The Least of These

We went and visited some of the poorest children in Hyderabad today.  Simple gifts of backpacks, toys and school supplies brought smiles and joy.  The other team with taught the story of Joseph

 and how he was the favorite.  Then, they reminded each of the children they were God's favorite.  What a powerful testimony to see the Gospel in the eyes of a child.  Especially when there situation is so rough.  The ministry we are with provides tutoring, Bible study and a meal 5 days a week.  For most of the 55 kids in the program, its the only real food they get in the day.  Please pray for the children and the hearts of the workers God has raised up.




And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Matthew 18:3-6

Made It Here!

After 27 hrs of travel I made it to Hyderabad. The trip is always interesting.

People next to me did not seem very talkative this time.  I did have many opportunities to pray for people as grumpiness seems to show up after 12+ hours on a plane  :)  When I arrived in India I was greeted by my friends Moses and Glory.

Caught a few hours of sleep.  Off to church!

Leaving Tomorrow!

I'll be heading out.  Honestly, I'm a little nervous.  Last time I had no idea what I was doing or what to expect.  This time I have something to work from.  Stories and feelings from last time.  These things are playing in my mind.

What will God do?  Did I hear correctly on what to teach?  Is the delivery right?  Am I the right one.....

I shared these feelings with a good friend that fights for the harvest.  He said that he was in the middle of listening to a sermon on the exact same thing.  It was a teaching on Gideon and his situation.  The story is in Judges 6.   Can you relate?

What if you really are part of this big story?  What if the Creator picked you for a job?  Could you, would you, do it?  Truth be told, He already has chosen you.  He already has a job.  We just have to listen.

Put out your fleece my friends!

On the road again....

Your welcome for getting that song stuck in your head :)

I am off to India again this Friday.  Amazing!  The things God has put in place to make this trip happen are awesome.  I am fully funded, many people have stepped up to support my family while I am gone, and our hosts have been praying and fasting for our arrival.

While there we will be leading two different pastor conferences.  We will be focusing on discipleship and reproducing disciples.  In addition, we'll be leading Bible studies for the pastors and participating in revival meetings.

God has made it clear that He is to get the glory for this trip.  So, the adventure begins!

Kindness Leads to War

Story from 1 Chronicles 19:1-8

Nahash, the king of Ammon has died. Nahash had shown kindness to David when David was fleeing from Saul. David sent messengers to Nahash's son, Hanun, to send condolences. Hanun's advisors convince him that David's gesture of kindness is a ruse. They tell him that the true purpose is to scout out the land for an attack. Hanun's response is to publicly humiliate the messengers by shaving half their beard and stripping their pants publicly. When David hears this he has the men wait to return until they are restored. Ammon prepares for battle.

Isn't it sad how acts of kindness and love can be reframed into causing pain? And once the path starts, sometimes it cannot be easily changed. A gesture of kindness leads to a war that causes much damage to Ammon.

Can you think of times that this has happened to you?  Where someone's act of kindness was misread and caused issue?  Be watchful, the enemy will wear many faces....

Self-examination

All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.   Lamentations 1:11

This verse hit me square in the gut today.  The prophet Jeremiah calls himself "vile".  Now I know that word is pretty harsh, especially when applied to yourself.  That's not the hard part.  The hard part is in context.  He calls himself vile right after pegging the sin of Israel.

Israel had turned its back on God.  This verse talks of their turning to the fun and pleasant things of the world to help relieve their pain.  This is the nation that God Himself rescued with His own hand.  The nation that God chose to dwell amongst in the tabernacle.  This is the nation that chose the things of the world to treat their pain and discomfort rather than the peace and covering of God.  Jeremiah is pointing out their transgression and then looks at himself and says, "I am vile."

Personally, I don't work like that.  I know that if I was railing against the obvious sin of someone my next thought is not to look at myself and think of my own short-comings.  No!  My usually thought is how much better I am than they are.  In fact, I may be able to justify a whole mess of sin and think I am okay, ESPECIALLY compared to the other's horrible behavior.  Yet, I can't find the God that saved me by sacrificing His own son writing down that any of us are graded on a curve, or in relation to each other.  Thankfully so!

Can you imagine being judged in relation to one of the apostles, Hitler or Jesus?  I would hands down pick Hitler, yet Jesus is the standard.  I encourage you to look at your own life.  Where are you needing some work?  Is there something that has been pushed under the rug because we are judging based on a relative standard?

New Church or Old Church

Is America hungry for a fresh way of "doing church"? One base on Jesus, led by Jesus, united under Jesus? "New" is not the right word, in fact "old" is. Real old. Before the dawn of time kind of old.

Ponder these things.