Straight talk on Suicide

Recently the suicide of comedian Robin Williams has brought this difficult topic to the minds of many. I was pleased to read a cogent and insightful article on the topic of suicide from Kevin DeYoung. What he has to say is worth the few minutes it will take to read it. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/

Radio Personalities

Andrew and Christina will be "famous in Hungary" because their voices will be played for Hungarian students who are learning English. One of the guests is a Hungarian who teaches English and recorded their voices for her students. I am kidding them that they will be internationally known. Day four of the camp is now history and an eventful few days it has been. Most of the team is fighting through jet lag and I am so encouraged in the way they are each stepping up to the plate and doing their part. Teachers and students are bonding and we all shared the powerful story of Nicodemus today and drove home the need to be born again through belief in Christ during our reading time. How fitting that I read this morning in Jeremiah how God's word is hard like a rock that crushes--it is able to do a powerful work. Then in Acts 16 I read how God opened Lydia's heart to believe as He also worked in the Philippians jailer's family. What a good reminder to just stay faithful proclaiming the powerful truth of God's word that will penetrate hearts and trust God to open hard hearts. Many students are eager to learn and receptive to God's word but not yet surrendered to Christ. We have had good conversations with campers and I see the team trying to encourage believers and love on the seekers. Today in the city of Pecs one of our Hungarian team members fell and fractured a bone in her arm. She will hopefully mend quickly but please pray for her full recovery. In His Glad

Camp Day 1

The team met for a time of worship and considered 2Corinthians 4:1-7 along with 1Corinthians 4:7. We have this ministry as we have received mercy so we do not give up. God's mercy motivates us to serve. We are not adequate for these things but God is the one who works through us as He worked in us. After another lunch of hot soup and fried chicken we headed to the school to prepare for the arrival of the campers who began to arrive at about 3:45 pm local time. The next two and a half hours was filled with many conversations. Team members stepped out in faith to introduce themselves to frightened Students some of which know little English while others are very proficient. It was so good to see new faces and to reconnect with several familiar friends from past camps. We need grace and courage to go deeper now after these initial meetings. God continues to bring campers as we now have 100 registered for our time here. There is a reason why we have the largest team ever. God is good all the time. First Bible study is tomorrow. Jesus calms the storm and the difference between belief and true trust. The disciples knew Jesus was in the boat but failed to trust Him. We ask for wisdom to help campers know what it is to trust Christ.

Arrival in Mohacs

News of a record number of campers signed up for this year's English camp left us scrambling at the last minute to print more materials amidst last minute packing. It was a short night for most of the remaining members of the team who left from Iowa on July 23rd. The Albert City and Havelock contingent left home about 5:30 a.m. Arriving in good time in Des Moines to meet the two remaining members of the team still in Iowa. What a gorgeous morning it was as we greeted the sun rising in the east. As we began our eastward journey the "Windy City" was our first stop where we made it through to our gate without incident. There we met Carly. We boarded the massive Boeing 777 and departed at 2:20. Mission groups get priority seating...NOT. That is why most of us occupied the very last seats on this massive plane with 10 seats across (in economy class). Row 45 was the place to be. Actually the lavatory traffic was minimal and no small children so nobody behind us to bother and we were content to ride it out. I must say that the turbulence seems to be accentuated in the back of the plane. At times I felt myself rocking back and forth in my seat. But I love roller coasters so it was an adventure, although I have never tried to sleep on a roller coaster :). I'll spare your the rest of our travel detail sis, suffice it to say that sleep was scarce but every leg of the journey went smoothly. Upon arrival in Budapest we were greeted by our gracious hosts the Dans, my niece Natalie and her husband Brsdley who had arrived a couple of days early, and some friends from previous camps--Dani and Timi and their newborn baby boy. A three hour van ride found us in Mohacs. A quick shower and we were off to lunch. Traditional vegetable soup, fried cheese, and fries with ranch dressing. Actually quite yummy. Right now most of us who just arrived are still in a fog and are trying to nap. Sleep will be "fast and short" these next few days so we are trying to catch up. Praying for our hearts to engage in ministry while our minds and bodies make the adjustments. I read the feeding of the multitudes in Mark 6. Jesus asked the disciples to give what they had and trust Him with the "details". If you think about it the details were overwhelming. Right now The Lord is asking us to give what we have and trust Him with the details. Camp starts tomorrow.

