First Thoughts

A Ruler

2009-03-13T11:09:00.002-05:00

Have you ever noticed how you try to balance the concerns in your life? It seems that I place the responsibilities of ministry on one side of a fulcrum, like a ruler, and the rest of my life on the other, attempting to form a balance or achieve harmony. Surprisingly, there are some times when I am successful, but, as you know, life is not static or stationary. It is dynamic, filled with changes, surprises and chaos. The result is that the ruler cannot stay balanced.

What do you do when life is out of balance? Lent is a time to ask yourself how are you still in order to know God. It is a journey to give something of yourself away in order to find a lesson or a blessing from God. It is a time to let the peace of God bring some sense of balance and harmony even if the challenges you face seem insurmountable.

2009-03-12T14:34:00.002-05:00

The story has been told that when Napoleon marched the French army over the Alps to win a stunning victory in Italy that someone asked him, "How did you make the army march over the mountains?" Napoleon is reported to have answered, "One does not make the French army march over the Alps; one leads the army over them."

Leadership is important to almost every aspect of life. I love the story of the early church as it grows in the book of Acts. On those pages, it is easy to see God raising ordinary men and women to lead the church to touch and change the world in extraordinary ways. There is no greater joy in the Body of Christ than when someone discovers how God can use them to build the Kingdom wherever they live, work and have fun. Give God a chance to move and guide you to influence someone with the love of Christ. It may be as a parent, a friend, an official in the church or any area of influence that you can lead with the Spirit of Christ.

Motion Sickness

2009-03-11T07:54:00.002-05:00

On our last trip to Greece and Turkey to tour the sites of the early churches of Paul and John, our group was on a medium sized cruise ship for the travel to Patmos and Ephesus, as well as other sites. The first day at sea was challenging with strong winds and high waves. The leaders of the various groups and families were all gathered in the ship's lounge to hear our instructions for the upcoming departures, and while we were gathered in this room without ventilation, with closed windows and with a tossing ship, I experienced a new sensation. The name of this new feeling is "motion sickness." I felt as if I was about to feed the fishes my lunch but could not reach the outside deck in time. Instead of panicking, I took a few deep breaths and slowly walked to the outside where the view and the air seemed to clear my head and settle my stomach almost instantly.

Some times our days produce a form of motion sickness. The hectic pace, the confusion and complexity of our responsibilities and obligations, the anxiety of the economic uncertainty of the country and the world and the worries about our loved ones will cause us to feel uneasy and unsure. Just as I needed space, a place of fresh air and a wide view, to reorient myself on that boat, so do we all need to create space to be alone with God. Draw away for even a few moments from the challenges of your day and seek the refreshment and renewal that God can provide and let the Lord bring a sense of calmness and peace to you.

God's word

2009-03-09T08:50:00.002-05:00

There is nothing like a refreshing shower after a hard day's work or an afternoon of rigorous exercise. In the middle of the summer when the heat is unbearable, a dip in a swimming pool can offer a cool and fun break. Now, as the weeks have produced little rain here in our vicinity, the need to water our lawns and plants is critically necessary to keep our grass and landscaped beds alive and healthy.

It is no wonder that the prophet Isaiah compared God's word to water. The rains come and refresh the ground, nourishing the plants and crops. According to the scriptures, this is the purpose God has for the refreshing and renewing water. So it is to study the word of the Lord contained in the Bible. It is nourishment and refreshment for our souls. Each moment we spend reading and meditating on the scriptures will bring us closer to the grace of God that touches our lives and makes us whole.

Sundays

2009-03-07T17:23:00.002-06:00

A day to call sabbath is a true blessing from God. Our lives are filled with so much activity and the pace seems to increase daily. It is difficult not to fail prey to a sickness of hurry and impatience as we scurry about our packed schedules and full calendars.

Sundays should be a time to change the pace and direction of our lives. Worship in a community of faith should have priority, alongside time with family and meaningful relationships on Sundays. I find the cessation of any commercial activity is helpful, not just for me but also for clerks. Devoting time to appreciating the wonder of God's creation brings fulfillment on the Sabbath. Let me encourage you to make tomorrow a holy Sabbath and to be present in worship.

