Fervent Love First

A Great Mountain Burning with Fire

2010-06-02T16:23:00.006-05:00

Revelation 8:8 - The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea,

and a third of the sea became blood.

Hmmmmmm - very interesting!

Peter Did NOT Swim Ahead, part 2

2010-05-25T07:56:00.004-05:00

I've been looking at John 21 in an attempt to understand what the scene was like when the disciples, while on a fishing trip, encountered Jesus after His resurrection. Many preachers teach that upon recognizing Jesus on the shore, Peter jumped in the water and either swam or waded ahead to be the first to greet Jesus. In part 1, I said that John's attention to detail and his language don't allow for Peter to have done that. John didn't say that anyone arrived first (as he did in the account of he and Peter going to the empty tomb). He also used a very specific term to describe Peter's response to Jesus' request, "Bring Me some fish." John tells us that Peter "went up" to get the fish. Spacially, when someone is standing on the bank (as Peter would have been if he had indeed arrived on the shore first), and they move toward the water, they always "go down" to the boat or water. So the speculation that Peter swam ahead and was standing on the bank with Jesus just doesn't make sense.

Well, if Peter didn't swim ahead, what exactly was he doing - and why did he do that? I'm glad you asked that question. You DID ask didn't you? The answer is wrapped up in the scene that follows this breakfast by the lake - the encounter between Jesus and Peter. You remember this scene - after breakfast, Jesus asks Peter three times, "Peter, do you love me?" After Peter's response each time, Jesus commanded him, "Tend my sheep" or "Feed my lambs." (John 21:15-17) It is important to remember that Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times during Jesus' trial prior to being crucified. It is also important to remember that following his denial, Peter "wept bitterly." (Matthew 26:75; Mark 14:72; Luke 22:62) He was totally devastated! He had denied the person he had promised to defend to the death. It's interesting that three times Peter denied knowing Jesus, and three times Jesus gave him the opportunity to express his love for Him. HOWEVER, that opportunity to express love came after the fishing and breakfast incident.

On a personal level, have you ever done something for which you were ashamed? I'm not even talking about sin - I'm simply talking about some embarrassing action toward a friend. After that embarrassing moment, didn't you want to avoid that person? Even though you knew the person would be gracious and kind and forgiving, there was something inside that made you want to avoid contact with them. Well imagine how you would feel if you had bragged that you would stand firm when everyone else was falling away; then when your friend needed you the most you denied even knowing him. Then, add to that the nagging thought that if you had just kept your word, your friend might not have had to suffer and die... Peter was probably blaming himself for Jesus' suffering and death! The last thing he would want to do is swim ahead and see Jesus face to face. He was overcome with the shame of failure!

That explains why he grabbed his outer garment and jumped into the water. He was trying to remove any evidence that he had been on the boat. He probably jumped into the water, placing the boat and the net full of fish between himself and Jesus, just hoping that Jesus wouldn't know that Peter was even there. Then Peter hung out in the water while the other disciples went on shore and had fellowship with Jesus. Perhaps that is why we know how many fish were in the net - Peter was busy counting them while he was hanging out in the water! I realize that is speculation - but more plausible than saying Peter swam ahead.

Jesus, trying to draw Peter out of hiding, asked for some fish (even though he already had fish cooking!). Knowing Peter's desire/need to work his way back into Jesus' favor, Jesus gave him a task to do. Now that task didn't have anything to do with Peter getting back into good standing with Jesus. He was already in good standing with Jesus. It was just Jesus' way of getting Peter to come out of hiding. It's an interesting part of fallen human nature - we somehow think we need to and even CAN earn God's favor. We don't understand God's grace and mercy. We think that some small activity on our part will make up for our sinfulness. All Jesus asks us to do is affirm our love for Him. He has already affirmed and demonstrated His love for us - in that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

So there we have it. Peter saw Jesus on the shore. He was filled with shame at having denied his friend. He was filled with shame because if he had not denied Jesus, Jesus might not have had to suffer and die. He was filled with shame and so he grabbed his outer garment and jumped into the water to hide. Jesus knew he was there and asked for a fish (even though he already had fish cooking) in order to draw Peter from his hiding place. After he got him out of hiding, Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to affirm his love - once for every time he had denied knowing Jesus. He does the same for us - He draws us out of hiding and gives us opportunity to affirm our love for him.

Peter Did NOT Swim Ahead

2010-05-24T10:53:00.005-05:00

Why is it that preachers feel the need to add things that are not there to scripture, and ignore things that are there? I use the story of Peter encountering Jesus on the Sea of Galilee following Jesus' resurrection as an exammple. The story is found in the 21st chapter of John's Gospel. Peter decided that he wanted to go fishing. The other disciples joined him. As they were casting their nets - and not being successful in their endeavors - the resurrected Jesus showed up on the shore and asked them if they were catching anything. Without recognizing him, they replied that they were catching nothing. He said to them, "Cast your net on the right hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." They did and so many fish filled their net that they were unable to haul it in. In that instant, John (identified as "the disciple whom Jesus loved") recognized the land-bound stranger as Jesus. Here is where things get interesting and preachers/teachers begin to add things to the text and ignore things that are in the text.

When Peter heard it was Jesus, he grabbed "his outer garment (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea." (21:7) The thing that is ALWAYS added to this text are the words, "and he swam ahead." Why do people add that? It isn't in the text and it doesn't even make sense! And the thing they always leave out is the detail of him grabbing his outer garment. Logically, if Peter were going to swim ahead, he wouldn't grab his outer garment. That big heavy robe-like garment would simply slow him down and might even put him in danger of drowning! Some commentators say that the boat was in shallow water - so shallow, in fact, that Peter simply waded to shore. Again, people have added that concept and NOTHING in the text indicates that Peter got to the shore first or even attempted to get to the shore first.

One of the major principles of interpreting scripture is that wherever possible, scripture should be used to interpret itself. In this case, we can look at John's own writing. In chapter 20, in the account of the resurrection, John points out the he and Peter were running together toward the empty tomb, and that John arrived at the tomb first (20:4). John then, reveals that even though he had arrived first, Peter was the first to enter the tomb (20:6). So John has a habit of describing how events unfolded and in this instance, he made no effort at all to let his readers know that Peter arrived on shore first. Further, he doesn't even describe Peter's arrival!

All of this, so far, has been rather circumstantial. Now we come to a language clue. Notice, that when the disciples arrive, they see a charcoal fire with some fish already cooking, along with some bread (21:9). Then Jesus says, "Bring some of the fish which you have caught." And here is the language clue - "Peter WENT UP and drew the net to land." Now think about that for a moment. If Peter had been standing beside Jesus - close enough to observe the fire, fish, and bread - and if he headed to the boat to drag the net to land, how would that movement toward the water have been described? He would have "gone down" to the sea and boat. In John 6:16-17 we get that exact description: "When evening came, his disciples WENT DOWN to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea..." So for John to say that Peter WENT UP to the boat, we have to see a different picture. The only way for Peter to go UP to the boat, is for him to still be in the water. The word translated "went up" is described in the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament like this: The basic meaning is spatial, i.e., “to rise from the depths to the heights.” It is used for climbing aboard a ship (bold mine).

So what do we know? Peter did not grab his coat - jump into the water and swim or wade ahead of the other disciples. He grabbed his coat - jumped into the water - and when Jesus asked for a fish, Peter WENT UP and got what Jesus asked for. But why? Can we figure that out? And how do we know the number of fish that were in the net? I'll discuss those issues later. But for now, understand that the Bible does not indicate that Peter swam ahead of the other disciples when they saw Jesus on the shore after the resurrection.

Becoming a Proud Spiritual Parent, part 2

2010-05-18T08:50:00.004-05:00

I find it interesting that Paul had enough confidence in his relationship with Jesus that he could state that he would have "a crown of boasting" (1 Thessalonians 1:19-20) at the coming of the Lord Jesus. In that, we find that Paul's "boasting" was based on being a spiritual parent. That is, Paul was able to stand tall before Jesus because he had started many people on the road to a relationship with Jesus. In that light, Paul was a proud spiritual parent. As the father of 3 great kids, and as the grandfather of 6 (soon to be 7) grandchildren, I understand what Paul was feeling. I love to brag on my kids. I love to pull out pictures of my grandkids. In a sense, Paul was saying, "I can't wait for Jesus to return so that I can show Him pictures of my spiritual kids!"

One of the problems in today's church is that we don't have enough people with the same "pride" as Paul. In fact, too many believers today think that only people like Paul can (or even should) introduce others to Jesus. But in his first letter to the church of Thessalonica, Paul lays out several steps that everyone can take to bring someone into a relationshjp with Jesus. The first step (see www.ferventlovefirst.blogspot.com May 11, and 18, 2010) in getting an album filled with pictures of spiritual children is to understand that sharing the Gospel is the responsibility of every Christian. In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, we find that we "have been entrusted with the Gospel." In other words, if YOU don't share the love of Jesus with others, then no one will!

The second step in becoming a proud spiritual parent - one who has a photo album full of pictures you want to show to Jesus when He returns - is found in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8. "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but also I very own selves, because you had become very dear to us."

So step 2 is this: NURSE THOSE NEW BABES IN CHRIST WITH THE GENTLENESS AND SACRIFICE OF A NEW MOM.

Paul knew these new babes in Christ had been given him as a trust. He would do nothing to injure them or neglect them. That's why he went beyond just telling them about Jesus. He says, "we were delighted to share with you . . . our VERY OWN SELVES."

The image is a very tender image of a mother nursing her babies. There's no urgency--no tension--in fact, if mom is the least bit tense, the milk won't let down--and the baby will become very frustrated. For nursing to work, the mother has to be relaxed and gentle--she simply can't be in a hurry. There is no greater image of gentleness and peace than that of a nursing mom, as she imparts life to the child through the sacrifice of her own milk.

Several years ago, there was an Olympic ice skater named Nancy Kerrigan -- who won the bronze medal. Nancy's mom is legally blind--and she had never seen Nancy skate in person - she had to watch her on a television screen. She couldn't see her smile--she could only see her form and the color of her costume. As Nancy skated, Mom would sit--nose just a few centimeters from the TV screen and she whispered, "I love you." And when Nancy would finish her routine, her mom broke into wild, and tearful applause--jumping up and down like an excited child. She would then turn and hug her husband and say, "Isn't she beautiful?!" Her mom poured her LIFE into Nancy and it was obvious, Nancy is her pride and joy--her crown of glory!

Now, imagine what would happen, if you began to pour your life into someone who didn't know how much Jesus loves them. Just suppose you gave your life to them the way Nancy Kerrigan's mom poured her life into her daughter. What would that do for their spiritual growth?

Now, just imagine standing there in front of Jesus when He returns and He says, "How'd this person come to know Me?" And with a wide grin, head held high, chest puffed out a little--you said, "I just tried to love them the way You love them."

You see, some things are worth the effort--just to watch a person come into a relationship with Christ and His Church. When Jesus returns, and you stand in His presence--you'll be able to point to a whole host of people who are in the faith because of you and you'll be able to say, "These are my joy and my glory. I am A PROUD PARENT."

Becoming a Proud Spiritual Parent

2010-05-14T10:25:00.005-05:00

Most people who call themselves Christians - whether or not they will admit it - are a little uncertain about their posture when it comes to the return of Jesus. Understand that I'm not talking about the timing - will it be in the next 10 years or the next 100 or even 1000 years? What I am talking about is the sure and certain hope that Jesus will return just as He said He would. In that moment, whether it's today or not is not part of what I'm talking about; I am talking about how you will carry yourself as you stand before the King of all Creation and give account of yourself in that moment. The Apostle Paul said that the "...hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming" would be the Thessalonian believers who were also standing the the presence of Jesus. Paul was a proud spiritual parent. He knew that when Jesus returns, he will have a lot to show for his life. The question I want everyone who reads this to deal with is this, "What kind of a spiritual parent am I?" Truly, are you confident that when Jesus returns many of those who are there to greet Him are the result of your investment in their lives?

That's a huge question. But if Paul could be confident enough to boast in the presence of Jesus, then so can all believers! Every one of us CAN be proud spiritual parents to many. There are even some very specific steps to being the proud parent of spiritual children. The steps are found in 1 Thessalonians 2.

The first step is found in 1 Thessalonians 2:4
"...we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts."

UNDERSTAND THAT THE GOSPEL HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO YOU.

Paul realized that he had been approved by God to tell people about Jesus--He was the keeper of the Gospel. And the purpose of the Gospel--the Good News--is to bring people into a relationship with the Lord.

Jesus said we were to "Go and make disciples." He said, just before he ascended into heaven, "Be My witnesses."

When we came to know Jesus, we became a new creation--created for good works which have the same purpose as the One who re-created us--to bring people into a living and growing relationship with God. This is an elementary teaching, and I don't want to get bogged down here--but it IS the starting place. If you never realize that YOU have been entrusted with the Gospel, then you will never assume the responsibility to help bring people to Jesus. And if you never bring anyone to Jesus, you will be embarrassed when Jesus returns. But I don't want that--I want you to be A PROUD PARENT of many spiritual offspring.

God approved you to be entrusted with the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ. When that sinks in--when you get hold of it--your life purpose will change. You will begin to make a list of people who are lost. You will begin to pray for them. You will begin to do acts of kindness for them--bake pies and cookies--mow their grass--pick up trash in their yards--all kinds of good deeds that will open the door for you to share Jesus with them. And somehow, by the grace of God, you will be able to bring them into New Birth--a new life in Christ. And when that happens, you will be ready for step 2.

I'll talk about step 2 later - but for now, do you realize that you are the custodian of the Gospel? Do you realize that the only way some people will enter into the presence of God for all eternity is if you introduce them to Jesus? Do you realize that you have the opportunity to have your own "crown of boasting at the return of Jesus?" This Gospel is yours! Get that truth in your heart before we move on to step 2.

The Return of Jesus

2010-05-11T09:41:00.004-05:00

I just noticed the date of my last blog - one year ago today!! How's that for consistency? I had such high aspirations for writing daily or at least a couple of times a week. Oh well - perhaps I will turn over a new leaf - today! The name of my blog - Fervent Love First - and the consistency with which I write may say more than I really want it to say. Is my consistency in love no better than my consistency in writing? Not fishing for complements here - just a little self-examination in front of the internet world.

That moment of confession behind me, let's take a few minutes to think about the return of Jesus. Have you ever wondered how you will react? I mean, when that trumpet blast splits the silence, and the clouds are pushed aside, and there for every eye to see--in all His majesty stands the King of Glory--will you run and hide? Will you stand there with your mouth open? Will you fall on your face? What will you do?

I guess I'd thought about it, before, but the text I want us to look at today, gives us a chance to think about it again. As I was studying this, I saw a reaction to the second coming I wasn't quite ready for. Boasting. That's right--boasting. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 2:19, says, "For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?"

He said, "Jesus is coming again, and when He does, my hope, and joy, and crown in which I can glory (exult--boast) is going to be you Thessalonian Christians." It doesn't seem to matter what else he has done--he may have written most of the New Testament--he may have been in prison for his faith--he may have been beaten and stoned and left for dead--but the one thing that will bring boasting will be the ones he has lead to the Lord and who stand firm in the faith until the return of Christ.

Paul is a PROUD PARENT, and his glory will be his spiritual children--not his biological children, but the people he has led into a lastinf and growing relationship with Jesus. I began to think about that and I discovered that all through scripture, THAT is the focus. The only work that makes any difference at all is the work of helping people to know God and grow in their relationship with Him.

In all the teachings of Jesus--the call to love one another--to do unto others as you would have them do unto you--the command to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and visit the prisoners--everything Jesus commanded us to do was for the purpose of bringing people into a loving relationship with Him. And when we stand before Him at His return, He will want to see the results of our labor. In that moment, we will either be embarrassed or proud--we will either have some spiritual children to boast about or we won't.

I'll stop for now - (not for a year as last time) - but just enough to let you think about the picture of Jesus' return and and our "hope or joy or crown of boasting at His return." Next time, I'll talk about HOW to get that crown of boasting. I don't want to be embarrassed at the return of Jesus--instead I want, like Paul, to be A PROUD PARENT. And the four steps to being a PROUD PARENT are in 1 Thessalonians.

Until next time...

"If Two Of You Agree" - REALLY About Prayer?

