Words by the Wayside

Light

2009-11-14T21:32:00.001-06:00

"I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth"
Isaiah 49:6

"On Mission, Changing the World, and Not Being Able to Do It All"

2009-10-19T21:38:00.003-05:00

I just stumbled across a great blog post by Kevin DeYoung. He writes:

"The Bible is a big book and there’s a lot in there. So the Bible says a lot about the poor, about marriage, about children, about evangelism, about missions, about justice; it says a lot about a lot. Almost anyone can make a case that their thing should be the main thing or at least one of the most important things. But what often happens in churches (or church movements) is that the person with the “thing” thinks everyone else should devote their lives to the “thing” too. So churches squabble over limited resources, and people feel an abiding sense of guilt over not caring enough or doing enough about the ten other things that other people in the church care about more than they do.

Maybe it’s because I’m Type A or left brained or a beaver or an ESTJ or a good pastor or a people-pleasing sinner, but I often feel like I could, perhaps should, be doing more. I could do more evangelism. I could pray more. I could invite people over for dinner more. Because of this tendency I actually prefer the “do not” commands of Scripture. “Do not commit adultery”–that’s tough if you take the whole lust thing into account. Obeying this command requires prayer, accountability, repentance, and grace. But it doesn’t require me to start a non-profit or spend another evening away from my family. I just (just!) need to put to death the deeds of the flesh, die to myself and live to Christ.

Not committing adultery is, of course, easier said than done, but the command doesn’t overwhelm me. Changing the world, doing something about the global AIDS crisis, tackling homelessness–those things overwhelm me. What can I do? Where do I start? How will I find the time? I have four small kids, a full-time job, I give much more than 10% away to Christian causes, I try to share Jesus with my neighbors, I pray with my kids before bed, I’m trying to be a better husband. So is it possible, just possible, that God is not asking me to do anything about sex trafficking right now?"

Read the entire article here:http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2009/08/25/on-mission-changing-world-and-not-being/

Facebook Facade

2009-10-16T20:34:00.005-05:00

I’ve noticed something. When I am using facebook, it’s easy to build up an image of myself that looks really good. I can personalize the “about me” section of my profile to include all the best and brightest things about myself. I can post inspiring status updates, write pithy notes, upload photo albums of all the amazing things I’ve done, I can “un-tag” all of the photos of myself that I think make me look fat or unattractive… The list goes on. I can add as many friends as I can manage in order to a.) appear popular and b.) let as many people as possible see and comment on my wittiness/humor/wisdom etc…. I can control the information about me that all my facebook friends can see. It feels sort of fake.

This façade is impossible in the real, non-electronic world. My friends that I interact with face to face get to see me at my worst as well as at my best. They hear me say stupid things, since I don’t have time to think of a clever response to a comment, like I do on facebook. They see me when I’m not looking my best, they know about my stuggles and shortcomings. What do you think? In our delight over the wonders of social networking, do we end up creating a glitzy online persona that doesn’t actually portray us as we really are? Does the bulk of communication that we do over facebook lack real meaning?

Don’t get me wrong- I’m not attempting to bash facebook. I have a facebook and think it’s a great communication tool… I’m just thinking out loud about how much harder it is to “keep it real” online. It’s already tough to cultivate real community without the hindrance of social networking on the World Wide Web. Isnt’ it?

Sharing Jesus

2009-10-11T08:32:00.002-05:00

I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine about Evangelism. I thought I'd share some of His thoughts...

People who cling to this world will almost always never listen to Jesus. He gave hope to the hopeless, riches to the poor, love to the unlovable, mercy to the sinner, but to the unwilling He will not force the issue. He'll just let the issue force itself on them whether they learn it the hard way or not learn it at all. It's a hard truth.

There's a big difference between sharing Jesus and sharing one's belief. If one is not willing to partake of Christ, might as well move on to someone who needs Him more. Sometimes sharing Jesus will just require you to shut up and just listen… I can’t help but wonder how His ears were as much a great blessing to people as His words.

