Convoluted

Have you ever thought of the ways of God as being convoluted? Perhaps it sounds a bit disrespectful or irreverent, but many of us have felt that way even if we have not been willing to express our opinion in so many words. According to Webster’s New Dictionary, convoluted means, “1. folded in curved or tortuous windings, 2. involved, intricate.” It seems that so much of God’s ways are not simple and to the point but indirect, complex and often difficult to understand with the natural mind. Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for Joseph to grasp God’s plan to use the woman to whom he was pledged to marry as the mother of the messiah through a miraculous intervention by God. Why would God choose a manger as the birth place of his son? Why reveal the birth of Jesus to the shepherds? Why have the Magi make the trip to deliver gifts to the child and then allow the slaughter of the innocent children? Why choose Mary? Why in Bethlehem? Why? Why? Why?

We can look back on these events and give an explanation for many of the why questions. I seriously doubt those involved at the time would have known what we know or had the insight we currently possess. Perhaps you have had some unanswered questions as well. You may wonder why certain things have occurred in your life. You may even be tempted to feel that the ways of God in your circumstances are convoluted. They don’t always make sense. Life can feel out of control. Like God is somewhere else and not involved in or perhaps even interested in your issues. We know better of course, but …

God’s ways are not our ways. His plans and purposes are often not what we would expect not wish. Yet, his ways are best. But, they still may seem convoluted from the view of the natural way of thinking. If that describes you this year, may I suggest you try an experiment? Put yourself in the position of one of the characters of the Nativity narrative. How must they have felt? What would that have thought about their circumstances? How did they process the challenges they faced?

So often our walk with the Lord comes down to a simple concept, faith. I will trust when I cannot see. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In a culture where the modern world view with its scientific method dominates our way of thinking, pain, suffering, discomfort, and unanswered questions is often seen as old fashioned and unnecessary. God, however, still desires his children to trust him and walk in faith, trusting him and his goodness even when the path appears to be convoluted. Christmas is outmoded and old fashioned to those who do not know our Lord. To those of us who know him, it makes perfect sense. Someday, the circumstances of our lives will be understood and recognized as the perfect plan of God. Until then, may we walk in faith and trust his heart even though his plan does not make sense.

Merry Christmas!

Christology

Education provides opportunities to grow and learn about ideas that might well escape our attention in the normal course of life and thought. One course included in my studies at a liberal seminary I attend some years ago was called "Christology." I joyfully signed up for the three credits anticipating the future discovery of new insights and deeper understanding of the Incarnate Word.

Purchasing the required texts was disappointing because of the lack of exegetical approach to Scripture pursued by the authors. Entering the classroom and reviewing the syllabus produced a similar response. The essence of the professor's view of Christ revolved around the concept of what was called "Creative Transformation." There is a little of Christ in everyone, some more than others. Jesus possessed the greatest amount along with other great religious leaders as well as anyone who exhibited creativity that resulted in change. Jesus (mythological character to be sure, according to the 'teacher') possessed a greater amount of this creative transformation than most and may be considered a prototype for Christians. Developing your inner christ is the goal of the Christian life.

How sad! No, pathetic might be a better choice of words. Compromising, heretical, and unfaithful to a sound biblical theology would be accurate terms as well. I have never ceased to be amazed that intelligent people can totally distort a clear reading of the biblical text to develop a theory with absolutely no bases in the text of Scripture. Christology as Creative Transformation? Please! Nothing is as profound, creative, or worthy of discovery as the living Word of God! Hear the words of the text...

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:1, 14 NIV). We celebrate the coming of the Incarnate One who became a human being in order to redeem humanity and provide reconciliation to the Father. "Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12 NIV).

Incredible truth and profound mystery! Our Savior came as a baby to live his life and give his life for you and me. May we be forever captivated by the wonder of the miracle of the Incarnate Word. We celebrate Him! Our Christology is nothing less than the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth.

Advent

The prophesies of the coming of the Messiah run through the Old Testament Scriptures proclaiming the hope of "God with us." Isaiah 11 declares "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit." Not very majestic and not much glamour in that pronouncement! But for we who know Him, the reality grips our hearts and fills us with hope and anticipation.

Isaiah 11 reminds us that Jesus came to bring us hope. He reigns in our hearts as King and Lord. One look around us reveals that everything has not been fulfilled that is recorded in this passage. The lion and bear are still predators and no parent will allow their child to play where a cobra dwells. We still live in a world filled with pain, sorrow, grief and toil. Some teach the Christ rescues us from all the pain and sorrow in life. Many have found that He keeps them in the midst of the problems of life. Historically, the greatest appeal of Christ has been that the cross reveals that Jesus understands our pain and because he endured the agony of death on the tree. Yes, He is a miracle working God. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord.

Still, we live in this world where sickness, death, and sorrow still exist and followers of Jesus are not exempt from those realities. There is a hope for the believer that far surpasses even the hope for deliverance in the here and now. Yes we can and should trust God for his intervention in our sickness, pain, and problems. The greater hope is in the promise of the King. Not just the manger baby, but also the coming King who will be the fulfillment of Isaiah 11. He has come to be the Branch that will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord rests upon Him. He will judge righteously! He will slay the wicked! The nations will rally to him! "for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (vs. 9).

The celebration of Christmas is not just about the baby. It is about the hope we all have in Him!

Thanksgiving

Have a Great Thanksgiving Celebration

Psalms 121

121:1 I look up toward the hills.

From where does my help come?

121:2 My help comes from the Lord,

the Creator of heaven and earth!

121:3 May he not allow your foot to slip!

May your protector not sleep!

121:4 Look! Israel’s protector

does not sleep or slumber!

121:5 The Lord is your protector;

the Lord is the shade at your right hand.

121:6 The sun will not harm you by day,

or the moon by night.

121:7 The Lord will protect you from all harm;

he will protect your life.

121:8 The Lord will protect you in all you do,

now and forevermore.

Overcoming Fear

At a recent large gathering of followers of Jesus the altar call resulted in a couple hundred individuals responding for prayer and spiritual support. Afterwards it was reported (I do not know if this was accurate) that 98% of those coming forward needed prayer because of fear relating to personal issues, mostly finances. In recent conversations with both pastors and people in our churches, I have found the same reality. People are worried about their finances, the global economy, world events especially potential terrorism, and the future in general.

I understand the feeling! Thirty minutes into CNN or Fox News Network and I must remove myself from the tube and find something more edifying to occupy my mind. May I suggest a reprieve from the news? What would we miss if we did not watch the latest news reports, read the paper, or listen to the latest radio talk show. Can you do without the EIB Network for a week? Would you really be deprived if you gave up reading the newspaper or Internet news wire for a week?

You just might discover a refreshment occurring in your spirit. The anxiety may just subside as you take a little more time in the Word and listening to the voice of God. It is wonderful to live in an age of instant information and total connectedness with your neighbor, family, and the entire world of information. I am not opposed to that. However, the distraction can be insidious and dangerous when the voice of God becomes muffled or drowned out by the noise of the voices that clamor for our attention. Try it and see what happens. Then let me know what you discover.

Elections and Voting

Voting in an election is a very American thing to do. We do it for national, state, and local government officials. Trade unions make this their means of choosing leadership as does the PTA, corporate presidents by the board of directors or those who own company stocks, and school board members. Even the church, in many organizations elect their leadership, including the AG. Today in America, a new president as well as many other offices will be filled through the casting of ballots.

The danger with democracy, is that we view the choosing of leaders as a human endeavor. We feel we have voted them in and we can also vote them out. While technically that may be true, we have a larger responsibility in the matter. First, Scripture reveals that the authorities that exist are placed there by God. This requires the those who wish to obey God's Word are to obey those authorities and give them respect for the office they hold. Second, we are to pray for those in authority. It is difficult to sincerely pray for those we are criticizing or rebelling against. Third, being followers of Jesus raises the standard by which we are to live in relationship to everyone around us, including the civic leaders with which we either agree or disagree. Our witness for Christ in our community is more important that our economic, social, or international preferences. Does that require us to agree with those in leadership? Certainly not. But it does require us to disagree agreeably.

By this time tomorrow, we should know (hopefully) the identity of our next President. No matter who that person may be, we will choose to support, love, respect, and pray for that person and the other people placed in positions of leadership. Jesus will still be Lord of the Church and the soon coming King to whom all authority and rule belongs. He is working out His will in our world. May the Church be who He has called us to be and live out the reality of His Lordship in all we do.