2009-05-11T15:28:00.003-05:00

Context – context – context! Have you ever noticed that not paying attention to context will cause you to misunderstand a text of scripture? Take, for example, the statement Jesus made in Matthew 18:19-20 – “…if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Do you know how many people think that verse is talking about prayer? I’ve heard it quoted most often when only two people show up for a prayer meeting. It goes something like this: “Well, Lord, we have been announcing this prayer meeting for a month, and here we are now – 20 minutes after the time to start – and my friend and I are the only ones here. But that’s OK. Your Word promises that where two or three are gathered in Your Name, that You are right there among them. And You also promise that if the two of us agree on anything, that our Heavenly Father will do whatever we ask.”
And so it continues. But have you ever really thought about the implications of that passage if it really were talking about prayer? It would eliminate the possibility of praying alone and having faith to believe your prayers would be answered. If that verse really were talking about prayer (in general), it would mean that if I could just get one other person to agree with me in prayer, then I could get that brand new silver Mercedes I’ve always wanted. Now, I’m being silly here to make a point – this verse is not about prayer and the context reveals that.
The context of this particular passage begins all the way back in 17:22 when Jesus begins to tell the disciples that the Son of Man is about to be betrayed and killed and the disciples are greatly distressed. That teaching is followed immediately by the collection of a 2 drachma tax which Jesus tells Peter to get from the mouth of a fish. (Matthew 17:27) At this point, you are probably asking yourself, “What does that have to do with two or three gathering in the name of Jesus?” And I’m glad you asked that question because there is one phrase in 17:27 that is critical to our understanding – “not to give offense to them.” You see, this segment is about dealing with offense. Matthew sets things up by warning the disciples that a very offensive act is just over the horizon – the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus. That is an event that is sure to create offense in the hearts of the disciples. Then Matthew tells us about Jesus’ desire not to cause or create offense.
Now we come to chapter 18 and Jesus teaches about causing a little one to stumble, and about being the vessel through whom temptation comes, and about it being better to cut off a hand or pluck out an eye rather than enter into “the hell of fire.” (Matthew 18:9) Each of those images is offensive. Don’t offend a little one. Don’t be the one who brings offense through temptation. Don’t let your hand or your eye offend. So Matthew is helping us to get our hearts ready for the offense of the cross by putting several offensive images before us.
He continues by introducing a second theme that goes along with the problem of offense – separation and loss. Don’t forget, Jesus is still dealing with offense, but now he has begun to include the results that come from being offended. He talks about going after lost sheep – leaving the 99 in order to go after the one wanderer. (Matthew 18:12-14) This parable is followed immediately by the story of a lost relationship – and, of course, the relationship is lost because of offense! Jesus teaches (verse 18:15), “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” In other words, “If you are offended by something your brother has done to you, just like going after a lost sheep, go after this lost relationship.”
He gives several steps in the reconciliation process, and then Jesus makes this statement – which also has been misunderstood, “…if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Often times that verse has been seen as a license to reject – to cut off the wayward sinner. But think about that (mis)understanding.
Who is writing this Gospel? Matthew.
What was Matthew’s occupation? Tax Collector.
How was Matthew treated by Jesus? Was he rejected? Was he cut off from fellowship? Did Jesus tell everyone to have nothing to do with Matthew? Absolutely not! Jesus welcomed Matthew. Jesus built a relationship with Matthew. And as a result, Jesus won Matthew. Matthew was that one lost sheep. Matthew was that offensive heathen. But Jesus went after him.
And now we come to our verses, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” You have to ask the question, “Why would Jesus spend all this time talking about not being offended, about what to do if you are offended, and about how to restore a relationship that has been lost because of offense, only to throw in a verse about prayer?” It doesn’t make sense does it? That’s because this verse isn’t about prayer. It’s about reconciliation.
Jesus is telling these people that if you are offended and it looks like the relationship has come to an end and reconciliation is impossible, that’s when you bring the family of faith into the process. If the family of faith can’t bring reconciliation, then change tactics; begin to view the lost brother (or sister) as truly lost, and redouble your efforts to win him (or her) back. Take someone with you – but remember – and here is the fun part – When “you agree on earth about anything [you] ask, it will be done for [you] by my Father in heaven.” In other words, Jesus wants reconciliation more than you do. Seeking to restore a broken relationship is the heart of God! He will be on your side and see to it that things work out.
And then, Jesus adds a little motivation to do it right, “…where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” In other words, Jesus is teaching, “When you go, remember that you are carrying MY Name so you had better represent me well. Do things the way I would do them because, in fact, I am right there with you. So treat this person with the same love and respect and kindness and mercy that you have received from Me.”
If you aren’t convinced by now, I have one more little contextual clue that will let you know that these verses (19-20) are about reconciliation rather than prayer. Notice the first words out of Peter’s mouth when Jesus finishes this teaching, “Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” Interesting isn’t it? If verses 19-20 were about prayer, why would Peter ask a question about forgiveness? Context – context – context!

Biblical Meditation

2009-05-07T06:51:00.002-05:00

The Church has bought into an eastern mystical view of meditating on the Bible. If you just read a verse of scripture, you don't need to know what it means - just think about it - write it down several times - say it to yourself over and over - begin to sing it (either aloud or quietly to yourself) - and eventually the true meaning of the text will emerge. In adopting that form of meditating on God's Word we have created an atmosphere where there is no foundational Truth in the Word. For example, if one were to "meditate" on this portion of Psalm 1:1 - "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners..." and my definition of "sinner" were not a Biblical definition (and believe me, there are plenty of non-biblical definitions of sin out there), then I would not arrive at the intended Truth of the Bible. My point is, that no matter how long I meditate on a passage of scripture, if I don't understand what that scripture means, I will come to a wrong conclusion.
Let me give you another example. Many people know the text that Jesus gave Himself for the Church "so that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle..." (Ephesians 5:27). I have heard that phrase taught from the perspective of a modern western perspective - that the Church - the Bride of Christ - will stand before Jesus at the Second Coming in clothing that is pure white (like a modern, western wedding gown) and there will be no smudges on the gown. Now, if that is our understanding of the meaning of that text, no matter how many times we read it, no matter how many times we write it, not matter how many times we repeat it to ourselves - we will not come to the correct understanding of that text.
The phrase, "without spot or wrinkle," is a Hebraic metonymy - a figure of speech from a Hebrew perspective - that describes the skin condition of a bride. Her husband would look at her skin and notice if she had spots - because spots meant she had been spending much time in the sun laboring to earn his love. If her skin had wrinkles, that meant she was a worrier - she had been fretting and did not trust his ability to take care of her.
Now upon reflection, we find that Jesus wants a "bride" a Church that has entered into His rest - those who have done what Jesus said to do in Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." In other words, Jesus wants people who will rest in Him and stop trying to earn their salvation. In addition, Jesus is looking for a "bride" - a Church - without wrinkle. That means He wants us to stop worrying! A Church without wrinkle has followed Jesus' teaching found in Luke 12:25-32 - "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? ... But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! ... And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. ... your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. "
I say all of that just to say this, Biblical Meditation involves INTENSE STUDY followed by REFLECTION. Biblical Meditation is not built on reflection alone. I had a band director in High School who used to say to all his students, "Practice makes perfect.....unless you are practicing wrong." I say the same thing about meditating on the Bible. The way to ensure that you are meditating correctly is study. Biblical Meditation does not come after study - Biblical Meditation includes and begins with study. I encourage you - whatever else you do - STUDY the Bible!

The Call Kansas City

2007-12-25T09:41:00.000-06:00

If you are unable to join us at Bartle Hall in Kansas City on December 31, join us through internet webstream at http://www.thecall.com/ for FREE or via GOD TV (channel 365 on DirecTV). Also, be sure to join Lou Engle, Eddie James, Mike Bickle, and Will Ford at Bartle Hall in Kansas City or via internet webstream at http://www.thecall.com/ for a special prophetic call to African-American leaders on December 28.

TheCall Kansas City: Making America a House of Prayer

Historic outpourings of the Holy Spirit have always been preceded by an extraordinary movement of prayer and fasting led by ordinary men and women. History bears witness to this reality with Evan Roberts and the Welsh Revival, with Frank Bartleman and the Azusa Street Revival, with Count Zinzendorf and the Moravian movement, and, above all, with the young disciples gathered in the Upper Room in Acts 2 that led to the rapid expansion of the Church in the first century. Again, a generation is emerging that is laying hold of the prophetic promise of revival in this nation. 2008 looms largely ahead of us and is rapidly becoming the battlefield on which a generation must contend for revival. It will take nothing less than a nationwide movement of prayer and fasting . Thus, we are believing that every family, every church, every business, and every college campus will become a House of Prayer (Isaiah 56:7). We believe that 2008 will be a year that is marked with prayer and fasting–with young adults starting prayer furnaces on college campuses, with men and women starting prayer meetings in the marketplace, with local churches becoming day and night houses of prayer. Over ten years ago, the Lord gave a prophetic friend of mine a profound dream that pointed me back to my life's calling and vocation. In the dream, a Buddhist house of prayer sat atop a Christian house of prayer and dominated it. But then, the Christian house of prayer began to wrestle with the Buddhist house of prayer and began to overpower it. Through this dream, the Lord resoundingly spoke to me and challenged me to "raise up a house of prayer that contends with every other house." Moreover, just a few years later, through a series of profound prophetic events, the Lord spoke to me prophetically that "wherever TheCall goes, I (the Lord) will establish My House of Prayer."To that end, we are calling for 30,000+ to gather in Kansas City on December 31 for TheCall Kansas City where we will seek God in fasting and prayer to visit this nation with a historic revival and cry out to God to establish His House of Prayer in cities all across America. I believe that our nation has yet to see the Church in its full potential to transform cities. However, I believe that a new sound is emerging that will explore the limitless power from on high when we partner with God through unceasing prayer and fasting. I believe that now is America's time to raise up Houses of Prayer in cities all across the nation to contend for breakthrough!For more information, visit http://www.thecall.com/.

A New Grandson

2007-12-24T16:07:00.000-06:00

It's about time that I did a little bragging. Our middle child, Alicia, and her husband, Ashley are the proud parents of a new little boy -Ashtyn. He was born a week and 2 days ago - December 15 to be exact. He weighed in at 7.5 pounds and stands 20.5 inches tall - actually he stretches to 20.5 inches long - horizontal. He has dark hair and, according to his very biased dad, he looks like the Mills side of the family. Here's a pic of the little guy's hair, just to demonstrate the dark hair part.

Now for a fuller view:

As you can see, we got our Christmas present early this year.

Speaking of Christmas - I pray that yours is filled with wonder and blessing. And I pray that Jesus will be born anew in your heart every moment of every day.

Fresh Revelation

2007-11-25T13:24:00.000-06:00

I think I have just come up with some fresh revelation! Texas truly is God's chosen state. I have proof from the Bible! What is the "nick name" for the state of Texas? The "Lone Star State." And how many stars are on the flag of Texas? One - one lone star.

Now, how many stars guided the wise men to the child, Jesus? Was it a whole constelation? No - it was one single star. God chose to lead the magi to Jesus with one, lone star because He knew that one day there would be a place called Texas whose symbol would be a single star. Thus, Texas is God's favorite state.

Of course, I'm being silly, but as an amateur teacher of Biblical Hermeneutics (the art of interpreting the Bible), I am constantly amazed at what people can do to the Bible - all in the name of "fresh revelation." Some of the "fresh revelation" is pretty harmless and so I don't make too much fuss over it. However, some of it causes us to miss significant truth in God's Word. For example, in Matthew 18:19 Jesus says, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." I can't tell you how many times I've heard that verse quoted in prayer meetings (especially when only two people showed up), in an attempt to convince God that He has to answer your prayers because two of you are praying together. The implications of that wrong "hermeneutic" are significant. If Jesus really meant what people have said this verse means, then no one could ever pray with any confidence when they are alone. If the verse really meant what people say it means, then it would reveal that Jesus' actions of going off by Himself to pray were wrong - or at least that He couldn't expect the Father to answer since He wasn't praying with someone.

Now you may not think this is any big deal - but the reality is, this particular verse doesn't have anything to do with prayer. Instead, it has to do with getting a friend to help in the restoration of a broken relationship. Jesus has just taught that if a brother sins against you, it is imperative that you do everything possible to restore that lost or broken relationship. And then He promises, that if two of you will agree to restore the broken relationship, then He will work with you to make it happen. That understanding of the verse is significantly more powerful.

I want to encourage you to seek fresh revelation from Scripture - but make sure that the "revelation" you receive truly is that, and not just the product of a good imagination.

The Times They Are A Changin'

2007-06-07T19:23:00.000-05:00

Come gather 'round people

Wherever you roam

And admit that the waters

Around you have grown

And accept it that soon

You'll be drenched to the bone.

If your time to you

Is worth savin'

Then you better start swimmin'

Or you'll sink like a stone

For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn

The curse it is cast

The slow one now

Will later be fast

As the present now

Will later be past

The order is

Rapidly fadin'.

And the first one now

Will later be last

For the times they are a-changin'.

These are the first and last verses to a familiar Bob Dylan classic which was first released in 1964. In 1967 they were re-released, and that is the version I was most familiar with. I had no idea that 40 years later those words would be significantly more meaningful to me personally than they were when I was 16. In those days the hippie / free love movement began at the corner of Haight and Ashbury in San Francisco - the Israeli army conducted the famous 6 day war - Viet Nam was raging - and my family moved from the only home I had ever known growing up, into a school whose junior class alone was more than two times larger than my entire high school had been. The times, they truly were a'changin'.

Then, this past week I traveled with Debbie and Marisa to visit my mom and dad in the Dallas, Texas area. My parents no longer live together. After 64 years of marriage, my dad has had to be moved away from my mom into an Alzheimer's care facility. My mom lives in a retirement village and has assistance 5 days a week. For them - and for the rest of the family - the times they are a'changin'.

My dad is no longer the dad I have known all my life - he is but a shell of the man who gave himself so diligently and lovingly for his family.

My mom, though lucid most of the time, can be seen sitting in her chair talking to people only she can see, or going through motions with her hands as if she were sewing something precious to her - movements she has done thousands of times making dresses for my sisters and quilts and such - though there is no needle, thread or fabric in front of her.

For us all - especially mom and dad - the times they are a'changin'. I pray that we all will continue to make the adjustments with grace and dignity - and the love we learned from these two wonderful parents. Bless you Mom and Dad - and thanks for giving us all life and love.

For Those Who Give Their Lives

2007-05-28T06:51:00.000-05:00

Memorial Day in the United States is designed to remember those who have defended this country, and to pay special tribute to those who have lost their lives in that defense. I might not be allowed to write this note were it not for all of them - thanks is just not adequate - but add my feeble attempt to the millions of others who are thankful for the sacrifices you and your loved ones have made and perhaps you will be able to hear our hearts.

In addition to those brave soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guard who have lost their lives, as a Christian, I want to also remember all those who have lost their lives in defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for making it possible for me and my family to know and love Jesus - to know that Jesus loves me. Thank you for all the missionaries who serve today. Thank you for all those who even at this moment are in prisons around the world - simply because they love Jesus. For all of you I humbly pray:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Amen

The Responsibility of Preachers

2007-05-22T07:25:00.000-05:00

That's a pretty lofty title isn't it? I didn't mean it to be - I'm not going to talk about moral or social responsibility - I just want to point out the importance of communicating the Word of God with clarity. There is something about the human brain that longs for clarity and organization and I hear too many preachers that come up short in both areas. What's even sadder is that they blame it on the Holy Spirit! "Well, I just preach as I'm led" becomes the mantra of laziness and irresponsibility on the part of the preacher.

Let me give you a little picture that may help. If not, then I'm guilty of the very thing about which I'm concerned. Anyway, imagine yourself at the head of a car caravan. You have just left a wedding and your job is to get all those that attended the wedding ceremony from the church to the location of the celebratory gathering we call a reception. Imagine further, that you are the only one who has directions from the church to the reception hall. It is your responsibility to drive in such a way that you get everyone to the party. With that image, you understand that you will drive differently than if you were going to the party all on your own. If you didn't have the responsibility of getting others from point A to point B, you would drive a little faster; you would speed up going through traffic lights - even daring to go through the intersection when the light has turned yellow. You would always use your turn indicator. You would change lanes with much greater care and soon enough for everyone in the caravan to make the coming lane adjustments and turns. Every time you went through a traffic light, you would check your rear view mirror to make sure the whole caravan was still in tact. If anyone happened to miss the light, you would pull over and wait until the traffic light changed and those missing cars rejoined the caravan. The point is, you just drive differently when you know people are depending on you to get to a particular destination.

Now, translate that to preaching. First, a preacher must know the destination of the biblical text or the whole experience is an exercise in futility. Did you know that studies have been done that indicate that 50% of preachers have no idea what point they are trying to make with their sermons!!! That means that half of the congregations in America are following someone who has no idea where they are going!!!! That's frightening to me. We know those 50% are totally disorganized - that's a given. On top of that, probably half of the remaining preachers - even if they know the destination - even if they know where the text is headed - they are so disorganized that people have trouble following them. Too many preachers preach like they do personal devotions - it's a kind of stream of consciousness extemporaneous speaking - one thought or verse of scripture triggers another thought or verse which triggers another and so on. In the end, when the preacher looks back - the caravan has dispersed and no one shows up at the party - the celebration of God's Word.

I don 't know why that was on my mind this morning - but it was - so there you have it.

A Sad Commentary

2007-05-16T12:27:00.000-05:00

I still get my denominational newspaper each week - the United Methodist Reporter. In the latest edition, there is a story about an Episcopal Church in New Jersey that has a major dilemma. They have no money and they are contemplating selling their "Tiffany Stained Glass Windows" in order to survive a little longer. The once vital congregation has dwindled to almost nothing and one solution that has been suggested by the pastor is to sell the windows. Each window is insured for a half million dollars, but brokers indicate that the most anyone could expect to get for a "religious themed" window is $200K. Of course there are many opinions related to what the congregation should do - Episcopalians are like Methodist in that regard - wherever two or three Methodists are gathered together there are at least 5 or 6 opinions! Anyway, in one discussion, the article quotes one concerned congregant (see how I use that denominational language with ease!!) said, "This is what makes the church, the historic stuff!"

In another realm, a letter to the editor in the Kansas City Star recently was lamenting the fact that people had made such a big deal out of the life of Jerry Falwell. The letter writer was aghast that anyone like Reverend Falwell could be considered a Christian. He even went so far as to say that Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu, was a better Christian than Jerry Falwell because he was more accepting of gays and lesbians - or something of that nature.

And now for one more story: I was a campus minister at one point in my life and our campus ministry had an intramural basketball team. In one of our games, the officiating was obviously one sided against us. By the time the game was down to the last 3 minutes of play, our team had been to the foul line only 3 times (that means that only 3 fouls were called against the opposing team in the entire game), and the other team had shot more foul shots than we could count! Needless to say, our guys were quite frustrated and began to show that frustration toward the referees. Finally, the debacle was over and as our players walked off the court, refusing to shake the hands of the opponents (I'm not saying that behavior showed good sportsmanship, but it was understandable), one of the chief offenders from the other team (the one who fouled our guys most and got away with every one of them) yelled, "I thought you were supposed to be Christians!"

The implication in all of those stories is that we, the Church, have lost our way. From the church lady who thinks that it's the historic stuff that makes the church, to the gay guy who thinks that being a Christian means you have no standards, to the basketball player who thinks a Christian is one who never gets frustrated in the face of injustice - we learn that the church is obviously communicating a wrong message. We have wandered far off course from our mandate to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." It's time we Christians examined ourselves and see where we have lifted up our denomination, or our rules, or our attitudes and failed to lift up Jesus.

My Excuse Is...

