Yesterday we completed our final day of the seminar in Khurda. It's hard to believe that our mission is two thirds complete! One more seminar starting tomorrow and then back home to our families!
There is an experience that we had yesterday that I wanted to share with you all, especially since this was the focus of an amazing worship service at Emmanuel last Sunday. On the last day of the seminar we observe the Lord's Supper with our Indian brothers and sisters. Being a part of communion as they observe it has been one of the most rewarding parts of this trip. Each time we ask an Indian pastor to lead the observance while Pastor Arnold and I serve the elements. The Lord's Supper has such a powerful meaning to these believers... many times they were so close to God and communing with Him so intensely that they had to be nudged a bit to even know that we were there to provide the elements. While we passed out the elements they all sang this song... it was the same song we heard in Cuttack during the observance. I've never heard anything like it. It sounded like a beautiful blend of Jewish melody with a distinctively Indian flavor. They sang it perfectly... not one voice was out of tune. When the observance was done, the wife of the pastor who was hosting us led them in a song that sent chills up my spine. This too sounded like an ancient Hebrew melody with an Indian twist. Few times in my life have I felt the very presence of Yahweh so intensely that I felt I could reach out and touch Him. This was one of those times.
Today is a day of rest for us. For seven days we have been pouring ourselves out... first in preaching last Sunday and then six straight days of teaching the seminars in Cuttack and Khurda. On this day we will rest, we will connect with God, and we will let Him rewnew our strength for the week ahead. I am so grateful to God for this experience... it has fanned into flame my passion and commitment to persevere through all the trials that lie ahead for me and my family, and to remain strong in spite of what may come...
I have to end with something that made me smile, also related to music. Before the start of each session the pastors sing a worship song or two. Usually it is acapella, sometimes with bongos to keep rhythm. As we were waiting for the pastors to return from lunch and start the worship song, one of the pastors pulls out a HUGE harmonica and starts playing the melody of one of the Indian worship songs that has now become so familiar to us. It was the most surreal moment... to heard this instrument that in my mind is so strongly associated with the Old West in America, playing an Indian worship song... it reminded me that we are ALL made in God's image, and one day we will all get to enjoy this wonderful blending of every facet of who He really is. It gave me a new understanding of 1 Corinthians 13:12... "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
Blessings my friends...
Pastor Steve
Today we completed the second day of teaching in Khurda with the pastors from Puri. It has been another wonderful experience being reunited with friends and sharing our hearts with them. They have such a hunger and thirst for what we are teaching. I still find it hard to believe that God would choose to use us in this way, and I’m so grateful that He has. No doubt I am learning as much as I am teaching!
The first day we asked for stories about how the first PDC conference has affected their ministry, like we did at Cuttack. Once again the things they shared just floored us, to see how the seeds we planted six months ago have sprung to life! Here are just some of the ways God has used what was taught in the first conference:
The first day we asked for stories about how the first PDC conference has affected their ministry, like we did at Cuttack. Once again the things they shared just floored us, to see how the seeds we planted six months ago have sprung to life! Here are just some of the ways God has used what was taught in the first conference:
- One pastor really connected with the concept of “fishing for men.” It has opened his heart to love people like he never did before. After the conference he started his first small group. It has 10 people (3 families).
- Another pastor shared that he also felt a real love for people like never before. He talked about a child that normally he would have ignored. Instead he got to know this child and even taught them a Christian song. His kindness to this child has now opened the door and he is able to witness to this child’s parents.
- One pastor shared that his eyes were opened to the need for vibrant worship, and that is where he has been putting his focus. He now has a process for welcoming guests that he didn’t have before. He has also focused on applying what we taught to improve his preaching.
- Another pastor has been ministering among the refugee families from Kandhamal who are still in Bhubaneswar. He has been forming small groups among them and teaching them the Purpose Driven Life.
- One pastor shared that the PDC conference challenged him to live among Hindus without compromising his beliefs, to boldly live out his Christian walk and not fear. As a result he has brought 7 people to saving faith in Jesus since the February conference!
- One person who serves primarily as an evangelist shared that in the past he would bring people to Christ, baptize them, and then forget about them. Now he is focusing more on discipleship after they are saved.
- Finally, one pastor shared that when he attended the conference in February he had about 28 people in his church. He applied many things we taught and as a result his church now has 65 people only six months later! In fact he is having to break out the walls of the small house they meet in and expand the rooms size to accommodate the growth!
Needless to say, these stories made our hearts soar! It’s humbling to think that we were a part of God’s work in all these churches!
