All of Grace

There's a lot about life that is unexplainable. I guess I am thinking about grace here. God takes the  foolish things of this world to confound the wise. He takes weak things to overthrow mighty things. He takes me and shows me all kinds of things which I had not known. I haven't earned the life I've led. When I look back, all I see is a little boy who came from a little village way up north. The little village was nothing and I was nothing in the little village. I was never stronger, or smarter, or more gifted or more successful than the next person.

The only way I've ever succeeded at anything was when God placed me in conjunction with a person of greater talent. The mining partners I had were always better men than I. I married an amazing woman. I ever only succeeded in leadership because the Lord put people of talent by my side. It's amazing and I don't bemoan that. I happen to know that I am more handicapped than most people realize. Without God, I am nothing. I am something (whatever that is) only because God's grace has willed it and He always lets me know that it is of grace and not of myself.

Last year, EVI nearly crashed. (It could still crash.) But last year, we approached the brink. My fault; my carelessness, I admit it. The Lord in His graciousness turned it around miraculously. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Why did He do it? I deserved to crash and burn. It leads me to ask how the great majority of people in the world navigate through life without God? I can't fathom it. That they live and move and have being is only of grace. They don't know who to thank for that which they enjoy. So, they congratulate themselves, and thereby set themselves up for disaster. 

In one corner of my mind, I don't like being so insignificant, so small, weak and ignorant. On the other hand, I am overwhelmed with the magnanimity of God. 

Last night, Pastor C.A. Murray of 3ABN, asked the congregation of forty people how many were sure they were converted. Only five of us stood up. It puzzles me. I am wondering what people look at when asked that question. If I looked at anything in me I wouldn't be sure of my standing with God either. But, I am in no wise dependent on anything that I am, or I do, or I think for my salvation. I am the dependent on Him who said, "The work I have begun in you I will perform."  He will. I don't know what He'll have to do, but I know He'll do it. He's taken the nothing that is me and has worked miracle after miracle after miracle since I was born. Why would I fear that He will fail me now? 

This week, I went to Senegal. Can you believe that? Why would God do that? How many people does that happen to? 

Anyway, I enjoyed the trip. Senegal is a Muslim country. It is sandy, with few trees. The people are tall and slim, and they speak French (among other native languages.) OCI has had a project in Saint Louis, Senegal, for several years. Apparently, I was voted on the board last year. Steven Grabiner says he told me about it last year, but I don't remember. Anyway, he asked me to go with him and offered to pay my way. I had hoped not to travel abroad this year and already I have agreed to go to two places to help OCI out. (The next place will be in South Korea in April. Isn't that too bad?) 

The trip to Senegal was pleasant. I really enjoyed my time with Pastor Grabiner, Ronald Yaudas,  the Director of Riverside Farm in Zambia, and Pastor Luc Sabot, the Senegal Mission President. Luc was the Pastor in Sudbury when my mother died. He was gracious enough to drive us around and to take us home to his wife and children. 

The board meeting was, what should I say, interesting. Without telling any details I can say that I saw the most disgraceful shouting match that I've seen among Christians ever. These things happen. It didn't unnerve anyone except the participants. The most unfortunate thing is that this kind of lack of self-control and self-justification dishonors God. I felt diminished. They are our brother and sisters; they are us and we are them. A failure on anyone of our part affects the body as a whole. We are either diminished or edified by what any in the body do.  I have been compelled to beg God's forgiveness for the failure among us and to repent on their behalf. Does that make sense to you? 

In the end, we made the decisions we needed to make. We are home, and I am grateful for the trip. Why does God use me in such missions? It's all of grace. I have no clue otherwise. He'll use you too. Just surrender yourself to God and wait. 

Far, Far Away

I leave in the morning for a faraway place, so I thought I'd let you all know that I won't be back till Friday. I leave, Jason leaves, there isn't going to be much blogging going on. I have to go to Senegal, West Africa. Apparently, they voted me on their board a year ago, but they forgot to tell me. Anyway, Steven Grabiner is going and he feels the need of a French translator. Wonderful! Here I go to be a French translator and I don't know if I will even understand the French these people speak over there. 

