There would be no electricity. There would be no running water. Out bathes, should we choose to take them, would be from a bucket and bowl.

Roughing it.

We started out on a paved road and we all felt pretty good about it. This paved road turned into not so good paved road and then into a main dirt road. Cherry informed me after our roadside lunch that we would soon leave the main road onto a donkey cart road. This was accurate. In fact, I am not sure how a donkey cart would make it down this path or why even try. I asked Cherry how she found this place since it was so remote. She explained that she began looking for an area of one of the six Fulani kings that needed medical help. She then was able to visit villages in this surrounding region. She found that this particular village is a main village and well-respected. Many people would come to this village and it was large enough to support a clinic. At that time it was a 2-room shack. Now it has several rooms and facilities that she has helped bring. There are two additional nurses on staff now that the country has involved itself and recognized its presence.

We arrived in the village a little after noon and took a rest for about an hour. After which we went to the clinic building and established ourselves. Today was a light day only seeing 7 patients. No one was sure when we would arrive and if we would work today. Pete was getting the shakes to do something so he wanted to work. Before we could we needed to pay our respects to the village chief. He welcomed us into his patio and we make small talk for a few minutes. Pete and Bill worked the clinic while Chuck and I went back into the village to visit with the city elders.

I began our conversation with gratitude and respects. I asked them about their life and traditions and let them. I established our common ground in Abraham and shared our thoughts, too. I was able to share the truth in three different ways during that conversation and pray that God will be able to use it for His glory down the road. They recently had the sacrifice festival and this allowed for some discussion as to whether we practiced anything like that or not. I explained that Jesus weas the one and only sacrifice and that we did not need to have an annual sacrifice. However we also needed to confess our sins and we could do that one a personal level because of Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him. We were asked about prayer. I explained that we have common ground here also. They pray whether at the mosque or not and so can we. We can pray anytime and anywhere. They have a religious teacher and so do we. As pastor I help people understand the Bible and how to live a better life. We had a very good discussion that could be rekindled tomorrow if possible.

Cherry had prepared chili for us back at the guest house and simply brought it with her today. After we ate and bucket bathed, we went to a neighbor village a half mile away and had a Bible lesson and discussion. Cherry had asked if I would lead this discussion and I shared with them from John 15. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. Our relationship with Him is one of dependence and submission. We must actively choose to remain engaged and relational. We are learning the importance of relationships here in Africa. The importance of greeting people is impressive. I find myself having thoughts of “just drive” or “we need to hurry”. These are fleeting thoughts of a life miles away. Herein Africa everything slows down and watches are of no value. The sun is our clock. You rise and sleep with the sun. In between you work, discuss, and live among the people. There is no isolation. There is no boundaries, or doors for that matter. The relational lifestyle in the compounds smacks of a way of life we once knew years ago in America before fences and backyards; A time when we had porches and greetings and life together. We could learn a lot from the bush!

Here is a peek in our day…

Make a Smilebox photobook

Africa, Day Seven

2008-12-09T15:05:00.003-06:00

The crowd had been following us all through the village. We were giving out vitamins and goodwill through prayer. As we walked through the village we met up with a little boy named Solomon. He has been been very sick for two weeks. He is becoming dehydrated due to what is occurring with the sickness. There were many villagers there as I laid my hands on this little boy and prayed for God to heal him so that the people could know His power. I prayed that through the healing others would recognize the One True God we serve through Jesus Christ. In darkness it only takes a small light to grab one's attention. May God heal that little boy so that hearts and minds could be oopen to the gospel long after we are gone.

The day was hot and dusty and the wind was kicking up sand so that the sun cast a red hue over the desert. The family of one of our interpreters was cutting up the remainder of the sacrificial meat to give away to friends and needy so we waited a little for him to finish. We gathered in the truck and set off to pick him up along the way. We crossed the river today and water is still amazing in the desert...every time. I was riding in the back today and i told Chuck he was in charge of pictures as we traveled and he snapped a great one of the river as we crossed over.