One of the things that God has really changed in me is the boldness to pray for people on the spot when they come to me with a “pray for me” request. That has not always been my strength, but God has done a work in me that I can’t explain that has made this ministry of prayer more real that it has ever been. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve prayed with on this trip so far. It’s been a bunch. The most recent one today broke my heart and had me in tears. An assistant pastor to a pastor who is attending the conference was just diagnosed with blood cancer. This guy is only 33 years old and has three small children. They are doing another round of tests to confirm. This pastor will go with one other guy to this man’s house as soon as the conference is over to tell him the results of the test. I could feel the pain in this man so greatly that it hit me in a way I can’t explain. I guess the fact that we are facing cancer in my dad just caused his story to hit too close to home.
On an exciting note, after the conference today we got to meet a bunch of the children who are staying at this school. These are children of refugees from Kandhamal. The school isn’t really setup to be a boarding school, but the guy that runs the school has provided shelter to these kids and they are being taught in the school. They are so precious! They all gather together in their school uniforms to greet us, and they sang a song about Zacheus for us (not the one we know in America) complete with many enthusiastic motions!
Tomorrow we finish with this group. The next to last session is on worship, and we have added group prayer and observing communion as part of that session. If Cuttack was any indication, we will have another powerful experience with these brothers tomorrow.
That’s enough for now… need to get some rest before our last big day in Khurda. Thank you all for your prayers and your thoughts for the people here in India!
Blessings to you all!
Pastor Steve
Today Pastor Arnold and I finished the first of the three cities we will be conducting the Small Groups Conference in. It's hard to believe that already we have completed our time with our dear brothers in Cuttack. Many friendships were renewed and deepened. The wonderful love and hospitality these people have shown us remind me why I care for the people of India so dearly.
By now many of you are aware that my father has been diagnosed with cancer. The word that a tumor had been found came on the day I left the U.S. for this conference. The confirmation that it was cancer came in the middle of the Cuttack conference. I shared this with my Indian brothers, and the response was overwhelming. By the end of the conference, pastor after pastor came to me to tell me that their familes and their churches were already praying intensely for the healing of my father. Today during the session on worship we observed the Lord's Supper. In the prayer time that followed these men prayed with loud passion and great anguish on behalf of my dad. Even though I could not understand their words I knew exactly what they were praying when they started praying for him. It was so overwhelming I could hardly stand. One pastor afterward came to me and gave me 500 Rupees (about $11) on behalf of his church to go toward his treatment. These people who have so little are so willing to give everything of themselves. I saw generocity, compassion, and the love of Christ today like I've never seen before. I cannot wait for the moment that I can put that 500 Rupee bill in my dad's hands. I have a feeling it will be framed and kept in a very special place in his home as a reminder of the people around the world who prayed for him during this difficult time.
Please continue to pray for these dear pastors and their ministries. I met another pastor who I don't recall speaking to in detail last time who was displaced in the murder and rampage against Christians in Kandhamal last year. This AG pastor had to flee in the middle of the night with his family to Cuttack as they were after him trying to kill him. The mob destroyed his house and his church in the village. The conditions are still too dangerous for him to move back permanently. He goes periodically into the village to meet with people in their homes, but never stays overnight. We in America have no idea what it means to be truly persecuted for our faith. These guys are my heroes. I can only hope if I were tested as they have been that I would measure up to the great example they have set for us all.
Tomorrow we travel to Khurda to start the conference all over again with the next group of 50 or so pastors. If the seminar is as well received there as it was in Cuttack, we will have another terrific experience over the next three days.
Thank you all for your love and support, for being there for my family while I am gone, and especially for the prayers for my father. You can't imagine what they mean to us.
Blessings to you all,
Pastor Steve
By now many of you are aware that my father has been diagnosed with cancer. The word that a tumor had been found came on the day I left the U.S. for this conference. The confirmation that it was cancer came in the middle of the Cuttack conference. I shared this with my Indian brothers, and the response was overwhelming. By the end of the conference, pastor after pastor came to me to tell me that their familes and their churches were already praying intensely for the healing of my father. Today during the session on worship we observed the Lord's Supper. In the prayer time that followed these men prayed with loud passion and great anguish on behalf of my dad. Even though I could not understand their words I knew exactly what they were praying when they started praying for him. It was so overwhelming I could hardly stand. One pastor afterward came to me and gave me 500 Rupees (about $11) on behalf of his church to go toward his treatment. These people who have so little are so willing to give everything of themselves. I saw generocity, compassion, and the love of Christ today like I've never seen before. I cannot wait for the moment that I can put that 500 Rupee bill in my dad's hands. I have a feeling it will be framed and kept in a very special place in his home as a reminder of the people around the world who prayed for him during this difficult time.
Please continue to pray for these dear pastors and their ministries. I met another pastor who I don't recall speaking to in detail last time who was displaced in the murder and rampage against Christians in Kandhamal last year. This AG pastor had to flee in the middle of the night with his family to Cuttack as they were after him trying to kill him. The mob destroyed his house and his church in the village. The conditions are still too dangerous for him to move back permanently. He goes periodically into the village to meet with people in their homes, but never stays overnight. We in America have no idea what it means to be truly persecuted for our faith. These guys are my heroes. I can only hope if I were tested as they have been that I would measure up to the great example they have set for us all.