The Shack

The C3 group of which I am a part is reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young for our upcoming meeting. I just finished reading it this evening. I found myself challenged, encouraged, in tears, and hungry for a deeper relationship with God. I am aware that some have criticized the book. Have you read it and how did you respond to it either positively or negatively. I have enjoyed the writings of C.S.Lewis both from a literary perspective as well as the pure enjoyment of his stories and thought provoking views of life, theology, and the Scriptures. Some have compared The Shack to Pilgrim's Progress. Would you agree or disagree?

Crisis

The recent financial crisis, both domestic and global, have brought many to a place of anxiety in their personal lives as well as regarding the future of our nation and world. It doesn't seem to matter what your practices have been as an individual. You may be very disciplined in your financial dealings, but the fact is that you and I are impacted by what is happening in the world today. By not getting into debt, living within you means, and giving the Lord first priority in our lives, including tithing, provides a confidence for the future. That does not mean we will not experience any negative effects from the environment in which we live, but we can be confident the the righteous will not be forsaken. PTL!

Two passages come to mind during these challenging times. The first one states "If my people whio are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) The responsibility for our nation is significantly influenced by the people of God. When the Church becomes the Church Jesus intended it to be, the nation will be greatly benefited. We as the people of God must get serious about serving God and all that means. We are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The second passage states "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3) This Scripture challenges me to search my heart and re-examine my actions. It seems to leave you with the answer, "Not much!" This is where our faith and trust in the Lord comes into view. Some things we can change, others we cannot. Either way, our trust is in the Lord. He holds our future. Our trust in not in a politician, political party, financial advisors, Wall Street or anyone else.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6) It is good to know our confidence is in Him!

Enrichment Reflections

Many have commented on this year's Ministers Enrichment with Dr. David Lim. Two areas were of particular significance for me.

First, many individuals were significantly impacted by the ministry. I lost count how many people made comments like, "I was set free" and "God broke through in my life" and "I can go home and continue to minister for Christ," etc. There was great personal encouragement received by many during this week at the Conference Center. Several specifically asked that I invite Dr. Lim back to minister to us again. I don't currently have any plans for that to happen, but we will be in prayer for what God has for us in the future.

Second, the corporate ministry was significant. Three issues stand out to me. One, the body ministered in awesome ways to the body. This was the most powerful time I have ever observed of pastors praying for and encouraging one another. It reinforces to me the truth that "We're Better Together." Two, learning the principles of how to test the gifts was very helpful. Some have made the gifts so sacred that to test them is unacceptable. That concept is not biblical and practicing the discernment through accountability and feedback was very helpful. Three, we as Pentecostal should be very aware of the voice of God in our inner man. The reality is that we all too often wait for God to "scream" at us through the more demonstrative gifts, whereas learning to listen to the still small voice of our Lord is so important.

Spirit living is supernatural, but as we heard once again, it is also natural. The balance is healthy and helpful to us all. May the Spirit lead us into all He has for us so that Jesus may be exalted in all things!

Spirit Living

Spirit (notice the capital S) living expresses the vast dimensions available to those desiring the full expression of God's presence in the individual's life. It does not provide a comparative matrix between various individuals but it does relate to the difference in one's own life and ministry. To navigate the journey of life and ministry, I for one, need all of God's grace and empowerment that is available to me. If I compare my effectiveness with someone else, as either better of worse, more or less effective, with greater or lesser success, I have missed the point of what God can do in and through me and have revealed my lack of spiritual maturity. Spirit living is not about pastoring a big or little church. It is about fully being all God wants me to be. As we prepare for this coming week at our annual Ministers Enrichment, I would like to make several points.

First, the gifts of the Spirit are given by the Holy Spirit as He chooses, not according to what we want. Why He gives certain gifts to some and no to others may never be understood this side of heaven. We must be content with that reality.

Second, Spiritual gifts do not make us any better than anyone else. The Scripture clearly teaches that every member of the body of Christ has been given gifts. Therefore, we are all equal with none superior to anyone else.

Third, walking in the Spirit should make us more holy. Speaking in tongues is a door to a different dimension of the Spirit, but all of us have known individuals who speak in tongues without the accompanying manifestation of humility, meekness, gentleness, or love. May that never be said of you or me!

Fourth, we believe that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Spirit, but it is not the only evidence of Spirit living. The fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and the empowerment of the Spirit all play important rolls in this journey of life and mininstry.

Fifth, nothing can take the place of an individual's personal walk with God. I have seen, and you may have as well, individuals who have experienced the IPE, been used in some of the gifts, and have effectively ministered in a variety of ways but have not continued to walk with Christ. There is no substitute for daily times of prayer and meditating on the Word of God, walking in holiness, and living out the life of faith through good times and as well as trials. The fruit of the Spirit should always be prominant in Spirit living.

Finally, we need a genuine outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We don't need more hype or man initiated revelations. We don't need the newspaper and media people to spread the story of what happens. We need to humble ourselves before God and simply let Him have his way. This may have no results relating to church growth or our personal reputation, but if we gain favor with the Lord, that will be enough.

The Economy

I am not an economist. If I ever run for the office of President of the USA, that admission may come back to bite me, Alla John McCain. However, there are a few things I have learned about finances as I have been navigating this journey of life and ministry. The principles are true for individuals, state and national governments, businesses, and churches. Here are some of my observations.

First, live within your means. The issue for all of us is not that there is not enough income available. There will never be enough income to pay for all the things that can be purchased, enjoyed, or utilized for life and ministry. There will always be something we can use. The needs will never be met. The bottom line is this; don't spend more than comes in. Stay within your budget.

Second, living off the credit card is not a life of faith. I am not opposed to credit cards or borrowing money for major purchases like a home or car. I am opposed to the mentality that we can live off of credit. Sadly, the American economy is built on credit. This has become abundantly clear in the last few days. Sooner or later, that mentality catches up with those who live that way. If you have credit card(s), never put a charge on a card unless you can pay the monthly bill without the interest changes that will build up in a hurry if you cannot pay it off at the end of the month. Credit card debt, with the interest rate that accompanies it, will quickly put you in a financial hole.

Third, save a little every month. I have been the recipient of financial advisers who had no clue of the financial realities I faced. Many of them gave such unrealistic advise that it discouraged me from even trying to save money. I eventually got over that and began to see that while I could not save as much as they recommended, I could save something. A little is better than nothing. Over time, a little begins to mount up. When you save, save for some purpose, don't just hoard money to be hording it.

Fourth, budgeting is difficult, but it is a great discipline for believers. I found that budgeting for my tithe, housing bills, clothes, food, etc. began to free me to better respond to what God was calling me to do for him. Being a good steward is not in conflict with a walk of faith. Both principles are biblical.

Fifth, giving is a joy, both in the tithe and offering. Since I was a child I have practiced the discipline of tithing. I am grateful to my parents for the training they provided for me in this area of life. The old saying is true, "I can't afford not to tithe." I am amazed when ministers claim they cannot tithe. How can we expect the people in our church to learn to tithe if we have not? Our people catch our heart, not just learn from what we say. Are there more important issues than tithing? Of course, mercy, justice, etc. The latter should be practiced along with the former.

Sixth, the current problems in our economy were caused by such issues as shorting stocks, the up-tick rule being eliminated, interest only & 100% mortgage financing that eventually caught up with the institutions and individuals that practiced such lending policies. (HIS Fund never has and never will engage in such practices. Churches are the recipients of loans, not individuals. Speculation is not a part of how the fund is operated.) The lesson for us as individuals relates to investment. If you are investing in funds, know what you are doing, remembering that Christ must be Lord of your finances and financial dealings just as He is to be Lord of all other aspects of life.

Finally, put your trust in the Lord. Don't be overly worried about the things that go on in the world system knowing that the kingdom of God is not based on the financial markets, government systems, or political parties. While I believe Christians should vote, carry on with their business endeavors, etc. because, that is to say, we are in the world, but we are not of the world. God's economy is very different from ours. Keep your eyes on the city whose builder and maker is God. Don't be consumed with worry over the future. As Jesus taught, you are worth more than many sparrows. He takes care of them and he will take care of you and me.

Pan-Diaspora

The first time I heard to term Pan-Diaspora it was used by Joe Castleberry, then missionary to Ecuador and now President of Northwest University. It refers to the current phenomenon of the migration of the people of the world to all parts of the world, i.e. all people to all places. I returned from Seattle, WA today from meetings in the development of a Slavic District in the Assemblies of God. Friday evening I had the opportunity of setting in a Pentecostal service conducted in the language of the Slavic people from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other nations that were at one time a part of the former Soviet Union. Representatives from forty-four churches consisting of around 250 individuals gathered to conduct the business of officially becoming a part of the General Council of the Assemblies of God. It was an honor to have been a part of the Task Force to see this developed and completed on Saturday.