But greater still was His ATTENTION. THE UNDIVIDED ATTENTION OF JESUS. He'd zoom in on a sinner like Zacchaeus or single out a woman who "touched" Him- or sit face to face with a Samaritan woman. He’d have a nice dinner with a man named Levi the tax collector or come face to face with the Gadarene demonic and not turn away. He’d see crowds without a shepherd and feed them miraculously or shed a tear for a beloved friend named Lazarus… His undivided attention to people changes lives. And that is REAL power.

Greatest of all was when the Creator of heaven and earth zoomed in on each and every individual born from eternity past to future and did it with the lenses of two planks of wood and said "it is finished." now that goes beyond doctrine. What was once doctrine has become a person. A person named Jesus Christ.

People don't get argued out of living in sin or persuaded out of their wrong belief systems... they abandon those sins or beliefs without a second thought when they ENCOUNTER JESUS and his love...

Washed

2009-10-07T16:03:00.003-05:00

Close up of a bit of painting I did this morning...

Inspired by this:

"Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth...
We will be called holy for the Lord will
wash away our filth."

Hosea 6:3 & Isaiah 4:3-4 Paraphrasedd

Modern Day Slavery: What’s a Christian to do?

2009-06-16T23:42:00.001-05:00

Human Trafficking/ Modern-Day slavery has become somewhat of a “hot issue” lately. Though there are still many people who are not aware of this injustice, there are more and more ministries, movements, and media exposure popping up every day. Christians are beginning to hear about slavery, too, with popular Christian artists, speakers, ministries, and “celebrities” taking up the cry to end Human Trafficking. I’ve noticed a trend, though. Most Christians seem to hear about the problem, yet be too paralyzed to do anything about it, even if they want to. Modern day slavery and Trafficking just seems to overwhelming and uncomfortable for the average person, or average Christian to do anything about. What is the best course of action towards being able to do something about injustice?

Become aware:
What is the first step for someone who has heard about modern-day slavery but doesn’t know what to do about it? Study. If you’re going to fight the injustice, you’ve got to know what exactly it is you’re fighting against, where it occurs, who the victims are. Become educated on the specifics-not just the general facts and statistics. Discover organizations who are fighting injustice and utilize the resources that they offer. Discover the different types of modern day slavery and human trafficking- sex trafficking, labor trafficking, child trafficking. Most importantly, look at what God’s word says about injustice and exploitation, and His expectations for us as Christians in doing something about it. Let that, above all else, guide you and fuel your passion.

Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Proverbs 31:8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
Isaiah 1:16-17 Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”
Isaiah 58:6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Jeremiah 22:3 “This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed.
James 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Psalm 41:1 “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.”
Isaiah 58:10 "And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."
Ezekiel 16:49 "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 29:7 “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
Proverbs 14:31 “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

Pray:
What’s next after you know what you’re fighting against? Prayer. The absolute core of the Christian effort to fight injustice is intercession. Think about it- an atheistic aid worker can break into a brothel and rescue slaves! We have so much more to do as Christ followers. We can pray for justice- and this is vital. I don’t mean write down “human trafficking” and “modern day slavery” on your prayer list and spend a few minutes every night saying “dear God, please help victims of trafficking around the world.”. We can do more. Like Lamentations 2:19 says, we can literally pour out our hearts like water before the Lord for the LIVES of starving children, trafficked women, and other victims of injustice! Our prayer times should be a battle ground. We should actually be getting uncomfortable, expending energy, getting so close to the Fathers heart for His suffering children that he will prompt us to pray for a specific country, city, situation, or even victim. Our prayers can move and change things! In order for our prayers to carry this much weight, though, we must commit to investing a significant amount of our of time, energy, and emotions to prayer for justice. Through prayer, you gain access to the Father’s heart- and this is vital as well. We can’t just launch out on our own thinking that we can stop injustice. We need to join God in what He’s doing. Instead of agonizing over what you can do, ask Him to give you an assignment- it’s much easier that way! Keep in mind, any action that you take toward fighting injustice needs to be thoroughly prayed over before you attempt it.
Some good prayer pointers to get you started can be found here:
Exodus Cry Prayer Forum: http://www.exoduscry.com/forum/711
Salvation Army Prayer Guide: http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki%5Cwww_uki.nsf/txt-vw-sublinks/7F7C63D5F85D5A59802574C10045C8DA?openDocument
IJM Prayer Ministry: http://www.ijm.org/getinvolved/prayerpartners