Komba is a moderate village about 45 minutes away. You can still see Niamey from the village but travel takes a while in this country. As much washboard as we drove over I would think we should be as clean as laundry day in the 1800's. I digress. We arrived and met with the chief to greet and receive his blessing. He was very happy to see us and we soon were on our way to the clinic a few hundred feet away. We set up shop a little different, though still under a tree, today. We made a circle out of the storage boxes and tables to insure that Pete has his personal space properly marked. This helps the people stay out of the area for safety. These people were very good to work with. He was able to minister to 25 people and pull 51 teeth. While he was doing this Chuck was able to do his demonstration.

We moved the steer to the other side of the compound and got started. There were about 25 or so going over to watch him. They ranged in age from about 6 to 20. Everyday he shares his story and the kids are enthralled. He masterfully weaves roping and theology together to share the greatest story of all. After lunch he and worked together to plainly share the gospel and ask for response. We really felt that God was working in this village, whether today or another, and we wanted to move on the compulsion we were feeling. I spoke with Nassi after it was over and he seemed interested but not in front of the peer group. I do believe he is close. Please pray for him.

While Pete and Bill were running the clinic, Chuck, Kris, and I went to the village to walk through and pray. We took some vitamins and passed them out to the kids. You would have thought we were Willy Wonka himself having descended from the chocolate factory to pass out bags of goodness! The kids swarmed, we ran out, and the mob frenzy began to take affect. I believe we all sent up silent prayers and soon the crowd dispersed and the rest calmed down. We began to walk through the village and were given opportunity to pray for several people. We felt the presence of God on several occasions while we prayed. I hope that through a healing that they will see the Light and choose Jesus. I pray that God will be glorified through this act and many come to salvation!

We went home dry dusty and worn out, but excited about how God worked through they day. We are out without electricity or water for the next four days. I will send a new blog on Sunday. Here is a peek into our world on this seventh day:

Make a Smilebox photobook

Africa, Day Six

2008-12-08T13:12:00.005-06:00

Happy Holidays....Happy Holidays to you!

Well today was a nationally recognized religious holiday. It is the annual sacrifice for forgiveness. 100,000 people gathered at the national mosque for prayer this morning while I slept like baby after finally getting to bed. The internet was not cooperating last night and I had to wait patiently to upload the blog. Today seems to be different!

Every house that can will buy a sheep, thus so many on top of the bush taxis yesterday. They will sacrifice the sheep for the forgiveness of their sin. Each year they must do this in order to appease Allah in hopes of making him happy enough to let them into Heaven when they die. I am so thankful that we have a once for all sacrifice for everyone who will receive the free gift of salvation, new life, hope, and Heaven. Because Jesus died for our sins the required sacrifice has been made. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever would believe will not die but have eternal life. This is a grand and global statement. Whoever is a big group. Every one that made a sacrifice today is doing so out of anxiety and ritualism. What happens to the one who cannot afford to make a sacrifice? How depressed they must be! The peace that Jesus gives us through faith is even more fascinating having seen the faces of these people.

We had decided that the afternoon would be spent doing a clinic for the workers and missionaries that should need it. Meanwhile, we were unsure about the morning.

SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!

We arose about 830-900. We did our laundry...but don't tell our wives. Some of us just put it all in at once. Who cares about whites and colors? One load. One payment. One wash. Done.

We are Men! HA!

As dry as it is here there is no good reason to run a dryer. We hung it up old school! We got dressed at were ready to leave for Bilo's house when Pete noticed that at a tire was flat on the vehicle they just arrived in. Nothing is more frustrating than to have a flat tire that had just been fixed the week before. We jumped in and changed out the tire. Chuck loosened, Bill changed, and I tightened. We did not want Pete messing with anything since his back is hurting. We did not break any records and NASCAR will not be calling, but we got it changed and were able to leave.

Bilo lives about 2 miles from our guest house. We took the short drive over and were introduced to his mother and great Aunt. I looked in the building he told us to go into and noticed that there were mats everywhere and knew I should remove my shoes before entering. We sat in a circle on the mats and were promptly served a pizza pan full of noodles and meat...mostly noodles. This, I found out later, is the traditional holiday meal. Bilo assured us that he oversaw the preparation of the food and it was safe for us to eat. It was very good! After visiting for a while we needed to head back for the afternoon clinic.