2007-05-15T14:01:00.000-05:00

Actually, I have no excuse - just a really good reason for not blogging - I'm lazy. That's a reason isn't it? The excuse I would have used, were I so inclined, is that my mentor - my friend - my inspiration (well, maybe that takes it a little too far) - but anyway, the guy who got me started, Randy Bohlender, quit and now he's back, so I guess I can give it another shot.

What a great 2 weeks I've had! Jonathan and Heidi along with Kai, Salem and Faith have been here for 12 days and in the middle of that Alicia, Ashley, and Aria came for Mothers' day! We have had a blast! The time had flown by so quickly. Ashley headed back to Madison, WI on Sunday; Debbie and I took Alicia and Aria to the airport this morning; and Jonathan's crew head out at O-dark thirty on Thursday. It will be disturbingly quiet around the Mills house. I would add pictures - but my grand kids are just soooooooo cute that it would create a flood of envy; and besides, I have too many pictures and just can't choose which ones to exclude. So, maybe in days ahead, I'll share a few.

Be blessed, y'all!

Factoid Friday

2007-03-30T07:10:00.000-05:00

Wow - does time ever fly!!!!! I can't believe it's been a week since my last post. That is not a good thing for building loyal blog buddies. Perhaps I'm in a creative slump - perhaps I never had any creativity in the first place - perhaps I'm just a slacker - perhaps .... well never mind. I'll not bore you any longer with my delinquency and continue to bore you with

FACTOID FRIDAY!

Today's factoid has to do with local driving issues. Did you know that the 6th worst place in the United States for driving a car is (drum roll please) ..... Kansas City, Missouri! At least we aren't as bad at driving as the people in St. Louis, Missouri - they are the number two worst place. The worst place in the US for car crashes and reckless driving is Columbia, South Carolina. Because I don't want to leave you with a totally negative factoid to haunt your weekend, I will tell you that the best, safest, and most crash free city in the US is Des Moines, Iowa. Once again, folks, I don't explain 'em, I just report 'em. Have a great weekend!

Factoid Friday

2007-03-23T11:25:00.000-05:00

After missing the last couple of Fridays because of my trip to Hawaii, it is once again time for

FACTOID FRIDAY!

Did you know that the human brain processes about 11 million pieces of information EVERY SECOND? That's lots of information, right? Now here's the really interesting part - only 40 of those pieces of information are processed consciously. That means that 10,999,960 pieces of information are processed by the unconscious brain! The implications of this information are - now get this - mind boggling. There is a lot going on in and around us that is completely beyond the scope of our awareness - and yet it impacts how we feel, what we think, how we act, what we do.

I have no idea what you are to do with this information - but I'm just committed to reporting the factoids - I'll let you figure out the implications.

Back in KC

2007-03-22T12:16:00.000-05:00

Here it is Thursday and my brain has yet to catch up to my body - We left Honolulu at 6:40 pm Sunday (11:40 pm KC time) and arrived in KC at 11 am on Monday - that's 11.5 hours in transit. Sleeping is virtually impossible on an airplane and we promised ourselves that we would not go to sleep before the normal 10 pm on Monday - didn't make it! I think we finally gave up and went to sleep at 9 pm. The good news is that when we arrived in KC our daughter, Alicia, and granddaughter, Aria, were there to meet us. Then we had the opportunity to take care of Aria for the next 24 hours so that Alicia, Marisa and their friend Lindsay could have a little "girl time." We were more than happy to take care of little Aria - she was just wonderful!

Yesterday (Wednesday) I spent most of the day getting ready to teach on healing and communion. It is a great study in 1 Corinthians. I focused my study on 2 significant words from 1 Corinthians 11 - proclaim and examine. Time didn't permit me to do more than "proclaim" last night, so next Wednesday I'll focus on the "examine" part of the text. I shared that when Jesus told the early church to "do this in remembrance of me" He was not talking about a sentimental remembrance, but He was telling the people to "remember to proclaim everything I did for you in My death." That proclamation involved two elements - the broken body and the spilled blood. When Jesus said, "This is my body broken for you," he was calling attention to the words of Isaiah 43:4-5 which ends with this promise: "By His wounds we are healed." When we proclaim the broken body of Jesus we come face to face with our faith - do I really believe that His death provided for my healing? Every time I partake of the broken body of the Lord, I am proclaiming my trust in His promise - and I am bolstering my faith to believe it even more! I'll talk about the shed blood element of the proclamation later.

For now, I'm just enjoying being back in the prayer room!

Aloha Oi

2007-03-18T14:47:00.000-05:00

Well - this is the last day for Hawaii - we head out this evening at 6:40 - that's 11:40 pm KC time. Arrive in KC Monday morning at 10 am after a stop in Houston. When I get home, I'll have a few more parting photos and thoughts. Hope you've enjoyed sharing in our little Hawaiian excursion - it's been fun.

Maui Wowie 6

2007-03-17T16:32:00.000-05:00

Last full day in Honolulu! Heard that it sleeted in KC last night (Friday) and almost immediately heard some kind of voice calling me to stay in the islands. If I'm not back in place next week, you might want to check the beaches of Honolulu to see if I'm still hanging around here. Debbie is out buying last minute gifts - you know the kinds of things that people don't need or really want, but that give you one more opportunity to say, "Nyah, nayh - I got to go to Hawaii for 10 days and you didn't!" Anyway, that's been the point of this blog the last few days.

I would like to thank our friends who made it possible for us to come here free of charge! They covered air fare, hotels, car rental, and most of our food. God has certainly been good and He has used them as instruments to bless us. This is Debbie and Vickie at one of the fine eateries in a nearby hotel. We do not want to miss the opportunity to thank Him and them for this tremendous gift of love and kindness.

Here are a couple of parting shots. Forgive the grainy nature of some of the pictures - they are the result of 35 mm film going through the x-ray machine at the airport. I'm glad there was at least this much. The lady at the film developing store told me that they could have been completely erased. So - here ya go!

Maiu Wowie 5

2007-03-16T15:34:00.000-05:00

Actually, we have left Maui and are in Honolulu on the island of O'ahu. This is an entirely different experience. Maui seems to cater to the "high end" folks - example, breakfast cost $25 EACH. So Debbie and I spent $50 each day just to eat breakfast! Today, we both ate for just over $15 TOGETHER. Honolulu is more touristy than Maui. We are staying right across the street from Waikiki Beach - and if you look really close, you can actually see the sand between the bodies. Debbie and I just got back from a walk and for some reason, I kept hearing Jimmy Buffett sing "Margaritaville" - perhaps it was the "tourists covered with oil" that triggered the memory. Anyway, it's going to be quite a different experience. Here are a couple of images from our "lanai" (for those of you who have forgotten or just checked in, that's a Hawaiian porch).

We did go to the International House of Prayer of Honolulu last night (Thursday) and had a great and refreshing experience. We met some great folks who have been going hard after prayer for a couple of years now. They are small in number but mighty in Spirit. A few of them have been to KC and one, Regan (not sure of spelling), the pastor/leader of the group plans to come to KC for a year beginning in about 4 weeks. He told me he plans on recruiting, so you might want to begin now praying about joining him in a year to help with the IHOP Honolulu! Well, Debbie is trying to get me to become one of those "tourists covered with oil" so I'll write more later!

Maui Wowie 4

2007-03-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd take a minute to check in and share a few more photos with you. The sights, sounds, and smells are just amazing!

Today is a bit rainy, though, so I took some time to study. I've been working on some teaching I will do when I return. It relates to the celebration of the Lord's Supper and healing. I've been studying 1 Corinthians and I've discovered that we seem to have really missed the point of 1 Corinthians 11 related to self-examination, sickness and communion. It appears that the primary thrust of the text in conjunction with the focus of the entire book has to do with "discerning the body" in the elements. We have a tendency to focus on our own personal sins (which is necessary), but it really focuses on our understanding of our sins in relation to the entire Body of Christ. When we don't see how our personal sins impact the entire Body, then we bring judgment on ourselves in the form of weakness, sickness, and even sleep or death. I'll share more as I get more, but for now, you might examine how you really feel about the Body of Christ - the weaker parts, the unseemly parts, the parts who hold different doctrines from you, etc. I'm not at the point of conclusion yet, but I'm really intrigued by how different our western independence is from the image I seem to be getting from Paul related to the unity of the Body of Christ.

Maui Wowie 3

2007-03-11T19:58:00.000-05:00

Please pardon the delay - I didn't post yesterday because there was a power surge and it knocked their server out for a while. All continues to go well. We went to a luau a couple of nights ago - wind blew like I was in West Texas again - major difference was there was no dust involved. It did make the luau a little interesting though. Part of the luau was entertainment by a local dance troupe. Check out the pictures!

Before the human entertainment, the sunset put on a pretty spectacular performance of its own. Nice, huh?

Today, we went to a Tongan Methodist Church and heard some great music by a brass band who just happened to be touring Hawaii from Tonga!

Of course no trip to Hawaii would be complete without a trip to the beach. Guess whose feet are in this picture? We're having a great time and look forward to sharing more as time goes by.

Maui Wowie 2

2007-03-09T18:53:00.002-06:00

Well, we arrived safely yesterday - not one hitch in the process. Kudos to Continental Airlines for great service all the way. We were (and still are) tired - long hours of travel will do that to you, but it is well worth every moment of confinement in a tiny space with no leg room. However, there are advantages to being less (a lot less) than six feet tall when it comes to air travel. Anyway, we slept very well, and didn't wake up at 6 am KC time, but made it all the way to 6 am HI time - so I consider that a pretty big victory.

I wanted to give you a couple of shots of the view from my porch. They call is a lanai (I think), but to me it looks like a porch.

We had a great encounter with a woman in the airport in Honolulu while waiting for our shuttle flight to Maui. She is from Houston and was headed for Maui for her nephew's wedding. She shared that she was concerned that neither he nor his wife were believers and she was one of the only family members attending who was a believer, so she felt a huge responsibility to be there for them. She so wanted the new couple to know the love of Christ. It was moving that she almost broke into tears every time she talked about the couple. Debbie and I have prayed for her and ask you to do so as well. Since I did not ask permission to share this, I don't feel I can share her name, but that really isn't necessary. She's standing in the gap for these kids, and if you think about it, you might stand in the gap for her as well. It was also great to be able to share one of my books with her. She read part of it on the short flight between Honolulu and Maui and at the baggage claim she made a point of telling me how she had already been impacted and couldn't wait to finish it. Pray for her to deepen her relationship with Jesus even more as she encounters Him in Glad to Forgive.

Pray that we will have more of those divine encounters as the trip progresses!

Maui Wowie

2007-03-07T07:59:00.000-06:00

Hold on fellow bloggers - tomorrow morning, Thursday, March 8, 2007, Debbie and I head for a 10 day all expense paid trip to Maui and Honolulu!! That's right, folks, 7 days in Maui - sailing, snorkeling, luauing, and just plain ol' kickin' back and relaxing. Follow that by a short flight over to Honolulu for the last three days which will include an excursion to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial as well as a contact with the Honolulu House of Prayer. My goal is to blog each day (except tomorrow because I will be traveling all day) and try to create as much envy in you as possible - only for the purpose of exposing something that needs to be confessed and cleaned out. Of course my motives are purely pastoral! I'll keep you "posted" (get it? Posted? Never mind).

2007-03-06T06:39:00.000-06:00

And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5

This is a call to be temple – a living temple – a living place of worship. This is the call to step into the role of priests. As you read through 1 Peter, you notice that prior to this call to be "living stones" Peter calls Christians to live as "obedient children" and "newborn babes." One of the most important things we note about this third metaphor is that you can live as an obedient child individually; and you can live as a newborn babe individually; but you cannot be living stones that are being built into a spiritual house unless other stones are involved. Even though the emphasis all along has probably been on the corporate nature of being a disciple of Jesus, it now becomes imperative. A living stone cannot be built into a spiritual house all by itself – it is the purpose of the Church, the body of Christ, to house this holy priesthood. It is the purpose of the Church to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. This necessarily makes this section missionary and evangelistic. The only way to build up the house is by constantly adding more living stones!

Hal Linhardt preached one of the most powerful and significant sermons on evangelism I have ever heard. The notes (For some reason I couldn't get the command to publish a link to work, so I'll just do it the ugly way - if you want to read the notes for Hal's sermon go to this link http://www.ihop.org/Group/Group.aspx?ID=1000000380) for his sermon are nothing more than a list of scriptures that demand and motivate Christians to give up the fear of man and begin to rescue people from the jaws of hell. It is time for believers in Jesus to step into our role as living stones and minister to God in worship, to represent God to lost people, and to intercede on behalf of those lost people before the throne of God.

Factoid Friday!

2007-03-02T13:54:00.000-06:00

Seems that I just wrote one of these, but once again it's time for

FACTOID FRIDAY!!!!

Did you know that if you have a persistent tickle in your throat that causes you to cough, you can stop it by scratching your ear? Strange but true. "When the nerves in the ear are stimulated, it creates a reflex in the throat that can cause a muscle spasm," says Scott Schaffer, M.D., president of an ear, nose, and throat specialty center in Gibbsboro, New Jersey. "This spasm [created by scratching the inside of the ear], relieves the tickle" and thus stops the cough.

Now, I don't advise using a drinking straw or even a cotton swab, but if you use your little finger and get it placed just right it actually works!

Giving a Final Exam

2007-03-01T14:50:00.001-06:00

I'm currently waiting on my students to show up for the Final Exam to end this module of teaching. For some reason I had a really tough time with this class - I don't know if it was because I was teaching new material, or because the material I was teaching was difficult to teach, or because of ... hey, I haven't had time to process it yet. One thing I do know though is I'm tired. Motivation is at a particularly low ebb right now. I could really take a nap - but I've never been particularly good at napping - I tend to wake up feeling drugged - and then I don't sleep at night. But then you didn't pay good money to listen to me bellyache. Now that I think about it...you didn't pay good money at all...you get to read this great stuff for free! (I heard that "guess-you-get-what-you-pay-for" comment!)

Anyway, let's talk for a minute about "The End of All Things: Writings of Peter." 2 Peter is a kind of general letter written to a group of Christians that are facing a difficult time from inside the camp. A group of teachers has developed from among the faithful. This second of two letters says (2:1) that they have "infiltrated" the church with "destructive heresies." It seems that some stealth ninjas have smuggled in some ideas and concepts that are just plain wrong, and Peter is trying to give these Christians the "heads up." Words like "brazen" and "insolent" and "irrational animals" are used. My favorite, though, is when he calls these people "stains and blemishes." (2:13) You stain! Now that is an insult!

What seems to make matters worse is that these folks used to play for the home team , "through the rich knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2:20) And to make matters worse, they are still wearing the home team's uniform! (2:1) But instead of remaining faithful, they have "gone astray" by "forsaking the right path." (2:15) And they have taken it on as their personal mission to "exploit" anyone who will listen to their "deceptive words." (2:3) They will even deny "the master who bought them." (2:1)

As we come closer to the end of all things, we must be ever on the alert for those who teach contrary to the Truth. Let's agree to help and encourage one another - "...be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth." (3:17)

(illustration by David Newton, from a recent issue of Nature)

Giving a Final Exam

2007-03-01T14:50:00.000-06:00

(illustration by David Newton, from a recent issue of Nature)

Just Saying "Hi"

2007-02-27T06:44:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to stop by this morning and say "HI!" I've missed sharing with you lately, but I only have a few more days left in this teaching module (3 week intensive) and then perhaps I can stop by daily. Right now, I am studying like crazy. I joke (but it isn't a joke at all) that I'm just 30 minutes ahead of the students. I study, prepare, study some more, write, put together a PowerPoint presentation of the lesson and get that completed about half an hour before walking into class. I "dump the load" for 3 hours and then head home for more study, preparation, study, PowerPoint, only to head back to class for another 3 hour information dump. This goes on Monday through Thursday for three weeks. I'm not sure what the students are getting, but I am learning a lot! Perhaps in coming days I'll share a little - but I'll resist the urge to make it a 3 hour post.

Factoid Friday!!!

2007-02-23T15:02:00.000-06:00

Well, it's that time again. Since I've not posted with any regularity lately, I'm a little embarrassed; but since it's only a little embarrassment, then I'll go ahead. If I were a LOT embarrassed, then I'd find another avenue of expression. However ... it's time for

Factoid Friday!!!

Did you know that it is easier to influence a person to your point of view after he (or she) has had a large dose of caffeine?

That's correct! Australian researchers apparently didn't have enough to do, so they gave participants in the study either a placebo (containing no caffeine) or a drink that contained the caffeine equivalent of 2 cups of coffee. Following the ingestion of the brew, the participants were asked to read a persuasive message stating an opinion which they had formerly opposed. The folks hopped up on caffeine were more likely to be persuaded to change their opinion than the folks who got the placebo.
Two observations:
1) I must stop watching the news while I have my morning coffee!
2) If I need to sell something, there are a few apparently easy targets in the IHOP-KC world.

Have a great weekend!

A Little Catching Up

2007-02-20T14:13:00.000-06:00

On Valentine's Day, I reported that my wife left me. Well, I'm happy to report that she made it back safely. The return trip was not without it's hassles - her flight from Ft. Wayne was delayed, which caused her to miss her connection in Detroit, which required that she be re-booked at another time which put her back in KC about 4 hours later than expected - but she did arrive safely home! It is good to have her back.

In addition, I've been teaching from 1 Peter the last couple of weeks at Forerunner School of Ministry. Monday, we focused our attention for a few minutes on 1 Peter 2:1 - Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

In that study, we discovered that our calling as Christians is to "fervently love one another from the heart." (1 Peter 1:22) And now, reading 2:1 we have discovered that there are some practices that will keep us from doing what we are called to do. The first thing that will keep us from fervent love is malice. We learned that malice is really a desire for evil to come upon someone. We also learned that evil is not the opposite of God, it is the absence of God. So the desire for evil to come upon a person is the result of a void in a person's heart. If I have "malice" toward another person, it is a signal that an emptiness exists in my heart. The only explanation for a malicious thought or action is that I have an emptiness in my heart that needs to be filled.