Take Action:
As you intercede for justice, if you feel that the Lord is calling you to take action, begin to ask him how. It may seem like there’s really not a practical way to get involved fighting injustice- but the reality is that there are countless ways for the average Christian to help. From simply raising awareness among your friends and churchmates, to doing something radical like moving overseas to work with an organization like the International Justice Mission, physically rescuing slaves, there is something for everyone to do depending on where God calls you. Keep in mind that some of the less glamorous, behind the scenes ways of helping out are sometimes the most important. It would be a lot more exciting to work in a safehouse for trafficked persons, but safehouse ministries also need volunteers to raise the funds they need to run their ministry, or warriors to pray for them. Many of the wonderful ministries that have been established to fight modern day slavery and human trafficking have wonderful suggestions of ways to become involved. Some of these organizations include:

The International Justice Mission: www.ijm.org
Exodus Cry: www.exoduscry.com
Love 146: www.love146.org
Stop the Traffik: www.stopthetraffik.org
Human Trafficking .Org www.humantrafficking.org

Above all, as you fight injustice, stay close to the Father’s heart and be guided by His spirit in order to maximize your impact as a freedom fighter!

Three Minutes

2009-04-17T02:35:00.001-05:00

I was thinking about my time in the Philippines last April, and was trying to pin down the exact moment when I knew that I couldn't stay away from the Philippines- that I'd be coming back (for good). Here's my story, the story of three minutes that changed my life.

Three Minutes

I knew when I decided to take an eleven day trip overseas last year that I would see things that would wake me up, things that would change me. That’s partly why I wanted to go so badly. I wasn’t disappointed. Shortly after flying from the US to the Philippines, I found myself at a home run by a group of nuns with some of the most beautiful hearts I’ve ever seen. It’s a place for the very sick, the very old, and the very young. It’s a place for those that have the least chance of surviving on the streets of Manila. It’s often a place for them to spend a few weeks or days of their lives being cared for and shown the love of Jesus before they die.

Walking inside the front door of the first house in the compound, there were kids everywhere, more than one piled on some of the small beds. Dying kids. Kids with diseases like encephalitis or tuberculosis. I looked at the few nuns scurrying from one child to the next and realized that there was no way that they could possibly care for so many children properly. I guess that they just couldn’t turn anyone away despite the overcrowding. The smell in the air proved that many of the children needing washing or changing. Overwhelmed, I looked up and caught the eyes of one of the sisters. “How can I help you?” A few minutes later, I found myself sitting cross-legged on the floor holding a bowl of runny rice gruel. Gathered around me in a semi-circle were half a dozen tiny malnourished toddlers. They reminded me of scrawny baby birds, opening their mouths and staring at me with eyes that seemed to huge for their tiny bodies. The bowl was empty all too soon. One of the sisters took it from me and motioned to me that she would take care of the babies.

I stood up and wandered into another room, this one holding children of various ages with handicaps or deformities. I found myself drawn to a yellow crib near the center of the room. In it lay a child whose limbs were baldly twisted and bent, looking like nothing more than a tangled mass of skin and bone, really. The child’s hair was closely shaved, and I couldn’t determine the sex. It was impossible to tell the age of the child as well- could have been 7, could have been 13. The child couldn’t speak and didn’t have much mobility, but was responsive to my voice. I watched as the child’s eyes fluttered open and fixed on me. I reached down and grasped the child’s hand, and my grip was returned firmly. I began to sing softly, an old hymn my mother sang to me as a little girl, as tears began to well up in my eyes:

“I am Jesus’ little lamb
Ever glad at heart I am
For my Shepherd gently guides me
Knows my needs and well provides me
Loves me every day the same
Even calls me by my name”

It struck me how fitting those words were. I didn’t know this child’s name, or anything else besides what I could observe, standing beside that crib. But I didn’t need to. This child was known and loved intimately by the Good shepherd who gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11). I knew that the indescribable love that I felt flooding through me for this unknown child was not mine, and I felt privileged to be an extension of Jesus, holding that hand and singing the words that He wanted to be sung to that child. I think that my words were understood despite the barriers of language and physical disability.