Pete went on back with Shelly and the rest of us drove by the Grand Mosque. It does not look that big but Kris assured us that it was. The building could hold thousands of people, but they each only take up a ceiling tile worth of space. Amazing! They could cram themselves into this facility to pray to a god that has no power or ability to save and provide hope. We cannot sit within feet of each other to pray and worship to the Most High God that provided His Son as payment for our sins and loves us unconditionally. He provides for our needs and we demand so much comfort before we will worship. Wow!

The clinic that was not happened today. Because of the short time and holiday only one worker came and one missionary family. We had hoped that Chuck would be able to assist on some fun stuff but he was spared.

We ate leftovers tonight and visited with the nurse we will stay with out in the bush. After tomorrow we will be out of reach until Sunday. I will post tomorrow and then again before we board the plan on Sunday night. Halfway through and we miss everyone more each day. Please pray for our attitudes, energy, and patience. the spiritual toll is dramatic and physical toll even more. We are excited but tired. May Jesus be our strength!

Here was our day today:

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Africa, Day Five

2008-12-07T13:28:00.010-06:00

It was a ferry-tale type of day!

Everyday we must pack the truck roof and tie everything down before we leave. As is our custom, we gather to pray before we leave and we did. And we did.

We gathered in the truck and got squished together...the sardine effect. We journeyed for a while and came up on the river. We were going to ferry across the river...the only way. Bridges over here are not in abundance because it costs too much. They have built two bridges in the country in 50 years. One of those is currently being constructed. We had to buy a ticket and wait for the ferry to be available to be boarded. While time may not be of much consequence in this country, the ferry runs every 20-30 minutes. With that said, there is one ferry and if it breaks down then there would be a problem. I noticed that some people were rowing across the river at this location. Every seems to be in a frenzy because of the special holiday tomorrow. All Muslims here will have an annual sacrifice for the forgiveness of their sin. It is 40 days after Ramadan and falls in line with the concept of the Jewish Day of Atonement. The family will sacrifice a goat/sheep and give a portion to eat and portions to the needy. In this way they earn points with Allah hoping to get into "Heaven". I am thankful that Jesus already handled this for me and you. I pray that more will come to know this truth.

Anyway, we were on a ferry and directly in front of us the guys were rolling goats over and picking them up and placing them on the roof of the van/bush taxi. These guys must have put 15-20 of them on the top of that van. They were not happy, then they began to look sad. The ferry ride lasted for about 10 minutes and were on our way.

The drive took about 2 hours to get to the village. Along the way were many sights like little mosques and cows tied to the wagons while the kids pulled them. It seemed really "animal farm" like to me. After a lengthy journey and a pit stop we made it the home of the regional king. We had to receive his blessing before going into one of his villages. We entered through a gate into the small town and before us was a covered "porch" with many men sitting around on mats. We were instructed to remove our shoes and enter the area and greet the king. We asked a local to go first so we would know what to do. I approached the king, bent the knee, shook his hand and greeted him. One made the comment later that if we would act this way with God how different our life might be...and I believe him to be right!

We left the king, who is obviously not in the building, and went to the village. Honestly, to say village is a little strong of a term. A SMALL grouping of huts is a better description. These huts were straw huts as opposed the to mud-block ones from yesterday and in the town. We pull up and find out that since the festival is tomorrow, market day is today. The chief and elders were gone and the only one left was not ready to make a decision. We talked for a while and convinced him that it would OK. So, we found ourselves a decent tree and set up Pete's Office of the Great Outdoors. He stood next to this tree and looked in fascination that he would finally be able to put two great things together: dentistry and the outdoors. The people were scared of the white-folk and came slowly. We asked three men if they wanted something done and they denied a need, but there kids needed something. Now, you might think this a compassionate decision except that 2 of those 3 later came and received treatment after their kids "survived" it. We were able to see 15 people today and pull over 20 teeth.

While the dentist was in and I assisted today, Chuck made us lunch since the kids were receiving treatment. Later he started up his roping demonstration and truth lesson. He had them gathered around holding them in complete satisfaction. They listened intently and watched curiously as he roped that steer over and over while expressing the love of God and our need for Him. He has a gift of expression and God was pouring out of him this day. Bill had an opportunity to go into the "village" and prayer-walk hoping for opportunities to talk with people. He had Kris [the missionary] met this one older fella and began sharing the truth with him. He listened and pondered but was not ready to make a decision. Another young man also listened politely but when the point of decision was presented he said it was time for us to go. Please pray for Tingala because there are no known believers. Kris and Shelly would like to see this village adopted by a church or churches to reach and teach this community.