Rejoice

2009-03-05T10:57:00.002-06:00

One saying people express often comes from the Psalms. It says, "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." It is easy to be glad and happy when the day offers opportunity to have fun and enjoy activities that are entertaining and fulfilling. Spending time with friends and loved ones is always a treat that can bring joy. In so many ways, a sense of gratitude to God for the blessings of a day can arise.

But how can you rejoice in times of pain, disappointment or fear? There are moments and places that we all face which are frightening and perplexing. Yet, God still is the creator and sovereign Lord of bad days as well as good ones. The blessing that God offers us for those challenging times is the sense of peace that comes through the Holy Spirit. Peace is not the removal of the problems or pains but the truth that God is with us through them.We can be assured that God loves us and watches over us. God's comfort and courage can be ours.

Take a chance and praise God when you are tired or bothered. Take a moment to give God thanks for loving you when you are in a tight spot. You may discover a deeper and richer understanding of the "joy of the Lord" that can be yours.

Looking

2009-03-04T10:22:00.002-06:00

"The earth is the Lord's; and the fullness thereof," declares the psalmist. All around us, nature reveals God's glory and wonder. The providential love of our Heavenly Father has given us the grandeur and majesty of creation, the complexities and mysteries of life and the beauty and awe of relationships.

It is all a gift of God's grace, not to be abused or taken for granted but to be appreciated and maintained with respect for all life, with wisdom and justice and with love toward God. Creation itself can reveal that God is real, that God cares for you and that God provides for all His children. Are you looking?

Regrets

2009-03-03T15:25:00.002-06:00

Today, I experienced a moment in which I regretted my actions. While at a store, a young man became frustrated with the situation at the check-out counter, trying to talk to a colleague on the phone while he was ordering his materials for purchase. He became agitated, using a loud voice over the cell phone and expressing his "frustration" with foul language.

During this episode, I just stood there and watched. I could not find the words to tell him that all would be fine, that this tiny inconvenience would pass, that he has a Heavenly Father who cares for him far more than he can imagine. The words did not come, nor did the courage. Maybe next time I will do better.

Interruptions

2009-03-02T09:43:00.002-06:00

How do you handle intrusions in your life? Lately, the ability to control my schedule has been challenged not only by the unexpected needs that arise in ministry but also by the repair work that is being done to my house. In order to dress in the morning, I am required to visit to at least three different rooms. Workers and contractors have constantly required attention and direction. In short, my days have been filled with interruptions for over 2 months and it has been challenging and frustrating.

If you study the life of Jesus, you will discover how many times he was interrupted. As he attempted to find time for private prayer; while walking down a village road; in the crowded streets of Jerusalem; and as a guest at dinner, people intruded upon Jesus with their needs and concerns. At each of this unscheduled events, Jesus took time to heal, to comfort and to care.

None of us can be sure of the events before us each day but we can be confident not every thing will go as we planned. When the interruptions come, even if they may be uncomfortable, pause and see if you can discover the presence of Christ and his concern for you.

Chilly morning

2009-02-28T12:59:00.002-06:00

Early this morning, the weather changed and the wind had a nice, invigorating chill to it. The beauty of the spring time in Houston is the unpredictable alterations in the temperature. Cloudless days with little or no breeze can suddenly be replaced by a swift moving front of wind, thunder and clouds. It seems that it is difficult to know what the weather will bring.

Even though the world around us constantly and continually changes, God's loving presence is steadfast. The peace, the comfort and the strength of God can sustain his children in the storms of life and in the joyful calmness. Greet each day with the joy of the blessing that it brings, regardless of the temperature, and as you enjoy the day's surprises and variety, eagerly seek the presence of God. You will not be disappointed.

Listening

2009-02-27T11:03:00.002-06:00

Our lives are cluttered with so much noise. Music and advertisements are played in nearly every setting and place we find ourselves. Whenever we settle in our cars or homes, so often recorded music is played. Now, it seems that a fashionable piece of jewelry is an ever present earplug for either a phone or a MP3 player.