“Who so happy as I am
Even now the Shepherds lamb
And when my short life is ended
By His angel hosts attended
He shall fold me to his breast
Ever in His arms to rest!”

As the last few words of the song escaped my lips, my friends began to call me, telling me that it was time to leave. I didn’t want to go, but I began to peel those little fingers off of mine. The child wouldn’t let go! I couldn’t believe that a child who looked so weak could have such a vice like grip. And those eyes, they were starting to bore into me. I gently tugged my hand away. Not ready to give up, the child’s hand closed around a fistful of my hair as I bent over the crib. One of the sisters had to come over to help me disentangle myself.

My encounter with this child had lasted for only about 3 minutes, but those 3 minutes were enough to make me a misfit. I turned and walked out of the door of that room entirely wrecked. That’s when everything changed for me. I knew that I would never be able to go back to my life as it was before. That little one’s grip had reached around not only my hand but my heart, and I still haven’t been able to pull away. I will forever be thankful for my 3 minutes with Jesus in the form of a child.

There will be a day....

2009-10-05T21:09:00.004-05:00

I wish that I could tell you something
To take the pain away
But while we’re still here on this earth
I know there’s nothing I can say
But… there will be a day you won’t know hunger
There will be a day you won’t know pain
There will be a day you’ll be with God forever
Gazing on his face
And when you look into his eyes
Maybe we'll finally understand
How your present suffering fits into
His greater grander plan
On that day.....

Is This the Way Your Heart Feels?

2009-04-03T02:33:00.000-05:00

Just some thoughts that have been roaming around in my head...

Sometimes I feel my heart might burst because it is so swollen with love. I love loving and I love being loved…
Is this the way Your heart feels too, Father?

I see the way your people have chosen death over life, and I long for them to understand… to reach up and grasp the hand that you are ever holding out to them.
Is this the way Your heart feels too, Father?

I see the evil that permeates the world you created to be perfect, and I long for the day that we will be reunited in a place with no darkness, and no tears.
Is this the way Your heart feels too, Father?

I don’t think that I’ll ever be “tough” enough to see suffering without it knifing into my soul. I see kids on the street and I long to pull each one of them into my arms… I want to hold them until it doesn’t hurt anymore.
Is this the way your heart feels too, Father?

I am frightened by the intensity of the anger that I feel towards those who inflict the unspeakable on your children. I want to push back the darkness, I want to fight the injustice with my last breath.
Is this the way your heart feels too, Father?

Put my heart inside of Yours. I have glimpsed only tiny pieces of Your heart, and I know You are only waiting for my answer, “yes”, to reveal more. Put my heart inside of Yours. I want my heart to beat out the same rhythm that yours does. No matter how much pain it means, no matter how much sacrifice it takes, I want to be inside your heart. It’s frightening to say “yes”, but I know that my heart is safe in Your hands.

I want to cry tears for you
I want to laugh with you
May the things that break Your heart break mine as well.
May the things that bring You joy be my source of joy.
May the things that You love be those that I love.
Until You come back, or I come to You.

Caring for Your Own Heart

2009-04-06T02:34:00.000-05:00

I've been reading this book called "Waking the Dead" by John Eldredge. I can't begin to tell you the healing that it is beginning to bring to some very shriveled and dead parts of my soul. I'm learning a lot about misconceptions we Christians have about our hearts or lies that the enemy feeds us in order to deaden our hearts. Read this:

"Above all else, guard your heart" (Prov 4:23). We usually hear this with a sense of "keep an aye on that heart of yours", in the way that you'd warn a deputy watching over some dangerous outlaw, or a bad dog the neighbors let run. "Don't let him out of your sight." Having so long believed our hearts are evil, we assume the warning is to keep us out of trouble. So we lock up our hearts and throw away the key, and then try to get on with living. But that isn't the Spirit of the command at all. It doesn't say guard your heart because it's criminal; it says guard your heart because it is the wellspring of your life, because it is a treasure, because everything else depends on it. How kind of God to give us this warning, like someone's entrusting to a friend something precious to him, with the words: "Be careful with this- it means a lot to me".