Preparations for Hungary 2014

Proverbs 16:1 says, "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from The Lord. As the team prepares to leave it is a good reminder that we are not the center of what is happening. We may have our "plans" but what happens in and through us is up to The Lord. May we be very careful to invite The Lord to use us in His plans, to humbly ask that we might be sensitive to and cooperative in what He wants to done in that ministry. So it would be best to expect to be involved in whatever God has I store. I am praying for the team and for the campers. I hope you will join me in asking God to work and then for team members to trust Him to do His will. Thanks

Back to Hungary

What a privilege to see God work in raising up a team for this year to travel to Hungary to share our faith. Once again we will partner with our friends from Mohacs and Pecs to conduct an Evangelistic English Language camp. We just finished our weekend training and were challenged to think of success as what we are willing to attempt for God. I am excited to join 12 others who will be attempting to share Christ with the folks in Southern Hungary. Many details to finalize and much preparation before we go, but mostly we need keep advancing on our knees. As I was reminded this morning in Deuteronomy 7:21 "...The Lord your God...a great an awesome God". So we launch into the great unknown with confidence that God has a work to do in us and through us. Stay tuned and please keep us in your prayers.

Movie Goers Beware

2014 Must be vying for the title of "Biblical Movie Year" according to some. Well at least several movies have Biblical Themes or Topics in them. There is "Son of God" which starts in Genesis and quickly moves to the story of Jesus as recorded primarily in the Gospel of John. "God is Not Dead" is another popular box office hit depicting the defense of God by a gutsy college freshman enrolled in a Philosophy class taught by an staunch Atheist. Then there is NOAH which is an avowed atheist's rendition of the Biblical story of Noah. Of course there is "Heaven is For Real" giving the account of a young boy's Near Death Experience. I'm not sure why, but Hollywood seems to be playing to the religious crowd and particularly to Christians in 2014. Why? I can only speculate, but I know from those who have been close to people in the movie industry that even though Hollywood knows that the biggest box office hits are usually family friendly films. But because of their activist agenda most writers, producers, and film makers shy away from the most profitable genre. So I am a bit skeptical in saying that Hollywood must be hurting for some cash so they've tried to play to the family, the religious, the spiritual side of people. Regardless of why there are so many spiritually oriented movies, the fact remains that for Christians there is a need for serious Scriptural evaluation of what is being communicated in a particular movie. We should be cautious of going to a movie simply because the title indicates a Biblical theme or topic is being considered. I am assuming that, unlike a generation ago, most professing Christians do go to the movies.Movies are powerful tools to communicate and it is likely that once we've seen a movie our perspective on whatever Biblical story it depicts will be seriously impacted. For example, it is difficult for people of my generation who have seen Cecil B. DeMill's "The Ten Commandments" starring Charleton Heston to read the Exodus account without seeing the images and characters from the movie. More recently those who witnessed "The Passion of the Christ" can hardly read the Gospel accounts of the Passion without the gruesome and gut-wrenching scenes from the movie flashing through their minds. When we see a movie about a passage or event in Scripture we tend to believe that the movie version is what happened. Therefore, it behooves us to do our homework before ever going to a movie or at minimum think in Biblical terms in evaluating what is seen. Let me take a few examples from the list of 2014 Films to make my point and challenge us. NOAH is a movie that by it's title makes those familiar with the Bible think that they will be watching the familiar Bible story come to life on the Big Screen. NOT!! Consider that the producer is an atheist who does not believe in the God of the Bible and therefore does not accept the Scripture accounts as authoritative and accurate. His world-view profoundly impacts the telling of the story. I have not seen the movie, but those who have inform me that it takes the Biblical account and turns it upside down. In the Bible mankind is destroyed because of their sin against God, but in the movie God is saving the animals from the humans. Noah in the Bible was a righteous man who "walked with God", but in the movie he is anything but righteous. To subject ourselves to blatant heresy is dangerous and unwise. I am sure that many Christians will flock to and rave about "Heaven is for Real" and yet, the book itself and I would assume the movie depicts a concept of being raised back to life and of Heaven that we do NOT find anywhere in Scripture. There are numerous accounts of people raised from the dead or of people with a heavenly encounter. See Isaiah 6:1-7; 2Kings 4:29-37; Matthew 9:18-26; Luke 7:11-17;John 11:1-46; Revelation 4:5-11; 5:1-14. And then there is Paul's own record in 2Cor.12:1-6. In these and other stories of people raised from the dead or people encountering God in Heaven there is only Humility, Awareness of Sinfulness, Celebration of God's magnificence and praise. Among those raised from the dead, Paul is the only one to mention anything of His experience and it is marked by such shock and awe that He is unable to speak about it and is actually given a thorn in the flesh to keep Him humble. Now contrast the Biblical record with what is written in the book and portrayed in the movie, "Heaven is for Real." No doubt the boy's stories are heart-warming, and we can all appreciate that his young life was spared, but we should be cautious of letting the emotional appeal blind us to Biblical truth. It is dangerous to interpret Scripture in light of our experience. It is a much sounder practice to interpret experience in light of Scripture. All I am saying is that what we see in Scripture regarding Heaven and Near Death Experience differs drastically from what is portrayed in the book and movie. This should give every serious student of Scripture pause in going to such a movie, in reading the book, and in praising those works. For a more in depth look at the issue of Near Death Experiences as recorded in the Bible as they relate to our scrutiny of "Heaven is For Real" see the following link to an article by David Jones professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. http://www.scribd.com/doc/220085950/Near-Death-Experiences Movie Goers Beware of spiritual sounding films that contradict the Bible and undermine our faith.