After a long drive back and the sun beating down we unpacked, ate supper and kicked back. Another good day of sharing God's love in both word and deed. Here is a look at today...

Make a Smilebox photobook

Africa, Day Four

2008-12-06T14:15:00.006-06:00

The Dentist will see you now!

Today was our first day of actually being in a village doing a clinic, which was the whole reason we came. Pete was excited, though would never admit it and if you ask him he will deny it, to be going to do dental work. He was going a little stir crazy after two days of travel and then orientation. He was up late packing and sorting and not letting us touch his toys.

After rising slowly and getting a shot of caffeine and sugar we packed the roof of the truck with our crates, water jugs, tables, and metal steer. I had no clue how to tie knots so I was schooled on that later. After loading up the truck moved to Beverly, or at least that is how it felt. We had to watch out for low hanging limbs!

Our two interpreters we fabulous, Bilo and Sedu. Bilo is a believer and would go with us to pray and evangelize. Sedu has yet to believe. He owrked with Pete and was marvelous. He jumped right in with paperwork, flashlights, and interperetations. He gloved up and got after it!

We arrived at the village about 9am, after over an hour journey getting there. Pete began setting up shop and the crowds rolled in quickly. It was overwhelming how they gathered. They began pressing in on teh building and Pete went into a different mode. Kris and I took tickets over to a tree to move some away while Chuck set up the roping dummy the other way. This relieved the pressure on Pete a little. We were "selling" tickets for 500 francs, or $1, that at the end of the day we give back to the village through extra medications and other needs. In this way we make it feel authentic and help the village at the same time. We quickly sold 18 tickets, and within a few minutes another 5. We held off selling any more because we were not sure if Pete would be able to see them all.

He was great! He saw all of them plus 5 more.

Each of us, except Pete, had a chance to go into the village and meet people and pray for them. We prayed for eyes, colds, sick children, need for husbands, and machinery for producing food. It was wonderful! Being able to make connections, hold children, and pray blessings is an immense pleasure. I pray that teh beginnings of connections we made will be able to develop into more for the missionaries that are on the field. This is a new work area and our work today opens doors for them later for God's glory.

We left dusty, dirty, tired and sore and thrilled to death about our journey. Here is a peek at our day:

Make a Smilebox photobook

Africa, Day Three

2008-12-05T09:47:00.007-06:00

As the chills set in overnight, Chuck sure thought malaria had come with them...silly banker! Malara won't set in for at least 10 more days so give it time! The overnight temperature is still warmer than at home but at 55 the room became quite cool. Our thin sheet and blanket were not quite enough, but the daytime high warms up quickly.

Welcome to the desert!

At 530 this morning we heard a loud siren alerting the community that it was prayer time. I confess that I went to sleep until the alarm went off and then I prayed to the One True God. We heard it again at noon and I kept eating my cheesburger and fries at the American Rec Center which is a part of the Embassy.

We orientated this morning and then went shopping. Now, I can't tell you what we bought because you might spoil the surprise...but it is cool! We went to a set of shops that were both inside and outside. The inside had taped on prices that are the "bottom line" price. If you go outside you can haggle to your heart's content...not that all of us enjoy the process...the whole guys and shopping thing I guess.

We bought groceries from a young man you will see int he scrapbook. He is a fine young man dressed in the traditional robe. We bought our vegetables for the next couple of days and then went next door to a store to buy other items. The guy in the store is an Arabian who goes by the name of Cobra due to the tattoo on his arm. He runs a tight ship and I am glad he is not my boss.

After the lunch I mentioned earlier. You know, the glorious American lunch of cheeseburgers and fries, onion rings and milkshakes. One of the items is a Niamey Burger: a double-patty-lettuce-tomato-cheese-special sauce on a bun burger. We then came back to go over interpretations and village customs. While doing we discovered a man who needed help. He knew when to return and we set up "shop". Pete was as happy and a kid in a candy store. After 27 hours of travel, bad night sleep, discussion and shopping, He got to do what he came for and that is to help people. God has really given him a gift and he is proudly using it to God's glory and the growth of the Kingdom. I can't say that his lovely assistants are worth shooting, but he is good. After that one was finished another worker at the mission center asked if we could help him and Pete enjoyed that as well. In this way we could establish protocol for working and sanitation

We ate a home-cooked african meal tonight: vegetables and rice with meat. This meal was a wonderful treat for our senses. In Niger it is considered impolite to use your left hand for anything other than hygiene. During supper we were all feeling sorry for the left-handed one so we ate left-handed while he ate right-handed. Some called it sympathy, others called it sarcasm as we laughed and enjoyed a meal together.