We've had balmy weather in Colorado. It was in the seventies this week. It didn't last, today is only thirty degrees. It makes for a pretty easy winter. I hope it keeps going that way. 

After Sabbath a big group of us from EVI got together to plan some evangelism. There is a lot of excitement around here. I wish you could all come to help. We are going to give it a huge push this year. 

In April I am asked by OCI to go to South Korea for one week. (To bad, I hate to have to see South Korea.) I have to be careful though, I really don't want to leave EVI too often... or my wife. They might both divorce me.

That's it till I come back from Africa. I hope then to have something of value to say.

One Bird, or two?

It's been a few days, sorry. The weekend was pleasant. I preached on Sabbath on "True Success #9." Then we had lunch at Garcia's. We visited till 10:30 P.M. They are a fun family. She is a Pediatrician, and he does some technical stuff in the hospital. They live at EVI ( apparently temporarily) and we hope to draw them in. Right now, he is the spark behind our push on evangelism.

On Sunday, my Lover and I worked on destroying an old shed on campus and getting rid of all its contents. It took several hours, but we got it done. We had super with C. A. Murray, the Production Manager from 3ABN (and his wife, Irma.) They are an easy-going couple. He is at EVI for his prostate cancer. He couldn't come at the time of the regular session, so we took him anyway. He is getting the royal treatment. Our Lifestyle session will be full next month. 

My wife is working at Home Instead. She takes care of old people, usually overnight. We can use the money. 

We discovered a blight on our small tomato plants in the greenhouse today. That is so discouraging. We are intent on succeeding on the farm, and the Devil is as intent on destroying our efforts.

 Nothing is new. I still have no camera. I would love to experiment with one and this blog. Someone, however, will have to teach me how to put pics on this thing. I'm sure it's easy, right? 

I've been thinking for a while about something I read. The author, whoever it was, said something to the effect that, "The only thing that drives people into sin is dissatisfaction." I guess, if you think about it, it's true. If a person was always totally satisfied, he'd never go looking for anything else. But, that is also true about people wanting to be saved. What else would drive us there, except dissatisfaction with things as they are? We have a God-shaped hole in our hearts. Nothing can satisfy that vacuum except God. Hence, the search. Some look up, some look down. 

It's now occurring to me that nothing in this world is meant to satisfy. That isn't why we are here. We are on a battle field. There is nothing but destruction all around. (It doesn't always look that way, but it would if we could compare it to what it once was.) The Devil offers booze, drugs, movies, sex, violence and ease, and he sells it as really worth having. It never satisfies. God offers Himself, but He doesn't pretend that, even with Him, we will have heaven on earth. This world is not our home. 

So now, it's a choice of faith. A bird in the hand (worldly pleasure), or two in the bush (some future eternal bliss). Which do you think is real? Does your life reflect what you believe?  

Tree of Life

I was talking with Julie today. She finds it hard to blog when her days are so, well, so uneventful. I concur. The only remedy, short of jumping out of an airplane so as to have a story to tell, is to sit down and write. Just write. See what comes off the ends of your fingers. I'm motivated by the thought that you are waiting for me to have something to say. So, empty headed, I write.

We are cautiously excited at EVI. We had a meeting the other day to see who would be interested in doing active evangelism. Everyone was surprised to see the outcome. There must have been 20 people there, and everyone showed themselves eager to be involved. So we took a chalk board and listed all we might endeavor to do. There must have been 50 suggestions on the board. Then we passed out pieces of paper and people put on these papers what they are most interested in helping with. Today, Shannon gave me break-down. At vespers tomorrow we will continue to plan. I'm excited. It's time to stir for Jesus. 

Restoration International -- the Waters Family -- are asking if they can use EVI to have their first camp meeting in Colorado. We would be happy to do it, we think, but I don't know if EVI can accommodate the number of people it is likely to grow to become. We are negotiating at the moment.

Yesterday, we had a long meeting between the Executive Committee and the Lifestyle Center Staff. We are trying to improve every aspect of their program. I don't know if I already mentioned, but we are taking a risk. We heard that 3ABN has some sick folks over there. The President has heart trouble, the Production Manager has prostate cancer and so on...(The Production Manager will arrive at EVI on Sunday for three weeks.) So we wrote them and offered to give any 3ABN staff a lifestyle session on a donation basis. We might go broke. On the other hand, the Lord might reward our willingness to help. This offer is for January thru' March. 