Faith Comes By Hearing

His name is "Bill" and I met him while on vacation recently. Like a reptile seeking a warm rock in the sun, I had purposefully gone outside of the place where we were staying to sit in the warm southern sun where I was going to spend some time with the Lord. I arranged my chair on the narrow sidewalk facing east on this beautiful morning. I had my Bible in hand and was reading away when a screen door next door opened up and out walked a man that I guessed to be in his late sixties or early seventies. He had a full head of frosty white hair and an equally white beard. He had come to find out who I was since he did not recognize me as part of the family that owned the place next to him. When I explained how it is that I had come to stay there he seemed satisfied enough with my answer. Evidently I knew enough about the owners to convince him that I wasn't a "squatter" or a transient. I introduced myself and he extended his hand and said, "My name is "Bill"." Bill" had the gift of gab and I learned quite a bit about his life. He'd had a medical issue when in his 50's and had retired early. To my surprise "Bill" is 80 years old. For the past thirty years he has been traveling south for the winter, running errands with buddies in the mornings and spending the afternoons drinking at the local lodge. He knew what day it was based upon what "beer and wings" specials were offered that day. We chatted about many subjects except the one subject that I knew I should be talking about--"Bill's" spiritual condition. I could sense the nudging of the Spirit to touch on the subject of spiritual matters, but I rationalized them away. "Others were waiting on me inside and we had plans for the day and I had been talking for quite some time and I didn't want the others to blame me for getting a late start on our day's activities." It didn't take long for my cowardice to convince me that it was time to leave. I politely excused myself and went inside still battling on the inside with my failure to speak the truth in love, to take the opportunity to share of Christ and His love with someone who appeared to me to be a very lost soul. I felt miserable, confessed my sin and asked the Lord for one more chance to speak with "Bill" so I could share the gospel with Him. The next day we would be leaving so the window of opportunity for me to see and then speak with "Bill" was very narrow. I kept praying off and on through the day for a chance tomorrow. Tomorrow arrived and God graciously answered my prayer. I saw it as a divine appointment that "Bill" came out onto the sidewalk the next day. I tried to speak with sensitivity and yet with boldness (Eph.6:18-20) of the hope that is within me. I was sowing the seed of the Gospel ignorant of what sort of soil it was falling on. But mine is only to sow the seed (Matthew 13)and let God take care of soil types. "Bill" wasn't overly receptive, but other people's responses is not something I can control. I was just rejoicing in God's mercy, grace, and goodness in giving me another opportunity. I may never see "Bill" again in my life, but by God's grace He has heard of man's sinfulness, Christ's perfect sacrifice on our behalf and our need to repent and trust Him. Paul reminds us in Romans 10:10-17 that right standing before God comes through faith in Christ and that faith comes by Hearing the Word of Christ. Unless we speak the word people will not believe.