After malice, there are other hindrances to love listed: deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all slander. Without going into any major detail, it appears that Peter has given us a progression that leads away from love. The progression goes something like this:

1) If the heart is not filled with the fullness of God, that void produces an evil, self-centered desire for self preservation and self promotion and will have no concern for any injury that may come to others (malice). It is truly animalistic.
2) A malicious heart attitude will produce an insatiable need to get ahead of others at all costs. At that point, deceit takes over and no deception is too low in order for me to get what I want by whatever means necessary.
3) I will then begin to play a part (hypocrisies) that is contrary to what I say I believe. I will sink into the depths of hypocrisy. It will be subtle at first and will appear harmless, but if I allow it to run unchecked, it will escalate.
4) In that condition, I will long for what others have (envies) – not just for the sake of having it, but because I will honestly believe that it is a matter of my personal survival – with such intensity that it will literally rot my sense of right and wrong.
5) At this point, I will have no hesitation in saying whatever I have to say, or doing whatever I have to do to displace anyone I perceive as a competitor (slanders). It’s the law of the jungle, kill or be killed, eat or be eaten; survival of the fittest becomes my motto.

So now the question must be, "How do I fill the void that exists naturally in the human heart? How do I fill the void that leads to this destructive progression?"

I'm glad you asked that question, because Peter gives us the answer immediately. In 1 Peter 2:2 he says, "...like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word..." The only way to fill the void is with the Word of God. When we long for the Word of God the way a baby longs for milk, then we will begin to fill the emptiness with the only thing that will be effective. So my prayer for myself and for my brothers and sisters in Christ is that we will have a longing for the Word of God - so that the empty places in our hearts will "be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:19)

Something New

2007-02-16T19:15:00.000-06:00

In keeping with the latest trend in blogging - who am I kidding? I have no idea what is the latest trend in blogging. It's just that the two blogging gurus that I know (Randy and Shawn) seem to have some kind of special subject or quiz or give away or theme on Fridays. And to avoid doing my own creative thinking, I decided to simply mimic the big boys.

So here is the first (and maybe last) installment in my attempt to communicate through the written word.

Factoid Friday!!!!

Taken from the pages of my latest issue of Men's Health, did you know that socks may help you fall asleep faster? That's right, according to page 38 of the March 2007 issue of Men's Health Magazine, Dutch researchers observed 8 people on 6 different occasions. On each of those occasions, they changed what these people wore to bed and what routine they followed prior to going to bed. Then they measured how long it took each of them to fall asleep. People who wore socks to bed fell asleep 27 percent faster than those people who went to bed barefoot. There is one proviso: don't put the socks on until just before you slip beneath the covers. Apparently if you warm your feet too soon, it doesn't help.

Hey, I don't explain 'em, I just report 'em! So before you head to bed, don the socks for a good night's sleep. Seems to have worked for this guy.

My Wife Left Me Today!

2007-02-14T13:56:00.000-06:00

Can you believe it? Valentine's Day and my wife left me. That's right - just got on a plane and flew off. She left me!

She left me with enough clean clothes for a few days at least.
She left me a few meals in the refrigerator.
She left me a five day supply of vitamins in a little travel case.
She left me a new bar of soap (because she knew I didn't have a clue where she keeps those supplies).
She left me a big bar of 72% Cocao Dark Chocolate (mm-mm good!).

She left me alright -
She left me with a new appreciation of all the things she does for me on a daily basis.
But most of all, she left me looking forward to Sunday afternoon when she comes back from visiting her mom, sister, and brother in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO!!

2007-02-13T05:47:00.000-06:00

Sorry! I didn't do it on purpose! I just tripped!

Do those sound like the words of a child who has just broken his mom's favorite antique punch bowl...or the words of a husband who was on his way to the toilet (in a big hurry - don't ask) and stepped on the laundry basket (placed strategically in the hallway between the office and toilet), strewing clothes everywhere and crushing (literally crushing) the plastic basket? By now, your votes have been cast and you've chosen option # 2 - the klutzy husband. And you are...drum roll please...absolutely correct.

What happened? I don't know - it was just one of those freak occurrences - I'm sure the phase of the moon and coming snow storm converged to create some kind of time warp vortex. Who knows? Maybe I'm just not as adept as I once was at leaping tall laundry baskets in a single bound. Whatever the cause, I'm now in the market for a new laundry basket.

Life goes on!

The Week Ahead

2007-02-12T07:34:00.000-06:00

Today I begin a three week blitz we in the Forerunner School of Ministry world call a "module." Our schedule is such that we teach three hours a day, for days a week for three weeks. The good part is that we get to spend a lot of time with some top quality - highly motivated students. It gives us a really good opportunity to get to know one another very well. The tough part is preparation. I not-so-kiddingly say that I am about 30 minutes ahead of the students. I complete preparation for the day about half an hour before going in to teach. I, then dump the information only to head back to the books and computer to prepare for the next day. Debbie has scheduled a trip to her home town of Ft. Wayne, Indiana beginning Wednesday. According to her, this is a good time to be gone "because I won't see you anyway."

In addition to that, Marisa has 7 friends arriving for the coming weekend. I think the wave of 20-somethings starts on Thursday. The purpose of their trip is to pray for one of the group who is very ill. She is one of the 7 and will receive prayer for healing and support from her friends. If you think about it, you might join them in praying for Olivia's healing.

In addition, I'm working with some folks doing research on academic accreditation for FSM. This seems to be quite a daunting task - but well worth the efforts because it will challenge us to greater levels of organization and excellence. We have already made remarkable strides in those areas, this will push us even further. I think one thing we will discover is that we already are off the charts in terms of excellence of training.

There is more, but I'll just leave it at that for now. Have a great week. Hope to visit with you again tomorrow!

Evolution Sunday

2007-02-08T12:39:00.000-06:00

This Sunday, February 11 has been designated as "Evolution Sunday." It occurs on the birthday of Charles Darwin. As we approach this day, I just couldn't let it pass without comment. Let me first share that I majored in zoology at a state university. I was a nominal Christian in those days - I had been raised going to church - a denomination that definitely could not be classified as fundamentalist or Bible-thumpers. In fact, I had Sunday school teachers that taught me that there was no such thing as eternal life because "it would be boring to live forever." Those same Sunday school teachers taught me that Jesus was no more the Son of God than the rest of us. So fundamentalism was not part of my formative years. While in the university, I sat through basic biology classes as a freshman, and gradually progressed through such classes as "Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy" where I learned that "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny." What that basically means is that as a human embryo develops it "retraces" its evolutionary journey. An example is that in the early days of a human embryo, there are structures that appear to be gill slits (like in a fish). As the embryo matures, those "gill slits" eventually become lungs. Thus retracing it's evolutionary development. From that class, I took basic physiology, then cellular physiology, then microbiology, and others. The crown jewel in my zoological training was a class entitled "The Biological Status of Man." Even the professor couldn't decide if this was really a biology class or a philosophy class. It was nothing but training in evolution. I share all of that to explain that I didn't just fall off the fundamentalist turnip truck.

Now back to the original point - Evolution Sunday. In the "Clergy Letter" that established this austere day, we find this quote: We the undersigned, Christian clergy from many different traditions, believe that the timeless truths of the Bible and the discoveries of modern science may comfortably coexist. We believe that the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth, one that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny and upon which much of human knowledge and achievement rests. To reject this truth or to treat it as one theory among others is to deliberately embrace scientific ignorance and transmit such ignorance to our children."

The phrase in the above quote that gives me difficulty states that this theory is foundational truth. My question is, "Just exactly which theory of evolution are we talking about?" You see, we discuss the theory of evolution as if it were one - as if the entire scientific community had come up with a conclusive statement on evolution, and if we fightin' fundie Christians don't buy into it, then we are just showing our ignorance. The reality is the scientists have no conclusive agreement at all! In the newsletter Species, Speciation, and The Environment edited by Niles Eldredge we find that several views exist on several theories. He states:

Paleontologists now generally agree that stasis -- where species may persist in recognizably the same form, with little or no accumulated change, for millions of years (5-10 million in marine species; somewhat shorter durations in the more volatile terrestrial environments) -- is a common phenomenon.

Whoa there - they "generally agree?" What does that mean? It means they don't fully agree. And the reason they don't fully agree is that there are multiple theories of evolution out there. Some of these theories come from the geologists, some from biologists, some from environmentalists, some from paleontologists, and so on. Now, I love the scientific journey. I think it's exciting when scientists learn how things work. But evolution is far from a physical law. You will never hear the scientific community divided over Newton's laws of physics. No scientific journal will ever say, "Scientists generally agree on gravity." So I suggest that if churches are going to have a Sunday, why don't they have "entropy Sunday," or "gravity Sunday?"

Back From Brinkley

2007-02-07T05:43:00.000-06:00

Well, I've been back from Brinkley, Arkansas for a couple of days now. It was a great trip and we met some really great people. If you think about it, pray for those good folks at the United Methodist Church in Brinkley. The pastor there is David Swift and his wife is Anne - both are special people seeking to minister well in the name of Jesus.

We arrived back in Kansas City just in time to participate in the three day Global Bridegroom Fast at the House of Prayer. The GBF is a monthly global solemn assembly that lasts for three days. It always occurs the first Monday through Wednesday of each month. In addition, the GBF for December lasts 7 days. When you add it all together, we have 11 months of 3 day fasts and one month of 7 fasting days which totals to 40 days of fasting each year. During the Global Bridegroom Fast, we are calling believers worldwide to join together in prayer and fasting for revival.

It's a good thing that we came back from Brinkley into 3 days of fasting, because we ate way too much while we were there. Those Methodists know how to put on the feed bag! My favorite was a chess pie that was to die for! They were talking about inviting us to come back sometime in August - I'm hoping for more pie if they do.

Brinkley, Arkansas

2007-02-02T19:02:00.000-06:00

I'm off to Brinkley, Arkansas for the weekend. I speak Saturday evening and Sunday morning at the United Methodist Church there. I'll talk to you again on Monday (maybe).

An Obedient Child

2007-02-01T20:14:00.001-06:00

Let me say a few more words about 1 Peter. I find it interesting that Peter challenges his readers with a series of similes. The first one, the challenge to live “as obedient children” is not exactly what we might think. He says:

1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth…

Let’s look first at the call to “be holy in all your behavior.” If we aren’t careful here, we will miss an important distinction related to holiness. The word translated “behavior” is broader than how we act. It really has to do with every part – every dimension – every manner of life. So the implication is that this call to holiness has to do with attitude, and thought, and emotion, and will, and purpose. Then when all of those dimensions of life are given over to holiness, of course behavior will necessarily follow. So the reality of this admonition is that Peter is urging these people to grow into holiness from the inside out.

Another observation I make is that there is a model by which we are to gauge our holiness; we are to be “like the Holy One who called you.” God is not just holy in the way He acts – He IS Holy – every part of his being is holy – Holiness is God and God is Holiness. So if we are to be holy LIKE God is holy, then just focusing on behavior is completely inadequate.
Now, notice that Peter quickly moves from an image of a holy God, which some have understood to be a distant and unapproachable being who is impossible to imitate, to an image they all can identify with “If you address as Father …” He wants them to see that this is not an unattainable calling.

The overall implication of this is that the call to be obedient children is not a call to behave better so much as it is a call to be like their father. Peter basically says, “As obedient children, be like your Father.” Obedience as a child is completely different than obedience as a slave. A slave is obedient when he does what he is told to do. A child is obedient when he is reflecting the character of his father. So an obedient child is not one that does what he is told – an obedient child is one that seeks to be like his Father. And let me hasten to add, that imitation doesn’t have to be perfect – in fact, it won’t be perfect. An obedient child is not a perfect child, but he is a child whose heart is longing to be like his parent.

When I was in seminary, I had an evangelism professor named Robert Coleman. Robert had a young son at the time that loved his daddy and wanted desperately to be like him. One day, he looked out the back door and saw his dad working in the yard under the hot and humid summer sun. Quickly, he did what he had seen his dad do in a similar situation. Whenever he had been out playing hard in the hot sun, his dad had brought him a drink of water. So Robert’s little son did what he had seen his dad do. He grabbed a glass, filled it with water and ran outside to give it to his dad. He ran up behind his dad and tugged on his daddy’s pant leg. His dad turned around and looked down into the face of his son. His son lifted up a glass of water. Robert smiled, bent down, took the glass of water, drank it all and hugged his son.

Now, for the rest of the story… Robert’s son couldn’t reach the cabinet where the clean glasses were kept, so he grabbed one that had been sitting on the counter a while and had curdled milk in the bottom. It also had a fly stuck to the curdled milk. Little Robert didn’t know the difference in the hot and cold water, so he filled the glass with warm water. So when Robert drank down that entire glass full of water, it was coming from a dirty glass, filled with hot water, tainted with curdled milk, and had a fly floating on top. Was that a perfect reflection of the kind of drink the son had received from the father? No! Was it a reflection of the Father’s heart? Absolutely!

Obedient children in the context of 1 Peter are children who have looked at the holy character of God, and are seeking to emulate the character they have seen in Him. We want to be Holy, not because God told us to be holy, but because we want to be like our heavenly Father. Will we be able to do it perfectly? Absolutely not! But God is not interested in perfect behavior – He is interested that our hearts respond to and seek to imitate His holiness.

I Told You It Was Cold!!

2007-01-30T19:55:00.000-06:00

Ok, I've had enough - and so has this snake! An eight-foot boa -- frozen solid -- was found Monday morning, Jan. 29, near the Great Miami River bike path in Middletown (Ohio) by McGraw-Kokosing Inc. employees. Now THAT'S cold!

Fervent Love

2007-01-30T15:45:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything related to the name of this blog. It comes from one of my favorite passages of scripture - 1 Peter 1:22.

1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 1:23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 1:24 For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 1:25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." And this is the word which was preached to you.

As I have spent a few minutes studying this over the past few days, I've learned some things that are pretty cool. Any time you see the word “since” in the Bible, you need to automatically check to see if you might be dealing with the result of some previous action. In this case, he clearly states the cause. Let me strip away all the modifying clauses and phrases and get to the basic structure of the sentence. Peter says, “…you have…purified your souls…for you have been born again…through the …word of God.” Sometimes in English it helps to say it in the opposite direction in order to clarify what is really being said, “You have been born again through the word of God, [THEREFORE] your obedience to [that] truth has purified your souls…”

So, coming to Jesus cleanses us. But it doesn't just cleanse us so we can be clean and pure. The cleansing is for a purpose beyond our own need. Peter says that believers have purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren. The point of the purification is to create a pathway for love. You have been obedient to the truth – that obedience has purified your souls so that you can have sincere love for the brethren – so that you can love each other from the heart.

Too many Christians think they came to Christ - they got born again - just to avoid going to hell. But here we find that one of the major purposes of that born again experience is so that we can learn how to love. More later.

It's Official!

2007-01-26T15:39:00.000-06:00

WINTER IS OVER!! I have declared it - I have claimed it - I have named it - I have prophesied it - I am done with winter!!!! I just spent an hour shoveling the last of the ice and snow that has covered my drive way for more than 2 weeks now!!!! THAT'S TWO WEEKS!!! (okay - no snippy remarks from those of you who live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, or Buffalo, New York. I know I'm a wimp but let me wallow in this a minute.) Today the sun is shining - the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (about 13 Celsius or 285 Kelvin [if anyone cares]). I can just feel it in my bones that winter is ov... hold on. I just checked the forecast for tomorrow - high of 32; Sunday - high of 30. Oh well - never mind!

Fear and Trepidation

2007-01-23T14:16:00.000-06:00

It is with great fear and trepidation that I am venturing into the world of politics - not to create a stir - but primarily to ask for information. I recently received the following information in my mail box and I am wondering if there is any veracity to it. Let me know what you know to be the facts.

Probable U.S. Presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black Muslim from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white atheist from Wichita, Kansas. Obama's parents met at the University of Hawaii. When Obama was 2 years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya. His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a radical Muslim from Indonesia. When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocated to Indonesia. Obama attended a Muslim school in Jakarta. He also spent two years in a Catholic school.

Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school. Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear that Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over his son's education. Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta. Wahabism is the radical teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world.

Since it is politically expedient to be a Christian when seeking major public office in the United States, Barack Hussein Obama has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background.

Does anyone know anything about this?

True Texans

2007-01-20T10:53:00.000-06:00

My daughter, Marisa, received an email recently with the following information:

You Know You're a Texan When...
*You can properly pronounce Corsicana, Ennis, Waxahachie, Palestine, Decatur, Wichita Falls, San Antonio, Waco, and Amarillo.
*A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.
*You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
*You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.
*You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.
*You measure distance in minutes.
*Little Smokies are something you serve only for special occasions.
*You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.
*You know cow pies are not made of beef.
*Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.
*You have known someone who has had one belt buckle bigger than your fist.
*You can't pass a dairy queen without getting a Blizzard
*You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, and bait all in the same store.
*A Mercedes Benz is not a status symbol. A Ford f350 4x4 is.
*You know everything goes better with Ranch Dressing.
*You go to the river/lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.
*You go to the gas station and there is a sign in the window that reads, "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service!"
*Your family pet is the stray dog with one leg missing, that came limping up to your door.
*You say "Up-their" when you are referring to a place "Over there".
* You say "y'all" as if it was normal.
*You get made fun of for the way you talk.
*People always ask you if you own a horse and ride it to school.
*You get asked if you say "howdy"
*The weather can be sunny one day...rainy another and snowy the next.
*You actually get these jokes and are "fixin' " to send them to your friends.

*****Finally you are 100% Texan if you have ever heard this conversation:
"You wanna coke?"

"Yeah."

"What kind?"

"Dr. Pepper."

AMEN!!!