These are people who have experienced persecution like few Americans can understand. Many came to America as refugees due to religious persecution. Others have arrived due to the economic potential available in our nation. They love their mother country, but they love America. Mostly, they love Jesus! Singing, worshipping, and praying with them gave me a renewed appreciation for our freedom and this awesome salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. The Slavic people are one of many people groups coming to America. Their coming is changing America. In Philadelphia alone there are more than one hundred thousand people from the former Soviet block, many Russian Jews.

Today, America is the third largest mission field in the world. Many who are coming from around the world need to experience the power of Christ in their lives. Many have experienced salvation already and are passionate about reaching others for Christ. The Pan-Diaspora is an incredible opportunity for the Church to reach out to people within our own borders. God is up to something special. May we take the time to look beyond our personal boundaries and share Christ with the world God is bring to us.

Connecting

Connecting creates the option to be and to achieve in ways that are impossible for the individual who chooses to go it alone. For believers, the connection to the Head, that is Christ, is at the very core of who we are. However, the journey of life is not complete with Jesus; other members of the body are of critical concern. Jesus has chosen to connect us to one another, not just himself. In American culture, our emphasis easily becomes so focused on the individual that we loose the importance of the relationships we need with each other.

The C3 Leadership Network provides a structure in the PennDel Ministry Network (AG district) for leaders to connect with one another through natural relationships developed in the course of life and ministry. The C3 stands for Catalyst Groups, Coaching Groups, and Connect Groups. In addition, our 12 geographic sections provide significant opportunities for relationship building as well and often function as small groups.

Why are we stressing the importance of relationships? Because Jesus has not built us to be loners. We are not healthy, growing followers of Christ if we remove ourselves from relationships (fellowship) that can provide support, understanding, challenge, accountability, and partnership. One size does not fit all. The multiple options creates a variety of possible ways to connect. On the one hand, it is challenging to describe what goes on at each of the C3 group meetings because they are so different. On the other hand, the variety and flexibility provides a wide range of interests and needs to be met.

C3 is not a program. It is the structure we believe the Lord has given us to create a new culture in the kingdom of God to become a movement that is directed by the Holy Spirit through the spiritual gifts that are resident in the people of God. We need each other and the strengths each one has been given by our Lord.

Get connected! You will be glad you did. It could save your ministry.

Precious

Few look at death as something precious. God does! Psalm 116:15 states, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Within the past week heaven must be in celebration mode. We (PennDel District) have experienced four significant losses. Bill Farrell, Ruth Weitkamp, Lois Kasparek, and Frank Linton have all been promoted to glory. We grieve for their loss. We already miss them deeply. These four have serve their Lord and our fellowship for many years. They have fought a good fight, kept the faith, finished the course. Navigating their journey has proved successful for them. These four saints have finished well. They have kept their GPS in alignment and have reached the other side.

So why does God's word refer to their deaths as "precious?" From a human perspective it is a sad time. A time of loss. From God's perspective there is fulfillment of their mission. A completion of their purpose here on earth. They have served their Lord in their generation. Now they have entered into God's presence where they no longer see through a glass darkly, but face to face. Now they know, even as they are known. Now they can enjoy God forever, without pain, sickness, sorrow, tears or grief. They have entered into the presence of their Lord and now enjoy the fulfillment of his promise in a more complete way than ever before, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

While all four of these dear people have known the Lord and served him faithfully for many years, now they know him and are reunited to him in a way they have never known before. It is precious because there is a closeness with Jesus that could not occur in this earthly life. Life is complete and eternity is open. Incredible! "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man..." but they have insight we know little about. Precious? Yes, indeed! Wonderful truth we all trust we will experience some day just as these four friends.

Empty Nesting

This time of year can be extremely challenging for many parents. Children across our nation are packing their books and bags and preparing to leave home, some for the first time, some for the last. Whether they are going to kindergarten or the university, it is an emotional time for Mom and Dad. A six year old heading to the school yard reminds the parents how quickly their little is growing up. From birth to bottles to backyard to school yard, it all occurs in what seems like a moment of time. You turn around twice, and off they go into the big world to face life an a young adult, beginning their training for their future life endeavor.

For those who are watching their children become adults, there are three stages you will probably experience. We all respond to life changes differently, but you will most likely go through these.

1. Tears: This emotional stage comes from the loss you are experiencing. Your baby is leaving home, and probably not very remorseful about it. He/she is looking forward to a greater freedom, more responsibility, and the opportunity to become their own person. As a parent, this has been your goal for around eighteen years. The reality of that time's arrival feels very different. Go ahead and let out the tears. It is OK and normal. Just not try to undermine the process. That would become counter productive and unhealthy. Be as happy for them as you can. Give up control and just continue to influence them for the good.

2. Fears: This stage is because of your concern for the safety and well being of your child who is now a young adult. No longer can you shield and protect him/her in the security and safety of your home and the rules you provided while living under your roof. Your fears are legitimate. There are pitfalls out there. There are dangers from unscrupulous people, poor decisions, and reckless actions. Regardless, you have invested many years into their character. Trust the training you have provided and the God who cares for them more than you do. The fact is, you cannot keep them from making mistakes any more than you probably made some as a young adult. Did God bring you through? Your desire to keep them from the painful results of life's problems is admirable, but unattainable. Practice what you preach and trust the Lord, and them. They just may amaze you with how well they do.

3. Cheers: This stage will come. There may be times that you will begin to enjoy those moments of quiet in the house. Running them to soccer or ball practice will be missed; right. Time with your spouse will become a possibility again. The fact is that you may need to become reacquainted with your spouse once again. If you did not protect your space with your spouse as the kids were growing up you may find a real opportunity to fall in love with each other once again. The best thing you can do for your children is to love their parent. You will also find opportunities to celebrate the successes of your son/daughter. Cheer them on to what they are wired to do in life. Resist the temptation to pressure them to become what you want them to be, and cheer them on toward God's plan for their future.

Empty nesting has its good points and bad points. As in everything in life, remember the word from the Apostle Paul, "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." God will see you through and He will also see them through. Happy empty nesting!

Youth

Someone stated, "It is a shame youth is wasted on the young." I understand the sentiment. The older we gets, the more aware we become of our limitations. The rapid passage of time, the reduction of energy, physical abilities, and the general lack of stamina can create a feeling that life is passing you by. The fact that the older you become, the more our choices create limits for our future.

Some become critical of the young for their lack of taking seriously the opportunities that present themselves when youth are faced with decisions. Personally I have been impressed with the quality of the youth from our nation as demonstrated in those participating in the 2008 Olympics. The comparison between Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps is amazing. Are young people today less responsible that the youth of twenty or more years ago? Obviously, the few that compete in the Olympics may not be a scientific gauge, but my experience tells me that the youth of today are as high quality as any. This week, at least 20 world records have fallen to the youth of our day. They are running and swimming faster than ever. The next week will undoubtedly provide additional examples of excellence.

What does this mean to we who are followers of Christ? I believe the youth of today hold the greatest promise of any generation. Their music is different than my generation may approve of. The truth is, the music of my generation was not appreciated by the previous generation. Music, clothing styles, likes and dislikes do not reveal the potential of people, young or old. This generation is passionate about what is right and wrong. They have huge advantages with technology. They are very gifted and intelligent. They often possess an incredible sensitivity to the work of the Spirit. The kingdom of God will be in good hands because God is at work among them. May the older generation nurture and encourage the younger to seek God in all things by providing godly examples of what it means to follow the Lord.

The Church

Our culture emphasizes the value of the individual. There is an appropriate focus in the church on the salvation of individuals for whom Jesus gave his life. Each individual must make the decision to receive Christ and make Him Lord of their lives.

The challenge comes when the value of the individual overrides the importance of the greater good. The biblical reference to the elect relates to the corporate nature of the church or community of faith, not simply individuals. Christ died for the church. He is building his church. The church is the focus of God's work in the world today.

Those of us who are called into ministry are commissioned to serve our Lord in his church. We are not called to a life of ease, comfort, or stress free existence. We are called to serve God through ministry, i.e. service, to the church, the people of God. No church belongs to any individual. The pastor may receive compensation for service given to a congregation and that would be appropriate. However, the pastor should never feel an entitlement. Church boards should generously support their leadership from a financial, relational, and spiritual point of view, but the pastor should remember he/she is a servant, not a CEO.

Everything the minister does should have in mind the value of the church. When the pastor moves to a new church setting, it should be because God calls them to that post. When it is time to leave, it should be because God has lead them to make that move. The overarching question that must be asked is "What is the best thing for the church?" If we keep in mind that the church is more important than we are as individuals, we will be more effective servants to our Lord and we will keep the right perspective of who we are and what we are called to do.

