I have not written anything new in quite some time. I will admit to you that I have not written due to fear. I am not being followed by the CIA, that I know of, and I am in no physical danger. But ever since my wife and I began our deputation (also known as fund raising) we have found ourselves under attack.
I will not say that it is Satan, but I will say that Satan has used the embattled field of Christianity to make our lives censored on every level. The saying goes, "missionaries cannot have opinions." Why is that you ask? I am happy to tell you.
As a missionary in the independent fundamental world, when we are asked to come to a church to share our ministry, they are expecting us to be exactly like them. And why not? They are independent and do not want to support someone who does not follow their certain brand of independentness. The problem is that when we leave that church and go tot he next, we find a different independent church that may have different views than the other, yet still desire us to have their same brand. How is one ever to succeed in such a system?
The simple answer is to not have an opinion. You see, the majority of these churches share the same major beliefs. It is the opinions about things that they differ. Women waring pants, TV, etc are where you find the disagreements. Sadly, a if a missionary ever shares his opinion, then he opens himself up to being asked to leave being rejected, or losing support. It is much easier to just never say anything.
This is the reason I have not written anything. Not that there are many people who actually read this, but with money being so tight, churches already having larger issues about having missionaries, it has been easier to never talk about anything and not risk losing support.
I will write more tomorrow I am sure. And once I begin to share my heart, if you have read this, I encourage you to have your friends and family read this. Please ask your pastor to do so. Why? Because I will share with you, honestly, how a missionary feels.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, April 19, 2010
I'm Forgiven
I have to write this down because today is a day I carry a weight. It is a weight of joy, but a weight nonetheless. Sometimes I believe God gives us something that is so real and so amazing: a glimpse into what He has really done for us so that it weighs us down with the debilitating thought of just how amazing He is, and just how amazing it is what He has done for us. It is upon me now and I have to share it.
Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” I know a girl who lived in the bondage for 17 years, but broke free from that bondage. And every day I am around her I see a creature that once was pulling her way through the mire of life, but now I see a new creature that is basking in the light and love of Christ. My wife is a living example of God's amazing grace.
I am, too, one of those creatures, and I have found it an endless source of joy to know that God has set me free, and I am running wild because of what he has done for me. Run is the best way to describe how I feel each day: A deep breath and a reminder that I am free makes me want to run and run like there is no end. No man or power in this universe can once again put me in bondage. No, God has forever freed me, and I refuse to let myself go back there.
Folks, we are forgiven. Satan will lie to us, Satan will have others lie to us, and Satan will do everything he can to bring us back down; but by the blood of Christ we are too slick to be put down again. You were born bound, but rebirthed free! So run. Run like there is nothing that can stop you; and when life’s problems get you down, remember that you are free. And if you are free, run like it!
Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” I know a girl who lived in the bondage for 17 years, but broke free from that bondage. And every day I am around her I see a creature that once was pulling her way through the mire of life, but now I see a new creature that is basking in the light and love of Christ. My wife is a living example of God's amazing grace.
I am, too, one of those creatures, and I have found it an endless source of joy to know that God has set me free, and I am running wild because of what he has done for me. Run is the best way to describe how I feel each day: A deep breath and a reminder that I am free makes me want to run and run like there is no end. No man or power in this universe can once again put me in bondage. No, God has forever freed me, and I refuse to let myself go back there.
Folks, we are forgiven. Satan will lie to us, Satan will have others lie to us, and Satan will do everything he can to bring us back down; but by the blood of Christ we are too slick to be put down again. You were born bound, but rebirthed free! So run. Run like there is nothing that can stop you; and when life’s problems get you down, remember that you are free. And if you are free, run like it!
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Battle is Now!
Five years ago I found a passion buried deep within me, and at the same time I found someone to help me express and act upon that passion. Coinciding with my passion was an equal power brewing and it acted quicker than me. Once I began my journey, Satan had already found a strong hold in areas out of my control and used them to tear down my tower of courage and strength. One by one they fell.
A year after it all began, it was over. I lost my passion, my courage, my strength, and my vision. I limped off the battle field never to return: or so I thought.
Five years since, my heart has grown; my faith has been rebuilt and buffeted with, not my strength, but my captain’s, my leader’s, my friend’s, Christ’s strength. The towers that I built and lost, my God helped me walk around the ruins and pick up each brick. He followed me around the battered foundation that He preserved and helped mortar the bricks that rebuilt my towers of courage: fortified by God’s Word and power.