When was the last time that you took time to care for your heart? So many people I know seem to have neglected, broken hearts. Maybe you've simply ignored the needs of your heart. Maybe you've pushed out of your mind those seemingly unimportant things that your heart craved. Maybe you've thought "I'm OK, I'll make it. I just need to quit focusing on myself and work harder serving others, that will make my heart feel whole again". Or maybe you've turned to something else, something negative, to make your heart feel whole. Whatever your situation, I have a feeling that we are all brokenhearted, that we are all looking for something that will make us feel whole and alive again. Something outside of our own hearts. Here's another thought to chew on from John Eldredge's book:

“Caring for our own hearts isn't selfishness; it's how we begin to love. Yes, we care for our hearts for the sake of others. Does that sound like a contradiction? Not at all. What will you bring to others if your heart is empty, dried up, pinned down? Love is the point. And you can't love without your heart, and you can’t love well unless your heart is well. When it comes to the whole subject of loving others, you must know this: how you handle your heart is how you will handle theirs. This is the wisdom behind Jesus’ urging us to love others as we love ourselves. This would be a horrible command, if we hate ourselves or don’t care for ourselves”.

I could hardly believe the preceding paragraph when I read it. It makes sense, doesn't it? I'm sure we've all heard the saying "J.O.Y. = Jesus first, others second, and yourself last!". Hmmm, what's wrong with that idea? How are we going to love and serve others if our hearts are not full, if our hearts are not alive. I'm going to suggest a change. Go to Jesus first. Let Him heal and restore and fill your heart to overflowing. As much time and effort and pain and work as it takes- take care of your heart. THEN, and only then, will you be able to live and love others abundantly.

Human Trafficking in the book of Revelation

2008-11-11T02:32:00.000-06:00

Revelation 18:10-13:
"Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!' The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more- cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men.

I didn't either...

And then there is Psalm 10...

Psalm 10
1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises. (Hmmm, kind of sounds like traffikers)

3 He boasts of the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

5 His ways are always prosperous; (Trafficking is the most profitable crime ever)
he is haughty and your laws are far from him;
he sneers at all his enemies.

6 He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me;
I'll always be happy and never have trouble."

7 His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.

8 He lies in wait near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent,
watching in secret for his victims. (does this sound like the LRA to anyone else?)

9 He lies in wait like a lion in cover;
he lies in wait to catch the helpless;
he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.

10 His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.

11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten;
he covers his face and never sees."

12 Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.

13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
"He won't call me to account"?

14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;
you consider it to take it in hand.
The victim commits himself to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; (Hmmm, I like this...)
call him to account for his wickedness
that would not be found out.

16 The LORD is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.

17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more. (AMEN)

Just a bit of rambling/pondering... The more I searh the word the more I find that has to do with Justice, and the more I find that deals specifically with the people trade. Almost like God wanted to make sure we got what He was saying about His heart for justice and what he requires of us as a result. Yeah.

China Olympics and Persucution: Prayer Bracelets

2008-07-15T10:20:00.002-05:00

There has been quite an uproar over the Olympics being hosted in China this year. However, though Tibet and Taiwan are getting a lot of attention, there is yet another instance that China is failing with regard to human rights: Christian persecution.

You can read more facts and statistics about China’s persecution record at persecution.org

So what are we going to do about it? Voice of the Martyrs is partnering with Christians in China to come up with a plan.

“Recently a prominent representative of a group of house churches in China asked Christians throughout the free world to pray for China during the Olympics. The Voice of the Martyrs, in partnership with China Aid Associates, has accepted that call and has produced the Olympic Prayer Band. We would like to invite you to request one for free to wear during the Olympics. Similar prayer bands will also be distributed to house church Christians in China and they will be praying for you as well.”

Get your prayer bracelet HERE.

The Olympics in Beijing run from August 8th to August 24th. Let’s make this time a time of concentrated prayer for our brothers and sisters in China. Wear the wristband to remind yourself to pray for them and to symbolize the fact that you are “bound with them” (Hebrews 13:3).