Proverbs 11:30b says, "He that wins souls is wise." So now, here is the question: Is he wise because he wins souls? Or, does he win souls because he is wise? If you think there is no difference, it is because you cannot see what I am thinking.

I've got the notion that wisdom is attractive, more attractive than foolishness. Last week, at a meeting, my staff and I determined that a fool is one that thinks himself wise. Romans 1:22. He thinks so well of himself, he feels no need of soliciting or accepting counsel. The wise, on the other hand, is he that knows himself to be a fool. Therefore, he cannot trust to his own understanding. He looks for and gladly welcomes counsel. (Esp. the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodecians -- Rev. 3:18) 

People are attracted to the meek -- the teachable. They don't come across as know-it-all.

The first half of Proverbs 11:30 says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life." The fruit being  the same as the fruit of the Spirit -- love, joy, peace, gentleness, faith , meekness... -- become character.  Our characters, when filled with joy, and love and gentleness is a tree of life. It gives life to those who partake of it. Our influence becomes life giving -- eternal-life giving.  

The beauty in the wise attract souls and he that wins souls is wise. (Serious!)

Unclean

The last couple of weeks have been very pleasant in Colorado. Having my wife home adds to the pleasure, of course. It's been a great reunion. We've taken one week to get reacquainted, but now life must go on. Today, my Lover went back to work. She is working a 12 hour shift at a Rehab Center today and tomorrow. In the meantime, I climbed South Peak, behind EVI with three other people. I give Bible studies to a fifteen year old staff member. He is into getting stronger. Last night, at a staff get-together, he challenged all the men to show how many  push-ups they could do. They were surprised to find a 61 year old has-been beat the 15 year old by ten push-ups. (We climbed the mountain with thirty pounds in our packs.) 

We are having a great time at EVI. We have a new family living here. She is a Pediatrician, and he works to keep hearts alive during surgery at the hospitals. In any case, they are extremely social, and it is serving to draw all the families together. We've needed this for a long time. Tomorrow night we are getting together to organize to do more evangelism. Pray it grows.

This morning I rec'd a phone call from the President of the Greater New York Conference. He is asking me to come preach to 164 Pastors and Elders on Righteousness by Faith. Lloyd Knecht gave him my name. He wants me to preach in French and in English. I assured him that I would not be preaching in French. He still wants me to come. It's as much a mystery to me as it is an honor to be asked. Then, it will develop into fear. I told him I would let him know on Wednesday. Steve Grabiner thinks I should do it. I hope the Lord will communicate with me on this one. 

I preached at Copper Mountain yesterday. Chuck and Wanda Scarborough, Julie's old Fountainview Principal, was there. I didn't recognize them, but my wife did. They asked about Julie. (By the way, check out Julie's blog. This last one, January 11/09, is a winner.) 

Now, for something spiritual: Isaiah 64:6 says, "We are all as an unclean thing; all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Notice how many of us are unclean. Job asks, "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?" Then he answers: "Not one." Job 14:4. I wonder, does that answer include God? I believe it does. God sometimes binds Himself by His own natural laws. He will create clean, new hearts, but He won't draw clean out of unclean. Here is the question: If God won't, who are we to even think that we can clean ourselves up by trying? 

All paganism, as well as all New Age-ism is base on the false premise that there is something "in us" waiting to be discovered , or developed. No, no, all there is is filth.

If we ever wake up to that reality, we will then storm heaven with a spiritual violence that will not accept denial. We may have Christ's righteousness (we must have it), our destiny hangs right on that point. Fortunately, that is exactly what Christ is trying to give us --- in Himself.

So, don't look to religion, or to education, or to self-improvement formulas. Don't believe all the shysters who peddle New Age mysticisms. Ask and it shall be given you. Surrender all in exchange for all. Trust God with your life and salvation. There is no other Way. 