And So It Begins

2007-01-16T21:16:00.000-06:00

Well, tonight marks the night that a huge part of America looks forward to each spring - the American Idol season has begun. For those that have never seen American Idol, you just won't understand what I'm talking about. For those of you who are hooked (and I confess that I have been led astray by my eldest daughter, Marisa), you will know exactly what this is all about. This season started in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 10,000 - that's right TEN THOUSAND people gathered for the first round of auditions. Of that 10,000 only 17 made it through to Hollywood. That is o.017%!! Less that 2 one hundredths of one percent made it through to the second round of this All-American competition. The remarkable thing is that the other 99.9% actually think they will make it! The other 99.9% actually think they are really good! The other 99.9% have no clue that they are REALLY bad - no I mean it -- REALLY BAD! Here's the point I want to make - the whole world - every human on the planet is that group that thinks they are really good when in fact they (WE) are really bad when it comes to our standing with God. Humans want to believe that they can somehow be good enough for God -- humans want to believe that their religious practices are making them acceptable to God. Humans look at their efforts and say, "God I am trying so hard to make You pass me on to the next level - You just have to somehow reward my efforts. After all, I'm not really that bad!" And yet, our efforts really stink. Our singing is off key. Our dancing is without rhythm. Our attempts to be special are weak and broken. On our best day, we humans are nothing more than a heaving heap of broken dreams and promises. The Buddhists fail. The Hindus fail. The Jews fail. The Muslims fail. The Christians fail. The atheists fail. The humanists fail. The new agers fail. The spiritists fail. We all fail to be what we think we are being. In the words of Simon (the notorious bad guy judge), "That was absolutely atrocious!" But the good news is this - Jesus "rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14) And "When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14) Even though no one can measure up to the standard set by God - even though we try to convince ourselves that we are really better than we are - when we give everything over to Jesus and trust the work He did for us on the cross - suddenly we are carried into a whole new realm of existence - suddenly we do measure up - but it has nothing to do with us or what we can do - and it has everything to do with Jesus and what He has already done. I'll keep watching American Idol. And every time I watch, I'll be reminded that even my best efforts look like the people who are really REALLY awful compared to God's perfect standard. That's when I will be even more thankful for the free gift God has given me through the cross of Christ.

A New Semester

2007-01-15T11:19:00.000-06:00

I love the first day of school - I always have. There is just an excitement in the air. Today, there are also snowflakes in the air, but that's another story. I'm looking forward to this term, especially, because I get to teach something entirely new. I'll be teaching "The Writings of Peter." I have a month to finish preparation. The modular system we currently use at the Forerunner School of Ministry means that students can focus all their attention on one subject for 4 weeks straight. It also means that teachers can focus all their attention on the subject at hand for just a few weeks. It also means that there is little or no time for preparation during the teaching phase - you have to have all your material together on the first day of class. The next month will be a definite scramble for me to get ready. But that's part of the excitement! I'm looking forward to it. Perhaps I'll get to share some of what I teach (and learn) with you! I know you must be all a-flutter at the very thought of that. I better quit while I'm ahead.

A Cold Afternoon

2007-01-12T13:56:00.000-06:00

It's Friday, January 12 (of course you already knew that) and it's just plain cold here in Kansas City. Freezing drizzle. Sleet. A bit of wind. I ventured into the prayer room at the International House of Prayer today for a few minutes - dummy me, I forgot my little reading glasses, so I couldn't read anything. But guess what - that's OK! I just enjoyed the worship and the warm peace of God's goodness. Didn't stay long, though - the weather was getting worse and so Debbie and I headed home after about an hour and a half. On the way there were fire trucks and police cars with lights flashing on both sides of the road - taking care of cars and drivers that had spun and crashed on the ice. One car was upside down. After a trip that took twice as long as usual to make, Debbie and I grabbed a bowl of soup (home made of course), and then headed for Wal-Mart before the weather deteriorated further. Back home again, I am now sitting in my office, reading blogs, sipping some kind of tea that I cannot identify. There was not one word of English on the box - not even one English looking letter - nothing but some kind of Asian symbols. Even though I can't identify it, it is warm and I'm certain that it is good for me. It kind of tastes like - ummmm - uh - ah - well - it kind of tastes like - uh - well, maybe like the hay bales we used to play on when I would visit a friend's farm - or perhaps like the alfalfa that another friend used to feed his sheep. And the odd thing is - I kinda like it. Oh well, so much for taste. I may just be gearing up for a long cold icy snowy weekend.

So Maybe I Don't Get It

2007-01-10T13:16:00.000-06:00

I've run into it from time to time, and usually I just nod my head indicating that I understand, but what I'm really saying is, "I don't get it and I don't really want to get it." What am I talking about? I'm talking about something that makes absolutely no sense to me and seems to be contrived and really stretching the Word of God - this whole thing about biblical numerology or biblical numerics. This is the magical, mystical, hocus-pocus, completely arbitrary practice of assigning spiritual meaning to certain numbers. For example, someone said to me a while back, "I went to the store the other day and the cashier gave me back 37 cents in change. Then not long after that, I got a new cell phone number and the last 4 digits were 3737. And I'm so excited!" I must have looked confused, you know the "I-don't-have-a-clue-what-you-are-talking-about" look. Surely someone other than me has had that look before! Anyway, I must have had it because this person followed up with, "I'm excited because YOU KNOW that 37 in the Bible stands for wealth. And the fact that I've just gotten three 37's means that the wealth that is coming to me is a sure thing!"

I didn't respond - I couldn't respond - I was completely dumbfounded - I just grinned and walked away. How do people come up with this stuff? Who is putting this stuff out? Am I completely out of touch with what the Bible teaches? Is this really biblical? Or has this kind of thing just crept into the teaching of the Word of Truth and has become part of the tradition (like three wise men - the Bible doesn't teach there were 3 wise men - but our Christmas tradition says there were three, so we just automatically believe there were three - sorry, I got off on a rant) that we assume is biblical. I've looked at some of the web sites that talk about "gematria" and "numerology" and every one of them is a weird combination of beliefs - a kind of syncretism of Christian teaching with astrology and new age spiritism and who knows what else. So maybe I don't get it, but I feel better now having gotten it off my chest.

A Prayer for the New Year

2007-01-09T15:52:00.000-06:00

I know 2007 is almost 10 days old now, but it isn't too late to offer this prayer for the new year. It's a prayer that some have attributed to John Wesley - though I don't think anyone has ever traced it directly to him. Most Wesleyan theologians now simply call it a covenant prayer in the Wesleyan tradition. Whatever it's called and whoever first prayed it are not really important. But the content of the prayer cuts right to the heart. I pray it often - though not often enough. It is definitely a prayer that should be prayed as a New Year's resolution annually.

I am no longer my own, but Yours.
Put me to what You will;
Rank me with whom You will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by You or laid aside for You,
Exalted for You or brought low by You.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You are mine, and I am Yours. So be it.
And the covenant that I have made on earth let it be confirmed in heaven.

Amen.

May you find this prayer flowing from your heart often in 2007.

It's Cold and Flu Season

2007-01-07T08:33:00.000-06:00

It's cold and flue season. How do I know? I used almost an entire box of tissue yesterday - sat in the recliner feeling sorry for myself - wore three shirts, was covered by a blanket and was still freezing - felt like I was swallowing thumbtacks - resisting coughing because it really hurts. Need I go on? Probably not. The crummy thing about it is that I wash my hands like some kind of neurotic germophobe - I cough or sneeze into the bend of my elbow instead of my hand - I take vitamin C - I do lots of good things that ought to make me invincible! Yeah, right! So for all you folks out there in bloggerland - take care of yourselves and just maybe you will avoid the tiny little bugs that are feasting on my flesh right now.

Darfur

2007-01-04T11:30:00.000-06:00

At the encouragement of Shawn Blanc, I am venturing into the arena of the controversial - Genocide in Darfur. Granted, my understanding of the whole issue is child-like, but I am appalled by the reports I do hear, see, and read. One article I read said that Christians in a "Christian Chat Room" (somehow that seems almost like an oxymoron), when asked to discuss the issue, completely dismissed the topic saying that charity begins at home and wondering why Christians in America should care what is happening half way around the world. I'm not surprised - American Christians are among the most biblically illiterate and therefore self-centered in the world.

My heart is broken when I see the faces of the children caught in this horror. I think of my own children and grand children. How would I respond were these things happening to my family? Well guess what! It is happening to my family - my brothers and sisters in Christ are among the main targets of the extremist Muslim militias. My brothers and sisters in Christ are being starved, beaten, raped, tortured and murdered. So why am I not more broken? Why am I not moved to tears? Why am I not moving heaven through prayer on behalf of my family in Darfur? It's time for the Body of Christ in the developed countries of the world to be shaken by the atrocities and mobilize themselves in whatever ways possible - especially in prayer!

Significant Information

2007-01-03T14:57:00.000-06:00

I found it - the significant information you needed in order to make it through the remainder of the day. Did you know that every square inch of human skin contains 20 feet of blood vessels? I don't know if that is based on actual measurement, or extrapolation from some other set of data, but I thought you'd like to know about it. For this and other important facts, check out 20 little known facts about the human body.

Now that I have your attention (I'm certain that I do), let me direct your attention to another little tidbit of information. Did you know that 75% of all people leaving a church service can not identify what the pastor has just talked about in his/her sermon? Did you also know that 50% of the pastors who had just preached the sermon could not name the point of the sermons they had just preached! Hence, the oft repeated scenario:

"Hey, did you hear Preacher A this morning?"

"No, what did he/she say?"

"I don't know, but it was good! You ought to get the recording."

If Preacher A had done what he/she was supposed to do, most hearers could at least communicate the basic outline or most important point of the message. Some of the problem is lazy listeners - but most of the problem is lazy preachers. Let me encourage any aspiring preachers to make sure you know what point you want to make (preferably your point will be the same as the Bible writer was making) before you stand to proclaim the Truth.

Welcome Back, Tom!

2007-01-02T13:40:00.000-06:00

Yes, I am welcoming myself back - back to the world of blogging. It seems that eons have passed since I last ventured to share a few thoughts. Since last we met, I have visited my son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren in South Carolina; and celebrated Christmas with them. I have also celebrated Christmas again with my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter from Wisconsin. Of course both celebrations included my wife and #1 daughter. I must say, without any bias or prejudice whatsoever, that I have a great family! Three children - 2 "children-in-law" - 4 grandchildren - and a wonderful wife. What joys all!!!

In addition to celebrations related to the birth of Jesus, I have also celebrated the love and wonder of God through prayer and worship with approximately 12,000 young adults at the OneThing Conference in Kansas City. Some of you may have participated in person or on the web. Thanks to God TV the quality of the broadcast was stepped up quite a bit over previous endeavors. If you were one that joined the conference through the web stream, I'd like to hear your response to the conference and the quality of broadcast.

One last comment - while we were away at the OneThing conference, the prayer room at the International House of Prayer was transformed to make it more "visual friendly." I think I like it! There are a few things that will take a little getting used to, but that's okay! A little change is good for us from time to time.

Preparing for the Birthday of the Prince of Peace

2006-12-22T17:48:00.000-06:00

We're visiting Jonathan, Heidi, Kai, Salem and Faith in South Carolina. Last night Jonathan and I went to the airport to pick up Marisa. The traffic was mayhem! Today, Jonathan and Heidi had to go to a "doc in the box" because Heidi needed an antibiotic - she hasn't been feeling well. Just before supper time (that's the evening meal when you are from the south) Debbie and I decided to brave the great unknown and go to the grocery store. Again - mayhem! Tomorrow (the eve of Christmas eve) there are still more gifts to purchase. It seems strange that the celebration of the birthday of the prince of peace had become an exercise in ... ah ... um ... shall I use the word yet again? ... MAYHEM! What's even more strange is that I am one who is supposed to know better, and yet I seem to be contributing to the problem. I have always tried to teach others to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. So once again, I must pray "Lord Jesus, be born in me today!" Amen.

Just In Time For Christmas

2006-12-18T16:28:00.000-06:00

"Christian Gaming" has just reached a new low. There is now a game available at WalMart, endorsed by Focus on the Family, that allows "Christian Crusaders" to kill people who won't convert to Christianity. Here is a part of the article I just discovered.

Aimed at conservative Christians, the game's story line begins in a time after the "rapture," when fundamentalist dogma contends that Christians will go to heaven. The remaining population on earth must then choose between surrendering to or resisting "the Antichrist," which the game describes as the "Global Community Peacekeepers," whose objective is the imposition of "one-world government."

"Part of the object is to kill or convert the opposing forces," Simpson said. This is "antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ," he said, adding that he was dismayed by the concept in "Eternal Forces" of using prayer to restore a player's "spirit points" after killing the enemy." In the game, combatants on one side pause for prayer, intoning, "Praise the Lord." A player can lose points for "unnecessary killing" but regain them through prayer.

I want to encourage you to read the entire article, "Death To Infidels Via Video Game," by William Fisher. Just click on his name to go to the article.

A Complicated (and JOYOUS) Christmas Season

2006-12-17T16:43:00.000-06:00

This year is the most complicated Christmas season we have ever had. We knew the complications would come - they come for all families. When I was growing up, my mom and dad and us kids joined my uncle, aunt and cousins at my grandparents' house. It was all great! Then the kids started getting married and having their own children. Suddenly, my parents and my uncle and aunt became the grandparents. We tried for a while to keep things ever the same, but it got complicated. Children grow up, get married, have children and move to different parts of the country. Not only do we become grandparents, but the parents of our "kids-in-law" also become grandparents and they want to spend time with their children and grandchildren at holiday times. I completely understand why we stopped meeting at my grandparents' home and they began to alternate between their children's homes each Christmas. That brings me back to our complicated schedule. Jonathan and Heidi just had a new baby - so it is impossible for them to travel this year. Hence, we are going there - South Carolina. Alicia and Ashley will spend Christmas with his parents. Then on the 26th, we fly back home to greet the "A Team" (get it? A-licia, A-shley, A-ria) when they arrive on the 28th. Then we get to open gifts AGAIN! In the midst of it all, we get to help out at the One Thing Young Adult Conference sponsored by the International House of Prayer (Dec. 28-31).

I've been pretty negligent in my blogging lately anyway, but I don't expect it to get better over the next couple of weeks. However, I'll try to give updates as often as I can. I hope you all have a blessed (and less complicated) Christmas!

Christmas Cards

2006-12-13T20:31:00.000-06:00

We love to get Christmas Cards! Now I don't say that in order to goad some of you who read this into sending me a card - but should the thought occur to you .... One of the most fun cards I have gotten so far this year came by way of email today. Check out the link. You get to tell the "singing chins" what Christmas carol you want them to sing, and after a moment of "thinking" they will either sing it, or tell you that they don't know that one. It isn't a big deal, but it was fun, and it reveals just how easily pleased I am. Enjoy!

http://www.sundog.net/carolofthechins/flash/index.html

Useless Information

2006-12-11T12:42:00.000-06:00

You can file this post under the category of useless information. I was scanning my latest issue of "Men's Health" and ran across the following article. I submit it for your consideration. Should the days of snow ever come again, some of you may want to try this and let me know how it works.

WHEN YOU'RE BUILDING A SNOWMAN
DO THIS: Watch the clock. Sculpt your snowman between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and "the sun will warm the snow so it's wet enough to stick," says Mark Mason, a member of the professional snow-building group Team Snowtastic. "If you wait until later, it could be too slushy."

NOT THAT: Don't roll up half of the woods. Rake the yard clean the night before a big snowfall, or try to harvest snow from driveways or patios, where twigs, sticks, and rocks won't clutter your creation. "Leaves and rocks absorb more sunlight and heat, and make it melt faster," says Mason.

Ok - that's it. May your snowman building project be the best ever!

Faith!

2006-12-09T15:06:00.000-06:00

Need I say more? Probably not, but I will. She was born Thursday morning (Dec. 7) at 12:30. She weighed 6 lb. 14 oz. (That's 3.1 kg for you metric folks). She was 19 inches (48.26 cm) long. We can't see it because of the cap, but Jonathan says she has dark hair. I got to hear her cry on Thursday morning, and she sounded like she has a future as a prophetic singer! Debbie and I are looking forward to meeting her on Dec. 19. What a great little Christmas present -- this truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

Announcing the Arrival of Faith Adelaide!!

2006-12-07T07:05:00.000-06:00

We were awakened at 1:15 this morning by the ringing telephone. It was Jonathan telling us that our newest grand baby - Faith Adelaide Mills - had made her appearance. Heidi delivered her AT HOME (these kids have more courage than me) with the help of a midwife and everything had gone well. I'll give more details later - but I'm excited because Debbie and I get to fly to South Carolina on the 19th to meet this beautiful new granddaughter. Congratulations Heidi and Jonathan!

Cool Beans in Madison

2006-12-02T14:08:00.000-06:00

Well, here I sit at "Cool Beans" coffee shop in Madison, WI - I feel so much like Randy Bohlender that it terrifies me. My biggest problem is that I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee that I can't identify with the eloquence of RB, but I must say that it's pretty good stuff - almost as good as the Maxwell House I see advertised on TV - I'm resisting the urge to stand and sing, "Our house is a very, very, very fine house!"

Anyway - we came to do a teaching session with the interns at the All Nations House of Prayer on Monday. In the mean time, we get to see Aria, Alicia, and Ashley. So what am I doing in the coffee shop alone at 2:15 pm on Saturday? Well, Ashley is working at the Princeton Health and Fitness Club; and Debbie, Alicia, and Aria are at the Mall with 5 billion other Christmas shoppers. So this seemed like a great place to hang out until everyone is back together.

I wonder if I'm the only one to notice this, but .... IT'S COLD UP HERE!!! I'm not a fan of the cold. I think I've mentioned that before. But I am a fan of family and the prayer movement - so a little cold will not get in my way of promoting both.

For those of you (at least 2) who have read this little blog lately, there is quite a debate raging of the identification of "The Emerald Isle." Check out the last couple of posts for details. Perhaps you will want to enter you expertise into the mix. Feel free. I love the suspense.

In the mean time, I'm headed back to my cup of unidentified coffee (I hope Randy will not be too disappointed in my lack of java knowledge) and then home to catch a few minutes with Aria before her pm nap.