Vacation

There is something about getting away from the everyday issues we face that helps to replenish the mind, body, soul, and spirit. While vacations are not a big part of my childhood memories, family times are. Those occasions when the aunts, uncles, and cousins got together at grandma and grandpa's house, or any other location, the normal activities of life were suspended with new and different excitement and activities becoming the experience of the day.

The older I become, the more I am aware of the importance of memories. The memories I have as a child, both good and bad, are part of what makes me the person I am today. Making memories for those who are younger, both my children and now my grandchildren has escalated in importance like I cannot believe. There is something deep within me that wants to pass on to the younger generation experiences and activities that I hope and pray will last a lifetime and will form them into better people as a result.

Vacation this week is not just about me getting away from the normal activities of my role as district superintendent. It is an opportunity to invest myself, in very personal ways, in the lives of the precious people God has entrusted to my care. Someday, they will have to make their own major decisions that will effect the rest of their lives (calling, vocation, marriage, etc.) but this week will be a week of influence. Not a time to pressure them toward anything. Just a week to hang out, spend time together, play together, laugh together, eat together, and become more of what we were created to be by the God who loves us so very much.

I pray this will be a great week.

Anonymous

I had a call today from Bro. Anonymous. Have you heard from him/her lately? From time to time I hear from him/her. The voices change and the church where they are from changes but I have learned that when they call, it can't be good. Today's was no exception.

Why do people write those letters and make those calls? You have received them haven't you? Do they really think you will take any action based on a stranger's or unknown individual's letter or call? Is it simply to harrass? Do they just need to vent? Are they trouble makers or just individuals who don't know what to do with their frustration, anger, or anxiety?

Ministry presents many challenges. They usually come in the form of people. While pastoring some years ago, I received an unsigned letter expressing my faults and failures. I always heard you should throw those letters away without reading them, but my curiosity was too great so to my regret, I read the letter and was quite agitated (have you felt that before?) as a result.

The temptation for us in ministry is to take responsibility for those around us and feel the weight for what goes on in the church. The truth, however, is that much that occurs has little to do with us, and more to do with what is happening in the lives of those around us. When people in the church experience frustration and anger, it may be directed at the pastor or leadership of the church (and at times it might even be appropriate) but much of the time it is more about them than about you as the leader.

The challenge for us is to separate our feelings and reactions to people from the issues that are on the surface, responding rationally rather than emotionally. Defensiveness and agression seldom achieve the desired results. The words of Proverbs ring true, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger." God allows "Anonymous" to come along from time to time to help us become more like our Lord who was reviled but did not respond in kind. Anonymous will have to face the Judge some day, but in the meantime, don't allow any root of bitterness to creep into you heart. It is never worth it!

A Tribute to Earl Stubbs

Many of you have heard by now that Earl Stubbs, missionary to India, had a massive heart attack Monday morning while preparing for the church's 25th Anniversary that he and his dear wife Arlene started 25 years ago. What a loss this is for so many people. Certainly his wife and family have our deepest sympathy, love, and prayers during this difficult time. His missionary colleagues will feel the vacuum of his death as well. Friends, ministers, and the church he began are all experiencing great loss. Certainly the kingdom of God has lost a mighty warrior. The PennDel District family grieve (though not as those who have no hope) for our friend who has been ushered into the presence of the Lord. The funeral for Brother Stubbs will take place at Central Assembly of God in Springfield, MO. Many of the family reside in the Springfield area. It will take place on Monday at 11:00 AM with a viewing immediately preceding.

I heard someone say recently, "Don't live your life as if God is there to make you safe and comfortable until the day you die." Think about it... That is profound. And so true. I doubt Bro. Stubbs would have been called a radical by those who knew him, but he did live radically. He was passionate about his relationship with the Lord, made the commitment to follow Jesus, and lived out that commitment by going to the nation where his Lord called him and to a city where no Pentecostal believers were known to live. The dynamic of the Spirit was critical to his success. The church began through an intervention of the Spirit and they experienced, along with the trials and difficulties, the miraculous anointing of God upon their lives and ministry.

We (Marjie and I) had the privilege of hosting the Stubbs as a missionaries while they were raising their budget in the churches where we pastored. His humility and grace prevented any self-glorying in the work they accomplished. The church they planted has grown to now number in the thousands. That is not what I will remember Earl Stubbs for. To me the outstanding characteristics of Bro. Stubbs was his character, humility, and love. If you spoke with him, you might not have classified him as a charismatic person or a dynamic leader. But in fact he was. He influence will be felt for time and eternity through the multitudes who came to know Jesus through his service for Christ.

Kids

Marjie and I just returned from Kids Camp in Carlisle, with the theme "Deal or No Deal". With some 500 campers, the week is an exciting and thrilling time for the kids. George Krebs is an incredible inspiration and motivator of the children and has a tremendous group of adult sponsors who assist and work with these precious young people. Two weeks ago we attended the Youth Camp, led by Doug Sayers who conducted a great Youth Camp. These weeks at the Conference Center provide opportunity for the youth of our district to get away from the normal schedule at home and be exposed to the Word, Worship, and fun times where their lives are often radically changed by the power of God. Many receive Christ as Savior and Lord, are baptized in the Holy Spirit, healed of both physical and emotional hurts, and challenged to live for God and share their faith with others when they return home.

Traversing the journey of life and faith requires a multitude of exposures to the presence of God in many different contexts. Those who miss the opportunity to have their young people to experience this, have missed an incredible opportunity to influence them for the good. With the multitude of influences toward the world that our youth are exposed to on a daily bases, these special opportunities in the presence of God are special times of grace. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the leaders of our churches who sacrifice of their time and treasure to see to it that their kids are provided with this camping experience. Thank you pastors, youth, children's leaders and pastors for the great work you do for the kingdom of God. May we never forget the important place the young people have in the heart of God.

Missions

As my #50 post on my blog, it seems appropriate that missions is my topic. Jubilee is the 50 year celebration of liberty, freedom, setting the captive free. This week has been a great experience at the AGWM School of Missions. The incredible expansion of the kingdom around the world is encouraging indeed.

The AG was founded with a primary purpose of reaching the world for Christ. That purpose and passion continue to drive us as people of God. No one I know would claim the AG is perfect, but we are grateful for the opportunity of being part of something so much bigger than any of us. One theme we heard this week was the importance of right procedures. Obviously, the anointing of the Spirit, the gift of tongues, the planting of church, right doctrine, and the training for ministry are critical parts of God's plan for his people. In addition, the indigenous church principle has been a cornerstone of the AG missions philosophy. The results of that approach (self-supporting, self-governing, self-propagating churches) has brought success in the missions endeavor that has surpassed all expectations. With a global constituency of now approaching 60 million people, the task continues to be great. While God has done incredible things through our fellowship, may we not grow weary in well doing, i.e., missions efforts.

The world is our mission field. That includes the USA as well as lands across the sea and those within our own borders, i.e., home and foreign missions. May we recommit ourselves to the Great Commission as givers/senders, goers, and prayers. We can accomplish God's purpose as we are committed together to the cause of Christ.

Freedom

The American ideal of freedom conveys the idea of lack of restraint. When you are free, you are able to do whatever you desire. There are no limitations. You can achieve, accomplish, be successful, possess, and travel as you so wish. The American dream is often typified in the purchase of a home. The ownership of one's own demonstrates the status of success that anyone can attain. With increased resources, knowledge, and skill, we are free.

At one level, most would concur with the positive nature of this freedom. Some would read Scripture and extrapolate that the freedom we receive in Christ liberates the believer to escape limitations. "Whom the Son has set free, he is free indeed." More than one "Christian" has felt free to follow their personal preferences in the name of freedom and followed the path of what is sometimes known as libertarianism (not the political party), giving a license to do anything, including sin.

The biblical truth of freedom in Christ is not a freedom to do as one wishes, but a freedom from sin, the power of death, and the devil. We celebrate our political freedom on July 4th, made possible through the sacrifice of those who fought and died for the rights we have as Americans. Jesus purchased our salvation through his own death on the tree providing freedom for us. Not the freedom of self-indulgence and personal choice, but the spiritual freedom that liberates the heart to fully be all God has created us to be.

These thoughts may not be new, but they are profound.

Green Gone Goofy

I had a conversation recently with an acquaintance who is overly GREEN. In other words, this individual worries about the environment and ecology to an extreme. To illustrate my point, the shrubs (see my post on pruning below)in their yard are getting huge. This individual did not want to hurt the plants by cutting them; no kidding!

I have been asked a few times about the AG position on ecology. I am not aware that there is one, but I usually refer to Revelation 11:18 which states "The time has come for judging the dead...and for destroying those who destroy the earth." That is a very strong statement that I have personally never heard an AG minister preach about (Before you do, be sure you are informed!). The discussion in our culture usually comes down to who you believe. That is to say, for example, is global warming, now often referred to as global climate change, caused by humans or is it just the normal cycles that have been a part of the history of the earth since creation?

