Brent is getting the real missions experience! The power went out several times overnight. No air and no water pump when the power goes out. One mosquito found his was in last night. But here is the good thing. No power means we must use candles to light our room and one is a citronella candle that will ward off bugs.
Took my cold shower and we are off to breakfast. All showers need to be in the heat of the evening from now on.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
In Malabo
We arrived in Malabo tonight, Thursday, at about 7:55 p.m. local time. We are now at the missionary house, it is 9:40. I have slept only two hours since waking at 4:00 a.m. Wednesday to go to the airport.
We will start tomorrow by going and reviewing the worksite and taking inventory. Breakfast is at 7:00 a.m. Brent and I will post pictures and video tomorrow night.
I am going to bed, by.
We will start tomorrow by going and reviewing the worksite and taking inventory. Breakfast is at 7:00 a.m. Brent and I will post pictures and video tomorrow night.
I am going to bed, by.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Let's Help Haiti
Many of you are asking about Haiti and what the Church is doing to respond to the disaster. Sunday we started collecting money that we can send to Convoy of Hope and Assemblies of God Medical missionaries to help. This coming Sunday we will again be receiving money to help with the disaster relief.
Many of you have also asked about James and Rachael Courter, missionaries we support monthly, who visited our church last year. They are safe. According to their face book profile they were driving when the quake hit. Thankfully, not in a building. They are working with Assembly of God relief efforts.
I have been watching videos of Assembly of God relief efforts in the last few minutes this morning. I have seen several familiar faces of emergency and disaster relief missionaries I know, who have shared at our church. It is amazing that they are already there on the ground providing food and drinking water to literally thousands up on thousands of people!
I encourage you to watch two videos that will inform you more about these efforts. First, check out the address from George Wood, then the Convoy of Hope message from Hal Donaldson, who we had speak at the Men of the Church Banquet, last February, you men will recognize his face and voice. Then, for more detail, you can read some Assemblies of God new headlines as well.
Please pray for Haiti as you go about your business this week. Feel free to check the Convoy of Hope website and AG.org for further information.
Many of you have also asked about James and Rachael Courter, missionaries we support monthly, who visited our church last year. They are safe. According to their face book profile they were driving when the quake hit. Thankfully, not in a building. They are working with Assembly of God relief efforts.
I have been watching videos of Assembly of God relief efforts in the last few minutes this morning. I have seen several familiar faces of emergency and disaster relief missionaries I know, who have shared at our church. It is amazing that they are already there on the ground providing food and drinking water to literally thousands up on thousands of people!
I encourage you to watch two videos that will inform you more about these efforts. First, check out the address from George Wood, then the Convoy of Hope message from Hal Donaldson, who we had speak at the Men of the Church Banquet, last February, you men will recognize his face and voice. Then, for more detail, you can read some Assemblies of God new headlines as well.
Please pray for Haiti as you go about your business this week. Feel free to check the Convoy of Hope website and AG.org for further information.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Mission Trip
We did it. The total amount necessary for my entire mission trip to Equitorial Guiena has come in. In fact we have about $100 extra. Brent and I are going to take that extra one hundred with us in case of an emergency or unexpected problem. If no problems arise, we will simply bring it back and put it back in the mission team fund for the next trip.
Wednesday I have to go to St. Louis to get vaccinated for everything. Then I need to pack up and get ready to leave. I will return on Monday, February 8th.
To learn more about the work we will be helping with and our team leader Bill Moore check out Africa Tabernacle Evangelism.
Wednesday I have to go to St. Louis to get vaccinated for everything. Then I need to pack up and get ready to leave. I will return on Monday, February 8th.
To learn more about the work we will be helping with and our team leader Bill Moore check out Africa Tabernacle Evangelism.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Weekend Rewind
This last Sunday was the third in 40 Days of Purpose. We are looking at the purpose of fellowship, being formed for God's family. Being formed by God to fit into his family means that we all have a part, we are commanded to love each other, and remain committed to each other.