Thawing Out

2006-11-30T12:55:00.000-06:00

I said yesterday was an interesting day. I also said yesterday that the weather was turning nasty here in Kansas City. Well today, when I was ready to get out, run some errands and head for the prayer room, it took me ONE SOLID HOUR to thaw out my car. There was so much ice on the car that the doors were frozen shut. I knew better than to tug on the door handle in order to free the stuck door - that only results in a broken handle. So I bumped the door a few times (gently) with my hip and my shoulder. I (gently) hit the top of the door with the palm of my hand and finally I was able to get the door open. Key in the ignition - turn - the engine roared to life and I was on my way. I sat inside for a long time as the motor warmed up. Finally, the defroster began to blow warm air - and I waited - and waited. There was no reason to begin the scraping process, yet. That would have been a lot of wasted effort - the ice was too thick. Finally, I was able to see little circles forming above each vent - signalling that progress was being made. I continued to wait - the circles grew larger. Mind you, these were not breaks in the ice, these little circles were just places that the ice was no longer stuck to the glass. Finally, I was able to begin scraping. It was a long slow process and since it's impossible not to see the obvious spiritual analogy in this, I'll go ahead. Sometimes our hearts have grown so cold that it takes a long time for the warm breath of the Holy Spirit to break through - and the best thing to do while that warming process is going on is to just sit and let Him breathe on you. Don't rush ahead and attempt to scrape away all the icy veneers created by sin and complacency. Just wait. Don't help the Holy Spirit - don't resist, but don't help. Just sit and wait. There will come a time when you can take an active role in your freedom, but that won't come for some time. It's important to just sit and let the warm breath of the Holy Spirit work on your cold heart. Before you know it, He will ask you to join the process and in no time, you will be back in His service. So how do you sit? You stop everything and pray. You shut it all down, and give yourself to God's Word and prayer. It may seem that you are wasting time, but you aren't. You are actually saving time and preventing much frustration and in the end, you will be much better for it. For you will realize that you had nothing to do with the thaw - it was all - and I mean ALL - the work of God.

A Strange Day

2006-11-29T20:07:00.000-06:00

Do you remember the children's story - "Alexander's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"? Well, mine wasn't quite as bad as all that, but it was one to remember - or forget. The more I think about it, it wasn't really all that bad - it was just hectic. OK - OK - so get on with it! Anyway, on Monday of this week, our heater went out. And that was really not so bad at all because the weather was really quite pleasant in the first part of the week. But we had been watching the weather and Gary Lezak was telling us that Wednesday was going to be a day of dramatic change. We have one of those home appliance repair insurance policies so we decided to go ahead and call. The repairmen came (which cost us $50) and discovered that the main circuit board was fried - that means it was not working and it wasn't going to work! The bad news was that they didn't have one in stock so they had to order it, and it would take 2 days for it to come in. Now remember, this was Monday, and Gary Lezak had been telling us on the TV weather that cold weather was on the way by Wednesday. I could envision us spending one cold night on Wednesday before they would come and put in the new circuit board on Thursday. Anyway, we told them to order it.

Now, for today - Wednesday. I came downstairs early this morning only to discover that my computer screen was telling me that something had gone wrong - terribly wrong! I tried to re-boot - nothing. I frantically looked for the windows disc (of course it was nowhere to be found) - and so I tried to boot again - nothing. More searching. More frustration. I took a break for a bowl of cereal and went back and tried to re-boot again. Have you ever noticed that we think that we can somehow sneak up on a computer and catch it off guard and it will do something that it has refused up to that point to do? Well, my computer is MUCH smarter than that and again - nothing. By now, it's 9 am. I called the in home computer repair people - no answer! I called again - no answer. It's 9:15 and I called again - no answer. So I found the phone number for another in home computer repair company. I called them and got an answer right away - a technician would be at my house between 12:00 and 1:00 pm.

That isn't the best news, but it's a start. I was scheduled to teach my preaching class at 4 pm and I still had some preparation to do. This was going to be interesting! I pulled out my laptop and did as much as I could (and that was very good!). Finally, at 1:20 the computer guy that was supposed to be here between 12 and 1 showed up. He worked and worked and couldn't figure out what was wrong. After running many diagnostic tests, he reported, "Your memory is bad."

I could have told him that, but then I figured out he wasn't talking about me, personally, but instead about the computer's memory. Then he followed up with, "The bad news is, I don't have a memory card with me (and he thought MY memory was bad!)." He said he would have to go by one and come back. Now mind you, I'm paying this guy 30 bucks an hour for him to drive all over looking for a memory card! He offered to let me go, but it was going to cost the same if he sat here and waited on me or if I sat here and waited on him. I opted for the latter, because in the mean time (while he was discovering the problem), the heating guy (remember him?) called and said that he wanted to come and put in the new circuit board (good news at last!), so I had to stay here and wait on him.

So the computer guy left, and the heater guy came. While the heater guy was working, it was really beginning to turn nasty (weather wise - that's ice on the camera lens) outside. I was glad we were going to have heat tonight. Now remember, the clock is ticking (at $30 per hour for the computer guy), and I need to get ready to teach class. I have to leave by 3:30 to be ready for a 4 pm class. Finally, the computer guy comes back - part in hand (and a bill for 80 bucks!) Oh, by the way, remember that home appliance insurance thing? Well, the circuit board and the installation are covered in that so the heating guy is down there working and I don't have to worry about paying him another dime!

Computer guy installs the memory - then discovers that the bad memory had created problems with the configuration of the computer - I have NO IDEA what that means other than my computer still didn't work and the clock was ticking and the weather was quickly deteriorating. To bring this to a close - the computer guy finally got my computer up and running and the total bill came to just under $300!! He left the house at 3:30. I left the house at 3:31 - leaving behind all the papers I had spend hours grading - papers I needed to give back to the students who had worked so hard on them.

I arrived at the school and the sleet or freezing rain was beginning to make things seriously dangerous. I parked went into the school, found my students, and promptly sent them home before the driving conditions became even more hazardous. I turned around and headed home. The trip that normally takes about 10 minutes took closer to 30 - but the computer guy was no longer on my clock so it really didn't matter.

Now, I am contentedly sitting at my newly configured computer with a good memory - at least the computer's - and writing this blog. I think I'll stop and get some rest.

Going On To Perfection

2006-11-14T19:05:00.005-06:00

I heard a great message this morning. The basic content was that we are called to be perfect because our heavenly Father is perfect. Now there is a lot or explaining that would be necessary to get everything out of that phrase that we could, but the reality is that we do our best to explain it away. However, there is nothing in the command that gives us that latitude. When God calls us to be perfect as He is perfect - He means it! As a Methodist pastor, I had to answer two questions or else I would not have been ordained. In fact, every Methodist pastor from the time of John Wesley has had to answer "yes" to these two questions. 1) Are you going on to perfection? And 2) do you expect to be made perfect in love in this lifetime? 30 years ago I answered "Yes" to both questions and today - even though I was not asked to reaffirm those answers aloud, I did so. It was good to be reminded that my goal has been to go on to perfection. My goal has been to be perfected in love in this lifetime. The "in this lifetime" part of the question is important. Too many people think that being perfect is something that doesn't - even can't - come this side of death. However, that is my goal - to be perfected in love IN THIS LIFETIME. If I set anything less as my target, I will certainly hit that lesser goal. I want to challenge you to set your heart to answer "yes" to both questions:

1) Are you going on to perfection?
2) Do you intend to be made perfect in love in this lifetime?

Woefully Unprepared

2006-11-14T19:05:00.003-06:00

In the Spring semester, I will be teaching 1 & 2 Peter. I'm just now beginning to read through the two books and I am struck by a couple of things. 1) The writings of Peter have been sorely neglected in the Church. There has really been very little interest in the approximately 2000 years these little letters have been floating around. In fact, there has been such little interest that such Christian Hall of Famers as Martin Luther and Jean Calvin wondered why 1 & 2 Peter were even in the Bible! I hope to be able to remedy that neglect (at least in my little corner of the world) in the next few months. 2) The subject matter (just from my initial scanning) presents a part of Christianity that the Church in America would just as soon ignore. Peter focuses much of his attention on the subject of suffering - and he isn't talking about suffering through a terrible disease or suffering because you have to drive a Yugo. He is talking about suffering for one reason and one reason only - because you are a follower of Jesus Christ. Now let's face it, most American Christians have no idea what that is all about. Our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world understand it. There have been more martyrs for the faith in the last part of the 20th century and in the first few years of the 21st century than in all the centuries prior combined. But that kind of suffering has not made it's way to America, yet. However, it is on its way and we are woefully unprepared. My goals in teaching 1 & 2 Peter this next semester are to get a a better grasp of what is coming so I can begin to get my heart ready, and to help prepare this generation of young people to stand firm in love no matter what comes. So as not to end on a note of doom and gloom today, let me point your attention to 2 Peter 3:13 - "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

Kinda Makes You Smile

2006-11-14T19:05:00.002-06:00

I get a "thought for the day" from a friend of mine. On Friday, it's usually something funny. He sends them out each evening so that people will have them in their mail box first thing each morning. So I got Friday's installment just now. Are you ready? Here goes:

What is the scientific name for an animal that neither runs from its enemies nor does it fight its enemies?

Lunch.

Michael Friedman made that contribution and I don't know why, but it kinda made me smile. I hope it made your smile a little, too.

On other fronts, I noticed something today. I am beginning - just beginning, but it's a start - to influence my little world for the better. I even have hope that a tiny little crack in the hardest of hearts is beginning to form. Another person showed up today with a portable computer stand! Now there are two of us. Soon, I am confident, there will be three and then four and before we know it - the entire room will be filled with portable computer stands. And that hard hearted one who may be beginning to crack? Until now, it was nothing but ridicule and scorn. Today however, he made an excuse. It wasn't a big victory. We're not on the brink of instantaneous conversion. But instead of a mocking remark (which by the way, I know is just a cover up for extreme jealousy), he made some kind of lame excuse that his computer was "too big" for some dinky little stand. He may not have said it exactly that way, but I know that's what he meant. So the question now is, "Why not go ahead and make the leap?"

Of course, a guy like you will want to go one rung up the the ladder and get the rolling model.

Or perhaps, the hooded "voting booth" style is more to your liking.

Whatever you do, don't put it off any longer! You'll kick yourself later for wasting valuable time you could have had enjoying your portable computer stand.

Phone Calls From The Kids

2006-11-14T19:05:00.001-06:00

Well tonight must have been catch up night for the Mills kids. I got a call earlier this evening from Alicia. She and her husband and our granddaughter, Aria, live in Madison where they are part of the All Nations House of Prayer. I have been invited to come and speak to the House of Prayer interns, and Alicia was calling to confirm the invitation and give me a few more details about the event. In the background, I could hear Aria making baby noises and trying to talk. It was great!! We will get to see them next week when we meet in Dallas for Thanksgiving with my family.

Then, not too long after that, Jonathan called to talk to Debbie. (What is it about dads and daughters, and mothers and sons?) Then after he finished talking to her, he talked to me for a while. Jonathan and Heidi, and their two sons (our grandsons) live in Ft. Mill, South Carolina where they are part of the Zadok House of Prayer. I didn't get to talk to or hear the boys, but I did hear Heidi tell Jonathan that he was talking too loudly, so that must have meant that the boys were already in bed. We're looking forward to Christmas because we get to fly to SC to see them all. They don't get to come here for Christmas this year, because their new baby, Faith, is scheduled for arrival sometime around the 12th of December.

When we return right after Christmas, Ashley, Alicia, and Aria will be heading to KC for a few days. Well, now you know about our schedule for the next few weeks. Anyway, I just had to let you know how much I enjoyed the phone calls from the kids.

Consistency

2006-11-14T19:05:00.000-06:00

Consistency is not a word that has described me lately. I've been inconsistent in getting papers graded for the classes I've taught. I've been inconsistent in completing my commitment to the prayer room. I've been inconsistent in lots of areas of my life - blogging included. But I'm back. It seems that this is something I need to do pretty often in my life. I just need to re-examine what I'm doing and what I'm not doing - how I'm progressing and how I'm digressing - areas that need attention and areas that seem to be in pretty good shape (at least for the moment). However, I know that consistency is much like riding a bicycle - it's easier to stay on it if you are moving forward. Standing still on a bicycle can be done - but it takes a lot more effort - and when you think about it, why would anyone want to stand still on a bicycle? That's not what they were made for. Bicycles were made to move forward - and nowadays - bicycles were made for jumping and spinning and riding down the face of a rock on a grand adventure. And that's what I signed on for in life - a grand adventure. So my new quest is consistency. May I not be writing this same thing in just a few months as I struggle to get back up on the bicycle after having let my consistency come to a standstill.

A Follow-up Thought on Ted Haggard

2006-11-06T15:20:00.000-06:00

Well, it turns out that our brother Ted Haggard has, in fact, been involved in the things for which he was accused. We are sad - we are disappointed - we are hurt - we are grieving. We continue to pray for Ted and all those who are directly related to him - especially his wife and children. And we pray that Ted will be open to correction and healing and restoration.

One of the things we in Western Christianity need to learn to embrace is corporate responsibility for sin in the Body. Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 6:15-16 that when a Christian joins his/her body to that of a prostitute, that the entire Body of Christ becomes involved. Now, I'm certain that I don't understand all the intricacies and implications of that, but I do understand enough of it to know that I have a responsibility to all other Christians on the face of the earth to avoid that sort of thing. For too long, we have made Christianity an "individual sport." By stressing personal salvation (which needs to be stressed!) we have also de-emphasized corporate salvation. When we are saved, we become part - literally - of the Body of Christ.

I think of Achan in the book of Joshua. The people of God were told to leave everything in Jericho alone. But ol' Achan just couldn't keep his hands off some of the nice shiny trinkets that were left unattended after Jericho fell. He looked around and nobody was watching so he took some of the things God said not to take. Soon, the people were getting ready to battle the city of Ai. God had promised to give them victory, but this time they got their tails kicked! Joshua said to God, "What's up? Did you lie to us? You promised to give us victory and now men have died and people are frightened!" Then God reminded him, "I didn't give you a blanket pass to victory. I told you that only as you did what I told you to do would you win battles." Joshua argued, "But we have done everything!" And God replied, "No, not everything. One of you took something I said not to take." You can read the whole story in Joshua 7, but I want to show you a couple of verses specifically (7:10-11).

The LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings."

Notice all the plural nouns and pronouns! "Israel" (the whole nation) has sinned. "They" have transgressed... "They" have taken... "They" have stolen... And yet, the truth is that only one guy was guilty. What we learn from this - a lesson the American Church needs to understand - is that while only one may be guilty, we are all responsible!

Now what does all that mean? I'm not sure, entirely. But I do know that I must be more careful in my behavior, because it isn't just MY life that is on the line. Whatever I do, I take the whole Body of Christ with me - even when they are unaware of it! And not only that - God's reputation is open to ridicule and disdain. I'm not wagging my finger at Ted - the last thing he needs right now is more accusations. The Accuser of the brethren is already screaming in his ears. The media and lots of others are doing plenty of accusing. I'm wagging my finger at me and telling myself that every time I'm faced with a moral decision that I'm deciding for a whole host of other folks. I am no longer my own - I am no longer on my own - I am part of the Body of Christ and it's time I started to remember that! Whether I like it or not, that's how it is.

Oh God - help us. We need divine revelation, power, and love to walk this out!

A Few Thoughts On Ted Haggard

2006-10-28T10:36:00.003-05:00

This must be devastating to him, his family, his friends, his church staff, his congregation, and the people of Colorado Springs. The news media has had a field day and of course we know everything they say is absolute truth. Sure Ted sinned. His first knee jerk reaction was denial. Duh! Ever since Adam and Eve headed for the bushes in the Garden of Eden we've been in denial. But immediately after that, he owned the sin - at least the part he actually committed. And folks, I'd say that a brother in Christ deserves for us to believe his testimony over an accuser whose "credentials" are less than impeccable. C'mon, now, God set a standard of two or more witnesses! Deuteronomy 17:6 says, "At the testimony of two or three witnesses they must be executed. They cannot be put to death on the testimony of only one witness." And Deuteronomy 19:15 says, "A single witness may not testify against another person for any trespass or sin that he commits. A matter may be legally established only on the testimony of two or three witnesses." Then Matthew 18:16 follows with, "... at the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established." And finally, Paul makes it very clear what our response is to be: 1 Timothy 5:19 - "Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses."

There you have it. Ted admits some wrong. And for that, he must face not only human judges, but he must stand before a much higher court - the court of heaven. But for anything beyond what he admits, we the Body of Christ must follow the mandates God established and not accept the accusation of a lone accuser. We need to be in constant prayer for Ted and those closest to him.

Furthermore, does anyone else find it just a bit curious that this accusation comes just days before the state of Colorado votes on the issue of homosexual marriage? For people who might be undecided on the issue, hearing that a well known opponent of the measure has been living in the sin he condemns might just cause them to vote in favor. However, it may just be that the accusation will back fire, and those who didn't care one way or the other will react to the obvious political agenda behind these accusations and voters across Colorado (and other states voting on this issue) will rise up against the measure.

Intentional Spelling Error

2006-10-28T10:36:00.002-05:00

I wondered if anyone was actually reading my blog, so I intentionally misspelled Arkansas in the title of my last post. If you buy that, we need to visit about some property I'm trying to sell in New York Harbor. Thanks, Randy, for helping me save face and whatever else might need saving after making that kind of error. Even more interesting is the fact that the "R" and the "N" are nowhere near each other on a keyboard - don't even require the use of the same hand! My sincere apologies to Arkansas - in spite of the fact that I messed up, it really was a great trip.

Ankansas Was Beautiful

2006-10-28T10:36:00.001-05:00

Debbie and I just returned from Van Buren, Arkansas and I just have to say that the colors of fall were amazing. I don't think I have ever seen anything like it. I've been in Kentucky in the fall, Colorado and New Mexico in the fall, Missouri in the fall, but nothing prepared me for the absolute beauty of the landscape painted with every shade of yellow, red, and orange imaginable. As we drove along Interstate 540 between Bella Vista and Ft. Smith, I would point to the right and exclaim, "Look at that!" Then Debbie would point to the left at almost the same time and say, "Look there!" We were just silly -- kind of like now! I sound like an ad for the Arkansas Bureau of Tourism or something, but I just had to get the news out that fall in Arkansas can't be overstated.