I really do not wish to create any controversy, but I would be interested in hearing other's thoughts. We can agree to disagree. It seems to me this is a legitimate issue as we navigate this journey of life and ministry.

Pruning

Yard work has never been a favorite for me. Mowing the grass, trimming the bushes, and thinning the branches isn't my idea of a good time. I suppose that is why it is called "work." Work doesn't have to be fun. It is often anything but glamorous. You sweat, get dirty, skin your knuckles, generally become exhausted from using muscles you forgot you had. We have quite a number of trees on our property. It seems we are constantly needing to cut back the limbs so the trees don't overrun the place as well as keeping them thinned out so they will be healthy.

As I was working on the yard tonight (I love the long hours of daylight) I sensed what Jesus was talking about when he told his disciples that He was the vine and they were the branches. The wonderful truth is that we abide in him. When we do, we will produce fruit. The tough part is that he always cuts back the branches. He prunes us so we can be healthier and be more productive for the kingdom. Dead branches he cuts back to eliminate unproductive branches. Fruitful branches he cuts back (prunes) so they will be even more productive.

At times we are tempted to complain when we experience his pruning. How much better to recognize our difficulties as opportunities to become even more productive for Christ. One of our couples in ministry have gone through some difficult times as of late. They were reading the passage that states "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." She said, it says "In everything" not "for everything." So true!

We may not enjoy the challenges we face, but we can accept the pruning we experience as God's work in our lives that will result in giving him glory and honor by "rejoicing in the Lord always." We are not required to like the pruning, but we can rejoice in the midst of it because we know He "works all things together" for our good.

Accountability

Navigating the journey of life and ministry should not be undertaken alone. We need one another for many reasons. 1)Mutual encouragement is a biblical mandate. 2)If two are better than one, what happens when we all work together? 3)The battle is a joint effort, not an individual contest with the forces of darkness. 4)Wisdom is gained in the multitude of counselors. 5)Unity is a biblical principle that gives the promise of God's bestowing his blessing (Psalm 133). 6)Accountability occurs in the context of relationships. Many additional items could be listed, but these are a few significant issues important on our journey.

Yesterday, our district presbytery met together for our June meeting. I was reminded by the Lord how blessed we are to have the opportunity of partnering with people of character and integrity. The journey of life and ministry opens many doors of relationships. From time to time, I hear leaders who would like to avoid the governance issues of ministerial leadership. To me, these relationships provide tremendous possibilities of personal and corporate development as we walk together through this life. The accountability that exists does not limit the work of ministry, but rather, serves as a protection for the work of God maintaining integrity for the people of God.

We are here to serve, not to be served. Being accountable to those we serve is never a burden, but a joy.

Fathers

"Father" may be the most significant term in Scripture depicting the relationship we have with God. No earthly father provides an unblemished representation of that celestial reality, but many of us fundamentally long to serve as role models toward that end. A growing trend exists, at least in the American church if not globally, for spiritual fathers to show the way to authentic living through their relationships, character, and leadership. No slick program will ever take the place of individuals who commit themselves to a walk of integrity and godly examples for their biological and spiritual children.

I am personally blessed and honored that the people in this picture are a part of the circle that is my family. Those who know me well are aware of my commitment to the church of Jesus Christ and of reaching those who have yet to come into relationship with Christ. These individuals hold a special place in my heart. To be called Dad and PopPop by them is an honor second only to being called Son by our heavenly Father. To all the fathers, may God enable us to live our lives in a way that reveals the Father in all we do.

Living Sermon

Recently, this poem was sent to me by one of our More Than Conquerers. It has been around quite a while, but it still rings true. Enjoy and contemplate its truth. (Author unknown)

Living Sermon

I'd rather see a sermon
than to hear one any day

I'd rather one should walk with me
than merely show the way.

I can soon learn how to do it
if you'd let me see it done.

I can watch your hands in action
but your tongue too fast may run.

All the lectures you deliver
may be very wise and true,

But I'd rather get my lesson by
observing what you do.

Though I might not understand you
and the fine advice you give,

There is no misunderstanding
how you act
and how you live.

The Solution to Life's Addictions

This blog addresses the challenges of navigating the journey of life and ministry. One of the excellent ministries that have served the body of Christ for many years in navigating through life's addiction issues is Teen Challenge. This year they are celebrating fifty years of service in this important area. You might want to join them for their celebration at Teen Challenge Training Center in Rehrersburg, PA as expressed in this video.

Revival

From time to time, God does something special in response to the prayers of his people, what we sometimes call "Revival." We would like to think that we can live in a constant state of "Revival" yet history would indicate that is not the case. Many of us long to see a genuine demonstration of the presence of God among us, but have often seen counterfit moves, and as a result are relunctant to jump on a "spiritual bandwagon" without a time of what the Scripture calls "proving all things." In light of recent events in the Lakeland, FL area, our General Superintendent, George Wood, has shared this video that can serve as a guide to those desiring a true move of the Spirit. May God grant us times of refreshing in these last days.

Politics and Prayer

The Primary season is over and it appears the candidates are now in place for the two major political parties who will now press toward the November election for President of the United States of America. Probably you, like me, have been fascinated by the nominating process, especially on the Democratic side. Regardless of who may ultimately be the victor this Fall, one thing is certain. God is at work in His world and nothing is a surprise to Him. We as citizen of this nation have a responsibility to cast a vote for those we believe hold to the values that are consistent with God's Word.

Two areas must be matters of prayer for the follower of Jesus. First, we should pray for God's direction for our country. May the Lord give us leaders of character and integrity who will rule consistently with the truth of Scripture. Second, whoever wins, we are required by the Word of God to pray for our leaders. That is true for godly and ungodly leaders alike. Through the political process your preference or my preference may or may not be the winner of the election. Our part is not be partisan but to be prayer warriors for the kingdom of God. Politics will never provide the spiritual answers needed in America and the world. Followers of Jesus are to be the salt and light that will make the difference in the righteousness of a nation.

PennDel Charities

Bridge Builders

Conflict Management has become a relational necessity in church ministry. The PennDel Ministry Network has developed BridgeBuilders as a resource for pastors and churches to deal effectively with conflict as well as to develop systems within the local church for handling conflict. Pastor Tim, seen on this clip, or I will be happy to respond to further questions.

The Graduate

My family recently blessed me with a celebration on the occasion of my graduating from AGTS with a Doctor of Ministry. A part of the celebration was this video that my son-in-law put together. I hope you might enjoy seeing a bit of my life story!

2008 Memorial Video

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have given their lives for the cause of freedom for our nation. At our recent PennDel MinistrieSummit, we remembered those who went to their eternal reward during this past year and faithfully served throughout their lives for the cause of Christ. Join us in honoring them as you view this video.

Tragedy in Life

Many of you are aware of the tragedy that has struck the family of Stephen Curtis Chapman.

Thursday, May 22, 2008
Let's Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and Family
Many of you, like me, have been blessed by the music of the Grammy and Dove award winning musician, Steven Curtis Chapman. Yesterday afternoon, tragedy struck his family. His youngest daughter, 5 year old Maria Sue, was struck and killed in the family's driveway by a vehicle driven by one of her older brothers. The police are referring to the incident as a "tragic accident." Somehow, those words seem woefully inadequate. As a father, I cannot even begin to imagine the pain Steven, his wife Beth and the rest of the family are experiencing right now. But I am glad to know that the One who knows exactly how they are feeling is there alongside of them right now, wrapping his arms of strength and comfort around them.

Our hearts are grieved along with this precious family. May the God of all comfort minister His comfort to them during these difficult days.

Compassion

Compassion is the heart of Christ for people in our world today. Somehow, Christians have earned a reputation for being judgmental, arrogant, proud, and angry. The Penndel Ministry Network is working to develop systems that will assist pastors and churches in meeting the human needs of people in our communities with a tangible expression of God's love by partnering together to share experience, contact, and resources that will provide means to meet the human needs of those around us. PennDel Charities is working to effectively reach out to others with the reality of Christ. If this video rings a bell for you, contact PennDel Charities.org for more information. YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Jericho Road

When was the last time you stopped to smell the roses? In our frenzied lifestyle, I often wonder when life will slow down so I can do the things I really enjoy. Then I asked myself (I really think it was the Lord who posed the question), "If you could do anything you wanted to do and money was no object, what would you do?" Hum? The fact is, I would do exactly what I am doing. So, the reality is, my frame of mind makes all the difference.