With all the noise polluting our lives, it is hard to listen. The birds announcing the coming sunrise; the sound of the wind on the trees; children laughing and playing; the tender words of a friend in need all seem to be obscured and overwhelmed by the cacophony of noise and clatter that surround us each and every moment of our days.

Today, take time to listen. Listen to the simple, ordinary sounds of life. Maybe you might even hear the still, small voice of God.

Ashes

2009-02-26T08:14:00.002-06:00

Last night, the ashes were applied in the shape of a cross to my forward, accompanied by the words, "Repent and believe the gospel." The ashes were grimy and the imprint was a bold marker. They reminded my of my imperfections and my impurity. I was aware of my disobedience of God and all the mistakes that follow even the smallest acts of deception and rebellion before the One who made me and loves me.

As the hours passed and the evening turned to late night, the dark, black cross of ashes began to fade and I became grateful and humble that God, who loves the world, came and offered his life on the cross to wash my sin away. Just as the ashes faded, so can my sin. Thanks be to God.

The journey starts today

2009-02-25T08:39:00.003-06:00

Starting a journey always has its own peculiar brand of excitement. Deciding what to pack, establishing the route, securing the necessary funds, determined the sights to visit or the people to see are all part of the planning and preparation. Sometimes this time of readiness is stressful and at other times it is peaceful, but in any case, there is usually a strong appeal to reach the destination.

As we begin this 40 day journey that we call Lent, I hope and pray that you have the destination of Easter morning in sight. It is in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, that we understand the depth of God's love for us and all the world. May God's love touch you as you start this journey with me and others and may it also accompany you each and every day.

Thoughts from Guatemala

2008-04-02T09:40:00.002-05:00

Over the past few days, our medical mission team to Antiqua Guatemala has been ministering to dozens of patients in the Obras hospital. These patients have traveled to this small town where the church has built a clinic with four operating rooms, all under the support of Faith in Practice, which is the Houston mission that we support as a church.Currently, about 20 members from our congregation are joined with another 12 people, forming the surgical and support teams. Each day, nearly 20 operations are performed on Guatemalans of all ages while their families stay in the Casa de Fe ( House of Faith) which was built and has been maintained by Faith in Practice.

My task has been to help my daughter, Marianne, cook for the team and to pray with the patients before surgery. My heart has been touched by the strong faith of the patients who have come to a town for the first time and face the unsettling prospect of walking into a hospital. Yet, God is evident and His peace is felt by all.

Yesterday, I journeyed into the hills surrounding this city to visit a place where Habitat for Humanity has built six simple concrete block homes with 500 square feet each. These will house six families whose parents work for the Obras church and hospital. It was such a joy to deliver 7500 dollars which Sugar Land Methodist raised to connect the sewer, water and electricity to the homes so the families can move into their new homes and leave behind the tin and cardboard houses now. Continue to pray for this team and its healing presence in this poor country.

Journeys

2008-02-08T08:51:00.000-06:00

It seems that every day, the traffic in Sugar Land increases and frustrations grow as well. As more people move to the community, as more stores are built and as more offices are constructed, the number of cars and trucks swells and the streets are clogged. Then, complications always seem to arise. Due to the changing nature of our community, the major roads are under extensive construction and improvement, but in the meantime, motorists are required to navigate the confusion and complications as best they can. Detours, road closures and warning delays constantly interrupt the normal flow of traffic, not to mention the untimely and unfortunate accidents that occur, causing long lines of cars.

All of the traffic issues make it increasingly difficult to journey to the destinations where we travel. A quick trip to the store now can require more time. A visit to a friends house or to the gym means leaving earlier than before. The roads around our schools are filled with cars and it takes more time even to travel to church.

Jesus, during his ministry of teaching and healing, travelled all throughout Israel
for three years. During the last months of his life, he made an important and necessary journey as he set his course toward Jerusalem and the events that would lead to his execution, his death and his glorious resurrection. That journey, which started in Galilee, ended in Jerusalem on the cross of Calvary and the empty tomb in the garden.