The rest of the evening we spent emailing and packing up for our first trip tomorrow.

Here is a scrapbook of today's fun...

Make a Smilebox photobook

Africa, Day One

2008-12-04T13:28:00.011-06:00

Have you heard the one about a banker, bus driver, preacher and dentist that all went to Africa?

The banker went into the restaurant and was asked what he was doing out so early.
"I am going to Africa."
"Really?", came the reply.
"Sure. We are going to do a dental clinic.", the banker replied.
The friend simply looked him straight in the eye and said, "Chuck if you don't want to tell me why you are up so early and where you are going that is your business."

Well, we all had a good laugh about that one!

Myself, Chuck Hall, Bill Spears, and Pete Moore left the church at 6am Wednesday morning. We arrived at what would be 10am Thursday at home. We are seven hours ahead of home. We have had no incidents and no sickness travelling. Everyone had a good trip, just long. We left OKC at 810 in the morning and flew to DFW. After a 2.5 hour layover we boarded and headed to JFK in New York. After walking the NYC marathon across JFK we finally got to the airtram to go to the Air France terminal. With directional trams...which one should we take?

Of course...it was the other one!

God worked it out that we did not have to pay for excess weight at the AF desk. We scrambled around for food and got in line to board. Air France has the best looking seats when you first board. These things lay flat with all the amenities. We went through a doorway to the next level of seats and they laid flat and fewer amenities.

Could these be our seats?

We passed through another doorway to find that we had left the serfs and were now in the peasant seating. "There is obviously a caste system on this plane", Pete remarked. How do we know this? We passed through two more doorways into smaller aisles and hip room before we got to our seats. Proud to have found them we sat down in row 42 of 48. We were right on top of the engine with 7 hours to go!

Every airport had its own security measures. Even though we were in the same terminal in Paris we went through another security check...shoes off, belt off, passport out, run through the machine and dress again quickly.

The final leg of the journey took us into Niger. We disembarked on the tarmac and took a guarded bus ride 100 feet to the terminal. God took care of us through customs. All passports, visas, and forms checked out. In fact not one bag was opened by a customs official in Niger. God moved us right through without a hitch.

Isn't He good?

We have had supper and showers...not comes the sleep.

Here is a scrapbook from Day 1-2...

Make a Smilebox photobook

Ask Good Questions

2008-11-23T23:03:00.003-06:00

Josh Hunt makes a living telling people how to double their Sunday School classes by asking good questions.

Rick Warren wrote about the purpose driven church. Now he writes everything with 40 days in mind.

Thom Ranier wrote a book called Simple Church.

It would appear that on the minds of the powers that be is the guilt, or grief, that we have somehow missed the mark in Christendom concerning our churches. We have discussed here the issues surrounding church growth emphases whose sole purpose is to add numbers but not health. We have discussed the problem of educating believers without praxis.

My determination is that the Great Commission demands a balance that moves people to maturity. So many have defined stages of maturity over the years, but how are we to do that? Humanity develops physically through the aging process, emotionally through relationships, and spiritually through good questions.

Community to Connected: relational questions
Connected to Congregated: evangelistic questions

Once we get them in we have usually stopped asking questions. Let us develop good questions to see cultivation and commissioning occuring more and more frequently.

What are some good questions?

From Babes to Brides...Why the Church Must Rethink What Is Important

2008-10-22T16:56:00.004-05:00

Let’s be honest. Ever since Billy Sunday and Lee's Payday Someday and the revival movement that followed in the early 20th century we have been focused on reaching more than retaining. In our effort to globally evangelize, from which came the Cooperative Program, we have been extremely focused on winning people to Christ more than marrying them to Christ. We are, in fact, called the BRIDE of Christ.