Yesterday I had a wonderful opportunity to be a good Samaritan. Two individuals approached meat Barnes and Noble out of the blue. As usual, I was feeling the time crunch of getting to the next point of "ministry" when the interruption came. They wanted my opinion about some reading materials that I happened to know something about. How did they know i could be a source of information. They were from out of town, had no idea of my background or even that I am a minister. The story flashed through my mind in an instant. Would I respond like the Priest and Levite, or would I respond in the way the story told by Jesus intended to teach?

I have no idea what will become of this new believer/layed off truck driver and the self-proclaimed mentoring mother-figure to him. Having an opportunity to bind up some wounds and provide care and healing for some who have been robbed, beaten up by the devil, and left to suffer along the road. Taking time for others, even strangers, is at the heart of true ministry. I confess I have not always responded appropriately to the Jericho Road opportunities, but it is a joy to serve as a Good Samaritan.

Holidays

What's your favorite holiday?

As a child, Christmas is unsurpassed. Even today, the celebration of the birth of Christ is a special time to give gifts as a reminder of the greatest gift ever given, Jesus.

Resurrection Sunday, better known to many as Easter, is the demonstration of God's choice of Jesus, the Son of God. The grave not only did not, but could not hold him.

Pentecost probably does not rank very high on most people's list. Truth is, the birth of the Church ranks very highly in the economy of God. True, the incarnation initiates the plan of God, the resurrection validates the person of the Messiah, and the Ascension exalted him to the right hand of the Father. Pentecost launched the vehicle through which the Holy Spirit would fulfill the purpose of God on the earth. Indeed, theology deals with the major events of God's plan for his creation, but the issue that is currently most pressing is ecclesiology, i.e., the Church. The End Times consist of the not yet, but the NOW remains the most relevant and pivotal issue for the fulfillment of Missio Dei, the Mission of God.

Pentecost exists for much more than the opportunity to speak in a language never studied or learned. It is for the accomplishment of all God has for the future of mankind.

Conference

The PennDel Ministry Network just completed the annual conference at Calvary AG, Roland Coon, lead pastor, in Dover, DE. The people of Calvary are such sweet servants! I am sure they ministered effectively to all those who attended.

My thoughts today are reflective. Besides the business that necessitates members of an organization coming together from time to time, why do we travel all those miles, spend all those dollars, and take all that time in order to gather together in one place.

1. It seems to be something built into the fabric of human experience. People need people. The question is not if people come together, but what venue will draw them? To navigate this journey, we need each other. Are we dependent children? No, we are interdependent on one another and on the Lord. Doesn't the writer of Hebrews instruct, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together."

2. From time to time we require times of spiritual refreshment from the presence of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord was so evident during the services in Dover. What a wonderful opportunity to follow the Lord's instruction when he told his disciples to come apart for a time.

3. Learning has become a life-long goal for me personally. I learned some things this past week that I would have missed had I not journeyed to Dover to share with my fellow travelers. Zollie Smith, Randy Hurst, and Mark Batterson taught me much about the ministry and life together. Several conversation proved encouraging and enlightening as we shared in the halls and hotel corridors.

4. Worship is so life giving. The musical expression of those who led the time of adoration and praise enriched my life and provided the atmosphere where God could penetrate my veneer and transform my life through the renewing of my mind.

5. The newly Ordained, newly credentialed, and the Jubilarians (those ordained for 50 years) reminded me of the significance of the call to ministry as well as the challenge to remain faithful to the one who placed that call upon my life over forty years ago as a youngster in high school.

The Navigation of this journey is not easy. It is a marathon, not a sprint. The conference was a reminder that we are "Better Together" because where there is unity, there the Lord "bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." Psalm 133.

Moral Integrity

This week I became aware of a moral failure of an individual (not from the PennDel Ministry Network) involved in ministry. The moral fabric of America has fallen on hard time, but one would hope those in ministry could rise above the temptations and live morally pure lives. The reality is that no one is above the potential of a moral failure. I do not mean to minimize sin in any form, particularly for a minister of the Gospel. Still, he who is without sin may cast the first stone. This post is not about casting stones or about excusing failure.

How can anyone be sure to avoid a moral failure and maintain moral integrity? There are no guarantees but we can all take some precautions.

1. Make sure your personal relationship with the Lord is up to date and healthy.
2. Make yourself accountable to people who will ask you the hard questions.
3. Don't put yourself in compromising situations.
4. Monitor your thought life.
5. Keep yourself healthy; body, soul, spirit, getting adequate rest, nutrition, and exercise.
6. Think before you act. What could be the natural results of your choices. How would you feel if your spouse became aware of your actions? How would you face your children? What would people in your church think. What impact would this have on your witness to people outside the church, the unsaved or unchurched? How would you face the Lord?
7. Are you feeling appreciated and affirmed in you personal life and ministry? If not you are vulnerable.

No one has an adequate excuse to fall into temptation, but we can keep watch on ourselves and monitor our lives for areas of weakness and vulnerability. Once a failure occurs it is too late. Now is the time for self-examination and personal reflection. Remember that the little foxes spoil the vines.

Evangelism

I just returned from a whirlwind trip to the West Coast (Sacramento, CA) where I had the privilege of being a part of the development of the National Slavic District Council of the Assemblies of God. Between forty and fifty Slavic speaking ministers, mostly Russian and Ukrainian, met together to discuss the possibility of coming into the Assemblies of God and forming a district in our fellowship. I was thoroughly impressed with the spiritual dynamic, commitment to the Word of God, passion to reach lost people, musical anointing, and earnest desire to see God do a work among the Slavic immigrants into the United States as well as those back home. Many of these individuals have a testimony of persecution resulting in prison incarceration because of their faith. Each of them are gracious and dedicated people of God.

These are amazing days in which we live. Only a few years ago the Iron Curtain posed one of the most significant threats to world peace. Today the Soviet Union no longer exists. Interestingly, Russia recently declared the Russian Orthodox Church to be the official state religion. It would appear that with this development, repression of other religious faiths will become the norm. Please pray for the church in Russia. Many believers are concerned that freedom of religion will be more curtailed under this new policy that it was under Communism. US missionaries, including AG, are being examined as to their ability to operate in the nation.

Still the church in Russia is strong and those here in the USA are committed reaching the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ. Our world continues to change and we must be vigilant and prayerful for our brothers around the world. "Father, may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Amen!

PA Primary

Politics is tricky business. Christians have a civic responsibility to exercise their right to vote. It has been said, "For evil to triumph, all it takes is for good people to do nothing." Followers of Jesus should be involved in the process of choosing those who will lead this country, both nationally and locally. Some Christians are involved in the process through employment to campaigns organizations or working for various politically aligned groups. There are a few individuals that choose to run for office and are therefore employed as governmental workers. In my opinion, all of these roles are legitimate areas of involvement for believers. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The challenge, in my opinion, is when individuals attempt to involve the church in politics. What do you think? Is it permissible for the church to be involved in politic and if so, at what level? What are the pitfalls to be avoided? What biblical texts speak to this issue and how do we apply them to our current democratic process? Is the question, "What would Jesus do?" a fair or unfair question? Why?

The Visit

The media has given the Pope a great deal of coverage. There seems to be a contradiction between the secular nature of the media and the influence and "sacred" nature of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. It might be likened to a love-hate relationship. There is a desire for a deeper reality to actually exist while being too skeptical to believe some actually does. The disgrace of the church reaches its worst through the pedophilia of her priests. The best of the church lies in the symbol it provides for hope and purity.

The world's system needs the grandeur of ritual, ceremony, and splendor. The heart of man easily succumbs to the enticement of glory. The Almighty has a very different agenda. His ways are not our ways. Contrary to man's will, it is "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit." He is not impressed with our excellence, prestige, and display of pageantry. His glory is over all and covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. There is none like unto Him!

Tax Time

They say the inevitability's of life are taxes and death. Why is it we tend to postpone both of these issues as long as possible? We attempt to avoid death largely because we are created with a self-preservation instinct. Even Christians, who believe they go to be with the Lord at death, put off death as long as possible. We do not fear death, but we usually avoid it as long as possible.

The same is true of taxes. They must be paid, but not today. Some wait until the last minute; some even file for an extension in order to delay filing. At times, there are very good reasons why this is done. Sometimes it is just putting off the inevitable. Human nature is often blamed for procrastination. Perhaps the question ask of Jesus and His response is appropriate in this context. He said, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

No one likes to pay taxes. We often feel the dollars sent to the government are poured down a black hole with little benefit resulting. Christians have a civic responsibility to fulfill their responsibilities. On the other hand, we should not pay more than required or necessary. It seems to me our attitude becomes the critical piece. As is true with many other issues, the way we fulfill our obligations says as much about our walk with the Lord as anything. We will pay taxes! How we approach this responsibility can make a difference in our own sense of peace and contentment. Complaining and criticizing the process opens a door for a negative attitude to undermine our character and diminish our testimony. Giving to God what belongs to him will include the disposition of our heart in joyfully fulfilling our responsibilities. Our heart is the primary issue, not our checkbook.

