Saturday, April 23, 2011
Resurrection Sunday Thought...
~ This Easter-time brings us the assurance that when He comes and shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God, believers who sleep in Christ and those then living will be caught up together to meet Him in the air, and all will be, as in the twinkling of an eye, transformed and transfigured and possessed of bodies as perfect and as glorious as His own and in these glorious and resplendent bodies we shall reign and rejoice forever. ~
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
There is a Season...
A Time for Everything
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing...." Eccl. 3:1-5This past Sunday, Mar. 27, 2011, we celebrated the birthday of our youngest grandchild, Maddilyn Rose. There were over 50 friends and family members present at our local Pietro's Pizza and we all enjoyed helping the little gal celebrate her special day. The pizza was good too!
As we sat and watched this youngest family member tear into her first birthday cake, my thoughts turned to the celebration we had attended just the day before. It too was a celebration, but of a different kind. It was the Celebration of Life for my oldest brother, John, who had just turned 60 on Jan. 23. He passed away quietly in his sleep 2 weeks before, as a result of multiple health issues.
Almost 19 years ago, John received a donated kidney to replace his two which were failing, and at less than 7% function. The kidney was still functioning fine, but other issues had cropped up in recent years and ultimately took his life.
In recent years, John had become increasingly aware of his own mortality. In many discussions with him, often around a campfire or in the truck making the trip over the mountains to hunt or shoot, it became apparent that he had not forgotten the Bible teaching he had received as a youth. His path in life wandered to and fro, exploring avenues that caught his attention or even waylaid him for a period of his life.
However, in his final years, I think that John acknowledged that most of the wandering about was his own meandering and not the path that would lead him to a final eternal destination in the presence of his Savior. He did not make a big fanfare of his realization, in fact found it difficult to talk about, but there were windows into his thinking now and then that revealed his heart's direction.
The last such conversation on the topic was back in July of 2010. We had been camped with a group of fellow outdoor related sports enthusiasts. At the end of the long weekend, folks loaded up gear and headed home. John and I were the last ones in camp, doing the final clean-up detail of our location on the edge of a beautiful meadow situated in the Ochoco Forest.
As we cleaned up the area and made sure that the campfire was indeed out, John brought up the topic of spiritual things. We talked for well over an hour and then some more on the way home. What became apparent in the conversation was that John had been thinking seriously about his afterlife. His daughter, Kelly, approached the subject more directly, however.
She very pointedly ask him if he had made peace with God. John was a bit flustered, stating that it was a highly personal question, but eventually affirmed that he had indeed done so. He further stated that he thanked God every day for the life he had been given.
As we celebrate both new beginnings, as in the birthday party of our youngest grandchild, Maddi, and the closure of an earthly sojourn, as in John's Celebration of Life, all in the same weekend, the circle of life becomes complete. We once again remember the words of the author of Ecclesiastics when he wrote,
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot..."
Incidentally, Saturday, March 26, the day we said good bye to John for a time, was also the 2 year anniversary of my father's passing in 2009.
So...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Maddi, and John, we will catch up to you later, on down the trail a ways....
Friday, February 18, 2011
Added to His Kingdom...
Welcome to another new brother.
Enrique baptized into his Lord
Every once in a while someone comes into your life and ministry that is an incredible blessing. Ariana, from northern Mexico, is one of those. She started attending, then participating, then ministering. Since she joined our worship team, it is renewed and she is serving excitedly. Because she worked patiently with Enrique, he went from doubt to belief to commitment .
Ariana with Enrique
MUCHAS GRACIAS TO YOU, OUR FAITHFUL ONES, FOR YOUR LOVE, PRAYERS AND SUPPORT.
I AM OFF TO CUBA AT THE END OF THE MONTH, BY HIS GRACE!
Harry and De
This past weekend, Feb 12, 13, each of our churches reported conversions.
One other person, besides Enrique (in the photos above) who gave their life to the Lord, was a young Vietnamese man who met one of our Hispanic girls at Chemeketa Community College. She invited him to the Spanish service, and explained the Gospel message in English. He was baptized this past Sunday and is planning to attend the English services at Court St. Christian Church in Salem! Talk about a multi-cultural effort! PTL for all of the souls added to His Kingdom recently!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Drugenomics or Religious Persecution?
Persecution of religious bodies is nothing new in Mexico, dating from before "Los Conquistadores" invaded Mexico from Spain till the present day. The rampant harassment of indigenous Christians in the State of Chiapas dates back to the first efforts by "los evangelicos" in the first half of the last century.
Though Christians in many States of Mexico have suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ, there is a new trend in the aggression against churches there, and it appears to have nothing to do with theological differences at all.
At a recent OLE Church Planters board meeting, after a challenge to the board to pray more for believers around the world being persecuted for their faith, a question was raised. "Are we seeing any aggression against churches in Mexico as a direct result of the current 'drug wars'?"
Attending the meeting was one of our Hispanic church planters. The chairman referred the question to him, and the following account is what he shared with the board:
In a recent trip to Northern Mexico, the church planter made contact with a Mexican pastor and his congregation. The purpose was to distribute needed items to children in the vicinity ministered to by that particular church. The distribution of said items is used as a tool to make inroads into communities to reach more souls for Christ, as well as for meeting practical needs. This has been an ongoing, annual outreach by our church planter and his team.
The church in the story being related was a rather large church, and had obviously benefited from relationships with congregations in the U.S. who had sent "short-term mission teams" to help in construction projects, etc. Some time after the visit being related by our church planter, the pastor's son was kidnapped. A large sum was demanded, far and away beyond the family's or the churches' ability to pay.