Tomorrow we travel to Khurda to start the conference all over again with the next group of 50 or so pastors. If the seminar is as well received there as it was in Cuttack, we will have another terrific experience over the next three days.
Thank you all for your love and support, for being there for my family while I am gone, and especially for the prayers for my father. You can't imagine what they mean to us.
Blessings to you all,
Pastor Steve
What an awesome start to our time here in India teaching the concepts of healthy small groups to about 150 pastors in three cities! Today we started our tour of three day seminars in Cuttack, Orissa. The first thing we did is ask the attendees to tell us how the Purpose Driven principles we taught back in February had impacted their ministries. They had some unbelievable stories to share!
One pastor began implementing a feedback card for new guests. On the feedback card, instead of just inviting them for coffee, he invited them to have dinner at his house. He started doing this at his own expense. Through this process of sitting down with new guests over dinner, three people have accepted Christ! One church member has been so impacted by what these “dinner with the pastor” experiences are doing that he has donated the funds to help the pastor continue with this way of connecting to new people!
Another pastor oversees eight different churches. Most of these churches had a very hierarchical structure where members, deacons, committee members, etc. fought for control of the church. People who donated land for the church buildings felt they should have greater say in the direction of the church. Since PDC in February, this pastor has been able to break this structure and this spirit within five of the eight churches. As a result, these five churches have launched a total of 28 house churches!
Still another pastor talked about how he had 60 displaced families move into his area. These are extremely poor and often outcast people, in this case all Hindu. He used the principles of looking at your target and “understanding what fish you are trying to catch.” Since the children in these families have been unable to attend school, he has created an educational program to help keep these kids from falling too far behind. Because of his care for their children, it has given him an avenue into this community to share the gospel.
One pastor shared how he (like most people in India) was raised to look down on lower caste people, and had always done so even though he was a pastor. Since February, he has seen these people with new eyes, and has opened conversations with them, given them water when they were thirsty, and more. These things are very unusual in India across class lines. Recently circumstances have prevented this pastor from going into specific areas to evangelize. The lower class group he had opened himself up to found out about it and went into those areas on his behalf, bringing the people to him!
Another attendee from February is in charge of all of the medical students across three states. He is using the PDC materials as a leadership development curriculum for all of his trainees!
One more pastor began teaching the PDC principles to his church and they have begun to embrace them. Word spread and through connections to members he was asked to teach in a church over 400 kilometers away. He preached to them the principles of Purpose Driven. His teaching had such a profound impact that by the time he returned home the teaching was already spreading to other churches, and they were calling him to come back and teach them more!
The final story is one that is very cool to me personally. In February in this city there was one pastor who wanted to be fairly argumentative on certain points of our teaching. At one point I had to close the back and forth pretty firmly with an “agree to disagree” strategy then moved on. I could tell this brother was disturbed and so later in the day in the context of something else I was sharing a walked over to this pastor, placed my hands on his shoulders, and expressed how we can see things differently but yet still have love for one another as Christ taught.
On this trip when I arrived at the church I was to preach at Sunday night, guess who came out of the church to greet us? You guessed it! The argumentative pastor! I thought “oh boy, this is going to be interesting!” As it turns out his church is the largest church in Orissa with over 3,000 members! Everything appeared very cordial, and I was well received in his church. The next day as we opened the floor for people to share stories of implementing PDC over the last six months, this pastor was the first to jump up! I was shocked! Even more shocking was what he shared. He confessed to the group that he had been disagreeable and disruptive in the last seminar with me. Since that time he had read, researched, and prayed over what he had contended with me over. He admitted that I had been right, and he had been wrong. In had occasion to implement the very principle we disagreed on and it had worked exactly as I described. For this pastor of the most prestigious church in the state to do this in front of his peers was a major event. It was also a humbling one, as I had assumed the worst instead of keeping an open mind. God is so amazing!
Day One continued to go very well. The participants are eager and enthusiastic over what we are sharing with them. We programmed in a lot more group discussion time and two way interaction, which they seem to really be enjoying.
Tomorrow will be a long day as we have been invited to dine at one of the pastor’s homes after the conclusion of tomorrow’s seminar. I hope my stomach can handle what is served!
Stay tuned for more…
Pastor Steve
One pastor began implementing a feedback card for new guests. On the feedback card, instead of just inviting them for coffee, he invited them to have dinner at his house. He started doing this at his own expense. Through this process of sitting down with new guests over dinner, three people have accepted Christ! One church member has been so impacted by what these “dinner with the pastor” experiences are doing that he has donated the funds to help the pastor continue with this way of connecting to new people!
Another pastor oversees eight different churches. Most of these churches had a very hierarchical structure where members, deacons, committee members, etc. fought for control of the church. People who donated land for the church buildings felt they should have greater say in the direction of the church. Since PDC in February, this pastor has been able to break this structure and this spirit within five of the eight churches. As a result, these five churches have launched a total of 28 house churches!