Cultivating Compassion

2008-06-28T23:04:00.001-05:00

In April I had the awesome experience of traveling to the Philippines to do ministry there. My eyes were opened to see the huge need for the children of God who are blessed, saved, and secure to actively cultivate compassion in their hearts for the lost, the poor, and the oppressed. My heart was overwhelmed by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”. I saw Jesus in the eyes of a dying child, an old woman in the market, young boys and girls on the street. It is amazing to me that we, as Christians, can minister to Jesus Himself by caring for the poor. There are so many people who are dying for the word of God to be brought to them, with no hope. We have that hope, we know how to share it, and we have the means to get it to where it needs to go. We only need the compassion the Holy Spirit will give us to motivate us to do so.

Jesus Christ is our model for compassion. The way he tenderly healed and loved the sick, the broken, and the lost shows us the way we, too, should act as “imitators of Christ” (Ephesians 5:1) I love the picture that is painted of Jesus for us in Mark chapter 6. Jesus was tired and the disciples were weary from ministering to the crowds of people that flocked around Him without ceasing. They hadn’t even had time to eat, so Jesus suggested retreating to a “solitary place” to rest and refuel. Apparently Jesus’ efforts to slip away quietly were futile- by the time He and His disciples arrived at this “solitary place” it was already crowded with people. Mark 6:34 says; “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things”.

We need to pray that the Holy Spirit would fill our hearts with compassion like that- compassion that “does not grow weary of well doing” (Galatians 6:9), compassion that is utterly selfless and motivated by pure love. While in the Philippines I was inspired by the staff at the orphanage we visited. They work day in, day out caring for the kids- without a rest, much like Jesus in Mark 6. They wash the children’s clothes by hand and cook their meals over a fire. Yet they do it all with such joy- with laughter and singing. I saw nuns at a catholic home for sick and dying children who have dedicated their lives to live in this place where it seems they will never even make a dent in the suffering- there are always more people than their facility can handle. And yet they love what they do.

John 3:16-18 says; “This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters. Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God's love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.” Henry Martyn , a missionary to Asia in the 1800’s once said; “The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become”. May it be so with us.

A Prayer for Overcoming Indifference

2008-05-29T08:31:00.001-05:00

I watch the news, God. I observe it all from a comfortable distance. I see people suffering, and I don’t lift a finger to help them. I condemn injustice but I do nothing to fight against it. I am pained by the faces of starving children, but I am not moved enough to try to save them. I step over homeless people in the street, I walk past outstretched hands, I avert my eyes, I close my heart.

Forgive me, God, for remaining aloof while others are in need of my assistance.

Wake me up, God; ignite my passion, fill me with outrage. Remind me that I am responsible for Your world. Don’t allow me to stand idly by. Inspire me to act. Teach me to believe that I can repair some corner of this world.

When I despair, fill me with hope. When I doubt my strength, fill me with faith. When I am weary, renew my spirit. When I lose direction, show me the way back to meaning, back to compassion, back to You. And let us all say, AMEN.

~ by Naomi Levy

God's Heart for Justice

2008-05-09T15:04:00.004-05:00

So often we hear teachers and mentors talking about having "God's heart for People". The context in which this phrase is usually used is talking about having God's LOVE for people. There is so much more to having God's heart- God has a heart of justice as well. When we have God's heart for others we will have a burning desire to see justice upheld.

"God has a history of using the insignificant to accomplish the impossible."
~Richard Exley

Great Read

2008-03-31T12:42:00.002-05:00

There's a great post on Alex and Brett Harris' Rebelution Blog entitled "Winning the Culture War (Or Not)". Go read it HERE

Persecution

2008-03-13T10:56:00.003-05:00

While doing some research for a talk I'm giving on persecution this Tuesday, I came across this post on VOM's Persecution Blog.Please Pray!

Muslim militants killed at least two Christians and wounded dozens more on March 3, 2008, in the town of Nensabo located 325 km southeast of the capital Addis Ababa, according to VOMC sources and a March 6 report from International Christian Concern. The militants attacked the Christians, including women and children, while they were attending a worship service.

Eight of the wounded have been taken to the town of Awassa for hospitalization, while others with serious injuries were taken to Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa. Among the wounded were a police officer and a Christian whose hand was cut off by the attackers. Reports indicated that the attack was part of a plan by Muslim militants, influenced by the spread of Wahhabism in the area, to wipe out Christians from the Muslim-dominated region. The plan included destruction of churches and attacks on Christian groups involved in missionary work.