I stand now at the door of tomorrow: but before tomorrow comes, today must be made real. And what is real about today is that it is not just any day: it is a day that a battle is being fought. This is not a metaphor and this is not an example. Wake up from whatever stupor you are in and listen to my words. You are not just a person, you are not just a man or woman that is living on this planet. You are here for a reason, but like a frog in cold water, you have been boiled into apathy and lethargy, frightened by a real challenge and scared of what is real. This ,my friend, is your wake up call.
Every day we sit still and do nothing, more lives are lost and more ground is taken by Satan. He has a plan, he has soldiers, he has motivation, and he knows at least one person who will not get in his way, you. If we don’t act now, we will lose this war. He has sifted the hearts of man and destroyed all he can. He has taken the hearts of your son, your daughter, your mom, and your dad. We are a city broken by him. So now, now we are at a decision. Do we let him take them and then us, or do we fight. Fight not for ourselves, but for our God who has won us the victory: a victory we have yet to claim.
First Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” In other words, “my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Ask your self are you any of these? Do we really see what we are living as a battle? Do we really see the blast from the last blow that is hurtling us backwards, or are we so lost in this that we didn’t even feel it happen?
This is real and this is now. I go forth to evangelize an entire country. Not in my power, but in Christ’s. I am acting here, and I am acting now. Are you acting now? Are you acting here? If you are not, why? Respond to this question speaking straight to the face of the God that died for you. Answer honestly.
Your God is steadfast, strong, and ready for battle…are you?
A year after it all began, it was over. I lost my passion, my courage, my strength, and my vision. I limped off the battle field never to return: or so I thought.
Five years since, my heart has grown; my faith has been rebuilt and buffeted with, not my strength, but my captain’s, my leader’s, my friend’s, Christ’s strength. The towers that I built and lost, my God helped me walk around the ruins and pick up each brick. He followed me around the battered foundation that He preserved and helped mortar the bricks that rebuilt my towers of courage: fortified by God’s Word and power.
I stand now at the door of tomorrow: but before tomorrow comes, today must be made real. And what is real about today is that it is not just any day: it is a day that a battle is being fought. This is not a metaphor and this is not an example. Wake up from whatever stupor you are in and listen to my words. You are not just a person, you are not just a man or woman that is living on this planet. You are here for a reason, but like a frog in cold water, you have been boiled into apathy and lethargy, frightened by a real challenge and scared of what is real. This ,my friend, is your wake up call.
Every day we sit still and do nothing, more lives are lost and more ground is taken by Satan. He has a plan, he has soldiers, he has motivation, and he knows at least one person who will not get in his way, you. If we don’t act now, we will lose this war. He has sifted the hearts of man and destroyed all he can. He has taken the hearts of your son, your daughter, your mom, and your dad. We are a city broken by him. So now, now we are at a decision. Do we let him take them and then us, or do we fight. Fight not for ourselves, but for our God who has won us the victory: a victory we have yet to claim.
First Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” In other words, “my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Ask your self are you any of these? Do we really see what we are living as a battle? Do we really see the blast from the last blow that is hurtling us backwards, or are we so lost in this that we didn’t even feel it happen?
This is real and this is now. I go forth to evangelize an entire country. Not in my power, but in Christ’s. I am acting here, and I am acting now. Are you acting now? Are you acting here? If you are not, why? Respond to this question speaking straight to the face of the God that died for you. Answer honestly.
Your God is steadfast, strong, and ready for battle…are you?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Do We Really Believe the Bible?
Not sure what you would expect to follow that kind of title, but I really mean it. Do we believe it or do we use it as a loose guide to fill the holes in our personal convictions? Yep, I just put it out there like that.
Do yourself and me a favor. Stop whatever it is your doing and find for me an example in the Bible of a missionary who went, planted/sowed, and then stayed until death in one church. Once you find that, find me a place where a brother fell into sin and they shunned him immediately, disregarding their own sins. Next, look for a definition of worldly. This one you can find, but let’s relate that to what you think in your mind is the definition of worldliness. List out what you think it is and be very honest.
Even with these few items, I think we will find, if we are honest with ourselves, a discrepancy in between what we think and what the Bible says. What does it say when the Bible challenges our thinking which is supposed to be based on the Bible? I say these things not to be contentious, but to ask you, me, all of us to wake up out of our stupor and proclaim the Word of God for what it is, truth. Teach it correctly because we are always in it. Share it the right way because it is a part of us.
We should be doing these things instead of sharing our opinions and convictions. Creating guidelines and policies because we feel they are right and claim they are from the Bible, but that have no biblical backing. I call once again for us to reopen our Bibles for the first time, and truly read it to understand what God has given to us. I am not saying everything would be different if we did that, but we would have a lot more people who understood their faith because they read and understood it for themselves instead of tacking other men’s word for it.