Still another pastor talked about how he had 60 displaced families move into his area. These are extremely poor and often outcast people, in this case all Hindu. He used the principles of looking at your target and “understanding what fish you are trying to catch.” Since the children in these families have been unable to attend school, he has created an educational program to help keep these kids from falling too far behind. Because of his care for their children, it has given him an avenue into this community to share the gospel.
One pastor shared how he (like most people in India) was raised to look down on lower caste people, and had always done so even though he was a pastor. Since February, he has seen these people with new eyes, and has opened conversations with them, given them water when they were thirsty, and more. These things are very unusual in India across class lines. Recently circumstances have prevented this pastor from going into specific areas to evangelize. The lower class group he had opened himself up to found out about it and went into those areas on his behalf, bringing the people to him!
Another attendee from February is in charge of all of the medical students across three states. He is using the PDC materials as a leadership development curriculum for all of his trainees!
One more pastor began teaching the PDC principles to his church and they have begun to embrace them. Word spread and through connections to members he was asked to teach in a church over 400 kilometers away. He preached to them the principles of Purpose Driven. His teaching had such a profound impact that by the time he returned home the teaching was already spreading to other churches, and they were calling him to come back and teach them more!
The final story is one that is very cool to me personally. In February in this city there was one pastor who wanted to be fairly argumentative on certain points of our teaching. At one point I had to close the back and forth pretty firmly with an “agree to disagree” strategy then moved on. I could tell this brother was disturbed and so later in the day in the context of something else I was sharing a walked over to this pastor, placed my hands on his shoulders, and expressed how we can see things differently but yet still have love for one another as Christ taught.
On this trip when I arrived at the church I was to preach at Sunday night, guess who came out of the church to greet us? You guessed it! The argumentative pastor! I thought “oh boy, this is going to be interesting!” As it turns out his church is the largest church in Orissa with over 3,000 members! Everything appeared very cordial, and I was well received in his church. The next day as we opened the floor for people to share stories of implementing PDC over the last six months, this pastor was the first to jump up! I was shocked! Even more shocking was what he shared. He confessed to the group that he had been disagreeable and disruptive in the last seminar with me. Since that time he had read, researched, and prayed over what he had contended with me over. He admitted that I had been right, and he had been wrong. In had occasion to implement the very principle we disagreed on and it had worked exactly as I described. For this pastor of the most prestigious church in the state to do this in front of his peers was a major event. It was also a humbling one, as I had assumed the worst instead of keeping an open mind. God is so amazing!
Day One continued to go very well. The participants are eager and enthusiastic over what we are sharing with them. We programmed in a lot more group discussion time and two way interaction, which they seem to really be enjoying.
Tomorrow will be a long day as we have been invited to dine at one of the pastor’s homes after the conclusion of tomorrow’s seminar. I hope my stomach can handle what is served!
Stay tuned for more…
Pastor Steve
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
This is going to be a different kind of post for me. I'll be honest, it's been a tough week. This weekend we drove eight hours to Boiling Springs, NC to take our oldest daughter for her first year at Gardner-Webb University. It's an exciting time for her, and for the weeks leading up to the time to make the journey I've been the one constantly staying positive and reminding the rest of the family that this is a good thing... she's ready. I look at where she is in her life and compare it to this verse in Proverbs. We've done some things right, a lot of things wrong, but in the end she is a wonderful young woman of God who is going to do great things for the kingdom of God. Hopefully she's seen enough of my mistakes to learn from them and not repeat them... at least not the worst ones. Everything in my head is saying this should be a great time of celebration. But, now that it's done, my heart's just not buying it. I found myself coming down the stairs this morning looking out the front door to the driveway for her car, just to make sure she had made it home OK last night, but it wasn't there. Truth is it's never going to be there again, not in the same way it used to be. That's when it hit me. And to be honest, I can't say that I'm handling it too well!
Maybe part of it is realizing just how much of my life is behind me and how precious every moment is that I have left. God has me here for a reason, to connect to people and point them to Christ. Everything else is secondary. How many things do I do everyday that will never matter in the great picture? How much time do I spend wrapped up in my own emotional quadmire, my own pit of worry and anxiety, focused on myself and not on the endless opportunities God presents to me everyday to connect to other people? It's easy to fall into that trap, isn't it? It happens to me... maybe it happens to you too.
In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul is talking to the church there about the freedom we have in Christ, not being bound by the law but having amazing freedom to live life to the fullest. Then he cautions them not to abuse that freedom, that even though something might be technically OK, if it causes another person to stumble. In that context he instructs them that "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." That applies to all of us, to every situation. It's not about us. It's not about what we get to do, or don't get to do. It's not about our own emotions and whether we are happy or not. All that matters is whether or not I am doing what God wants me to do. Right here. Right now. And if I'm not... how tragic...