Along the road as he travelled, Jesus did not encounter the kinds of complications and challenges that you and I face in our daily trips, but his encounters with people along the road and in the villages and towns can be enlightening and helpful to us today. He encountered men and women who needed to hear the good news of salvation that he offered, who needed to feel his healing and transforming touch on their lives and who needed to be challenged to believe and follow him.

Over the next few weeks, during the holy season of Lent, I invite you to join me in worship as we examine these encounters on the road with Jesus. I know and trust that you will discover new insight for your life and new hope and confidence that God is with you on the journey that you make every day as a child of God.

God's Holy Plan

2007-12-21T09:32:00.000-06:00

The news the last several days has been filled with reports of Jamie Lynn Spears, the 16 year old sister of Brittany Spears. Jamie Lynn has been the popular star of the successful television series "Zoey 101" on the Nickelodeon network. In this show, she plays a perfect, well-liked, virginal teenager and, according to the New York Times, the show has attracted a large audience among the youth of our country as the show won wide acclaim as a sanctuary from the hypersexualized culture of our youth.Now, however, this 16 year old has become pregnant, once again demonstrating the pressures and temptations thrust upon the students in our communities.

The irony is that this holy season, we announce and celebrate the birth of one who came to redeem not only our lives but also the world itself. Jesus was born to reveal God's love to us and to call us to accept that love and live in it. A new way of living and a new set of values are the gifts God offers us in the birth of Jesus on Christmas morning. And, Jesus was born to a teenage mother, who found herself pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

Mary faced the pressures and challenges of her day and we can in no way underestimate the precarious predicament that confronted her. Her family could have abandoned her, unwilling to face the shame of a daughter not yet married who was with child. Joseph, her fiance, could likewise have cruelly and publicly discarded her. All the villagers in the tiny hamlet of Nazerth could have been vindictive in their judgement and criticism. Yet, Mary was faithful to God's holy plan and became the obedient servant of God despite the risk and cost.

As I ponder the irony of God coming to earth in a teenage virgin in light of the today's headlines, I realize that God chose to come in such a humble and unpredictable manner so that we could only respond in faith and belief according to God's terms. God appeared in a way radically different than humanity could expect or manipulate. The unassuming advent of God in a manger in Bethlehem to poor peasants, witnessed by shepherds requires and demands our trust in God, not in any preconceived notions about God that we have developed nor in our own intellect, achievements or abilities.

This Christmas, may you be open to the mystery of God and the surprising way God greets you. When you respond with trust, like Mary, God will bless you and God will direct your path. May our world see that there is truly a better way to live than the values of Hollywood or the seduction of popular celebrity status.

A Bethlehem Visit

2007-12-14T12:04:00.000-06:00

On my first journey to Bethlehem, I was struck by a sight that truly left an imprint on my heart and mind about God's revelation in Jesus. The trip from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is not long and as soon as the crowded city of Jerusalem is passed, a stretch of fields can be seen along the highway just a short distance from Bethlehem. In fact, Bethlehem is visible on the approaching hillside from the fields, which even to this day are used by shepherds to tend sheep.

When I stopped to watch the shepherds in the field, I looked beyond the city of Bethlehem and saw a massive fortress shaped like a hill called the Herodian. This structure was built by King Herod as a fort to protect him from any rebellion or insurrection. After constructing a tall, strong fortress, the sides of the Herodian were covered with dirt and soil to appear as a hill and camouflage this place of last refuge and safety. In fact, just recently, a tomb has been discovered in the ruins of the Herodian, which may contain the remains of this cruel, vindictive ruler.

It seemed to me, looking at the fort in the distance, Bethlehem on the hillside and the shepherd's field before me that it can be easy at times to miss God's presence in our lives and in our world. Even though magi from the Orient informed Herod of the birth of a special child, he did not comprehend. His quest for power, control and authority blinded him to God's reality and activity. Remember, in fear and insecurity, Herod ordered the execution of children in Bethlehem in order to remove any possible threat or pretender to his power.