Winter

Not sure why, but these words came to my mind a few days ago. I woke up this morning all ready to go. When I stepped outside it was 12 below. I decided it was a good day for some hot coco. I watched the sunlight glisten on the freshly fallen snow And then the wind began to blow. It's not pleasant outside, but two things I know, Spring is coming and God is in control.

God is In Charge

I've been reading the familiar story of Joseph's journey into Egypt (Genesis 37-50)and marveling at the work of God in the history of men. God gave Joseph as a gift to Isaac and Rebekah, a special son that Jacob Loved very much--remember the coat of many colors that caused his brothers to be jealous because they knew he was the favored son? The jealousy of his brothers caused them to sell Joseph into Slavery where he was purchased by the captain of Pharaoh's body guard in Egypt. In that home Joseph was blessed by God. The text actually says, "God was with him." Joseph was put in charge of everything in the captain's household. There Joseph was powerful, influential,and special. God is in Charge of Prosperity (Genesis 39). But things took a turn for the worse as Joseph was framed by Potiphar's wife and accused of making advances towards her when, in fact,it was she who repeatedly tempted Joseph to sin, but he refused. Next thing we know Joseph is "in the slammer." Went from being a hero to a heel instantaneously. Guess what? God is in Charge of Sad circumstances. While in prison "God was with Joseph" and he was put in charge of the other prisoners. You probably remember what happens next. The cup bearer and the baker for Pharaoh offended their master and were thrown in prison where they each had a dream and God revealed the interpretation of those dreams to Joseph. When the cup bearer was restored to Pharaoh he did not make mention of Joseph to the ruler and Joseph remained in prison 2 years. God is in charge of disappointments. Finally Pharaoh had a dream and God brought Joseph to Pharaoh. Joseph gave God credit for being able to interpret the dream and then Joseph was put in charge of Pharaoh's kingdom--God is in charge of prosperity. Later when Joseph encounters his brothers it is Joseph who states, "God sent me before you to preserve life" (Gen.45:5). God indeed used the circumstances to preserve Joseph and so many others, especially the line of Jacob. Pretty hard when we are blessed and when we are struggling to keep perspective that God is in Charge. He is in charge when things are going well and when we are really challenged. Joseph knew many times when he could have felt that God abandoned him, but through it all we see God's sovereign hand. A good lesson for us to learn as well. God is in Charge. When we don't understand and we can't trace His hand, trust His heart.

The State of the Union

The President gave the annual "State of the Union" address and most people have their opinions about what was said. My intent here is not to comment on what the President said, but share my own assessment of the "State of the Union." I see the State of the Union much as Paul described the Roman world in which he lived-- "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish hear was darkened...For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever Amen." (Ro.1:18,21,25). Just think about it for a moment. Paul's description fits America today--men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness and exchange the truth of God for a lie. If I were to use one word to describe the "State of the Union" I would use a word like "corrupt", "decadent", "ungodly", or "perverse." Deception, corruption, extortion, and exploitation abound in the lives of people personally and especially in the workings of our government. Justice is merely a buzz word and no longer an ideal. Perversion is celebrated. Murder of innocent children is sanctioned, supported, and defended as a "choice". Lack of personal responsibility is promoted and "entitlement" is encouraged. Laziness is encouraged and exceptionalism is discouraged. Robbery is government policy. At every turn attempts are made to "suppress the truth in unrighteousness" whether it is doping by professional athletes or what really happened in Benghazi. Now when I hold these realities up to the ideals of Scripture there is a serious disconnect. Much of what permeates the culture in America offends a Holy God and yet we press ahead in our perversion oblivious to God's displeasure. Romans 1:18 speaks of "the wrath of God...against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men..." Our country as a whole seems to me to be in a desperate state whereby we deserve God's wrath. In fact, the text of Romans 1:18-32 declares that those who live ungodly lives and exchange the truth of God for a lie are "given over to even greater perversions and ungodliness." It could very well be that as a country we have been "given over" (Ro.1:24,26,28)to increasing decadence, debauchery, and depravity. It could be that we have reached a point of no return, that we will continue to spiral downward into the cesspool of sin only to receive the full fury of God's wrath. I only know that God cannot be pleased with the deception, perversion, corruption, and wickedness that He sees in America. I recently finished Stephen Mansfield's book, "Lincoln's Battle with God" in which the author comes to the conclusion that at some point near the end of the civil war that Lincoln came to the understanding that God is in control of the affairs of men and that what happens in history is under the control of the Almighty. He also believes that Lincoln had an acute awareness that mankind is answerable to a holy and righteous God. Lincoln saw the Civil War as God's punishment on the nation for her evils (among which slavery ranked near the top). Finally, Mansfield believes that Lincoln grasped that God uses men in His working out of History. Lincoln came to believe that the real issue in the Civil War then was the need for America's Reconciliation with God...her Righteousness. That America was in the throws of a devastating Civil War as part of God's punishment for her national sins and only in repentance could the "ship of state" be righted again. Oh, that the wisdom of Lincoln would prevail again in America. I pray that we will see ourselves in the throws of sin and in desperate need of repentance and the Lord's compassionate forgiveness. The answer for America lies not with a particular candidate, or political party, but in our soon, serious, and contrite return to the Almighty seeking His forgiveness. I hope the words of Isaiah 30:15 will not be uttered of us "...but you were not willing." For indeed, in repentance and rest we shall be saved and in quietness and trust is our strength.

