Cut to the Chase

The far side of the sea

The Arabian Peninsula has proven to be an amazing place, both confirming and destroying some of the stereotypes that were in my head before my travel here.  The place I am visiting has opportunities that must be quite unique in this area.  There is an openness to good news here unlike anything I expected.  Fellowships of believers from all over the world meet here.  Of course, there is a mosque on every corner.  Ironically, this place seems to have a much more devout population that Sumatra did, and at the same time, a people who are more open to discussion than the folks I interacted with in Indonesia.  I have had many meetings that have gone well, and for those of you familiar with it, I will be participating in an EWI course tonight.  There are workers here from the world, as well as Expats who are believers who work all around the area.  Yesterday I took about 2 hours to walk in the city, asking the Father to shine light here.  As I walked I took some photos of buildings, different sights in the area, and tried to interact with the people.  One guy in particular wanted his photo taken.  He is an Imam from Egypt.  I was happy to oblige and to show him the shot.  We had a good conversation concerning some of the different things we believe.  The photo below is of the back door of the mosque where he serves.  Prayer time was approaching for him as we ended our conversation.  Little did he know it was continuing for me.  One of the things I thanked God for is that He is with me and mine even when I am on the far side of the sea.  I look forward to sharing more details soon.  Keep my family and team in your prayers. 

 

A Man of God

God always knows what we need- He knows everything.  His provision in every area is always perfect, whether we know it or not.  I needed reminders of this as evening approached, as well as to be reminded of other truth.  Enter Anatoly and Galena. Anatoly is the president of Kiev Theological Seminary in the Ukraine.  Laura and I had the privilege of eating with him, his wife Galena, and their daughter Natalia tonight in the home of some kind friends from our Church.

Anatoly told us the story of his grandfather, who died in a concentration camp for his faith.  Then he spoke of his father, who spent no less than 7 years in Stalin's gulags because he would not stop preaching.  Stalin is of course dead.  Anatoly's father is 82.  Finally he shared the incredible story of many interrogations he faced himself prior to the fall of communism, and how God has blessed him and Galena as he leads this seminary that has planted over 100 Churches and graduated over 300 students in the last 12 years. 

He was careful to say of the suffering, "This is not heroic, this is just trusting God and Him working in His people."  He also said, "We do not need to look for persecution, the Bible tels us if we are faithful to the Word we will suffer persecution, if we desire to live a godly life in Jesus, it will come."

Working with missionaries, I need to hear reminders like this all the time.  It is such a blessing to hear one from a man who has suffered for the Gospel. 

God knows what we need before we ask.  Thankful for a faithful Father tonight!

Why God displays His glory

God displays His glory in all the nations, that He might receive glory from all the nations.

Global Warming

Al Gore's take on Global warming ...->   B)

I Love College Students

Laura and I have a group of them we meet with regularly who are very dear to us.  There is a freedom and potential in their lives for the Kingdom that thrills us when we think about it.  This morning I get the privilege of speaking ot UMHB students in Friday chapel around 11 AM.  I am really looking forward to the opportunity to speak of the King.  Please pray for me and for them that King Jesus will impact our year.

Wisdom so good it's Proverbial

"He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."  28:13

ASKING THE WRONG QUESTIONS

I recently read a book in preparation to share with some college students Laura and I spend time with on  a weekly basis.  One of the challenges in the book was for the students to change some of the questions they ask.  For instance, a typical question a student might have as they enter college is, "Will I find the right guy/girl here?".  When instead perhaps they should ask, "Will I become the right person here?".  How much time is spent in personal frustration, or misrepresentation of the King, simply because we do not have the mindset to ask the right questions?

Typically we enter relationships with some sort of need.  A good exercise to begin the new year would be to enter relationships in order to serve.  "What can I give to this relationship?" might be a great thing to ask at the office, in community settings, and of course at home.  Are there questions you might need to ask yourself this week?  "How can I serve here?  How can I make life better here?  How can I be a benefit to a friend?  An enemy?" 

Just asking.

Headed out

One of the college students Laura and I have been sharing with over the last 18 months will leave for a semester in South Africa tomorrow.  God has been preparing her for this trip for several years through some circumstances she has loved and others she would not have planned.  Not only will she lay aside time with friends the excitement of a Spring semester, but also there is the commitment of time, a semester and several credit hours she is giving up to do this.  This offering to the Lord accomplishes to of His purposes and 2 of hers, to honor Jesus and fill her with joy.  We are so encouraged and praying as she steps out in this endeavor.  Please pray for Rachel, that she will know more of loving God and people through her journey of Spring 09.

Unpacking Deuteronomy 17

I read the last portion of the chapter again this morning and really feel like it is worth unpacking.  Great words for Israel, and for believers today.  I have read that just about every POTUS reads the Bible, believer or not- what great wisdom there is here for leaders of any kind.  This portion comes in the middle of a sermon Moses is delivering to Israel just before they prepare to enter Canaan.    This is at least 200 years before they will ask for a King, but in verses 14 and 15 God gives instructions on what to do when they want a king.  They will be allowed to set a king before them, but he must be a king God will choose..  He must be an Israelite, and not a foreigner, one from among their brothers.

The next section is very interesting to me.  in verses 16 and 17 the instructions include, not gathering too many horses and not returning to Egypt (never go back to the place of slavery).  Then the Lord directs them that the king shall not have too many wives for himself, or amass excessive silver and gold.  The wisest king in Israel, Solomon, had a downfall- he was also the guy who amassed many wives and much wealth.  It doesn't matter how brilliant a guy is, if he cannot follow simple instructions, he is headed for a downfall.

The last instruction I find to be the best, and the most intriguing.  The king is to write a copy of the book of the law approved by the Levitical priests.  Depending on which scholar you ask, the king would be required to write a copy of Deuteronomy 12-28 ant the smallest.  Perhaps though, it was a copy of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  It would have been meticulous.  The greatest attention to detail would be required for approval.  Then the king would read some of it every day.  Why, for meekness, not setting his heart above his brothers- and for humility, to remember God is above him and is worthy of loving obedience. 

So with all the leadership books in the world, 5 or 6 of them really good books, the best instructions for the King, and I believe for any leader today is to read the Scripture and walk in it, in meekness and humility.  Good words for me to hear without a doubt.

Money

"It's like manure.  You pile it up and leave it sitting, it can really cause a stench; it can become problematic for you and others.  Spread it around in the right places, and it can do really good things."   -Unknown