This week God is giving me another opportunity to minister to the brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Orissa India. I pray that I may empty myself of "me" and give it all for these kind and caring people. May God use me and my friend Arnold as we communicate all that God is sending us to say. May we renew relationships and just love on these guys like crazy. And may God heal this hurting heart of mine and know that my little girl is going to be OK... and that her dad will be too...
Shalom my friends...
Steve
This is going to be a different kind of post for me. I'll be honest, it's been a tough week. This weekend we drove eight hours to Boiling Springs, NC to take our oldest daughter for her first year at Gardner-Webb University. It's an exciting time for her, and for the weeks leading up to the time to make the journey I've been the one constantly staying positive and reminding the rest of the family that this is a good thing... she's ready. I look at where she is in her life and compare it to this verse in Proverbs. We've done some things right, a lot of things wrong, but in the end she is a wonderful young woman of God who is going to do great things for the kingdom of God. Hopefully she's seen enough of my mistakes to learn from them and not repeat them... at least not the worst ones. Everything in my head is saying this should be a great time of celebration. But, now that it's done, my heart's just not buying it. I found myself coming down the stairs this morning looking out the front door to the driveway for her car, just to make sure she had made it home OK last night, but it wasn't there. Truth is it's never going to be there again, not in the same way it used to be. That's when it hit me. And to be honest, I can't say that I'm handling it too well!
Maybe part of it is realizing just how much of my life is behind me and how precious every moment is that I have left. God has me here for a reason, to connect to people and point them to Christ. Everything else is secondary. How many things do I do everyday that will never matter in the great picture? How much time do I spend wrapped up in my own emotional quadmire, my own pit of worry and anxiety, focused on myself and not on the endless opportunities God presents to me everyday to connect to other people? It's easy to fall into that trap, isn't it? It happens to me... maybe it happens to you too.
In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul is talking to the church there about the freedom we have in Christ, not being bound by the law but having amazing freedom to live life to the fullest. Then he cautions them not to abuse that freedom, that even though something might be technically OK, if it causes another person to stumble. In that context he instructs them that "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." That applies to all of us, to every situation. It's not about us. It's not about what we get to do, or don't get to do. It's not about our own emotions and whether we are happy or not. All that matters is whether or not I am doing what God wants me to do. Right here. Right now. And if I'm not... how tragic...
This week God is giving me another opportunity to minister to the brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Orissa India. I pray that I may empty myself of "me" and give it all for these kind and caring people. May God use me and my friend Arnold as we communicate all that God is sending us to say. May we renew relationships and just love on these guys like crazy. And may God heal this hurting heart of mine and know that my little girl is going to be OK... and that her dad will be too...
Shalom my friends...
Steve
Scripture
Psalms 16:1-11 (NIV) 1 Keep of me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." 3 As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. 5 Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Observation
Very rarely (if ever) do I select an entire chapter to focus in on during my journaling time. Today is one of those rare instances where I had no choice. This psalm of David is so powerful and appropriate to where I am in my life right now that I had to list it all!
It is so easy to view the world through our own lens instead of God's. Life is full of trials and difficulties, and when we focus in on them they can become overwhelming. This psalm helps provide some perspective. David begins by expressing the main thing that was on his mind... "keep me safe God... my only safe place is in you!" He acknowledges immediately that the only "safe" place in the world is to be right where God wants you. In fact, he goes on to say that if he is anywhere else, things go bad really quick. Those who try to find that safety and peace in other Gods will discover that they have chosen poorly. David then makes a statement of acceptance to God's will... that He has determined his circumstances. He acknowledges that wherever God has placed him is good. Staying in the center of God's will is a constant process that requires listening to His voice continuously... even in the night as we are entering sleep and first waking up our minds should be seeking out His voice and listening to what He has to say. Because we have that constant moment by moment walk with God, we should not let the cares and the circumstances we encounter get us down or shake our faith. We can rest peacefully in the joy of knowing God is in complete control and works all things together for our good. Even when death is the next turn in our path, we do not have to worry about being abandoned by God in that moment, for He will be with us every step of the way. What a life! God speaks to us and gives us the gift that brings us into a restored relationship with Him, He fills our lives with joy when we walk in Him each day, and then what He has in store for us in the next life is beyond our wildest imaginations!!