I was angry at my self at the end of service because the sermon took too long to preach. In the second service it was even worse! We started 4 minutes late. No one was in the room (the 2 minute warning did nothing) so we started with a song to get everyone in the room. That meant that the service was a total of ten to eleven minutes late! Add the sermon being too long and I was really frustrated. I would not have waited for everyone to be in the sanctuary, but the board and I wanted everyone to hear the announcements about the vision meeting we had last week. No use sharing announcements about our church when most of the people are not in the room yet.
However, we had a great attitude of worship, gifts of the Spirit in operation, and people really responded to the service. I am really excited about the next two weeks!
I was angry at my self at the end of service because the sermon took too long to preach. In the second service it was even worse! We started 4 minutes late. No one was in the room (the 2 minute warning did nothing) so we started with a song to get everyone in the room. That meant that the service was a total of ten to eleven minutes late! Add the sermon being too long and I was really frustrated. I would not have waited for everyone to be in the sanctuary, but the board and I wanted everyone to hear the announcements about the vision meeting we had last week. No use sharing announcements about our church when most of the people are not in the room yet.
However, we had a great attitude of worship, gifts of the Spirit in operation, and people really responded to the service. I am really excited about the next two weeks!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
What I Have Been Reading
Here is what I have read in the last few months.
1. Re-Create: Creating a Culture in Your Home Stronger Than the Culture Destroying our Kids, by Ron Luce. Great book for anyone raising kids or teens. The first half of the book is about creating a culture in your home, the second is about creating a culture in your church. Our small group just finished the first half before 40 Days of Purpose.
2. Is Believing in God Irrational?, by Amy Orr Ewing. I finished this a few months ago. Now my wife is reading it.
3. Crossing Over: Getting to the Best Life Yet, by Paul Scanlon. This is a book about transforming a local church into an organization that reaches lost people rather than taking care of believers and cycling them from church to church. Quick read. I had the board members all read this to prepare for a double portion. I finished it a few months ago also.
4. Presidential Courage, by Michael Beschloss. Very interesting read. He has an unusual way of notation that I am not familiar with. I love history and this book gets into some untold stories of the past.
5. The Success Principals, by Jack Canfield. Very inspirational. Helps remove "I can't" thinking.
6. Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity, by Mark Batterson. I finished reading this several weeks ago. It is a very exciting description of the greatest commandment of Scripture.
Leaders are learners. Never stop learning.
1. Re-Create: Creating a Culture in Your Home Stronger Than the Culture Destroying our Kids, by Ron Luce. Great book for anyone raising kids or teens. The first half of the book is about creating a culture in your home, the second is about creating a culture in your church. Our small group just finished the first half before 40 Days of Purpose.
2. Is Believing in God Irrational?, by Amy Orr Ewing. I finished this a few months ago. Now my wife is reading it.
3. Crossing Over: Getting to the Best Life Yet, by Paul Scanlon. This is a book about transforming a local church into an organization that reaches lost people rather than taking care of believers and cycling them from church to church. Quick read. I had the board members all read this to prepare for a double portion. I finished it a few months ago also.
4. Presidential Courage, by Michael Beschloss. Very interesting read. He has an unusual way of notation that I am not familiar with. I love history and this book gets into some untold stories of the past.
5. The Success Principals, by Jack Canfield. Very inspirational. Helps remove "I can't" thinking.
6. Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity, by Mark Batterson. I finished reading this several weeks ago. It is a very exciting description of the greatest commandment of Scripture.
Leaders are learners. Never stop learning.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Men's Ministry
Saturday is our monthly Men's breakfast. Food is always good at men's breakfast so come hungry. This month we are going to stick around for about two hours to do some work for the church. If you can help let Pastor Paul know.
We will clean out the storage unit, put up some traffic signs on the property and some minor maintenance. If you have a metal fence post driver let me know and please bring it.
We will also be announcing some of the future events we have planned for men in 2010 at breakfast.
We will clean out the storage unit, put up some traffic signs on the property and some minor maintenance. If you have a metal fence post driver let me know and please bring it.
We will also be announcing some of the future events we have planned for men in 2010 at breakfast.