Every time I do a wedding I emphasize that moment where the father kisses his daughter and hands her off to the new husband. I help people understand the deep symbolism in this action. It is vastly more than just a ceremony. Here is a man who has dedicated his life to change, bathe, feed, protect, and love this girl from the time she was born till now. He has poured his life’s work into providing for the family, her included. He endured the attitudes, fights, and boyfriends. He watched her grow up. He helped her understand what a man should be and how to find a good one. He did not toss her off to the first love. He waited patiently for her to become mature enough to be wed. Now he is handing this responsibility off to a new man. He is giving up his rights of protection and provision and expecting this new man to do it.

What if we took that kind of care and attention in each new birth in Christ? As a church, as a Sunday School class, as creations of a loving God shouldn’t we protect and provide for these new ones until they are ready to be wed to Christ and not just won? Winning people to Christ could be somewhat like releasing responsibility with the first love of your child. You wouldn’t do it then why do we as the church see fit to do so now? We help them understand this first love and assist them to maturity until they are wed to the bridegroom.

But this takes work. This takes a reshaping of our values and awards. This takes a review of our evaluative techniques. Suddenly, it is not solely about growth. Now, it is about maturity.

I believe each birth to be worth it. Don’t you?

These Uncertain Times

2008-10-15T13:40:00.005-05:00

21 days from now we will know a new president!

But today we live in uncertain times.

In the past 2 weeks we have seen the greatest fall and one-day return in the history of the market. Our retirements and college funds have dwindled.

We live in uncertain times.

It is nearly impossible to not have fear creep into our hearts and linger in our minds. Whether we are stealing votes or stealing lives we live in uncertain times. Whether we are bailing out the market, relying on foreign oil, or watching the debt become so large that Times Square cannot show the number any longer...

...we live in uncertain times.

However, now is not the time to run scared or to lose hope.

Who can satisfy my Soul? Well, only Jesus can do that. This is a live Spanish/English version.

In these uncertain times, we have a certain God. May we live with the joy we have in Christ so that others will desire to imitate what they see and feel!

2008-09-19T14:37:00.001-05:00

Back surgery and recovery have taken longer and a deeper toll on me than once expected. I will be posting again soon.

Please come back!

Aaron

If Victory is in Jesus Where Do I Report That on the Annual Church Profile?

2008-08-18T15:14:00.008-05:00

In watching the Olympics this past week or so knowing who wins is not complicated. The one with the most points wins. The one with the fastest time wins. The one who crosses the finish line first wins. There is an agreed upon measure of evaluation. There is nothing subjective or opinionated. Even with those sports where there are several judges deducting for flaws or miscues, these are averaged among them.

Simple. Clean. Efficient.

How can we evaluate our lives and our churches? We should not judge ourselves by the questions we are so often asked.

"How many in Sunday School?"
"How many baptisms?"
"How many in worship?"
"Have you built new buildings?"
"How many deacons have you ordained?"

The answers to these questions are for measuring sticks only. We ask people these questions because we do not care to take the time to ask better ones. We can, in our own form of religious piety, measure our superiority and walk away prideful or our inferiority and run away before the tables are turned. These answers might be indicators of trends but not of the totality of church health. Jesus said in John 15

1 "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

What if a church was going through a pruning so that God could burst forth with something new and fresh? The church and leadership would be viewed as failing because the "answers" are not what others think they should be.

What questions could we ask? What rods of evaluation could we use?

Some of the comments being left yearn for an answer in this arena of life. I have a group going through masterlife right now and we came up with some interesting thoughts on the subject. When it comes to victory how do we know? Certainly salvation is a victorious moment! Obviously baptism is victorious moment as a step of obedience!

Now what? Where is the next moment of victory? Heaven? WOW! That feels like a long time to wait! God wants us to have victory in our present. When churches and leadership grasp that relational faith lives among the individual then we can begin to uncover new forms of evaluation.

How many children do you have that enter youth knowing salvation and baptism?
How many children do you have that enter youth knowing what there life purpose is?
How many youth graduate knowing their purpose and seek colleges and majors that extend their potential in fulfilling that purpose?
How many adults are impacting their home and daily work out of the purpose God has for them?