As for the reason we went - we were equally amazed at the kindness of the Lord in His ministry to the people of Heritage United Methodist Church in Van Buren. On Saturday evening, we had a wonderful time with a group of leaders as they learned how to flow in worship and prayer together. One woman confessed that she had her doubts at first, but as we moved into combining worship with prayer and as she heard the singers actually sing what she had just prayed, a rush of warmth engulfed her. She was hooked.

Then on Sunday, I preached three morning services (same message) related to enjoyable prayer. I showed them that Luke 18:1-8 is a contrast between a wicked judge who doesn't like people, who considers people a bother, and who doesn't care whether people get justice in their lives or not; and God who is just the opposite. He cares infinitely about people. He wants the best for people. He will do whatever is necessary to get justice for people. The whole point of Jesus' story is to challenge the human image of God. People have created a God in the image of the unjust judge and as a result, they really don't want to go to Him in prayer. But if they would learn who God really is -- loving, caring, seeking to get justice for the oppressed -- then prayer would be enjoyable.

That afternoon, Debbie and I worked together to create for the people a model healing prayer experience. We walked them through the kind of experience they might have if they came to the healing prayer rooms at the International House of Prayer. Then we asked if anyone wanted healing prayer. A young woman raised her hand and said she had been plagued by migraine headaches since she was 9 years old. The team of intercessors began to pray for her and in a matter of minutes she said that she felt a warmth begin to build in her head. She said that she felt similar to the way she feels when a migraine is coming on, but then it melted away. The next day, she had not had even a hint of a migraine. We continue to pray for her as she walks out this healing.

Then Sunday evening, I continued the message I began on Sunday morning and walked the church through 4 elements necessary for enjoyable prayer. Perhaps I'll share those over the next few days.

On Monday, I met with a group of area pastors to talk about establishing a house of prayer for the purpose of advancing the prayer movement in the Arkansas River Valley. On Monday evening, I preached again and challenged the people to become discontent with their current definition of "The Presence" of God. I shared with them several passages of what really happens when the presence of God breaks in. Then I shared with them several current experiences of what is happening in places like Fiji and Guatemala when the Presence of God shows up. I told them not to be content until they know that same Presence of God in their midst.

This morning, I preached again at a men's breakfast and challenged them further to learn to seem themselves the way Jesus sees them - to see themselves the way Jesus created them to be.

I'll share more this week, but for now - Arkansas was beautiful in more ways than one!

Van Buren, Arkansas

2006-10-28T10:36:00.000-05:00

Debbie and I are off to Van Buren, Arkansas for a few days. I will be leading a "Prayer Encounter" weekend at Heritage United Methodist Church. I'll try to check in periodically just to let you know how things are going.

Fall Has Fell

2006-10-12T20:07:00.003-05:00

Last Christmas my kids gave me a tree - not a Christmas Tree, but a sure 'nuff, real live tree. Actually, they gave me a gift card that I could use to purchase a tree of any kind. As soon as it got warm enough to plant, I went to the tree farm and picked out a nice one. It was a five year old maple with a name that I didn't fully appreciate until just the last few days. The name? Autumn Blaze! And boy does it live up to it's name. I've included a picture of it here, but trust me, the picture is not even close! Of course, I quickly took the shot after the sun had gone down, so a flash was required. It's also cold outside and I didn't wear a jacket, so I was trying to move quickly. The flash washed out some of the color, and I didn't want to stand out there shivering to take enough pictures to get just the right color composition. So use your imaginations and perhaps, tomorrow, I'll take more and better pictures to share with you.

Fatigue

2006-10-12T20:07:00.002-05:00

It is no accident that the first syllable of fatigue is "fat!" The Forerunner School of Ministry has launched a new "modular schedule" this fall, and it is killing me! Let me quickly add that I really love it -- it gives the students an opportunity to get into a rhythm - to lead a more focused life - to set a schedule and keep it - to be in class at the same time every day all semester long - to go deep into one subject at a time -- it is really good. HOWEVER, I am teaching a subject that I have never taught before - at least not as an entire course on the subject - and so I am having to scramble to get enough material to present for 3 hours on Monday - go home and pull together enough to present for 3 hours on Tuesday - go home and pull together enough material to present for 3 hours on Wednesday - go home and pull together enough material to present for 3 hours on Thursday. Then on the weekends, I have to pull together enough material to present for Monday's three hour class period PLUS grade any homework or tests the students have turned in. So, my point is, I am fatigued and too tired to exercise - hence "fat!" So, now that I've gotten that off my chest, I feel much better - still fat - still fatigued - but much better. Thanks for listening -- I'll try to do better next time.

Great Time of Teaching and Ministry

2006-10-12T20:07:00.001-05:00

Yesterday (Sunday) I had a great time with a home group led by Connie Cheung. There was a great spirit in the group and the Lord gave us some real clarity in the area of forgiveness. We looked at hidden anger, forgotten offense, bitterness buried beneath years of denial and came to the conclusion that the vast majority of us have some kind of offense that we simply are not aware of - something we have just become used to. In a physical analogy, there is such a thing as "accommodation." It occurs in the nervous system in such a way that nerves send signals to the brain, and the brain instructs the person to do something to "fix the problem." If the problem is not fixed, then after a while, the brain just ignores the signal. An example of accommodation is the sense of smell. When you walk into a steak restaurant, your sense of smell is suddenly overcome with the wonderful aroma. By the time you've been in the restaurant for a while, you don't notice the ambient smell any longer. It happens with good odors and with foul. For example, if you live next to a garbage dump, eventually you won't notice the odor -- you just get used to it -- or your nervous system "accommodates" the constant input.

I said all that to say that unforgiveness / offense is the same. If we don't deal with offense completely - let it go AND restore the offender to a position of love and respect - then the offense remains and we just get used to it.

Now the point: We said that there is probably no place on earth where the Church has more cause for offense than the underground church of China. Daily, something happens to believers that would cause offense. And yet, there is no place on earth where more signs and wonders are occurring. So the conclusion is that these Chinese believers have learned to forgive and God is willing to release His power to them because He knows they will not misuse it. We, in the West, on the other hand, are experiencing almost no release of power. Could it be that the reason is we are not dealing with offense, we are just getting used to it. Look at our society. Look at our culture. Look at the Church. We live in a society and culture of anger. The Church is the same. Perhaps it's time to get honest -- to wake up and "smell the stench" of unforgiveness and stop making excuses and justifying our anger and offense. Then God would be willing to release His power.

Glad To Forgive

2006-10-12T20:07:00.000-05:00

Duh! As I was recommending the previous book, it suddenly dawned on me that I had not even recommended my own book on this little blog space. Although the readership is limited, it's worth a shot. I have visited with so many people over the years about the topic of forgiveness and I have discovered that most people know they are supposed to forgive; and a lot of people think they have forgiven. But the sad reality is that people carry loads of anger, and bitterness that they are completely blind to. In west Texas there is a town that is surrounded by feed lots - that's a fenced in structure where ranchers bring cattle to feed them and fatten them up for market. There are literally thousands of cattle penned up behind those fences, and of course, with cattle comes a very distinct and foul odor. I once asked a person who lived in that town, "How do you stand the smell all the time?" To which they replied, "Oh, you get used to it." The same is true of anger and bitterness. After carrying it for a while, people just get used to it and don't even know it's there. But that can be very dangerous. So I want to recommend that everyone read Glad To Forgive right away!

Book Recommendation

2006-10-12T19:43:00.000-05:00

I am not in the habit of recommending books (other than my own!), mostly because everyone has a book to recommend. However, I read this one a couple of months ago and I was completely intrigued by it. I think it is a must read for the times in which we live.

BLACKOUT!

2006-10-11T19:28:00.001-05:00

We had an interesting evening yesterday. I was quietly working on my hermeneutics notes for Thursday, when sometime between 7:30 and 8:00 the lights went black, then back on, then black, then back on... I was in a panic trying to get my computer turned off before everything was toast ... Then black. This time it stayed that way. I stepped out of the office (after banging into the corner of the desk - it really gets dark around here when house lights, street lights, and moon are all out - no relax, the moon is not part of the KC power grid, it was just cloudy)...Anyway, I stepped out of the office, and there sat Marisa at the kitchen table - face illuminated by her laptop screen - she made some kind of wise crack about me knocking a hole in the wall when I hit the desk. I made my way to the light. Then Debbie, who had been upstairs reading, tried to make her way down the steps without serious bodily harm. In a matter of minutes, there we were, a little nuclear family gathered around the comforting light of a laptop computer screen. Suddenly, talk of being Amish was beginning to flow. And of course in our IHOP world we wondered if we were having trouble making it now, how would we do during the tribulation. Interesting how a little power outage can cause us to wax philosophical. As we waited for the lights to come on, we fumbled around for flashlights which were not anywhere close to where we KNEW they were. Then the candles came out. Marisa, sitting at the kitchen table, grading papers by computer screen and candle light made a somewhat anachronistic statement. Continuing to wait, I decided to drive around the neighborhood just to see how widespread the blackout was. Also, I had lights in the car! It seemed that several square miles were dark. But I could find no cause - like a tractor/trailer sitting on top of a power pole. So I headed back home to report ... Nothing. About an hour and a half later, the lights suddenly popped on and we were able to go about our business as usual. What was so disconcerting was just how utterly lost and helpless we were without power -- and that is the sermon of the day.

Clutter

2006-10-10T05:06:00.000-05:00

I just looked over my desk and realized it looks a lot like my life -- filled with clutter. Of course, all of the clutter is good clutter. I have a notebook from my "How To Study The Bible" class. Under that (in no particular order) are notes from Mike Bickle - "Prayer Energized by Intimacy with God," and "The Revelation of Intercession." Below that is Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers. Then there is a stack of books: The Mystery of God's Word, The Bible, Life in Christ, A Voice From Home, End Times, and God's Design. Behind that is the FSM Faculty Handbook - which reminds me I need to make a few revisions sometime. Then there are the really random things -- a sunglass cleaning kit (complete with tiny screw driver) -- a pair of reading glasses -- a mug filled with pens, scissors, and of course the ever useful magnifying glass -- a box of tissue -- a CD of Gary Wiens' teaching on healing -- a stop watch (no clutter would not be complete without a stop watch) -- a couple of AA rechargeable batteries -- a stapler -- a hole punch -- another book (How To Understand Your Bible). And that's not everything -- just a sampling of clutter. This is a living parable of what happens when you live an unregulated and undisciplined life. I know by now I should be better at maintaining some semblance of organization, but from time to time I look around and clutter is winning! The hard part is, I don't have time to clean clutter right now, because of other commitments. At least the space where my keyboard and monitor rest is relatively clutter free so I can still create more clutter. Enough of that for now - time to prepare for another session of teaching before heading for the still point in my ever turning world -- the prayer room!

A Great Surprise!

2006-10-05T19:49:00.000-05:00

This Mills family is all about surprises. You may remember that a couple of weeks ago I told you about the saga of Marisa trying to surprise Alicia on her birthday. Well, turn about is fair play seems to be the order of the day, because today at 2:45 pm, guess who showed up at the House of Prayer to surprise her mother and me...That's right, Alicia! Marisa had been working the deal for some time. There is a Women in the Prophetic Conference going on here at the International House of Prayer, and Marisa told us several weeks ago that she had friends coming to attend the conference from Dallas. Debbie busied herself preparing the guest room - not knowing she was preparing for Alicia and Aria. Actually, that isn't exactly true - Alicia did bring three women from Madison, Wisconsin who are attending the conference - but the part about friends from Dallas was just not true. Anyway, it is great to see them and we were surprised ... Well, that isn't exactly true either ... Debbie was surprised. I had been let in on the deal earlier in the day because Debbie's schedule was not going to put her in the right place at the right time for the surprise to happen. I was told about the event so that I could keep her occupied until Alicia could arrive. Still, it was a great surprise and we plan to enjoy our time with them for the next few days. Aren't we a fun group????

Midland, Texas

2006-10-03T07:33:00.000-05:00

This past weekend (September 29-October 1), Debbie and I had the great fun of taking a team from the International House of Prayer here in Kansas City, to First United Methodist Church in Midalnd, Texas. We led a prayer conference and found a community hungry for greater intimacy with God. As we stepped into the first session, we found Methodists (they were the hosts), Southern Baptists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, and a smattering of others joined together for that one common cry - "We are hungry for more of God!"

I was reminded of John Wesley's famous sermon, Catholic Spirit, in which he described just such a scene. He contends that while Christians understand that we are to love all mankind, there is "a peculiar love which we owe to those that love God." He quotes David, "All my delight is upon the saints that are in the earth..." As the sermon continues, Wesley admits that all Christians do not practice this special affection for the saints. He identifies "two grand, general hindrances" to our loving other Christians as "they cannot all think alike and, in consequence of this, secondly, they cannot all walk alike..."

His thesis then follows: "But although a difference in opinions or modes of worship may prevent an entire external union, yet need it prevent our union in affection? Though we cannot think alike, may we notlove alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite..."

We had the great privilege of witnessing this "catholic spirit" this weekend as many different branches of the Body of Christ joined together in worship and prayer. Thanks to the great people of Midland for your hospitality and love. We look forward to watching you grow together as the Church of Midland becomes a house of prayer for all nations.

Busy Week

2006-09-28T03:52:00.001-05:00

I'm not complaining, but it's been a pretty busy week. Debbie and I finally got to take in that movie we tried to see last Friday (see my last post). I recommend "Invincible." It was one of those underdog-comes-out-on-top kind of movies. I think even people who might not be football fans would like it.

I've been trying to get ready for a ministry trip to Midland, Texas this weekend. (If you are so inclined, I'd invite you to join us in prayer for this time of ministry. We will be at First United Methodist Church.) In addition to that, I've had about 80 sets of homework to grade, preparation for Wednesday night's class, and preparation for a new class I will begin to teach in less than 2 weeks. All in all, I'm a little dazed these days...Get it? Dazed these days? It's a play on words. Never mind.

Have you ever come to the point that you have so much to do, and you know you'll never get it done, so you just begin to lock down and don't do any of it? I'm almost there! But the Lord is faithful and He will give me everything I need to get everything done! So now that I've settled that, I can go back to bed and get some sleep.

Surprises Are Tough To Pull Off

2006-09-23T18:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, September 22, was Alicia's birthday (she's our second born). Marisa (our first born) had planned for some weeks to fly from Kansas City to Madison, Wisconsin (where Alicia and her husband, Ashley, and daughter Aria live) to surprise Alicia for her birthday. The plan was set: Marisa would arrive in Madison around 6:30 pm - just at the time Ashley had planned conveniently go to pick up "pizza" for dinner. When he returned from his pizza run, he would have Marisa with him. Alicia would be surprised - the girls would both cry - it was going to be great. I was the designated driver to get Marisa to the airport. I carried out my job with great skill and efficiency. We left the International House of Prayer parking lot at precisely 1 pm. I drove the speed limit. Marisa and I had a great visit on the way to the KC International Airport. I dropped her off a little before 2 pm - plenty of time to check luggage and make it through security for a 3 pm flight. The plan was working like clock work! I was congratulating myself on several fronts: #1) I didn't spill the beans and kept the secret from Alicia, #2) I drove the speed limit and avoided a ticket from the friendly police officer who was lurking on the shoulder of the road just north of the Missouri River bridge - did I mention that he was on the opposite side of the highway so I wouldn't have gotten a ticket from him even if I had been speeding, but that's beside the point, #3) I delivered Marisa to the correct gate and terminal, #4) I remembered that friendly police officer's position so I avoided a ticket on the return trip, too, and #5) I didn't call Alicia until late in the evening so that I wouldn't spill the beans while Marisa was en route.

This was a truly great day ... Until the phone rang at 4:30 and Marisa was still in Kansas City! It seems the weather was not cooperating in Chicago and so they were holding all flights. Not to worry - she could still make her connecting flight from Chicago to Madison if the plane left KCI in the next half hour. We prayed. 5:30 comes - the phone rings - it's Marisa - she's seated on the plane which is being held at the gate. It will be at least another hour and 45 minutes before her plane can take off. Now, she is certain to miss her connecting flight from Chicago to Madison. "What are you going to do?" I ask. "I don't know," she replied, "I guess I'll wait and see what happens." She hung up, and Debbie and I settled down at Uno: Chicago Grill and Bar for pizza and quesadillas (I had the pizza, Debbie the other). We, of course, discussed Marisa's situation and how disappointed she would be if she didn't get to pull off the surprise of the century.

At 6:30, the phone rang again. "I can't talk long, my phone's battery is about dead and I packed my charger in my suitcase," were the first words out of her mouth. "They canceled my connecting flight to Madison," were the second. "I have to decide if I am going to go on to Chicago tonight, and catch an early flight to Madison in the morning, or if I am coming home and leave Kansas City early enough to make the connection. What do you think I should do?"

Dads love it and hate it when their kids ask those kinds of questions. We love it because they still value our opinions. We hate it because we might give the wrong advice. So I said, "I think it might be better to go on to Chicago and catch the earliest flight you can to Madison in the morning. By the way, is the surprise still in tact?"

"I think so. I've got to go check with the gate attendant." And she hung up. Meanwhile, Debbie and I are trying to decide, "Do we go on to the movie we planned to see, or do we just wait on Marisa to call." Debbie said, "Let's go sit in the movie parking lot and wait on her call." We did that. It was now 7 pm - the movie was to start at 7:10 and still nothing from Marisa.

"Hey, I know what we can do. The same movie starts at another theater at 7:40. Let's forget about the 7:10 showing and drive over to the other theater. That will give Marisa time to call." Sometimes I scare myself I'm so brilliant! We arrived at the (relax, I didn't mean that brilliant thing)...We arrived at the OTHER theater at 7:20...Still no call from Marisa. Debbie asks, "Do we go in or do we wait?" I convinced her to wait a few minutes longer. It's now 7:30...Nothing! We walked up to the ticket window and discovered that the movie didn't start until 7:45 ... Five extra minutes. "Let's go stand outside and wait for just a few more minutes before we buy the tickets," I suggested. 7:35 the phone rang again. It was obvious that she was in tears as she asked me to come pick her up and she would try again in the morning.