Do yourself and me a favor. Stop whatever it is your doing and find for me an example in the Bible of a missionary who went, planted/sowed, and then stayed until death in one church. Once you find that, find me a place where a brother fell into sin and they shunned him immediately, disregarding their own sins. Next, look for a definition of worldly. This one you can find, but let’s relate that to what you think in your mind is the definition of worldliness. List out what you think it is and be very honest.
Even with these few items, I think we will find, if we are honest with ourselves, a discrepancy in between what we think and what the Bible says. What does it say when the Bible challenges our thinking which is supposed to be based on the Bible? I say these things not to be contentious, but to ask you, me, all of us to wake up out of our stupor and proclaim the Word of God for what it is, truth. Teach it correctly because we are always in it. Share it the right way because it is a part of us.
We should be doing these things instead of sharing our opinions and convictions. Creating guidelines and policies because we feel they are right and claim they are from the Bible, but that have no biblical backing. I call once again for us to reopen our Bibles for the first time, and truly read it to understand what God has given to us. I am not saying everything would be different if we did that, but we would have a lot more people who understood their faith because they read and understood it for themselves instead of tacking other men’s word for it.
Where Do We Go to Learn
An interesting question came to me today. Where do we go to learn about God? It seems to be a simple answer, but think about it for a second. Most people would say church, but what exactly do we learn about God? We hear messages about the Bible that inspire us and convict us to live a better life and do more for God, but when do we ,or even worse, did we learn about who God truly is outside of Sunday school lessons and hymns?
If I were to say to you, who and/or what is God, what would you say? There is one correct answer, and I know a group of high school kids in Wilson, NC that could answer that question without a doubt. He is one thing before He is anything else to us. Think about this and let it be a catalyst for you to push to actually learn about your faith and more importantly, your God.
If I were to say to you, who and/or what is God, what would you say? There is one correct answer, and I know a group of high school kids in Wilson, NC that could answer that question without a doubt. He is one thing before He is anything else to us. Think about this and let it be a catalyst for you to push to actually learn about your faith and more importantly, your God.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Hills of Missions
It is staggering the amount of decisions that have to be made even before becoming a missionary to a foreign field. From amount needed per month to whether retirement is important or not, the decisions keep flowing. Even Uncle Sam gets his piece. All these decision got me thinking and praying.
It got me thinking and yearning for the days when it did not matter the amount and retirement was not a chance much less a thought. All that mattered was that God was on your side and you were doing His work. Have we become so faithless that we have to put a price tag on the work of God? At what point do we say that we have done too much and put a strangle hold on God’s work?
We have become so busy making sure God does not use those who are not worthy or who might mar His name that we have forgotten that He is God and can handle His own decision on who serves Him and who does not. I am sure if Saul/Paul approached a mission agency today, he would be turned away due to past indiscretions.
Checks and balances are necessary, but it seems we have become a Christian society that in missions is only interested in the longevity rather than results, and more interested in a clean truck rather than a useful productive one.
But I will climb that hill and reach the top, whatever it takes. My calling is sure and my heart strong; though, my flesh is vastly weaker. I will cross the t's and dot the i's so as to be accountable and sure. The chance, the opportunity to serve my God is one that I will climb a millions hills to attain to.
It got me thinking and yearning for the days when it did not matter the amount and retirement was not a chance much less a thought. All that mattered was that God was on your side and you were doing His work. Have we become so faithless that we have to put a price tag on the work of God? At what point do we say that we have done too much and put a strangle hold on God’s work?
We have become so busy making sure God does not use those who are not worthy or who might mar His name that we have forgotten that He is God and can handle His own decision on who serves Him and who does not. I am sure if Saul/Paul approached a mission agency today, he would be turned away due to past indiscretions.
Checks and balances are necessary, but it seems we have become a Christian society that in missions is only interested in the longevity rather than results, and more interested in a clean truck rather than a useful productive one.
But I will climb that hill and reach the top, whatever it takes. My calling is sure and my heart strong; though, my flesh is vastly weaker. I will cross the t's and dot the i's so as to be accountable and sure. The chance, the opportunity to serve my God is one that I will climb a millions hills to attain to.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A change of Pace
This blog will be taking a change of pace as my wife and I have begun the journey to become missionaries in Peru, SA.
I plan on documenting most of what's happening so you all can see what it is like in the life of a missionary. I also plan on starting a vlog so you can see me and what God is doing in our lives.
Hope to return soon with an update.
I plan on documenting most of what's happening so you all can see what it is like in the life of a missionary. I also plan on starting a vlog so you can see me and what God is doing in our lives.
Hope to return soon with an update.
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