These numbers are deeper in meaning. These are questions that reflect progress and victory. We must look to the individual. The parts are more important than the whole. Traditional evaluations look to the whole. Post-Modern, and Biblical, evaluations are designed to investigate the parts.

Journey to the Center of Faith

2008-07-14T09:44:00.000-05:00

Do you remember the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth? We were promised an adventure like none other and that we would see things never before seen in a movie. They promised a journey that would forever change their lives.

We offer a similar adventure. We tell people that when they accept Jesus they will never be the same. We tell them that life will be different and then they go back to their same jobs, same houses, same families, etc. What exactly is different? They have a relationship with the One True God! They have embarked on a new journey and we are now responsible for providing the necessary tools and equipment to succeed on this journey. Why do 80% of high school graduates not return to church? The only thing they know is a religion that is powerless and a ritual that is exhausting. We have not shared with them the pathway of passion. We must show them the way.

In an earlier post I mentioned the potential off-ramps and side paths that grab our attention and massage our human wants and desires.

We off-ramp into rebellion because we don't allow the control of our lives He deserves after having forgiven us of all wrong-doing, providing hope of eternity in peace, and establishing a spiritual do-over in life. We deny the need to follow and choose our own way.
We off-ramp into ritualism because we become passive in our relationship. We let the teacher and preacher do it all for us. We go through the motions of having "quiet times" that are anemic which leads to lives that are apathetic. We become believers that someone else is handling that issue or ministry and put our spiritual life on auto pilot.
We off-ramp into religion. The devil, if he can convince you of nothing else, wants you to be fully committed followers of the church. God wants you to be fully committed followers of Christ. There is a huge difference. The church does not save. The church does not eternally forgive. The church did not die for us. Christ is the answer. The church is a product of that relationship designed to assist, support, and develop the follower of Christ into maturity.

Relational faith is what the "straight and narrow" is to a degree. Wide is the path of religion and many find that path. Narrow is the way that leads to life. Jesus promised us that he came to give us life and give it more abundantly. That life is freedom found in a relationship with Christ not a religion about Christ.

How do we develop this relationship?

Get centered on Christ.
Communicate with God through a dynamic style of Bible reading and talking with God.
Connect with other believers for support, development, and encouragement.
Concern yourself with the lostness of those around you.

If we will discipline ourselves in these areas we become open to the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance. We become filled with Him. We are the bride. He is the groom. For this relationship to work we must submit to His leadership as he has graciously submitted his life for us.

At the center of faith is a relationship and not religion.

How can we transition into this relationship? What are your stories?

Where Are We Now?

2008-06-30T11:14:00.003-05:00

All over America it’s happening. People are shopping for just the right spirituality. Some people are shopping because of poor experiences in church. Some people are shopping because they want to “feel” a certain way. Others are shopping because they are looking for relational faith, though they might not say it this way. The options are endless. There are the charismatics and conservatives. There are traditional and ultra contemporary. There are small, large, and in between. Every shape, size, and flavor to fit your needs and your wishes is available. We live in the age of “MeChurch” because it is all about me right?

Where are we?

As each successive generation takes its place on the stage of life we increase the number of options for spirituality. The devil has clearly infiltrated through the means of feeling and preferences into our churches. People get bored and want something new. Arguments and fights ensue over music selections and version of the Bible. Gone, it seems, are the days when the church would split over carpet color and piano positioning. Now we are breaking up and having come-a-parts over music style, dress code, scripture version, and convictional preaching. How far we have come! We don’t want to offend anyone when in reality we care not about who we offend as long as it isn’t our friends.

Spirituality is on the rise. Christianity is on the ropes in this battle for the next generation’s souls. What is the problem? The problem, as will be discovered, is that for far too long we have been consumed with salvific and baptismal numbers rather than the development of the person into a mature follower of Christ in relational faith. We would far rather gain the accolades of our peers through numeric awards than do the hard work of helping a new believer become relational in his faith. Lt. Col. Frank Slade [Scent of a Woman] puts it best when he says that he has always known the right path but it was too hard and he choose the wrong path every time. We must choose the right path which is relational faith in Jesus Christ. I qualify the concept of faith with relational because I believe what we have been selling people is not relational faith but actually religious faith. Amid all the distractions of the world offerings we must be clear about the terms of God’s forgiveness and salvation. It is a free gift in that we could not earn our way into Heaven. Yet, it is a gift of freedom that demands responsible and dutiful living.