But it was poor, humble shepherds who sensed the promise of God and journeyed expectantly into Bethlehem to see the child Jesus. In trust and faith, they witnessed the advent of God into our world. God became flesh. Emmanuel, God with us, was born to show us God's love and to redeem our lives so we can live in relationship with God.

With the pace and activity of the Christmas season, it is an ever present temptation to lose sight of God in our midst. We can easily become absorbed by the demands and the attractions of the season and fail to spend time in worship, seeking God. I hope that, unlike Herod who followed his own will and way, you will rather come to God this Christmas like the humble, faithful shepherds.

Discover Christmas Time

2007-12-03T13:38:00.000-06:00

Christmas time produces a wide range of emotions and feelings in many of us. The holiday season before and even after Christmas Day is filled with preparation, shopping, travel and activities unlike any other time of the year. For so many, the impact of all the Christmas rush can leave an accompanying sense of anxiety, depression or sadness. During the holidays, it is easy to overspend, overeat and over indulge. Families are scattered around the world, making it difficult to join together in celebration of the birth of Christ into our world.

Even though Jesus was born in the midst of chaos and bedlam in ancient Bethlehem, God has promised us the gift of peace, joy, hope and love and God has delivered the perfect present in Christ. Joseph and Mary, while struggling to understand fully God’s plan for them, overcame their confusion and doubt to discover the rich blessing God offered them. Likewise, shepherds from fields and Magi from the Orient came to witness the love of God for the world revealed in Jesus and were changed by it.

This Christmas, find time to pause, slow down and become aware of the hurried pace that has the potential to overwhelm and capture you. Make a special effort to place yourself in a setting, like the characters of the first Christmas morn, where God can break through the hustle and rush of your life and touch you. Give yourself an opportunity to hear the Christmas story and find that the ordinary routine of your world can be transformed by the extraordinary power of God.

Christmas time is a time to discover, to behold and to worship. May God greet you in a new way this Christmas season.

Risks

2007-11-14T13:19:00.000-06:00

Have you ever noticed how muscles require exercise? In order for a muscle to be healthy and vigorous, it must maintain itself by movement and activity. Once a muscle deteriorates, a routine of exercise must be followed to restore the strength and flexibility.

The same is true with the gifts that God gives us. God is a generous, loving Heavenly Father who willingly showers gifts and graces on our lives. In fact, the air we breathe, even the day we have, have been bestowed to us by God. Our lives, our talents and abilities, our time and treasure have been granted to us as gifts from God. It is these gifts that God expects us to use in a way that demonstrates our love of God and our concern for people.

In other words, God expects a return on the blessings in our lives. They are not to be hoarded or held as if they belong to us or came from us. Our blessings, our resources and our lives are to be dedicated to God, taking risks with them to help build God's Kingdom.

The temptation, however, is to play it safe and secure, to be cautious and reluctant, and keep our resources for ourselves. But God can unlock your heart and you can discover the joy of releasing who you are and what you have to Him. You can see with gratitude that every moment and encounter is a gift from God. You can risk offering a return to God with the confidence that your blessings will bless others. And you can accept God's reward that comes to faithful and devoted followers of Jesus.

I hope you take the risk and use what God has given you.

Perspectives

2007-11-08T15:42:00.000-06:00

The night that I discovered that I needed glasses to see objects in the distance has been etched in my memory. It was as a ninth grader that I visited an ice skating show with my family and some cousins. In the dark arena, the skaters became distorted whenever that crossed the large skating rink and I was unable to focus on them with clarity and precision. However, one of my cousins, who had been wearing corrective lenses for years, suggested that I look through hers and see if it made any difference.

Was I ever in for a shock. The ability to see seemed to improve instantly for me and I discovered what I had been missing for months, even years. Perhaps my vision slowly altered at a such a slow pace that I was unaware of the the constant erosion that was occurring. In any case, the change of perspective was drastic.