On Track for 40 Days
If you are keeping up with the reading in The Purpose Driven Life as we go through 40 days you should be reading chapter 9 today (if you started on Monday Dec. 28th).
Sunday I will discuss the second purpose, you are formed for God's family (fellowship). Then on Monday of next week you will start reading devotions about fellowship and loving God's people and God's house.
Sunday I will discuss the second purpose, you are formed for God's family (fellowship). Then on Monday of next week you will start reading devotions about fellowship and loving God's people and God's house.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Amazing Small Group
Sunday night may have been the best Small Group experience I have ever had. People were honest and open. Every person in the group gave input! We discussed worship and loving God with all our heart mind and strength. Our conversation was mostly Scripture study and and theological. But like I said Sunday morning, you will feel in your emotions what you really think or believe. As we thought about God's love, and his plan for our lives people began to not only think about loving God, but really began to have feelings of love for God raise up in them.
Two people indicated that they had made commitments to God Sunday. One man said, "This has been an awesome day, you know, the morning message and getting together tonight." That is the kind of God encounter we are praying for.
Two people indicated that they had made commitments to God Sunday. One man said, "This has been an awesome day, you know, the morning message and getting together tonight." That is the kind of God encounter we are praying for.
Weekend Rewind
Sunday was COLD!
Church was good on Sunday, it was our second week of 40 Days of Purpose. I really botched the sermon in the first service. It was really bumpy. Saturday I practiced preaching the message with our power point presentation and I still messed it up! It was too complex. Less would have been better. In the second service it went perfectly.
About 6 people made re-dedications of their hearts to the Lord in the two services. That was exciting. One woman who has visited only about three times stood in the front row with tears streaming down her face as we took communion together. What an amazing experience to have prayed with her two weeks ago for salvation and then to celebrate communion and God's forgiveness with her Sunday.
Church was good on Sunday, it was our second week of 40 Days of Purpose. I really botched the sermon in the first service. It was really bumpy. Saturday I practiced preaching the message with our power point presentation and I still messed it up! It was too complex. Less would have been better. In the second service it went perfectly.
About 6 people made re-dedications of their hearts to the Lord in the two services. That was exciting. One woman who has visited only about three times stood in the front row with tears streaming down her face as we took communion together. What an amazing experience to have prayed with her two weeks ago for salvation and then to celebrate communion and God's forgiveness with her Sunday.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Civic Duty
Rotary International started in 1905, Lions Clubs International in 1917, and Optimist Internation in 1919 (though many Optimist clubs started prior to WW I the international organization formed later). Interestingly, all these civic groups started about the same time, just prior to or at the time of WW I.
What was our world and our country like in those days? First, there was an overly optimistic view of the world that said science, technology, and good government will help evolve (still a new concept at the time) the human race into a utopia. That optimism was firmly crushed by the horrific terrors and pictures (also a new invention) of WW I. Following the war, a skepticism about the goodnes of humanity and the ability of science, labor, and government to cure our ills grew and was finally demolished by WW II.
In the days when these community clubs formed, there were no income taxes, no social security, no welfare state. Churches, families, and community organizations carried the load. Often there were places of deep poverty. Now we have government programs to address these issues, but poverty still rages even in America. Who pays for those programs? We borrow, and China increasingly owns our debt.
What is the conclusion? We will soon have 100 years of since the creation of these civic organizaitons. When I was a kid they were highly visible groups in my community. Today, many people give no thought to civic groups and helping their community. Their focus is making money in their business.
"You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else," Melvin Jones, founder of Lion's international. Rotary's best-known motto is "Service above Self", and its secondary motto is "They profit most who serve best." Optimist International's motto is, "By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids." and their creed states, "To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. "
Recent statistics show that 34% of the United States claim to have a born again experience with Christ. In 20 years, that same study projects that number to be 4%. In Western Europe, main-line churches are dissappearing. The old churches and cathedrials are being purchased and used for other things, night clubs, bars, resturants, and exercise facilities.