Frank

Right Thinking

I wrote an article as an editorial for the magazine called Faith Ventures. It's 550 words. I hope that isn't too long and boring for you. I recognize that people are more interested in what's happening in a person's daily life. Well, amidst the turmoil of running an institution I sometimes find time to write editorials. Enjoy.

Right Thinking

Few of us realizee the influence we have on ourselves. E.G.White writes, "If the thoughts are wrong," (about ourselves) "the feelings will be wrong, and thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character." )i.e. They determine our destiny... Serious! 5T 310:1.

Have you ever made a mistake then thought, "I am so stupid. I swear, I can't do a thing right." We may feel like that sometimes; but think, is doing nothing right even remotely possible? Do you think the God you know would say that about you? Does He think you are a hopeless case, or incorrigible? No, He declares that you are accepted in the Beloved, complete in Christ, forgiven, loved, and talented.

That's God's reality for us, but how many people know that? Dr. Nedley tells of a politician who came to him for help. The depressed man believed himself a complete failure because he had lost a race for political office. I admit, losing is depressing, but does one lost race amount to total failure? Did he lose all, or even any, of his intrinsic value because of it? Thinking that way would be funny if it wasn't so sad and so prevalent.

Talking about sad: In Genesis, chapter 28, we find the patriarch Jacob cast out and forlorn. He had conspired with his mother to cheat his brother. He had lied to his father and stolen his brother's birthright and blessing. Now, we find him running for his life, alone and discouraged.

"He feared," according to PP 183, "that he had lost forever the blessing that God had purposed to give... He felt that he was an outcast, and he knew that all his troubles had been brought upon him by his own wrong course. The darkness of despair rested upon his soul... he was utterly lonely... [and] he had lost all confidence in himself." (I wonder what he had to say to himself about himself then?)

If unarrested, what would thoughts and feelings like these combine to produce? What kind of character? What kind of behavior? Despair never builds a person up. If it doesn't drive him to Christ, it will lead him to self-destruct. But God, even knowing the full extent of Jacob's guilt, didn't leave him to himself. He opened his eyes to see Jesus, the Ladder, upon which angels ascend and descend. Then He said, "I am with you, and will keep you... and will bring you again into this land; for I will not leave you." Genesis 28:15

Why did God go out of His way to help that lying cheat? Because He cared for Jacob. He cares as much for you and me today. His connectiv Ladder still reaches from heaven to earth. Mercy and forgiveness remains a standing offer. Is it not then safer -- edifying even -- to believe what God says about us, rather than to believe what we say to ourselves about ourselves?

It isn't only safer to do so, it's imperative. Jesus said, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32. Imagine the freedom of really believing we are loved, forgiven, and accepted by God. Besides, which is truer, what God says about us, or what we say about ourselves? Careful now, expression deepens impressions. 

Relationships are Important

It is frustrating to work all day long and accomplish nothing. My job isn't like building a house or planting a garden. I can't look back to see what I have done. It isn't that I don't set out to accomplish something, it's just that I have a relational temperament. I can't turn people away, they are all too important to me.

What is interesting, however, is that, in the end, I usually finish what needs to be finished on time. It's like, God knows what He wants from me and in spite of all the interruptions I always meet the deadlines. It's a miracle. I can't call it anything else. So, the bottom line is: my frustrations are ill-founded. It's just another chink in my armor, another weakness that needs to be shored up. It also shows that relations are important to God. We need to be able to give ourselves to others -- for their happiness. 

On the home front, my wife cooked an amazing meal today. Subs filled with stir fried veggies mixed with vegetarian duck. A potato salad with sides of carrot and celery sticks.   Amazing. I couldn't have eaten better anywhere. I wish you all could have shared in this feast. Besides, she made twice as much as we needed. I think it has to do with feeling deprived for so long on the dark Continent. I'm blessed. She wakes me up at 3 AM. She can't sleep anymore and so I can't either. And, we eat breakfast at 5 AM. Small concession, we call it quality time. Relationships are important.  