April 15 is gone forever! Faithfully giving our heart/affection to the Lord will continue as a challenge.

American Idol

OK. I admit it! I watched American Idol last night. I was amazed the way the show started.

"My Jesus, My Savior. Lord there is none like you."

What an incredible expression of praise and worship to the Lord. God receives glory in some of the most unlikely places. I realize some of the contestants seem to have a personal relationship with the Lord. However, for the entire group to give such a powerful expression of exaltation to the Lord was astounding to me.

What is going on in our culture today? Is the AI incorporation of a song with such lyrics indicative of something profound going on in our nation? Is this just symptomatic of those who are smart enough to realize there are profits available when Christian music and values are a part of the program? Does this indicate a spiritual awakening may be under way? Is this just an incorporation of good music into the American process and has no spiritual significance? To you, what might this indicate is happening in American culture, if anything?

I would like to hear your thought on this as we traverse this journey together.

Spiritual Parenting

Traversing the journey of this spiritual life presents many challenges. Going it along virtually guarantees failure. I just finished reading The Cry for Spiritual Fathers and Mothers by Larry Kreider. This volume addresses a critical issue facing the Church in America. With the continuing demise of the family, the people of God must become more intentional about discipling or mentoring young believers in the faith. While a great emphasis has correctly been placed on reaching those outside the Church, an equal emphasis needs to be placed on maturing those who become a part of the family of God.

One of the stories I enjoyed was about a seventy year old, mature believer who had never had the blessing of a spiritual father. A twenty-nine year old man took him out to lunch and initiated a relationship of prayer, support, and accountability that the elder had never before experienced. This new found friendship became a source of great encouragement to both individuals. The older man told Larry, "I finally have a spiritual father. He's twenty-nine years old."

Each of us needs a variety of mentors throughout our lives. Sadly, many never have enjoyed that special relationship. Do you have a spiritual father/mentor? What area of your life has that individual been able to strengthen you? Have you found that multiple spiritual fathers/mentors is helpful or confusing for you? How can you become a spiritual father/mentor to someone else? Is it a formal or informal relationship? I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Friends

The Internet provides an opportunity to connect with others digitally, becoming "friends" on the web highway. There is something in every one of us that needs the connection of friends. Traversing the journey of life and ministry requires the support of family and friends who care about us. Quite frankly, real friends are hard to come by. We all have many acquaintances, associates, and neighbors who become the network of people with whom we develop relationships and experience life. True friends are in a different category.

Friendship implies a trusting relationship that will stand the test of time and conflict. The expression, "A friend in need is a friend indeed" betrays the true quality of friendship. The one in need is not the friend; rather the individual that remains the true friend to the one in need i the friend indeed.

My question today is not about how many friends you have or are your friends trustworthy? Rather, are you a true friend? If so, who are you a friend to? How have you demonstrated that friendship?

We live in a world where we all ask, if we intend to or not, what is in it for me? What does our friendship do for me? If you violate our friendship, I will no longer be your friend; so the thinking goes. I find myself wanting to be more like Jesus in his friendship with sinners. The Bible refers to him as "a friend of sinners." How do I measure up to His standard of friendship? How do you measure up?

Frankly, I don't have much confidence that I am anywhere close to where I need to be as a friend. To all my friends, please forgive my failure. I need your friendship in this journey of becoming a disciple of Jesus. In the midst of life, perhaps being a friend should become a top priority. I am working on it!

It is Finished!

The day is over! All the praying, planning, work, effort, and execution is now history. The church came together to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and many people came to church and experienced the presence of God.

Was it worth it! Absolutely! The joy of seeing people respond to the invitation to receive Christ cannot be put into words. Exhilerating!

The day is now over and we can relax. A job well done!

Hardly! The reality is that the work has just started. The seed has been sow but the work of nurturing the tender plant has just begun. To change analogies, the baby has been born but the care of the new born Christian has just gotten under way.

"It is finished!" accurately expresses the fact of the completed work of Christ wrought for our salvation. The work of the church in caring for one another and reaching out to shae our faith with travelers on this journey will continue until Jesus returns for his people. May we press on as faithful servants of the Lord. Much work remains. Let's keep praying, planning, and working to see others come to faith in Christ and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.

Resurrection

This is THE week!

Forsaken!
Betrayed!
Condemned!
Crucified!
Buried!

A while back I was complaining to Marjie that I was having a bad day. The Pennsylvania Dutch saying goes, "The hurrier I go the behinder I get." Maybe you have had a bad day or a bad week you can recall. I had a response that may be similar to yours.

Q1 What did I do wrong to create this problem?
Q2 Who is to blame for this problem?
Q3 Where did things start to go wrong?
Q4 When will this be over so I can go on with life?
Q5 Why did God let this happen?

Then I look at the week Jesus had leading up to the resurrection. If he were to evaluate from the outward perspective, this would have been the worst week possible. The fact is, however, that all of these negative circumstances were necessary for the completion of what Jesus came to earth to accomplish. We rejoice and celebrate the Resurrection, and rightly so. Without the crucifiction, no resurrection would be possible.

The next time we are going through tough times, perhaps we should look ahead and imagine what might be right around the corner. As the famous line states, "It's Friday, but Sunday's a coming!
Praise His Name!

Consistency

Traversing the journey requires a commitment to consistency to live and act for the long term. If ever I have seen a model of those qualities it is in the person of Anthony Mayeski. He and his dear wife, Ruby, stopped in to see us at the Ministry Center for prayer. What a joy to gather around these two saints of God to pray in faith for God's healing touch to be manifested in his life.

Those of you who know Bro. Mayeski are aware that he has that precious smile that radiates the presence of the Lord. In spite of the physical challenges he faces, his attitude is positive, he is encouraging, and filled with faith, and exudes the confidence that comes from a life in relationship to Christ. I have never seen him criticize others or find fault with people around him. He is a role model to me and he has my deepest respect.

I have met individuals that could take a lesson from Bro. Mayeski in how to live 1 Corinthians 13. There are times for all of us that we feel left out, forsaken, discouraged, or neglected. The attitude we portray comes back to us. Whatever a person sows he will reap. Before we criticize others or find fault with people around us, under us, or over us, we would do well to test our own hearts and come into line with God's Word. Traversing the journey successfully requires self-examination rather than critically examining others.

Diversity

The world continues to shrink. Travel is easy. Mobility expected. A recent study revealed there are not multiple races in the world. We are all of the human race. Francis Collins, head of the human genome project, and others have shown the genetic differences among us as human being is less than .5%, meaning we are 99.5% alike. We are truly brothers and sisters with little that separates us.

How can we in the church break down racial barriers that have so long divided us, created artificial distinctions, and undermined our witness to the world because of our defense of personal preferences and religious bigotry. How can we return to the Day of Pentecost when people from all over the world came together in Christ without violating biblical principles in the name of inclusion? What steps can individuals take and what steps can districts and the General Council take to break down barriers and bring unity and love among all people in Christ?

Travel 2

Well, the travel began on time on Friday, proceeded to Sacramento where I had the great privilege of meeting many Russian Pentecostal leaders, returned on time to the Harrisburg area, and continued this past week conducting the Sectional Councils in half the district with the other half coming this week. Friday Marjie and I shared with the Master's Commission in Gettysburg, conducted the LDR Cohort in Irwin, PA followed by a Pastor/Board Banquet and time of sharing in Albion, PA. God is doing incredible things and it is a great joy to be a part of the building of His kingdom.

I enjoy being with others, especially my comrades in ministry. However, the travel does become wearisome. In the midst of busyness, how can the follower of Jesus remain focused on the simplicity of the walk with Christ rather than become distracted by the constant motion and change of location? Some life styles lend toward seclusion and isolation which can provide a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with the Lord. Other life styles seem to be in constant motion which can distract from personal intimacy with Christ. How do you balance your schedule to ensure your time with the Lord does not take a secondary role to the requirements of your responsibilities?

Travel

One week from tomorrow I will board a plane at Harrisburg International Airport, connect on another flight in Chicago, and land in Sacramento about ten hours later. A journey that would have taken weeks a hundred and fifty years ago via stage coach, days just fifth years ago in a car, can occur today in just hours (the Lord willing, of course). This illustrates the challenge for us in a world of rapid travel around the world, to grasp the significance of the Biblical metaphor of walking with the Lord or travel through life’s journey. We understand with our heads, but experience does not correspond with what our mind can express.

