Category: What’s Up

David Platt and The Refugee Crisis

David Platt Challenges Us

Tony says, it’s because I am growing as a believer.

I am a different today than I was ten years ago. Different than the person who turned 30. My heart ached for the child laying face down in the wet sand with the ocean lapping around him. Syrians had a country. They had jobs. What started as a protest became a civil war. Don’t they deserve to know Jesus, too?

Sure, there are terrorists now being identified as hiding among them, but when, in the history of Christianity, was it ever safe to speak the name of Jesus? I agree with common sense security and we should clean up the red tape that exists for people wanting to come here legally. If you are called to serve the refugees, please look deeper into technology. Listen to the webinar by Mobile Ministry Forum here. Some are already in the United States. The harvest is in our backyard.

It’s a long video, but please, take the time to listen to David Platt. Feel free to share your thoughts, but remember to keep it discussional. I’m interested in solutions. The harvest is at hand.

Watch Here

Do Not Grow Weary

Mornings are a welcome respite to recent tense weeks. The cat jumps on to the couch and curls up on my lap. I can feel his heart beating through my pajamas. The sky begins to show ribbons of color just on the edge of the horizon. The coffee is hot and fresh.

Moving from this spot stirs the air too much, and stirs up reminders of a day I have yet to meet. If I sit here long enough maybe I could avoid the day, and all its problems can walk past without noticing me in the shadows. Discouragement never gets us anywhere. It’s a dead end.

The cat jumps off to stalk a cockroach. I stand and pick up my now empty coffee cup. It’s time to meet the day. I don’t know how people who don’t believe in God can meet days like this all alone. Human praise and encouragement only last so long, and more often than not, you can’t get enough of it. Without faith, the day can become as dark as night without the glimmer of God’s promises on the horizon. Me and God have these long conversations in the morning.

This morning, it’s me whining.

His response is always the same, “Wait.”

He speaks through the Bible. Like how He used last Sunday’s sermon and a PDX appointment to speak Galatians 6 to me. Those things aren’t coincidences.

“Let’s not get tired of doing good…,” It says in verse 9.

I walk into the bedroom and get dressed in the shadows. I’ve never been great at hiding. In this time of transition, God’s vision to me is still unchanged. I must live it. I must walk the walk. My heart has a passion for nothing else.

I am the wierdo on the block; the person who does things differently. There’s so much to look forward to and so much God has me doing now that life is not boring.

My next newsletter goes out Saturday. Don’t miss it.

Walking the Walk

5.02%

It’s been quite a week. I go home from one job to start another (my favorite one).

This morning I have a list of things to accomplish before Monday. I look forward to the day when I only have to work one job (this one). Meanwhile, I am happy to report the new numbers for May. Many thanks for your financial partnerships. Together we can make a difference in the world with God working through us.

For those not understanding why missionaries raise funding, here is an article that goes into a little bit of scripture. As a friend reminded me, there is no such thing as part time ministry. Help me help you serve people online.

Keep praying me to 100%!

The Bible contains numerous examples of both Jesus, His disciples and the Apostles depending on the financial support of others during their ministry. Luke 8:1-3 says,“Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.” These women, among others, were paying the expenses for Jesus to travel through the cities “bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.” Jesus depended on others for support. READ MORE

Wilderness Trekking Series

The timeline for the Wilderness Trekking Series:

  • May 30: Interview with Jenna Baus and hike.
  • May 30-June 3: Editing of video and approval by Jenna of final edit.
  • June 4: Posting of Episode One on Youtube.

Please pray for good weather and time to edit the video before Saturday, June 4 in time to get approval and post it publicly. I am really excited about this series because it shows what God is doing in and through other people. I hope you will leave comments on the videos. I hope you will share them with your friends.

How You Do a Disservice to Church

When you church-bash, it’s not just your voice on the internet saying you don’t like church, but others, too, the unbeliever hears in one unified voice. Our unity should be in Christ, not in disgruntled discontent. In reading 1 Corinthians 1:10,

“Now I encourage you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Agree with each other and don’t be divided into rival groups. Instead, be restored with the same mind and the same purpose.”

I sat in church on Sunday and thought about how Christians appear online as a divided group from their politics to their stance on border security and the refugee issue. We can agree on one thing: Jesus is the only way. We disagree on the methods, but you’d be surprised at the unity that DOES happen behind the scenes.

For instance, the pastors in the church in our area get together and pray almost every week. Missions organizations work together to help in real world issues. Countless volunteers work every week at their local churches to provide food, clothes, and manual labor to these nonprofits to benefit their church and community.

If you need to vent about church, talk to a friend in private. A group of strangers of more than 25 people online or a vent on social media to countless people isn’t harmless. When I am even tempted to get angry online, I think of these people who volunteer quietly, humbly, and who have positively impacted my life. That’s when the hurt or anger ebb and I realize that church is the family of God, not a building. We are a dysfunctional bunch! Without these great people, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Those faithful people who do the hard work, study the Bible, and call people in their time of need are the unrecognized heroes of the faith in our day and age, and this includes pastors and their wives.

Yeah, this is my family. My community! 

Being Held Responsible

Hebrews 4:12-13

New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any sword that has two edges. It cuts deep enough to separate soul from spirit. It can separate bones from joints. It judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart. Nothing God created is hidden from him. His eyes see everything. He will hold us responsible for everything we do.

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