Throughout scripture God reminds His people that broken hearts, humble attitudes, servitude, and submission are pre-requisites to the fullness of God in one’s life. Listen to Paul

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,* I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.*2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2

Listen to Jesus...

1 "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love.11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.13 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.14 You are my friends if you do what I command.15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.16 You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.17 This is my command: Love each other.

John 15:1-17

Did you hear the activeness of a relationship? Relational faith is the desire of God. A gospel that does not delineate transformational and relational living is not the true gospel. The Galatians were being accused of following a different gospel then what Paul had presented to them. He called them (us) to the original gospel. We are being summoned to a pure and honest delivery coupled with an understood and taught response.

How do we deliver a pure gospel?

What is the response we should call for from a person? How can we help others respond?

Down the Rabbit Hole

2008-06-24T08:51:00.005-05:00

Nahum had the responsibility of delivering the bad news to Israel that they had strayed off the path. A closer examination establishes for us two truths: God wants a relationship and the dangers of the spin cycle. Nineveh, in dramatic fashion, came to believe in God and judgment was averted. There was a moment of belief; a moment of faith. While Jonah was moping around under a tree he did not plant or grow, Nineveh was slowly reverting back to their former ways. Jonah shared the minimum. The Ninevites apparently didn’t know about submission and lordship. They did not, possibly, understand the need to be active in relationship to God. Nineveh returned to her former self and is regarded as ones “who oppose Him [God]”. (Nahum 1:2) They are further described as “scheming against the Lord”. (1.9) Nahum further admonished Nineveh for their trust in wealth. How could they have fallen so far? There was a time when they believed. The king sat in sackcloth and ashes confessing and repenting. Where did it all go wrong? How did they get off of the straight and narrow of relational faith into the spin cycle of rebellion and religious faith?

We who have believed, who have confessed and repented, who have placed faith are often no different. We, too, had a moment with God but were without development. We knew not the dangers of denial, passivity, and religious faith. The devil has sent us on a seemingly endless detour. We are spinning out of control and need to get back on the straight and narrow path of relational faith.

Take the red pill for it will simply show you the truth of life on a straight line; life without the dizzying effects of the spin cycle.

Honey...We Have a Problem

2008-06-19T15:55:00.001-05:00

The phone rang and I my wife immediately launched into a story of a wall of water and a broken machine. I asked her to slow down and explain the whole situation. Apparently, she opened our front-loading washing machine and the drain cycle had not done its job. A wall of water had cascaded into our laundry room creating a flood effect of Noahic proportions. We had a problem. The machine was not working properly and something had to be done. The machine looked fine. The knobs, buttons, and timer all worked properly. There was something internally wrong with the machine. I got my tools and began investigating the problem. After a lot of tinkering [praying] it began working again.

When we pray to receive the forgiveness of God and the Holy Spirit we begin a lifelong journey with Jesus. We are told that we now have our very own relationship with Jesus. We are told to get baptized and attend church regularly. In other words, we are told that religion is the key.

Honey…we have a problem.

As Morpheus offered Neo the choice of the blue or red pill, so you are offered a choice of religious or relational faith. One will let you remain where you are. The other will take you on the journey of truth and expose you to a world far beyond our comprehension and well worth your time.

The blue will let you remain where you are in the religious faith of our fathers. You can remain in the blissful ignorance of religion and experience neither the fullness of joy or sorrow. You can continue on as is without knowledge of the truth. Religious faith is a dangerously subtle approach of the devil to get us into a spin cycle. I believe that many have had a true experience with Christ, but never taught what to do. We were told to come to church. We were told to have this relationship. We were not taught and shown what to do. We were given marching orders of read and pray every day and be at church every service to prove yourself. Somewhere in the midst of all the rhetoric, we feel empty. Everyone faces challenges, crises, or circumstances that challenge our faith. We splash each other with spiritual platitudes:

“It will all work out.”

“God had a purpose.”

“It will be OK.”

“God would never put on us more than we can handle.”

The reality is that it does not always “work out” the way we want. The consequences of our choices are not always “OK” and if we could handle everything then what is the point of faith? We need God. We need a real, live, conversational, powerful God with whom we can relate.

Take the red pill.