Pray that those who mourn for the deceased Christians will find comfort in the fact that Christ has triumphed over death and that those who die in the Lord will be raised with Him (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Pray that God will embolden Ethiopian Christians to follow the example of those who were martyred for Him (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Learn more about the persecution facing Christians in Ethiopia. Go to www.persecution.net/country/ethiopia.htm. Video reports on persecution in Ethiopia can be viewed at www.persecution.tv. The March edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter focuses on the trials and faith of those who are spreading the Good News in Ethiopia. Subscribe today at www.persecution.net/nlorder.htm to receive your free subscription.

Lifehouse "Everything" Skit

2008-03-04T09:37:00.000-06:00

This has made the rounds on the internet, so I'm sure most of you have seen it, but it is so powerful that I wanted to share it just in case you hadn't!

Music

2008-03-04T09:18:00.002-06:00

I love the song "Soldier" by Hillsong United. I laugh evey time I hear it because it's joyful and funny, yet the lyrics are so deeply meaningful to me at this point in my life. They say:

Can't nobody stop me now, cause I'm a part of the army now
Praise the LORD is what I wanna shout; even in a crowd I'm gonna sing it loud

You can say what you want to say; but I know what he's done for me
Every day I can feel his power 'cause the Spirit of the Lord, He lifts me higher

All the world, can't stop, can't stop Him
All the world, can't stop, can't stop Him now

My God is the strongest tower; turn to him in the scary hour
Even when it gets harder now, all I wanna do is just praise him louder

Keep singing 'til my voice run out, keep running 'til he lifts me out
keep singing it cause I can't stop Oh, I can't stop

You got the give yourself up; you got to lose your pride
You got to see it different; open up your spiritual eyes

The devil wants you beaten: he wants you lying, cheating
But that won't last much longer- My dad is bigger, stronger!

Come to think of it, Hillsong United's Music is really hitting the spot right now. God speaks to me so much through music and he always sends me specific songs/music to get me through certain times in my life. Here are Lyrics from a few more United songs- you'll se what I mean...

From "The time has come":

The time has come to stand for all we believe in
So I for one am gonna give my praise to You

Today, today, it's all or nothing- all they way
The praise goes out to You, yeah all the praise goes out to You
Today today I live for one thing: to give You praise
In everything I do, and all the praise goes out to You

From "Take it all"

Searching the world; the lost will be found
In freedom we live; as one we cry out
You carried the cross, you died and rose again
My God, I’ll only ever give my all!

You sent Your Son from heaven to earth
You delivered us all; it’s eternally heard
I searched for truth and all I found was You
My God,I’ll only ever give my all

Jesus we’re living for Your Name
We’ll never be ashamed of You
Our praise and all we are today
Take, take, take, it all
Take, take, take, it all

Or this from "Consuming Fire":

There must be more than this,
O breath of God come breathe within,
There must be more than this,
Spirit of God we wait for You.

Fill us anew we pray,
Consuming fire fan into flame,
A passion for Your Name,
Spirit of God fall in this place,
Lord have Your way,
Lord have Your way with us,

Come like a rushing wind,
Clothe us with power from on high,
Now set the captives free,
Leave us abandoned to Your praise.

Lord let Your glory fall,
Lord let Your glory fall.

Stir it up in our hearts Lord,
Stir it up in our hearts Lord,
Stir it up in our hearts Lord,
A passion for Your Name.

God Moving

2008-02-18T12:24:00.002-06:00

This weekend I was able to help take some of the youth from church to Acquire the Fire in Minneapolis. What an awesome time of ministry to them- they truly did acquire some fire!

What God did with one of the guys who joined us for the event in particular really made my heart sing... This young man has led a very broken life. His mom is an addict and He's living with his dad after being shuttled around from foster home to foster home. He has witnessed horrendous things in his lifetime- the murder of one of his friends, among other things I won't describe. He has a hunger for God and has been faithfully attending small group on Wednesday nights and reading his Bible everyday... but still had alot of fear and stuff because of his past.

