Category Archives: The Road to There

Most anything having to do with Israel

so i was in nazereth tonight…

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…and i thought, wow, this is pretty cool, and then i realised that it was in fact, pretty cool, because we were on top of a hill and it was very breezy, breezy with wind like Jesus probably felt on that hill when he was young… Tonight I met a born-again arabic pastor and his family and visited some people who have questions, and I was priviledged to be present when a house group was born. After tonight there will be a home group meeting at one of the flats (read: apartments) where we visited. There are many ‘christians’ in nazereth, but few who know much about saving relational faith in Jesus alone. And arabic coffee is so strong and sweet, it does good things to your tongue.

I don’t know if I am ready to write this yet because I have very many half-finished thougths and feelings, but I am betting that my heart will only continue this the longer I am here, so I will endeavor to share some as it goes… I arrived a few days ago and am now going through orientation to this culture… the holy holidays are coming late this year in October on the Jewish calendar, so I will begin my intensive language ulpan (read: program) in november. This place is beautiful in its crustiness. Even the new buildings look old and some are quite reminiscent like somthing from a tatooine backdrop… pictures will be up soon, but for now you can find a picture on line of the Bahai temple in Hafia and I live just to the right of it, about 100 yards.

The training in eastern holland was quite astonishing. My heart is with my new friends from this conference as they are now all over our world. I am here on the mediterranean eating shawerma and the faces in my mind are everywhere from the Philipines to the RSA (southAfrica) to Germany to Uraguay… How big is our father? and how amazing is it to see that he is father to so many different types and nationalities, that He truly loves us all? His truth and word and message reaches so far. What a testimony to his creativity and love and the unity that we can feel in diverse worship, unity with some translation! I have personally never felt the spirit of oneness stronger than at this training conference where so many bright-eyed fearful people prepared to walk into the unknown as slaves to a good and wonderful king. I met many people that I never want to forget. The bride of Christ is busier than I imagined as she waits for her groom.

How big is your God, and are you living a life that is your own?

surrender (commissioning speach)

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Grace to you, and peace from the Lord. I thank God for all of you for your partnership in the furtherance of the gospel. And thank you especially to those if you who have helped this worship happen. I have you all in my heart, because, wherever I am led, wherever I end up, you all are partakers with me of grace and we have been and will always be one family. With God as my witness, I will miss you.

A great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many fears. But In my decisions I will fear God before I respect danger. I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. I am a disciple. And there are churches in hard places that need only encouragement, I am free so I am going.

I commit to you now that Christ will be magnified in my body, however quickly, far-flung, or quietly my life is spent, he will be magnified. For to us to live ought to be Christ, and to die will be gain. He will use us all somehow, wherever we walk. He will bless us by whatever means necessary to make us more eternally effective. He may lead us through any type of experience to strengthen our testimony and understanding and faithfulness. He may remind us of our need for Him in any manner, so we might confess dependence.

Whether I see you all again or not, I may hear of each of you, make sure that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul, striving for the faith of the gospel; and do not be scared by the enemies within yourself or in our world. Choose to act on the power you have, but may not feel. It is there. Because it has been granted to all of us, not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer on his behalf, we have been remade to worship in heaven, but for now we are here to make the body bigger and stronger.

If you have ever found an identity or hope in Christ, if ANY love, if any acceptance, forgiveness, or fellowship of the Spirit, if any mercy, joy or friendship: Then be one family, recognize the extraordinary power we have as a body, be united in your worship. and in sacrifice and service to the world, in all of our differences, find the unique power we have in being under the same Christ;

Be humble, don’t fight, be self-less for the higher goal; Make a choice to serve, truly serve whomever is in front of you. For the strength of the body and the glory of God. Let us be as Christ and empty our selves, as human servants. Let us be known as people who spend themselves, totally if need be, on what is eternally best. Let us be people who are focused on one thing together: to be and make better disciples. For we are disciples, and we love. That is who we are and what we do. Our goal is to give our Lord Christ the honor and the service that He deserves, for glory. May we confess His glory with our lives. May we surrender. I pray that your love may grow in knowledge and all discernment; so that you may accept excellent things; that you may be honest and sincere; being filled with the fruits of righteousness.

Disciples, obey God, His way is the best way to live and He will guide you. Be more encouraging than you are critical, be a light in the shadows, don’t slander or murmer, Honor God’s truth. Body of Christ, pay attention to our world, be strong, faithful and bold! Be love. Continue to serve and help those who labor in spiritually black places. Enjoy this special gift of a unified community. Sacrifice for that which lasts forever. Think eternal.

The grace of the Lord be with you. There is no room for boredom, inaction, or guilt in the gospel of Jesus Christ. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

helio-tropic

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I am thinking in terms of weeks now, and soon to be counting days.

At home in AZ we have both a going away party (13th) and a commissioning service (17th) planned and you are invited…

And although moments in flux and change are thick and surreal, they have been, by Christ’s mighty grace, precious, light, an good. I can feel a pervading serenity in my heart these days with family and preparation, a peace that can only be from God betwixt the turmoil of overlaping hello’s and goodbye’s. I know this is the fruit of your prayers.

I read a good definition this morning that I have to share: all plants turn and grow toward the light of the sun and this is a principle called helio-tropism. I like this idea of a spiritual illustration. Being and making better disciples is how we are speading the light in the world, and how we can all encourage good growth.

Right now I am in Boise, Idaho visiting my brother and sister-in-law and taking part in his ordination as a minister of the gospel at Cherry Lane Christian Church. I love my brother.