If churches don't help people, and community clubs don't rally to help people, who is helping people? The government. Why? Because we have raised three generations (Builders, Boomers, and Gen X) with a core value, "Its the governments job." It seems we are more selfish and less giving than ever before. Why is there so much anger and partisanship about government today? Because we have hung all our hopes and futures on the hope of the government taking care of us, insuring us from all possible loss, save death itself!
I issue a waring to us all. With every freedom we hold dear, comes an equal weight of personal responsibility. I mean responsibility for our selves, our communtiy and others. With every move we make toward the government being responsible for us, we must logically, practically, and fianacially give up our freedoms. We are becoming, the land of the land of the lazy, and the home of the hesitant. We the people must committ to our responsibilites, committ to provide everything that our family needs, committ to give to others, and once again committ ourselves to be "The land of the free and the home of the brave."
What was our world and our country like in those days? First, there was an overly optimistic view of the world that said science, technology, and good government will help evolve (still a new concept at the time) the human race into a utopia. That optimism was firmly crushed by the horrific terrors and pictures (also a new invention) of WW I. Following the war, a skepticism about the goodnes of humanity and the ability of science, labor, and government to cure our ills grew and was finally demolished by WW II.
In the days when these community clubs formed, there were no income taxes, no social security, no welfare state. Churches, families, and community organizations carried the load. Often there were places of deep poverty. Now we have government programs to address these issues, but poverty still rages even in America. Who pays for those programs? We borrow, and China increasingly owns our debt.
What is the conclusion? We will soon have 100 years of since the creation of these civic organizaitons. When I was a kid they were highly visible groups in my community. Today, many people give no thought to civic groups and helping their community. Their focus is making money in their business.
"You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else," Melvin Jones, founder of Lion's international. Rotary's best-known motto is "Service above Self", and its secondary motto is "They profit most who serve best." Optimist International's motto is, "By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids." and their creed states, "To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. "
Recent statistics show that 34% of the United States claim to have a born again experience with Christ. In 20 years, that same study projects that number to be 4%. In Western Europe, main-line churches are dissappearing. The old churches and cathedrials are being purchased and used for other things, night clubs, bars, resturants, and exercise facilities.
If churches don't help people, and community clubs don't rally to help people, who is helping people? The government. Why? Because we have raised three generations (Builders, Boomers, and Gen X) with a core value, "Its the governments job." It seems we are more selfish and less giving than ever before. Why is there so much anger and partisanship about government today? Because we have hung all our hopes and futures on the hope of the government taking care of us, insuring us from all possible loss, save death itself!
I issue a waring to us all. With every freedom we hold dear, comes an equal weight of personal responsibility. I mean responsibility for our selves, our communtiy and others. With every move we make toward the government being responsible for us, we must logically, practically, and fianacially give up our freedoms. We are becoming, the land of the land of the lazy, and the home of the hesitant. We the people must committ to our responsibilites, committ to provide everything that our family needs, committ to give to others, and once again committ ourselves to be "The land of the free and the home of the brave."
Monday, December 28, 2009
Re-Gifting
It is just past Christmas and time to think about re-gifting. Seriously, I read a great blog entry that is appropriate for our church as we grow. It is worth your reading. In a way I am re-gifting a blog entry. Enjoy and Enlarge.
Status Quo Bias
Status Quo Bias
Significance
I am up at 3:30 a.m. on Monday morning still thinking about the second point of the sermon on Sunday. The sermon was What on earth Am I Here For?, the first in the 40 Days of Purpose campaign. The second point asks, "Does my life matter?" It is a question about the significance of my life.
The answer is, my life matters because I was made to last forever. At first there was seemed to be a real disconnect logically for me in this point. I kept it in the sermon because obviously, if I last forever, this life matters because it determines my eternal destiny. Here is my trouble, that is selfish and man centered and thus, did not jive with the first point, which says my life has a purpose, to be loved by God. Which means life is all about God, not all about me.
So, how does the eternality of my existence make my life significant? There are several reasons that I have come up with during my insomnia.
First, my life is significant because it matters to God. My individual life was planned for God's pleasure. That does not mean that God planned, or forces, the whole thing to be a bed of roses. As a matter of fact, the rougher the start and the more glorious the end, the greater the glory to God.