God's Mercy

Just came off of a difficult wrestling match. No, I'm not in mid-life crisis trying to relive my youth by joining a wrestling club. My match was with the Lord. I'm not just getting older, I'm getting more foolish. Wrestling with the Lord??? Of course, I was wrestling with the Lord--my fallen nature wrestling with my new nature as redeemed in Christ. I had sinned and felt rather justified in my behavior. I reasoned that I had a right to be angry and to deal with the situation as I had in light of someone else's activity. It is the very kind of thing that Paul describes in Romans 7:14-25 when he says, "For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish" (7:19). If you are truly a child of God by grace through faith in Christ and if you are really honest you have also engaged in this futile wrestling match with the Lord. After a couple of days of fuming and feeling very self-righteous about it all, the Lord began to chip away at the wall of pride that I had erected to protect myself from having to admit that I really had sinned, that I was not in communion with the Lord, that I could continue in my current state to my own detriment. Pride is a very stubborn guest and does not leave without being thrown out of our lives. As I confessed and repented of my sin I felt as if I were dying and it was excruciatingly painful to let go of all of my rationalizations and justifications and focus on the reality of my own depravity in isolation from any other person involved in the situation. As the Lord did His surgery to extract my pride and refusal to acknowledge my own sinfulness before Him, a burden was lifted (See Psalm 32). Once I went to the offended party, confessed my sin and asked for forgiveness I was restored to fellowship with the Lord. This incident gave me a window into the depth of wickedness still present within me. I did see a wretched man longing to be delivered from "this body of death" (Romans 7) but was also reminded of God's mercy. "..You our God have requited us less than our iniquities deserve and have given us an escaped remnant" (Ezra 9:13). As Ezra leads a group of former exiles back to Jerusalem to re-establish the worship of God he is made aware of the wickedness of those left in Jerusalem who have intermarried. Ezra's statement in 9:13 and in 9:15 speak of God's mercy that does not give us what we fully deserve. God often treats us much better than our sinful lives deserve. Lord, help us to see more fully the extent of our depravity and appreciate more completely your great mercy. Lord help me to treat others with the same sort of mercy that you have extended to me.

Solid Foundations.

The conclusion to Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7)reminds us of the importance of not merely hearing the Word of God, but actually doing what God says."Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house upon a rock" (Mt.7:24). Jesus tells us that the wise person will listen to and do what He says. Lord help us to be doers of the word and not just hearers.

Facing Persecution

God's work has always met with opposition and we certainly live in a day where that opposition seems to be increasing. The apostles Peter and John provide us with a great example in Acts 4:19-20. After being told to not to speak or teach any more in the name of Jesus they told ruling Council, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard." They were committed to obey God rather than men regardless of the consequences. We can't know our response in any given situation, but we can pray for God's grace to respond with this same kind of devotion.