Debbie and I headed for KCI to retrieve our very hurt and disappointed daughter. 8:15 we arrive at Terminal A and locate Marisa who is pacing up and down the sidewalk. "It takes 10 minutes to walk from one end of the terminal to the other," she said, "and I've done it 4 times." The ride home was quiet except for Marisa talking to Ashley, finding out that the surprise is still a surprise, and trying to figure out how to keep it that way just a few more hours. We arrived home around 9 pm. At 9:30 I suddenly realized that I had not called Alicia and wished her "Happy Birthday!" So I called, sang the birthday song, and she said, "I wondered if my dad was going to call me today!" If she only knew what I had been going through! But once again in a flash of brilliance, I resisted the urge to explain my evening.

She said, "I kind of hoped all day long that y'all (she still says "y'all" even though she lives in Wisconsin...I raised her right!) would pop in and surprise me!" I said, "How do you know we aren't all standing outside your door at this very moment and I'm calling you just to throw you off?" "I'm going to check right now." "Well, are we there?" "No." (She said that with true Wisconsin flavor...I can't protect her from everything!) We had a good conversation - she heard Marisa's voice in the background - and so she knew her birthday would come and go with no suprises.

Marisa immediately went to bed, and at 4 am she headed back to KCI to catch a 6 am flight to Chicago, then a 10:30 connection to Madison, a short taxi ride from the airport (Ashley was going hunting so he couldn't pick her up at the airport) and the birthday surprise would be just a few hours late. Marisa called at 9 from Chicago (phew!) saying she had gotten on a standby flight at 9:30! She was excited. At 10:30 she called Alicia. As soon as she answered the phone, Marisa rang the doorbell. "Oh no! Someone's' at the door and I'm not dressed! Hold on." She quickly grabbed her robe, looked through the peep hole, saw Marisa's gleaming smile and the whole surprise finally worked!

We called around 11:00 and asked, "What are y'all going to do today?" "GO SHOPPING!"

Happy birthday, Alicia. And happy surprising, Marisa.

Time to Re-engage

2006-09-21T08:36:00.000-05:00

I've been out of the loop the last few days. We celebrated the 7th anniversary of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (my last post). Then on Monday, we traveled to Dallas for that dreaded event - moving my dad into an Alzheimer's Care Facility. We did that on Tuesday. Fortunately, the entire experience was covered in peace. I think my mom was so overwhelmed by it all that she just didn't know what to do, so she seemed to just watch. In some ways, she was just a distant observer - not really believing this was happening to her and her husband of almost 64 years. A couple of times my dad said, "I don't want to stay here." That was expected, but overall, he was cooperative and peaceful.

As soon as we got my dad settled, my sister and brother-in-law rushed Debbie and me back to Love Field so we could catch our flight back to Kansas City. We arrived in time to rush back to the House of Prayer's final moments of celebration on Tuesday evening. That night, we fell into bed exhausted -- physically and emotionally spent.

All day Wednesday, I "crammed" to teach my inductive Bible study class. Following class, I arrived home about 9:30 and called my sister in Dallas to see how the first real day of separation had gone. She was a bit distressed. Apparently, after we all left my dad on Tuesday, he stayed up until 2 am telling the care givers that we (all his family) were still out in the parking lot waiting on him and that it was just not right that we were having to wait that long in the hot sun. Finally, they convinced him that we were not in the parking lot and he went to bed. Wednesday morning, he got up and ate a good breakfast and made it through the day quite well.

Mom, on the other hand did not fare quite as well. She seems to think that Dad doesn't need to be in "that place" and she tried to convince my sisters to bring him home. She settled down a bit by bed time Wednesday, but we realize that the adjustment will take some time.

It is now time for me to re-engage and get back to the "discipline of blogging." I'm sure that somewhere in the Bible that is listed as a spiritual discipline.

7 Years of Non-stop Worship and Prayer

2006-09-17T17:20:00.000-05:00

Today we began a three day celebration of the 7th anniversary for the International House of Prayer of Kansas City. Seven years ago on September 19, a group of people started worshipping and praying and it has never stopped since that first chord was played. Nick Syrett was the man who played that first chord (I learned that this morning in our worship service). He and his wife and son are now part of the prayer movement in Israel. Speaking of church service this morning, we watched a video of reminiscence and congratulations. Some of the people that had been part of the beginning of this ministry shared their fond memories. Others who have watched this ministry from afar (people like Jack Hayford, and Jack Deere, and Rick Joyner, and others) offered congratulations on leading the way into night and day intercession.

After church, we all headed out to a local park for an afternoon of fun and food. Speaking of food, Mike Bickle (IHOP director) has told us that during this three days there will be no fasting! Now for those of you who do not know Mike, let me tell you, that alone is a sign and a wonder. Mike is the most prolific "faster" I have ever known, and for him to tell us to NOT fast is moving into miracle territory. Anyway, we headed for a park to eat and play together. There were a couple of thousand people gathered for the celebration. It was like watching a multi-ring circus. Event coordinators had organized football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, kick ball, extreme Frisbee, horseshoes, and more. There were giant inflatables for the children to romp in. There was even a first aid station manned by a real doctor, who unfortunately had a little too much business with sprained ankles, and possibly even a fractured wrist. But they were all handled with care and efficiency - and of course prayer.

We had a wonderful time remembering and celebrating what God has done in just 7 short years. The thing that continues to amaze me, is the dedication of all who are part of the ministry of intercession. And I'm not just talking about here at IHOP. There is a great prayer movement exploding across the face of the earth. Sometimes we lose our way and try to turn prayer into a program -- something we tack onto our existing church programs (we have a tendency to want to package what we've learned about prayer and turn it into a simple and easy to follow formula; we're great at organizing the life out of things) -- but overall, God keeps us pointed in the right direction. And I'm not just talking about Kansas City! The prayer movement is exploding in Atlanta, and Chicago, and Dallas, and Houston, and Singapore, and Hong Kong, and New Zealand -- EVERYWHERE -- and I continue to be amazed at the commitment of intercessors around the world.

My New Favorite Book

2006-09-15T21:13:00.000-05:00

That title may be a little much, but I really do like this book -- maybe not the book itself -- in fact the book is not that impressive -- only 92 pages and paperback. But what's inside the book is good. The title, The Mystery of God's Word, is a little daunting, but the author has done such a good job of placing before us what it means, not only to read and study God's written Word, but also what it means to proclaim that Word with excellence, clarity, and power. Raniero Cantalamessa, the author, has been the Preacher to the Papal Household (that's right, he preaches to the people that are closest to the Pope) since 1980. For those of you who may be a little skeptical, thinking "Can anything good come out of Rome?" I assure you that there is an entire mine of great nuggets of truth in this book.

On Preaching and Preachers he says:

Preaching is easy enough; practicing is the hard part...preaching is as easy as throwing stones from the top of a church tower, whereas putting into practice is as hard as carrying stones to the top of the tower on your back. Ideally we should only throw those stones we have manhandled up the tower in the first place, or in other words, preach only what we have already put into preatice. but such perfect consistency between the Word and life is pretty rare... Meanwhile, the Word of God cannot wait... Should we keep quiet? St. Paul's words cheer us on: "We do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord" (2 Corinthians 4:5). ... We ought to sink into the dust for shame at the distance that separates us from the Word, but even so we cannot keep silent about the Word, and there lies our punishment and humiliation.

On hearing a Word from God he says:

If the words of God are few and far between, it is because there is too little silence. The Word of God always issues from silence...so we have to fast before receiving the Word: fast from our own and from other people's words.

On Studying God's Word he says:

Seemingly the Word of God is within arm's reach; it is at hand in the Scriptures. But in fact it is like those alpine flowers that grow on jagged and precipitous rocks; one has to tear one's hands and fingers to go and pick them.

There is much more -- perhaps I'll share a few little tid bits some other time.

What Do You Think

2006-09-14T06:43:00.000-05:00

Well, yesterday's blog entry got a couple of interesting comments. It got me to wondeirng what others might be thinking. One of the things that intrigued me was that both of yesterday's comments were from outside the US. So what do you think? Look at yesterday's post (Religion in America), read the 2 comments and let me hear from you. How do you react to either the article, or the comments. What do you think about the church in America? Which picture best depicts your experience of the American church? I know that none of these is a complete or accurate picture, but honestly, where do you see the state of the church in the United States?

Religion in America

2006-09-13T07:16:00.000-05:00

A new survey is out - not surprising - a new survey comes out about every 30 seconds, it seems. This one is on religion in America. It was conducted by Baylor University, a prestigious Southern Baptist School in Waco, Texas. The article in the Houston Chronicle about the survey, attempts to show that other surveys have been overly pessimistic about religion in America (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4177637.html). The article states, "the survey found that 89 percent of Americans attend a local congregation or affiliate with a denomination. The finding rebuts other national surveys showing that 14 percent or more of Americans were "religious nones" — people with no religious backgrounds." The article continues, "Prior national surveys have concluded that 10 million people are not religious who actually are in church every Sunday — praying, believing in a God; 10 million Americans counted as religious nones."

The basic thrust of the article attempts to say basically, "Hey, we're not as bad off as we've been told! Lot's more people are in church than previously reported!"

What I'm wondering is this: If more people are in church than ever before, why are we continuing to hate each other, kill babies, flock to pornography, get ever-increasing amounts of our governmental revenue from gambling, and on and on and on? If more people are going to church, and society continues its skid into deeper levels of degradation, then those churches are not having as much impact on society as society is on the church.

And that's commentary for today. Back to you...

Trash Day

2006-09-12T07:23:00.000-05:00

Today is "trash day" on our block. As we went to bed last night Debbie said, "We gotta remember that tomorrow is trash day." I knew what she meant - all week long we gather up our trash (banana peels, coffee grounds, etc.) and hold it in containers in the garage. Then on "trash day" we move our trash cans from the garage to the curb so the "trash collectors" (sanitation workers - see, I can be PC) can toss it into their big truck. We call it "trash day" but surely we shouldn't label the entire day based on one event. Maybe we could call it "trash morning" - at least that way the entire day doesn't get hauled to the curb. Or maybe we could call it "get rid of trash day" - that seems to be more positive.

On that more philosophical note - every day should be "get rid of trash day." Every day things happen to us - offenses, wounds, sights, sounds, sins - that need to be gotten rid of. Every day we should "take out the trash" so that we can avoid the stench that happens when we hang on to trash too long. Daily confession, repentance, acceptance of God's mercy and restoration is the only way to make that happen. So I hereby delcare today as the official "Get rid of Trash Day." I have it on good authority, that The Sanitation Worker will be by your house today - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Prayer for the Families

2006-09-11T08:12:00.000-05:00

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

Worthy Recipient Available

2006-09-08T16:19:00.000-05:00

Ok - time to confess. For several years I went through the "I gotta have a Harley" phase of life, when in fact, I never really wanted one. A motorcycle might be fun for a little while, but then there is the rain and the cold and the bugs in your teeth and the trucks and the people that don't pay attention and the pot holes in the road and untold other hazards. So while I said I wanted a motorcycle (maybe just to get a reaction of some kind from Debbie), I knew it was impractical and improbable that it would ever happen.

But now - I must confess I REALLY want one of these babies! This is the Honda S2000 and I'm pretty sure there is one just my size out there somewhere. It's hard to justify spending however many thousands of dollars it would take to get one. So just in case someone stumbles onto this blog and says, "You know, I haven't given away a Honda S2000 to some poor slob in a while, but I think it's about time." Well, I'm your guy!

Humility

2006-09-07T09:49:00.000-05:00

We had fun last night in my class "Biblical Preaching 1: How To Study The Bible." We are in process of "unlearning" bad or inadequate habits of study and at the same time learning to be observant in ways that are unfamiliar and, therefore, uncomfortable to us. Observation is so hard for us. I have discovered over the years (sound like an old codger, don't I?) that most of the time we tend to read the Bible from familiar passage to familiar passage; and all the stuff in between is missed unless somehow the Holy Spirit gets our attention and forces us to stop long enough for Him to teach us something new. Of course He does that, but too often, we get new revelation by surprise rather than developing the gifts of observation God has given us. We need to remember that this is a partnership and that God won't do the things He has appointed for us to do, and we can't do the things that only He can do. One of the things God has given us to do is pay attention.

We compared Bible study to putting together a jigsaw puzzle. I asked the class what was the first thing they do after dumping all the pieces of the puzzle onto the table or work surface (maybe you use the floor). Many of them rushed to, "You find the edge pieces and put them together." I was so glad they said that. It provided a teachable moment. I responded, "No -- you turn all the pieces of the puzzle over so that the picture side is up." Then I pointed out that detailed observation of the text, finding out what words and phrases mean, making sure you really know what common words like "grace" and "peace" mean, gaining understanding of names and places, figuring out as much as you can about who wrote the book or letter and why they wrote and to whom they wrote, and all the detailed information is like turning each piece of the jigsaw puzzle over so that you can start the assembly process.

One of the pieces we turned over last night was a real attention getter. In 1 Thessalonians 1:6 the THREE AUTHORS - Paul and Timothy and Silvanus - not just Paul as we like to think - make this comment: "And you became followers of us and of the Lord ..." Did you get that? Followers of "us." Talk about drawing a bullseye on your heart and asking people to line up to take a shot!!! When those words came out, Paul and Timothy and Silvanus must have looked at each other and said, "Are we sure we want to put that down?" That had to bring fear and trembling on their part. Some 20 years later, it was James who said, "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." And yet, because this trio of teachers were so confident in their own weakness and the Lord's strength, they were able to commend the thessalonian believers for becoming followers of "us and of the Lord." May we all walk in that kind of humility.

We Never Really Grow Up

2006-09-05T20:23:00.000-05:00

Growing up is a thing we like to kid ourselves about.
Growing up is when you get to move out of your house and start living on your own -- away from your parents.
Or growing up is when you get married.
Or growing up is when you begin to have children of your own.
Or growing up is watching those children graduate from high school and start life on their own.
Or growing up is when those children get married.
Or growing up is when your children have children.
Or growing up is when your children's children have children.
Or growing up is when you have to make the decision to separate your own parents because one has become unmanageable due to Alzheimer's Disease.
Or...
I'm beginning to wonder if growing up is just a myth. My dad has become increasingly hard to handle. My sister told me that he sat up on the edge of the bed all night last night and refused to lie down. He told her that his mom and dad sat with him. He's told me many times in the past few years that his dad comes to him at night and asks if he can really afford the place he is living. Of course I know what's going on -- but the fact that my 87 year old dad still longs for his parents, and still looks for his dad's advice let's me know that perhaps we never really grow up.

I continue to pray for my parents and their deteriorating health. I pray that the transition will be smoothe...that my mom and dad will handle the separation. I pray for my sisters and me as we take our dad to "the new place" and then have to turn our backs and walk away. Can we do that? Do we have a choice? If this is growing up perhaps that's why....

Not Enough To Do

2006-09-04T06:47:00.000-05:00

Boy, people just don't have enough to do! Would it have ever occurred to you to protest the demotion of Pluto from planet status? I never cease to be amazed.

A Dose of Reality

2006-09-03T19:15:00.000-05:00

I was passing through Paul's letter to the Philippians today ... reading things I'd underlined and notes in the margin ... I like to do that from time to time ... sometimes I amaze myself at the insight (both good and feeble) I had at the moment I jotted down the notes. Anyway, I'm not going to tell you whether this little tidbit was on the good or feeble side, you decide for yourself, but I am going to share it. Paul was writing to the Philippian Christians from a Roman jail cell (interesting that Paul was delivered by God from a Philippian jail and that deliverance resulted in the people to whom he is now writing becoming Christians). He is talking about people who are preaching the Gospel on the outside of the jail while he preaches from the inside. He shares a real dose of reality when he says, "Some indeed preach Christ from envy and strife..." (Philippians 1:15) Then he goes on to say, "[They] preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerity; supposing to ad affliction to my chains." (Philippians 1:16) In other words, there were people out there preaching Jesus in such a way that they were slamming Paul in the process -- probably pointing out that he was in jail and of course everyone knows that only bad people go to jail. It is obvious that slander of Paul is part of their Gospel message. How's that for an oxymoron!? Using the Gospel as a platform to slander a brother in Christ!!!

But I love Paul's response. "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." (Philippians 1:18)

Do you get that? So people slander me in the process of preaching Christ -- it doesn't matter! As long as Christ is preached. And not only does Paul rejoice in the moment, he makes it his aim to continue to rejoice! "I will rejoice," he says. He jumps on that theme again toward the end of the letter (4:4) when he says, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I wil say, rejoice!" Her is a man, sitting in prison, not knowing if he will ever get out, knowing people are on the outside slandering him, and rejoicing in the moment, and determining to rejoice in the furture - whether he gets out of jail or not. Now that is something I want to get into my heart. To determine that I will rejoice even before the bad thing happens to me. And not only to determine that, but to actually follow through!

I love this Bible!

Sometimes

2006-09-01T20:04:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who is the pastor of a medium sized church in Amarillo, Texas. At one stage of my life I was his associate pastor. On his desk he had a sign: Sometimes I sits and thinks...Sometimes I just sits. I think I'm doing the latter today.

And by the way, I think I found Kristen's possum. (http://rbohlender.blogspot.com/)

My Sad Tomato Plants

2006-08-31T08:42:00.000-05:00

As may remember (or maybe not), I ventured into the potted gardening world (that's gardening in pots rather than gardening while potted ... er... never mind) by growing three tomato plants. Unfortunately, some visitors came calling and they REALLY liked my little plants. They are called "tomato hornworms" and they look just as nasty as they sound.

The one pictured is really quite attractive compared to the ones that jumped my unsuspecting and helpless plants. I say helpless because I refused to used inseticide of any kind. That then made it necessary for me to remain ever vigilant (which I obviously did not do).

My lack of attentiveness cost me dearly. My tomato plants were stripped bare in a matter of minutes it seemed. These efficient plant killing machines left my plants devastated. Ah well -- lessons learned are hard, but rewarding -- I'll pay more attention next year.