God Don't Make Junk!

When you look in the mirror, who do you see?

Just What Is Surrender?

After this past week I’ve had to remind myself what it means to surrender my life to Jesus Christ. Seems really silly that a bad experience with an internet provider would spark this, but a key element of surrendering to Christ is that when I want to satisfy the desires of my flesh…by yelling or being short with someone who is giving me the run-around (and who honestly deserves it)…when I want to satisfy the desires of my flesh I must remember I am not in control, but rather Master Jesus is. And Master Jesus tells me to love my neighbor as myself (Mark 12:31, echoing Leviticus 19:18)…whether he/she deserves it or not! Now I emphasize Master Jesus, because that is what happens when one surrenders to another, they become our master. And in essence, though there is all kinds of baggage with the terminology, we become slaves to the one we have surrendered to. So in all things I must ask the question what is it my Master wants, rather than, “What is it my flesh wants me to do?” Perhaps it’s the terminology that makes people hesitant to surrender; rather I think too many of us wants to fulfill the desires of our flesh. Others think we deserve to have our desires satisfied, still others think that when Jesus said he came so that we might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10) it means we are satisfied instead of Him…what a tragic thought!

One Devil of a Week!

The enemy has plagued me this past week. In fact, my sin nature had gotten the better of me several times while I have been arguing…rather discussing…with an internet provider why their service is pathetic. I am really trying to be nice and want to resolve the issues…which is why I haven’t posted for nearly a week…but I will confess I lost focus on the Main Thing a time or two. I realized my shortcomings and even apologized to a technician, but God further convicted me as I read my previous blog! Satan had effectively distracted me and very nearly beaten me because I was not abiding in the Presence. My daily acts of worship were reduced to a meager prayer time, which in itself was riddled with distractions. Praise God I re-read my blog (which I rarely do)! Now, I must tell you my internet service continues to be pathetic…the issues remain for the time being, BUT God still sits on the throne and is worthy of my praise (if anyone wondered) and satan has fled (at least for the time). Remember, the enemy uses whatever cracks he can find in our armor and it’s there he attacks us. I’ve heard it said that satan only attacks those who oppose him. I guess some might find comfort in that statement, but it remind me that the father of all lies prowls this earth like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (I Peter 5:8). So Peter’s counsel is timely, “stand firm in the faith.” I think he was speaking to me!

The Power of Worship is the Presence

“The Presence (of God) is so powerful and so holy that idols can not stand anywhere near (1 Samuel 5). In his Presence, evil is exposed. Lies are uncovered. The enemy flees. This is what happens when we welcome his Presence through worship—we don’t have to fight because the very authority of God’s proximity is enough to reduce strongholds to rubble. Worship is our best weapon against carnal belief systems and controlling mindsets” (from "Divine Strongholds" by Terry Teykl, pg. 214).

What profound words! Worship, at least when the Spirit of God is in attendance, will destroy idols…not only Dagon, but also the mighty dollar, self-centeredness, pride, etc. Worship will cause the enemy to flee! This is not limited to corporate worship alone, but private worship can also do this because of the power of God’s presence. Never underestimate the power of God, nor trifle your time away when you could be worshipping God. As someone who used to spend most of my time driving, and still spend a fair amount of time behind the wheel, I can attest there is no better thing to do while driving than to worship God. His presence is just as real in my car as in a church building, just as powerful, just as convicting. Want to know the secret to defeating satan? Worship! It is simply defined as: “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Divine Strongholds

I have recently read and re-read the book, Divine Strongholds by Terry Teykl. Wow! He defines a stronghold as, a belief system—a pattern of thinking, attitudes and expectations—that influences behavior and invites spiritual domination. Strongholds are everywhere in the Church…you know, the “we’ve always done it that way” thinking. Terry further defines a divine stronghold as, a state of total surrender to the mind of Christ in which he is the Most High God, and everything bows to the knowledge and experience of his Presence. I have preached for quite some time about our unwillingness to surrender totally to God…well Terry has done an excellent job of looking at it with the question of “What if we were? What might the Church…our church…look like if there were a Divine stronghold present in the church?" I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone or everyone. A relatively easy read, I predict it will cause everyone who reads it carefully to re-evaluate both their prayer life and their commitment to Christ. Also, I be happy to lend you my copy…when I get it back.

PS. I am still struggling with uploading the clips...but still trying!