Second, my life is significant to me. Obviously, this life determines the eternal reward or punishment that I receive from God. That makes this life eternally significant to myself.
Third, considering the other five purposes, my life is significant eternally because of what I do for others. Worship is often corporate and we learn about the greatness of God often through others worship; the eternal significance of another persons life affects us. Fellowship requires others. For others to fulfill their eternal purpose of fellowship they need my presence and help. Discipleship is essentially learning from another. I know of no true Christian who discipled himself or herself. Discipleship is a team sport, you matter to others. Ministry and service is a social function. You must serve others and they you. Plus, your service may impact them eternally. Evangelism is obviously other focused as well. When you share Christ, you change another persons eternal reward of punishment for them.
Consider Abraham. Through him all nations on earth have been and will be blessed. His one life became eternally significant for all who have had a relationship with God ever since. There was a cost, really, how many of us would like our Hagar, Ishmael, and laughter at God's promises written down for all of history to read? But, because he trusted God with everything, even his greatest failures are teaching us eternal lessons.
Now, I consider many funerals I have preached. Technically, I must preach God's grace and present the family with hope that their loved one is in heaven because I prayed the sinners prayer with them just before the person died. But what I often want to do is scream out to the family, "Don't live your life like this!" "This was a horrible example!" In many cases at funerals I believe that ministers simply allow the message of a life to be, here is how you can live really bad and still go to Heaven.
So, if you choose to live a life that disregards God, it will be eternally significant and you will drag many others to your luke-warm eternal demise. But, if you choose to serve God 100%, you will influence the happy, prosperous, and rewarding eternity of many.
No mater what you do, your life is eternally and immensely significant.
It is now 4:05. Tomorrow will be quite significant and I should go back to bed.
The answer is, my life matters because I was made to last forever. At first there was seemed to be a real disconnect logically for me in this point. I kept it in the sermon because obviously, if I last forever, this life matters because it determines my eternal destiny. Here is my trouble, that is selfish and man centered and thus, did not jive with the first point, which says my life has a purpose, to be loved by God. Which means life is all about God, not all about me.
So, how does the eternality of my existence make my life significant? There are several reasons that I have come up with during my insomnia.
First, my life is significant because it matters to God. My individual life was planned for God's pleasure. That does not mean that God planned, or forces, the whole thing to be a bed of roses. As a matter of fact, the rougher the start and the more glorious the end, the greater the glory to God.
Second, my life is significant to me. Obviously, this life determines the eternal reward or punishment that I receive from God. That makes this life eternally significant to myself.
Third, considering the other five purposes, my life is significant eternally because of what I do for others. Worship is often corporate and we learn about the greatness of God often through others worship; the eternal significance of another persons life affects us. Fellowship requires others. For others to fulfill their eternal purpose of fellowship they need my presence and help. Discipleship is essentially learning from another. I know of no true Christian who discipled himself or herself. Discipleship is a team sport, you matter to others. Ministry and service is a social function. You must serve others and they you. Plus, your service may impact them eternally. Evangelism is obviously other focused as well. When you share Christ, you change another persons eternal reward of punishment for them.
Consider Abraham. Through him all nations on earth have been and will be blessed. His one life became eternally significant for all who have had a relationship with God ever since. There was a cost, really, how many of us would like our Hagar, Ishmael, and laughter at God's promises written down for all of history to read? But, because he trusted God with everything, even his greatest failures are teaching us eternal lessons.
Now, I consider many funerals I have preached. Technically, I must preach God's grace and present the family with hope that their loved one is in heaven because I prayed the sinners prayer with them just before the person died. But what I often want to do is scream out to the family, "Don't live your life like this!" "This was a horrible example!" In many cases at funerals I believe that ministers simply allow the message of a life to be, here is how you can live really bad and still go to Heaven.
So, if you choose to live a life that disregards God, it will be eternally significant and you will drag many others to your luke-warm eternal demise. But, if you choose to serve God 100%, you will influence the happy, prosperous, and rewarding eternity of many.
No mater what you do, your life is eternally and immensely significant.