Application
This psalm really spoke to me this morning! It is exactly what I needed and what I'm feeling. When I look at our circumstances through human eyes, it's easy to get discouraged, dejected, and even paniced. Whether it's the changing family dynamics of taking our first child to college, financial stress, uncertainty over the future,.. when I focus on these things it can become overwhelming. How awesome is it that for times like these God gave us these psalms, so I will know that I am not the only one who has ever felt this way! Not only that, but this helps keep my mind and my heart focused in the right direction. My "safety" and security come from being exactly where God wants me, following Him every step, every day. Everything works for good when that's where I am... it is only when I start following my own path that things go south. What God has for me on the road ahead is HIS design, it is HIS plan, and whatever it is I can take joy and peace from it knowing that He has the very best plan for my life! As long as I stay focused on this perspective, the circumstances I face should not worry me. My response is to praise Him and worship Him with that confidence... focusing on Him and not on the situations that swirl around me. I praise Him for saving me, for giving me this amazing adventure of a life, and for what He has prepared for me when my time on this stage is done!
Even verse 3 and 4 are like a special note stuck in this psalm just for me... because it reminds me of the awesome experience I will have in a week traveling back to India to meet with and serve the pastors in Orissa. THEY are my heros, and it really will be a delight to be reunited with them. They do live in a land where everyone runs after other Gods... the many Gods of Hinduism. How appropriate to have this verse in today's reading!
All that stuff in my life that stresses me out just doesn't seem like such a big deal any more...!
Prayer
Thank you Father for putting something like this in your love letter to us, knowing that there would be times that I would need to hear these words to remind me it's never as bad as it seems, as long as I stay centered on you and follow your path! Help me to do that and to never stray. Remind me when I get too focused on the problems to look up and focus on You instead! You're the best Papa!!
Psalms 16:1-11 (NIV) 1 Keep of me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." 3 As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. 5 Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Observation
Very rarely (if ever) do I select an entire chapter to focus in on during my journaling time. Today is one of those rare instances where I had no choice. This psalm of David is so powerful and appropriate to where I am in my life right now that I had to list it all!
It is so easy to view the world through our own lens instead of God's. Life is full of trials and difficulties, and when we focus in on them they can become overwhelming. This psalm helps provide some perspective. David begins by expressing the main thing that was on his mind... "keep me safe God... my only safe place is in you!" He acknowledges immediately that the only "safe" place in the world is to be right where God wants you. In fact, he goes on to say that if he is anywhere else, things go bad really quick. Those who try to find that safety and peace in other Gods will discover that they have chosen poorly. David then makes a statement of acceptance to God's will... that He has determined his circumstances. He acknowledges that wherever God has placed him is good. Staying in the center of God's will is a constant process that requires listening to His voice continuously... even in the night as we are entering sleep and first waking up our minds should be seeking out His voice and listening to what He has to say. Because we have that constant moment by moment walk with God, we should not let the cares and the circumstances we encounter get us down or shake our faith. We can rest peacefully in the joy of knowing God is in complete control and works all things together for our good. Even when death is the next turn in our path, we do not have to worry about being abandoned by God in that moment, for He will be with us every step of the way. What a life! God speaks to us and gives us the gift that brings us into a restored relationship with Him, He fills our lives with joy when we walk in Him each day, and then what He has in store for us in the next life is beyond our wildest imaginations!!
Application
This psalm really spoke to me this morning! It is exactly what I needed and what I'm feeling. When I look at our circumstances through human eyes, it's easy to get discouraged, dejected, and even paniced. Whether it's the changing family dynamics of taking our first child to college, financial stress, uncertainty over the future,.. when I focus on these things it can become overwhelming. How awesome is it that for times like these God gave us these psalms, so I will know that I am not the only one who has ever felt this way! Not only that, but this helps keep my mind and my heart focused in the right direction. My "safety" and security come from being exactly where God wants me, following Him every step, every day. Everything works for good when that's where I am... it is only when I start following my own path that things go south. What God has for me on the road ahead is HIS design, it is HIS plan, and whatever it is I can take joy and peace from it knowing that He has the very best plan for my life! As long as I stay focused on this perspective, the circumstances I face should not worry me. My response is to praise Him and worship Him with that confidence... focusing on Him and not on the situations that swirl around me. I praise Him for saving me, for giving me this amazing adventure of a life, and for what He has prepared for me when my time on this stage is done!
Even verse 3 and 4 are like a special note stuck in this psalm just for me... because it reminds me of the awesome experience I will have in a week traveling back to India to meet with and serve the pastors in Orissa. THEY are my heros, and it really will be a delight to be reunited with them. They do live in a land where everyone runs after other Gods... the many Gods of Hinduism. How appropriate to have this verse in today's reading!
All that stuff in my life that stresses me out just doesn't seem like such a big deal any more...!
Prayer
Thank you Father for putting something like this in your love letter to us, knowing that there would be times that I would need to hear these words to remind me it's never as bad as it seems, as long as I stay centered on you and follow your path! Help me to do that and to never stray. Remind me when I get too focused on the problems to look up and focus on You instead! You're the best Papa!!
Scripture
1 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise.