Till next time, The Preacher

Home Again

My lover is home. She arrived on time, which is rare these days. I was truly grateful. We went from the airport, which, incidentally had lost her bag, to Cinzetti. That is the most upscale restaurant I've ever been too. Not to worry, I'll not to go there too often. It is so expensive! Janet managed to stay awake nicely so that we got through a lot of conversation. She did go to bed by five PM, however. I went to preach vespers and I got ready to preach at the 11 o'clock service this morning. We stayed in bed longer than I am use to, but I did get everything done that I needed to do. It's been a happy reunion -- very happy. 

The gang at church were more than glad to see my woman. She's not made her appearance here in more than seven months. 

I wish I had a picture for you. If I had a camera, I could do that, but I don't yet. Don't hold your breadth, I don't move to spend money very quickly.

In spite of loving being together, we are still pleased to be used of God to do something, anything for the less opportuned African. Life is short. Eternity will be long, I mean really long. So, it isn't a huge sacrifice to give up a few months a year of each other's company. I plan to get to know her in heaven. I haven't managed that in forty five years in this world.

Till next time, The Preacher

Set Free

This is only the second time I blog. Already I've learned that you never feel like you have anything to say. Everyday life is so, well, everyday like. I know someone out there is waiting for me to write something (Hi Twa), so the only thing to do is sit down and write. 

There is a fifteen year old at EVI who wants to grow bigger and stronger. Except that, he doesn't want to grow bigger and stronger by himself. He wants me to climb South Peak with him every Sunday with thirty pounds each in our packs. I don't know how far it is, but it took us sixty six minutes to go one way. It's probably a gain of a thousand feet elevation. We were soaked when we reached the top. What he doesn't realize is, I am probably as big and strong as I'm ever going to get. Now I am big and strong and worn out. (I actually want to do this. I promised myself that I would climb a mountain with my great grand children. Hurry Nessa, I ain't gonna last forever.)

Happy New Year. 

Yesterday, my secretary lost a sheet of paper covered with plastic and held together by a spline. She had it in her hand in the morning and very early on she lost it. She went through her office, my office, the accountants office. She scoured everything for half a mile radius. Nothing. And she never stopped looking, all day. Sometime before lunch I invited her to pray with me about it. At quitting time I was leaning by my office door talking to her about the lost paper when I caught a peak of it behind some stuff. Now, that isn't so grand an event. I understand that. But the feeling I had when I spotted the paper was like as if an Angel said, "See God answers prayer. You didn't have to be standing there, you know. You didn't have to move that little pile of papers. There is an army of angels just waiting to serve you, even over little things."

Sometimes God speaks to me over such mundane, little things. I had to walk away, I couldn't be seen with tears in my eyes over so little. Or, was it so little? 

We had an Agape Feast last night at EVI. What better way to end an old year; what better way to start a new one than to focus on Christ's sacrifice for us. The food was great, the spirit was tender, and the fellowship was grand. 

I've started to write an editorial for the magazine Faith Ventures. The thought I am trying to express (with great difficulty) has had more impact on my mind than any other concept in six months. Here goes: I believe people are not ruined by external demons. I believe people ruin themselves. Yes, by self-destructive habits, but that isn't what I mean here. I'm talking about what we say to ourselves about ourselves. People are plagued with depression, a poor self image, debilitating insecurities, fears and discouragements. They plunge into destructive habits because, in their minds, it doesn't matter -- they don't matter. They buy into all kinds of lies about themselves, and they believe them. All the while, their sits in heaven a gracious God who doesn't think those things about them/us. He says, I have redeemed you, you are mine. I love you with an everlasting love, you are the apple of mine eye. You are talented. Through Christ you are sanctified. And He goes on and on and on about us in such loving terms. Now, here is the question: Who speaks the truth about me, God or me? Who is likelier to be a liar, God or me? If God says He loves you, are you going to argue with Him and say, but I'm not lovable. The Bible says, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." Is this talking about doctrines? That's what we usually say, but pardon me, I think it applies more here than there. If we believed what God says about us instead of what we say to ourselves about ourselves,  we would be set free from fear, insecurity and depression. And, we would act dignified, respectable, and princely. Christ's sacrifice bought that gift for us, so we need to be careful what we say about ourselves to ourselves.

Janet is sitting in an airport in Ethiopia as I write. She will be home tomorrow. That will be for me a Happy New Year. Happy New Year to you all -- all six of you. Dad