It is now 4:05. Tomorrow will be quite significant and I should go back to bed.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Nursing Home Service
Today I was really sick and my wife was very upset when she heard that I might try to attempt the nursing home service. So, I left it to all the volunteers who have jumped in to help. I have no idea how it went. What matters most is a time of worship, pray, loving the residents and an encouraging visit. I know that the folks who have been interested in helping have this in mind too.
In January I hope to set up a meeting with the helpers and make up a really great pattern for the service so that everyone can be involved and know what to do each time we meet. I must be more organized with Cedar Crest services. This is a great opportunity for some of our helpers, but it must have some structure. Excited and thankful to those who are helping.
In January I hope to set up a meeting with the helpers and make up a really great pattern for the service so that everyone can be involved and know what to do each time we meet. I must be more organized with Cedar Crest services. This is a great opportunity for some of our helpers, but it must have some structure. Excited and thankful to those who are helping.
The Best of Days, The Worst of Days
Today was a strange mix of really good things and really bad things.
Worst of Days:
Today I arrived at church a little before 7:00 a.m. and there was a very slight dusting of dry snow. By 8:30 is was coming down thick and wet. It became very slick. It kept a lot of people home.
This morning was also the climax of several days of sickness. I felt horrible. I can't believe I made it through second service. My head hurt so bad that I went and sat in my darkened office for about fifteen minutes between the two services. As an associate minister in Jefferson City I got very sick very unexpectedly and had to run off the platform one service and explain it to the pastor later. During worship I had fears of a repeat of that scenario.
Finally, a whole lot of our people were out due to travel plans. One Christmas everyone comes to visit Washington, the nest the entire town vacates to visit other places. You never know what exactly to expect. It always feels awkward when regular faces are missing.
The Best of Days:
Considering how I felt, the messages went really well. I kept to my time limit! I stunned the kids church workers.
We had several visitors today and I love getting to know new people. I always hope that they will choose to come again, but even if they do not, I love new relationships with people.
We also had several old friends back in town. It was great to see Samuel Essary and Lynette DuPray.
Finally, we had a great start to 40 Days of Purpose. I love the buy-in that I am seeing in the congregation. I really think a lot of people are going to grow in this 40 Days. I am very excited for many new Christians. I am also excited because many of our more long-time believers are going to gain a new glimpse of God. I am really serious about this, and excited. The first few times through 40 Days and the Purpose Driven Life we gained rote understanding of doctrinal things. This time I think we will really get it in our hearts and see more life change in mature believers.
"It was the best of days, it was the worst of days."
Charles Dickens
Worst of Days:
Today I arrived at church a little before 7:00 a.m. and there was a very slight dusting of dry snow. By 8:30 is was coming down thick and wet. It became very slick. It kept a lot of people home.
This morning was also the climax of several days of sickness. I felt horrible. I can't believe I made it through second service. My head hurt so bad that I went and sat in my darkened office for about fifteen minutes between the two services. As an associate minister in Jefferson City I got very sick very unexpectedly and had to run off the platform one service and explain it to the pastor later. During worship I had fears of a repeat of that scenario.
Finally, a whole lot of our people were out due to travel plans. One Christmas everyone comes to visit Washington, the nest the entire town vacates to visit other places. You never know what exactly to expect. It always feels awkward when regular faces are missing.
The Best of Days:
Considering how I felt, the messages went really well. I kept to my time limit! I stunned the kids church workers.
We had several visitors today and I love getting to know new people. I always hope that they will choose to come again, but even if they do not, I love new relationships with people.
We also had several old friends back in town. It was great to see Samuel Essary and Lynette DuPray.
Finally, we had a great start to 40 Days of Purpose. I love the buy-in that I am seeing in the congregation. I really think a lot of people are going to grow in this 40 Days. I am very excited for many new Christians. I am also excited because many of our more long-time believers are going to gain a new glimpse of God. I am really serious about this, and excited. The first few times through 40 Days and the Purpose Driven Life we gained rote understanding of doctrinal things. This time I think we will really get it in our hearts and see more life change in mature believers.
"It was the best of days, it was the worst of days."
Charles Dickens
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