Observation
It has been interesting studying the history of the church for the past 14 weeks, starting with the age of the apostles all the way to present times. As we've looked at the evolution of theology through the centuries, it has been facinating to see how the church through the years has been constantly influenced by the prevailing secular wisdom of the day. For example when the teachings of Plato and Aristotle were all the rage, you find major movements in the church to adapt theology to incorporate the ideals of these philosophers, and place rational thought over the mystery of God. The pattern is repeated over and over again. Fast forward to the Age of Enlightenment when advancements in science lead man to believe he's got the universe all figured out, and can leave the age of barbarism behind. Once again that leads to Deism and Protestant liberalism under the teachings of Kant and others. Today we are no different than any previous age. We think in our time mankind has finally arrived. We have mastered our universe. We can harness the atom, send a man to the moon, decypher the genetic code, and even clone sheep.
The same pattern from history continues to affect our churches today. We still take the standards of this age and try to apply them to the church. Take church polity as an example. Any red blooded American knows that if democracy is good for America it's good for our churches too, right? Majority rule is scriptural after all, isn't it? Not exactly. While it feels right as an American for every member to have a voice in every decision of the church, the glimpses we have from scripture of the early church don't seem to bear that out. The vast majority of references indicate that the early church was led by a plurality of leaders who met high standards of spiritual maturity oulined in 1 Timothy and in Titus. On top of that, all of the examples we have in scripture of the "the crowd" indicate that the majority usually get it wrong. Remember it was "the majority" who were laying palms at Jesus' feet then a week later yelling "Crucify Him!." Sounds like a business meeting...
There are many other examples where we take what seems right in our own eyes and the eyes of the culture at the time and we attempt to mold Biblical truth to support our own lifestyle. The foundations of Christian belief in this country have crumbled so severely, that indeed if one lives by Christ's standards, the majority will consider you a fool. Look at Miss California who had the audacity to share her belief in God's standard regarding gay marriage. She was absolutely destroyed in the media and eventually lost her crown. Actors and actresses who openly declare their faith are regularly blackballed in Hollywood. Mike Huckabee, who may have been one of the most intelligent and articulate candidates in the last election was deliberately ridiculed and made to look like a fool for having the nerve to speak publicly about his faith as a guide for daily living.
When you look at it that way, if the world is calling us "wise," that should cause ice water to run through our veins. If when they look at us they say, 'there go those crazy Christians again.... living generously, helping others, talking about Jesus all the time, staying in faithful man/woman marriages, always showing love for each other... what a bunch of nuts!".... then maybe we're getting it right.
Application
When my neighbors see me, do they see a "crazy Christian" or do I just blend into the crowd? Does my life cause anyone to say "he's nuts?" That's what they said about Jesus. That's what they said about his followers. If they are not saying that about me, then something's wrong. I'm blending into my culture too much. I may seem wise and reasoned in the world's eyes, but that's not God's expectation, and it's not the example Jesus set. Today I'm going to look for opportunities to completely confound the world and "live out loud" in a way that unquestionably points to Christ!
Prayer
Father help me to be one of those "crazy Christians" and be bold for you... living your way and not the way of the world!
1 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise.
Observation
It has been interesting studying the history of the church for the past 14 weeks, starting with the age of the apostles all the way to present times. As we've looked at the evolution of theology through the centuries, it has been facinating to see how the church through the years has been constantly influenced by the prevailing secular wisdom of the day. For example when the teachings of Plato and Aristotle were all the rage, you find major movements in the church to adapt theology to incorporate the ideals of these philosophers, and place rational thought over the mystery of God. The pattern is repeated over and over again. Fast forward to the Age of Enlightenment when advancements in science lead man to believe he's got the universe all figured out, and can leave the age of barbarism behind. Once again that leads to Deism and Protestant liberalism under the teachings of Kant and others. Today we are no different than any previous age. We think in our time mankind has finally arrived. We have mastered our universe. We can harness the atom, send a man to the moon, decypher the genetic code, and even clone sheep.
The same pattern from history continues to affect our churches today. We still take the standards of this age and try to apply them to the church. Take church polity as an example. Any red blooded American knows that if democracy is good for America it's good for our churches too, right? Majority rule is scriptural after all, isn't it? Not exactly. While it feels right as an American for every member to have a voice in every decision of the church, the glimpses we have from scripture of the early church don't seem to bear that out. The vast majority of references indicate that the early church was led by a plurality of leaders who met high standards of spiritual maturity oulined in 1 Timothy and in Titus. On top of that, all of the examples we have in scripture of the "the crowd" indicate that the majority usually get it wrong. Remember it was "the majority" who were laying palms at Jesus' feet then a week later yelling "Crucify Him!." Sounds like a business meeting...
There are many other examples where we take what seems right in our own eyes and the eyes of the culture at the time and we attempt to mold Biblical truth to support our own lifestyle. The foundations of Christian belief in this country have crumbled so severely, that indeed if one lives by Christ's standards, the majority will consider you a fool. Look at Miss California who had the audacity to share her belief in God's standard regarding gay marriage. She was absolutely destroyed in the media and eventually lost her crown. Actors and actresses who openly declare their faith are regularly blackballed in Hollywood. Mike Huckabee, who may have been one of the most intelligent and articulate candidates in the last election was deliberately ridiculed and made to look like a fool for having the nerve to speak publicly about his faith as a guide for daily living.