Praying for Japan

The events of the past week in Japan weigh heavy on my heart. Not because of any one or two people I know there, but because of all the people there. Let’s face it, if we (US) had sustained a major earthquake, a tsunami, and a nuclear catastrophe in the making, all in one region, we would be beside ourselves. I know watching the news can really make one feel helpless, and while something inside me wants to help (physically), I know at this point I would likely be in the way. Does that mean I have nothing to offer Japan today? Absolutely not! I can pray. I can easily summon the Creator of the universe, making my heart known to Him, lifting up this hurting creation. Now, that sounds ludicrous if you believe that in these events God passed judgment on Japan for some social sin, or if you think that God is powerless to respond to such events. However, I happen to think our God is Creator (and in that respect alone caused the earthquake, not out of judgment) and fully able to respond to the prayers of His people and even use these disasters to point unbelievers toward Jesus…so I am praying: praying that we soon hear stories of miraculous rescues; praying of God’s provision during this hard time; praying that people by the thousands turn to Him because they have no where else to turn. And I am praying for God’s grace, because that is what the people really need in this time of trial. Paul said it so well in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” I pray Japan will learn to boast of Christ's power.

I Saw Jesus

While in Haiti I saw Jesus. Betty is a woman, I am guessing in her 40’s (though I am poor judge of age) who for all practical purposes lived at the compound. She was there shortly after 4am and was already working when I was seeking that first cup of coffee each morning. Several days about 5am I noticed she had already filled the solar showers our group used at the well and had placed them on a concrete slab for the sun to warm. She and another woman spent the greater part of a day washing our laundry by hand and hanging it on cactus and trees to dry in the sunshine. Betty even, when it seemed she had nothing else to do, worked along side us carrying rock and rubble as we readied the site for the building of a church building. She sang in the church choir, she worked with Pastor Jacob, and I suspect she would at least attempt to do anything she was asked to do. All of that is rather remarkable and she truly was a servant, but the thing I remember about Betty was her smile. In the midst of tasks that caused me to grimace, she smiled a smile that told me Jesus was near. In Matthew 9:35 Jesus tells us, “…if you want to be first, you must be last, the servant of all.” I am confident when I get to heaven there will be a spot reserved for Betty at Jesus feet. Here’s a picture of Betty doing our laundry one day…she never wanted her picture taken close up, so this is the best I could do, but know that while she might look like another Haitian to you, she looks like Jesus to me...and I can guarantee you she is smiling!

Back Online!

Aggggg! I have faced all sorts of obstacles this past week…the greatest of which has been computer & internet issues, but I think I am back on track, or very close. Posting should be regular now that things have settled down and I can get online again. I am still working on two videos I took in Haiti and hope to get them downloaded soon for your viewing pleasure. First though, I would ask that you continue to pray for Japan, all of Japan, but specifically for our “Japanese daughters” & their families. We have heard from one, but no word yet from Hiromi. Here are three pictures from our trip…first one to prove I was at the Methodist Church of Mellier, Haiti (for those who are unbelievers!), secondly, to show I worked harder than I have for quite some time while I was there, cause I know some called it vacation (even harder to believe was that Matt Henson worked too!!) and finally to show you I am still a magnet for the girls! More to come soon…technology permitting!

Back from Haiti

So I am finally back…and I survived the last two weeks. Haiti was a tremendous experience. God home Wednesday night late, then moved into new parsonage on Thursday. Basement flooded on Saturday (flooded is too strong of a word…inch or so of water) while I was at a workshop in Normal. Jill said it well, “Praise God for the Beulah men!” Had a routine doctor’s appointment on Tuesday, which resulted in an x-ray, which resulted in an unexpected steroid shot to my left shoulder this morning…but I have survived. Now tomorrow I ask for your prayers as Jill & I attend a hearing at Jefferson County on McKayla’s adoption. We pray that God’s will is done…but in God’s timing, not in the timing of the State of Illinois! Now, back to Haiti. I saw improvements over the last year, but there is so much more rebuilding to do. If you are familiar with the struggle there, even before the earthquake, you know it is an uphill battle. The one thing I came away with was the hope that so many of the people I met possess. They are a humble, joyful people, even in the face of this extreme adversity. I was moved several times by the genuine thankfulness so many expressed at our team’s meager efforts to help them. I am trying to post a video of some of the work we did while at the Methodist Church in Mellier, Haiti. While there we worked on the church foundation, on a bathroom/shower, and cleared some for the school building that will be constructed there, however I have yet to get it to download...I'll keep trying.