Is there another metaphor that will assist us in communicating the challenge, excitement, and perseverance to be experienced on the journey we are traversing? For natives of the postmodern culture, we need to develop language that is both biblical and contemporary. Perhaps some good old fashioned brainstorming (my terminology may be old fashioned) is in order to help us better communicate the wonders of our walk with Christ. Your input would be greatly appreciated!

Running

Reflections on the Journey
If the journey involves walking, why doesn’t running get any air time in the Scripture? The fact is, running serves an important function in societies prior to mechanical mobility. Escape from danger might have involved running. Catching prey during a hunt required a speed for the hunter. Jogging or sprinting was a part of warfare as when a messenger is sent to deliver the word that victory was achieved or running toward the battle lines. The Apostle Paul refers to running the race that is before us and gives instruction to do so with patience. One exception is Jesus’ story of the prodigal son who, when he returned home, his father ran to meet his wayward son. This undignified action on the part of the father demonstrated his eagerness to restore the offspring.

Running in today’s culture usually involves an effort to get in shape in preparation for a race or other competitive athletic event. Running implies urgency to a situation rather than a journey toward a destination. The journey of life may require sprinting from time to time, but the danger of pressing forward with speed involves the difficulty of maintaining the pace and as a result, eventually failing to attain the end goal.

In today’s culture, we often find ourselves scurrying around to get someplace on time. We feel the pressure of getting more done in less time and scheduling events back to back. I have found that hurrying seldom produces the results I desire. Poor quality of work, half thought through solutions, and accidents often result from the dashing to and fro without proper preparation. To be sure, speed is critical at certain points in life, but running should not be the norm, but the exception.

Navigating the journey successfully may require a slower pace at times rather than a faster pace. Take time to smell the roses. Do you find the pace difficult at times and feel inadequate for being frustrated with the demands? What do you think? How can we help ourselves and the people in our sphere of relationships to slow down long enough to enjoy the journey and not just have success in life? Success does not consist of the things we possess. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…”

Walking

Reflections on the Journey.
We travel the journey of life toward our destination with full assurance that our Guide will direct our steps, not only toward the goal, but placing our feet on solid ground (Proverbs 20:24). A recent study revealed Americans are spending less and less time outdoors, choosing rather the microclimate of the indoors, opting for a controlled environment. The winter months exagerate this phenomenom. My personal walking regimen simply transitions from the streets around our home to the treadmill in the basement. No excuse for a lack of exercise!

When the Scripture refers to our walk (I John 1:7), the dominant cultural mode of mobility revolved around foot travel. People walked everywhere. The roads were mostly unpaved, no motorized vehicles existed, and the population lived their lives in a relatively limited area by todays standards. Walking, as the primary means of travel, served well to provide an analogy for life.

Americans do most of their walking between the couch and refrigerator. Except for the distance to the garage or from the parking lot to the appropriate shelf of the store, our trips normally occur behind the steering wheel. The limited distance we travel on foot does not aid in our understanding of the journey of life we call our walk with the Lord.

Try an experiment to develop a deeper appreciation for your walk with God. Begin planning a ten to twenty mile walk. Check the weather conditions, proper attire, the right shoes, directions, and make sure you are healthy enough to go the distance. Walking in the light is not a reference toa trip to the bathroom at three in the morning. It is about a marathon, going the distance. Perhaps we will learn more about our life with Christ and at the same time become physically healthier. May we walk worthy of our calling.

MI

No, MI does not stand for Mission Impossible, rather Mission...Immigration.
This week I had the honor of meeting with two brothers in Christ from Russia who curently live in Philadelphia, PA. Their ministry reaches out to those with life controling issues like drug and alcohol addiction. Many individuals are being blessed by their efforts and Jesus continues to change lives. The ministry has resulted, not only in individuals coming to Christ, but also the formation of a Russian congregation. They are working on bring their new church into the Assemblies of God fellowship. What a thrill to sit down in fellowship with friends like these two humble, servants of God.

They informed me that currently there are over two hundred thousand Russian speaking individuals in the Philadelphia area, many of them Russian Jews. Often they come due to religious persecution and some for political asylum while others are here for economic or family reasons. Whatever the reason, they have come. Think of the reality of what is happening right here in Pennsylvania. If these individuals were placed in one community, they would be considered the third largest city in the state of Pennsylvania. God is doing something absolutely amazing in our world today. As we Navigate through life's journey, perhaps God is bringing friends our way that we can bless and that can be a blessing to us. Mission Immigration is here!

unChristian

David Kinnaman recently wrote the book UNCHRISTIAN: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity....and why it matters. He presents the challenge for Christians to act in a Christlike manner and replace the perception of who Christians are to a new perception that would accurately represent the person of Jesus Christ. His research shows that currently, Christians are perceived as being hypocritical, just wanting people to get saved, antihomosexual, sheltered, too political, and judgmental, all concepts that undermine authentic relationships of Christians (insiders) with who Kinnaman calls "outsiders." Some might claim that it does not matter what people think of us, but indeed, when individuals have a negative view of Christianity before ever having an accurate presentation of the Gospel, we should care because it matters to Jesus who is not willing that any should perish.

The question that must be answered is "What do we do about it?" There are no quick fixes. We as Christians must take our faith seriously, not only for church growth, but more so, for our personal integrity and authenticity as followers of Jesus. Every believer must understand the importance of their words, attitudes, and actions on their family, friends, and relationships. Jesus warns us about offending the little ones (Luke 17:2) which refers to both chronological and spiritual children. We must maintain the integrity of our faith in Christ without doing so in an arrogant or condescending manner. "This is not an effort to be popular or merely accommodate outsiders, but to engage them with the life-changing Jesus rather than an unChristian version of him." We must do more than preach the truth, we must live the truth.

Evaluation

From time to time, everyone should set back, take a good look at life, and evaluate the direction life is moving. Having recently clicked off another year of life, I have been taking a hard look at myself, and where God has been leading. Planning for the future in a rapidly changing world often produces little results. There are too many changes to be able to accurately predict what will happen and how the world will look in a few years. Preparing for the future leaves the future open to what God wants to accomplish and at the same time does not allow the follower of Jesus to sit back passively and let life go by. Some questions are helpful in discovering personal location. First, where do I spend my money? Second, how do I spend my time? Third, what significant relationships do I invest in on a regular bases. Fourth, am I going in the direction spiritually that will result in a more godly, Christlike character? These are simple and basic, but their answers should never be assumed. Find a quiet place to get alone with God and let Him search your heart and reveal to you what He has found. Evaluation can be painful but it produces far better fruit than regret.

Mom's Wisdom

One vital element to navigating life's journey is Mom. My Mother went to be with the Lord nine years ago next month. I can hear her words ringing in my ears through the video clip to the left. Rejoice, remember, and reflect on the wisdom as well as the humor.

Vision Leakage

Vision Leakage has become the term that describes the challenge of maintaining a vision in a group of people, like a church, over an extended period of time. For example, the pastor shares his vision for the church in a sermon at the beginning of the New Year. How long does the vision stay fresh and relevant to the people of the church? Theorist estimate the limit is about twenty-eight days.
Recently the PennDel Ministry Network encouraged the churches in the district to participate in the One Day To Feed The World initiative by giving through Convoy of Hope to feed the hungry on this planet. An initial tally indicates just over $203,000 was given to this effort. Incredible! Pastors communicated and the people responded. How long will the individuals who responded so generously maintain the passion to reach out to the hurting of our world? Probably not very long. On the other hand, my nephew and his wife are in process of adopting a child from one of the nations of West Africa. Their commitment has already lasted for several months and the estimated time till they will receive the child is about another year. They have no one to push them toward the adoption and no outside motivation to make the adoption happen. Their vision of adopting a child does not have any leakage involved.
Both of these efforts, adopting a child and contributing to ODTFTW, are noble endeavors and actually are aimed at similar goals, i.e., taking care of those who have a need. The difference rests in the location of the vision. ODTFTW, while worthwhile, is not motivated internally in the vast majority of those who participated. Adopting a child is motivated by an internal determination to achieve the goal.
Vision casting will remain a critical part of leadership responsibility. However, there is no substitute for what the Holy Spirit can do in planting the passion in the hearts of individuals; the passion to accomplish what God has given as the vision for the church. What this means is that vision must be born in the heart of leadership from the heart of God to the hearts of the people. Ideas are fine, but vision must come from the heart of God or the church will never be able to overcome the vision leakage and maintain the vision for the church of Jesus Christ. It's time to get back on our knees and truly hear from God concerning His vision for the church, and in turn, praying for the vision to be caught by the people of God in order to achieve the purposes of the heart of God.