When you look at it that way, if the world is calling us "wise," that should cause ice water to run through our veins. If when they look at us they say, 'there go those crazy Christians again.... living generously, helping others, talking about Jesus all the time, staying in faithful man/woman marriages, always showing love for each other... what a bunch of nuts!".... then maybe we're getting it right.
Application
When my neighbors see me, do they see a "crazy Christian" or do I just blend into the crowd? Does my life cause anyone to say "he's nuts?" That's what they said about Jesus. That's what they said about his followers. If they are not saying that about me, then something's wrong. I'm blending into my culture too much. I may seem wise and reasoned in the world's eyes, but that's not God's expectation, and it's not the example Jesus set. Today I'm going to look for opportunities to completely confound the world and "live out loud" in a way that unquestionably points to Christ!
Prayer
Father help me to be one of those "crazy Christians" and be bold for you... living your way and not the way of the world!
What an amazing experience we had with our team in the Dominican Republic! It seems hard to believe that tomorrow we will have been back a week already. I so many ways my mind and my heart are still there!
I can’t say enough about our team. It was my 9th mission trip, and the first one that was completely without any drama or conflict of any kind. All week the team had a sweet spirit of unity and Christlike love not only for the people of the DR but for each other as well. They also had a great work ethic. Our team was small, but we worked intensely hard on the construction that was assigned to us the first three days. We did so well that the local foremen left us by ourselves to work on days 2 and 3, something that our guides said almost never happens! Even on Sunday afternoon when our team could have opted for a recreational activity, they asked instead to be able to visit two more communities where G.O. sponsored pastors are working.
I was especially impressed with the young people we had on the trip. Even though it was not part of the mission profile, in the evenings when the “more mature” group of us was exhausted and ready to crash, they went out into the streets next to our quarters and made connections with some teens that were hanging out on the street corners. They really made an impact, and three of them came to church with us on Sunday at the request of our group. Even when violence between the locals broke out and some of our team was caught in the middle of it, they were not deterred to go back the next day and continue reaching out to these locals. It was amazing to watch and be a part of. I couldn’t be more proud!
For three days we mixed concrete and splattered it all over the walls of two houses that were under construction. The technique has a Spanish name that sounded to us like “frog watching,”, so that’s what we called it all week! It’s a lot harder than it looked watching the locals do it. But, our team persevered and learned how to do it. It was really cool to see how each person had their own niche in the process… some were really good at the lower walls, some at the upper… some could mix concrete really well while others made sure those who really got the technique down were constantly resupplied with buckets of concrete and water to drink. Our team was small, but mighty in spirit and in output!
Two of our team members pulled special duty in addition to construction. One member who is an RN worked in the clinic for two days. Another who works as a hair stylist taught a hair cutting and styling class to the local mothers. She also did coloring and hair styles for some of the local G.O. staff who were extremely appreciative, as such things are not readily available in Santiago!
We also had the opportunity to visit one of the areas near an old dumping ground where G.O. has partnered with a local pastor and helped build a church/nutrition center. The team helped feed about 60 children their one meal for the day. They eat one decent meal six days a week. The thing they seemed to crave more than the food was the love and attention from our team. Our folks did not disappoint them, as many spent time in one or more team members’ arms during the visit.
On Saturday the team presented a two hour mini “VBS”, first at a small village up in the mountains, and then again back in Santiago at our host church. Once again, the different skills of each team member came together, and everyone played a part. Some sang, some did motions (a few extremely talented ones did both at the same time), some read scripture, and others did interactive teaching with the kids. Everyone connected with the kids during art time. Our guide said she had seen 7 or 8 teams do VBS this summer, and ours was definitely the best in terms of preparation, execution, and the variety of things we did with the kids.
Sunday we joined our local hosts for worship in two different churches. I had the privilege of teaching the message at both services. God used my testimony to reach several people who came up to me afterwards to share their own stories. I’m continuing to work on helping one family who is in a crisis that directly relates to my own experience. I hope God can give me some wisdom to share with them and some intel on local resources in country where they can get professional help.
Monday was a day at the beach… an opportunity for the team to relax and unwind before the trip back. It was a much needed and well deserved reward for an amazing job well done.
Thanks to everyone who supported us through prayer, finances, and other means. We could not have done this without you. We were the ones physically there, but it was a success for the entire Emmanuel family and for the kingdom. Hopefully we can take many more next year! Stay tuned!
If you want to see some photos from our trip, check out the album on my Facebook page at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/stevemayner?ref=profile&__a=1#/album.php?aid=95880&id=504224269.
Pastor Steve