When God unlocks our hearts, a change of perspective occurs as well. We see that our treasure and our time are all gifts from our Heavenly Father, to be offered to God and used to build God's Kingdom. When our hearts are touched and transformed, we can make new priorities about our money and lifestyle so that this new perspective liberates us and our hearts are not clouded by debt or confused by materialism. This new perspective allows us to see the shape and condition of our lives with godly focus and clarity so that we become aligned with our Creator instead of the objects of the creation and worship God instead of something other than God.

Maybe your vision has slowly become clouded over time. Maybe you need to allow the Holy Spirit to alter and adjust your perspective so you discover all the blessings God offers and gives you instead of simply taking them for granted. This new perspective will allow you to prioritize your life in a new way by bringing a careful focus and understanding to the difference between what you want and what you truly need. As God unlocks your heart, you will discover the satisfying joy that comes when you can freely and generously release what you have in love of God and in support of others.

Saints not Goblins

2007-10-31T15:57:00.000-05:00

As I compose this on Halloween evening, my thoughts are not revolving around the young trick or treaters that will frequent my door in search of candy for their bags. Their nocturnal visits will be a treat themselves as they proudly display their costumes. The parade of princesses, pirates, Batman outfits and skeletons always delights me and makes the evening entertaining.

Instead, my thoughts and my heart are directed toward tomorrow, which is All Saints Day. Throughout many centuries of the early church's history, All Saints Day was celebrated as one of the holiest days of the Christian year, along with Easter, Christmas and Pentecost. It was the day to visit the churches and give God thanks for all the saints that touched and blessed our lives, leading us into a relationship with Jesus Christ by their witness. In fact, Halloween, or All Hallowed's Eve, began as the community's evening party before All Saints Day.

Maybe one reason that All Saints has lost its presence and prominence in the current church's life is the confusion over the word "saint." The Bible calls every believer who is a devoted follower of Jesus a saint, which means to be called out by God and to be distinguishable from others through loving deeds and actions in God's name. A saint, in other words, is an ordinary person who loves God and attempts to live by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.

It has been these common, everyday saints that have made a difference in my life. They led me to God who unlocked my heart and offer the peace beyond human understanding and a joy to trust God in spite of the circumstances of my life. These saints demonstrated Christian love in action by their sacrificial acts of kindness and compassion to others. They showed my and taught me not to trust my possessions but first to give to God with my money and treasure and learn to depend on God's provision to meet my needs.

So, tonight, as the goblins and ghosts ring my doorbell, I will recall those Halloween nights when I filled my bag with candy. Yet, all the while, I will look toward tomorrow when I will reflect on the saints, both living and dead, who have meant and still mean so much to me. I thank God for them.

Locked Doors

2007-10-23T10:09:00.000-05:00

Have you ever unwittingly locked your keys in your car and were unable to open the doors and drive away? There may not be a more frustrating and humiliating moment than that discovery that in your haste and oversight, the keys to unlock the car are inside.

Whenever I have had such a misfortunate episode, it seems to be when I am in a hurry and the delay that is the result creates difficulties for me. It becomes impossible to be where I am scheduled to be and to meet with the people that are waiting on me. My anxiety and frustration increase. It is natural to worry about the ensuing problems that will arise because I cannot travel or move. On top of it all, I have to determine how I can unlock the car without damaging the windows or doors or triggering the alarm system with no one to stop the noise.

God has designed our hearts to be unlocked. Paul states in Ephesians that we are "to live through love in God's presence (Eph 1.4)." God desires that we open our hearts and receive the love offered to us in Jesus, our savior, and return that love to God, as well as share it with the world around us. This is only possible when our hearts have been unlocked and we become receptive to our Heavenly Father.

If we ignore God's grace and mercy and our hearts remain stubborn, defiant and locked, then the blessings that follow if we would "live through love in God's presence" are missing. Like the paralysis that overtakes someone whose keys are locked in a car, it becomes difficult to move through life with the hope and peace God promises. Frustration, anxiety and fear can increasingly shape a person's outlook and perspective. Our lives can bear the wounds and damages of destructive and harmful decisions.