This weekend I watched him come out of a shell- he worshipped with such freedom and committed to serving the Lord and using his voice for Him. I've never seen him so happy- he told our youth leader "This has been the best weekend of my life!".

He's equipped now to be a light to his family. He told me as we were driving home from the conference "My trashy mom wants me to move back in with her but there is no way!" Sensing some bitterness I asked if he remembered the illustration that one of the speakers used- a fish out of water "Remember when Ron took that fish out of it's fishbowl and threw it on the table? How he said that we were meant to live in the love of God and if we aren't we are gasping and flopping around trying to find something to fill out lungs just like that fish? Don't you think that your mom's behavior is that of a desperate woman gasping for something to fill her because she doesn't know God's love for her? And you can be the love of Christ to her!" He was so quiet for a few moments thinking... He's so noticeably different that his family will be asking about it for sure!

Anyway, just thought I'd share that glory story... : )

Revival

2008-02-13T09:18:00.005-06:00

It starts in a heart
conformed to His likeness
A spark, then a flame
growing in brightness
Led by the Spirit,
Fed by the Word
Revival is spreading
all over the world

Now a fire is raging that can't be contained
Won't you let it consume your heart once again?
Shine light in darkness, purify
Bring hope and passion renew, revive..
Oh, Revival's fire

Persecution

2008-02-04T12:17:00.000-06:00

One thing that I'm commited to do with this blog is post frequently regarding the Persecuted church. I first began to feel very burdened for the persecuted church last year when I gave a speech on persecution for a school assignment. I'd always known that persecution was a very real issue, but did not realize the extent of the problem until I began to do research for the speech.

I discovered that there are an estimated 200 million Christians enduring persecution around the world, and that 70 million Christians have been martyred since the death of Jesus Christ. I learned that persecution today is even worse than it was during the height of the Roman Empire, mainly because of the rapid growth of radical Islam and communism around the world.

I read stories about modern-day martyrs... Men women and children who have died because of thier faith. The Christian boy who was "crucified" crudely- nailed to a board. The girl who was shot for refusing to spit on a Bible.

I want to encourage you all to pray for and support persecuted Christians- and if you get the chance, speak out about this issue- I recently was able to teach a class on persecution and slavery at my church.
For more resources and information, check out:
www.persecution.com
www.prisoneralert.com
www.torturedforchrist.com

Changes...

2008-01-29T10:15:00.000-06:00

You might have noticed that my blog has changed. This is partly because I have changed. : )

I feel like a different person than I was two months ago... I've grown more in those two months than I have for two years!

God has been speaking to me in such tangible ways. I cannot shut out His voice; it is too strong. God has uprooted sins in my heart that I had held onto for years, and in thier place His peace has flowed in.

I've realized that God is calling me to action. The enemy likes it when I silently survive day to day within a bubble of safety. It's when I am willing to step out, to fight, to live a life that is not my own that the enemy is threatened. I want to be a warrior for Christ in this wicked culture, this sinful and fallen world. I want to

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.Rescue the weak and needy;deliver them from the hand of the wicked" ~Psalm 82

God has revealed to me his heart for this generation and I cannot stay silent. I cannot stay silent when there are 27 million men, women and children in slavery. I cannot stay silent when I know that there is one baby aborted every 25 seconds, when 90 percent of teens have viewed pornography, when one in five are so hopeless they have contemplated suicide. I must speak on behalf of my 200 million brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for thier faith.

I will pray, I will speak, I will write, I will sing, I will dance, I will fight!

If you want to hear more about what God has been doing and how He's been doing it call me or e-mail me- I would love to share...

Battle Cry!

2008-01-25T22:31:00.001-06:00

This is so powerful! Jesus, raise up our generation to fight for you with this kind of passion!

Isaac's Mission Project

2008-01-14T20:58:00.000-06:00

Issac, Noah, and Faith are part of a "missions club". each week the kids take turns presenting and leading the other kids in completing a project. Isaac chose writing letters to persecuted Christians as his project. The kids wrote letters to Christians in prison around the world using an online translator and then decorated them and prayed for the Christians they wrote to by name. I'm so blessed by Isaac's heart. : )

The kids with their completed letters.