Remember how Jesus said that he stands at the door and knocks (Rev 3.20). If the door of our heart is opened, Jesus offers the refreshment, peace and joy of a relationship with him. Like the locks of your car, the key is in your hand.

The Silk Road

2007-10-16T14:39:00.000-05:00

If someone had told me that I would have the good fortune to visit both China and Turkey during 2007, my reaction would have been one of unbelief. However, I surprisingly took a trip to the Orient in the spring with Jack Rhea, the missionary in Hong Kong that our church supports, and I just returned from leading a group of church members to Greece and Turkey to visit the sites where Paul ministered.

Since both of these trips were not part of my long-range planning, I have reflected on the lessons that God had for me to discover and to learn and it seems to me that the ancient Silk Road may be part of what God wants me to see. In Xian, the ancient capital of China, our group stopped for a group picture at a sculpture depicting the origin of the Silk Road which started in Xian and led westward. Then, in Istanbul, our knowledgeable guide showed us the bazaar which was, in all practicalities, the end of the Silk Road. Here, when Istanbul was known as Constantinople, the goods that traveled from the Orient along the Silk Road were purchased to be shipped to the markets throughout Europe.

Leaving the ancient bazaar, I understood in a new and profound way the passion of the new converts and leaders of the church in China who are committed to taking the saving gospel of Jesus Christ "back to Jerusalem." This rally cry, "Back to Jerusalem," is lifted in prayer, taught from the pulpit and believed in the congregations throughout China and it is the conviction of these Christians that the church, as it grows in China, will take the gospel westward into the lands from India, Iran, Iraq and further. God has placed a calling on the Chinese to take the gospel into the lands of Asia, along the paths and highways of the old Silk Road, and offer redemption and forgiveness through the name of Jesus.

Watching the busy crowds in Istanbul, I was struck by the sense of alienation and confusion in that important city. Even though the country of Turkey reportedly is 99% Islamic, it appeared that any religious expression was largely cultural and that people, especially the youth and young adults, followed a secular lifestyle. I also had an impression that Christianity was not welcomed, at least from a westerner like myself. Each night, late into the hours, as the streets filled with pedestrians, it became clear why God has placed upon the hearts of the emerging church in China a passion to take the love of Jesus west into the Islamic world.

Pray for the church in China. Pray for the gospel to penetrate the lands from China back to Jerusalem. Pray that the Silk Road, once the avenue for spices, silk and porcelain, now will become the passageway for the church to send missionaries with the message of hope that only Christ can give to a lost and confused part of the world

Contrasts in Greece

2007-09-25T23:51:00.000-05:00

It is morning in Delphi, the site of the famous oracles of Delphi from antiquity that attempted to forecast the events for generals, diplomats, rulers and people throughout the Hellenistic world. As I view this beautiful landscape that attracted so many, I am struck by the difference in the desire to have our fortunes told and the prophetic word of God that speaks to our present condition and shapes our hearts and lives for the future. God does not promise us the knowledge to see every detail of an upcoming event or day but does promise us that we can depend on His faithfulness and presence. Whatever comes our way is not the fate that God has determined for us and we can stand in hope that God is in control and that His grace is sufficient for our needs.

A Pilgrim's Thoughts

2007-09-23T06:15:00.000-05:00

Today, our pilgrimage has visited first Patmos and now have just arrived at Ephesus. In both of these cities, the first evangelists were tested when they shared their faith. John was a prisoner on Patmos when he received the revelation from God and composed the last book of the bible as the Spirit led him. Paul stayed in Ephesus longer than any other city and preached and taught for several years. While in Ephesus, he was threatened by the silversmiths who made their living selling idols of the goddess Artemis.

Both early church leaders found their path difficult and challenging but both remained faithful to God's calling on their lives. In face of hardship, they trusted God's faithfulness to sustain and equip them. They found that behind their problems, God had a purpose.

On this Sunday morning, as we worshiped beside the cave where St John composed the Book of Revelation during his imprisonment, we were reminded that God can still be trusted. Our only challenge is to remain open and receptive, letting God's spirit give us strength.