That information was relayed to the kidnappers and their response was to kidnap the pastor's second son and to double the ransom amount. A similar answer was communicated to the kidnappers who responded the third time by kidnapping the pastor himself and again, doubling the ransom required for the release of all three, the pastor and his two sons. Of course the church nor any family could meet the amount and as a result, all three lost their lives.
In another church, three men entered into a regular church service and during the worship time, rose to their feet, pulled out pistols and demanded they be handed the tithes and offerings received that day, and stated that they had no desire to harm anyone. The congregational leaders complied and the three men left without further incident. As a result of this and other similar incidents, churches are cutting back on their services and keeping doors locked except when members are entering or leaving.
In one incident, the three family members lost their lives. In the other, a small amount of money was taken. It does not appear that in these cases, religious beliefs had anything to do with the attacks, but rather, appears to be a simple desire for money, based on drug-driven greed. One thing in common with the churches in these two incidents is their connection with U.S. churches. There seems to be a belief that through the Mexican churches, there is financial access to our American dollars which can easily be intercepted by kidnappers and other thugs to fund the drug cartels. It is believed that in the first case, the kidnappers actually attended several worship services to "case" the church and plan the kidnapping.
So, the need for our prayers for Christians being persecuted in other countries does not only include those who are persecuted for their faith, but also in a more general way. We need to pray that God would place a hedge of protection around His own in Mexico, a hedge that still permits the LIGHT to shine out into the surrounding darkness of fear brought on by the "drug wars" and that calls souls to the feet of the Savior. Our Spanish-speaking brethren to the South will need our prayers for discernment and boldness as well.
At a recent OLE Church Planters board meeting, after a challenge to the board to pray more for believers around the world being persecuted for their faith, a question was raised. "Are we seeing any aggression against churches in Mexico as a direct result of the current 'drug wars'?"
Attending the meeting was one of our Hispanic church planters. The chairman referred the question to him, and the following account is what he shared with the board:
In a recent trip to Northern Mexico, the church planter made contact with a Mexican pastor and his congregation. The purpose was to distribute needed items to children in the vicinity ministered to by that particular church. The distribution of said items is used as a tool to make inroads into communities to reach more souls for Christ, as well as for meeting practical needs. This has been an ongoing, annual outreach by our church planter and his team.
The church in the story being related was a rather large church, and had obviously benefited from relationships with congregations in the U.S. who had sent "short-term mission teams" to help in construction projects, etc. Some time after the visit being related by our church planter, the pastor's son was kidnapped. A large sum was demanded, far and away beyond the family's or the churches' ability to pay.
That information was relayed to the kidnappers and their response was to kidnap the pastor's second son and to double the ransom amount. A similar answer was communicated to the kidnappers who responded the third time by kidnapping the pastor himself and again, doubling the ransom required for the release of all three, the pastor and his two sons. Of course the church nor any family could meet the amount and as a result, all three lost their lives.
In another church, three men entered into a regular church service and during the worship time, rose to their feet, pulled out pistols and demanded they be handed the tithes and offerings received that day, and stated that they had no desire to harm anyone. The congregational leaders complied and the three men left without further incident. As a result of this and other similar incidents, churches are cutting back on their services and keeping doors locked except when members are entering or leaving.
In one incident, the three family members lost their lives. In the other, a small amount of money was taken. It does not appear that in these cases, religious beliefs had anything to do with the attacks, but rather, appears to be a simple desire for money, based on drug-driven greed. One thing in common with the churches in these two incidents is their connection with U.S. churches. There seems to be a belief that through the Mexican churches, there is financial access to our American dollars which can easily be intercepted by kidnappers and other thugs to fund the drug cartels. It is believed that in the first case, the kidnappers actually attended several worship services to "case" the church and plan the kidnapping.
So, the need for our prayers for Christians being persecuted in other countries does not only include those who are persecuted for their faith, but also in a more general way. We need to pray that God would place a hedge of protection around His own in Mexico, a hedge that still permits the LIGHT to shine out into the surrounding darkness of fear brought on by the "drug wars" and that calls souls to the feet of the Savior. Our Spanish-speaking brethren to the South will need our prayers for discernment and boldness as well.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Christmas Contrasts...
Have a BLESSED CHRISTMAS Dec. 2010
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
When one considers the humble circumstances surrounding the birth of our Savior, it is an amazing thing, miraculous in every way, from the virgin birth to the supernatural signs of His birth. Amazing it is that our Creator took on the form of man, His own creation, and not just of any man, but that of a servant, to reach across the barrier of sin to reconcile us to Himself. The Apostle John, in chapter 3 verse 16 in The Gospel of John, states that "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."
Paul, in his letter to the Philippian believers wrote the following:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:5-11
Also amazing, as an observant grandfather who is blessed to have significant interaction with our wee ones, is to witness how quickly they learn what it takes to call attention to themselves and their needs, perceived or legitimate. As life goes on, we get better and better at it, sometimes carrying it to the extreme!
Reading once again the incredible account of the birth of our Lord and His humble way along His life journey, I see an amazing contrast between The Lamb of God and the typical "me, me, me promotional mindset" that is so representative of the human race in general.
An observant writer said the following of our human race: Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm-but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves. — T.S. Eliot
So let us focus on the Savior, His birth, His life, but most especially, His journey to the cross, His death and resurrection and the process the led Him there and us into His fold, His family, and our eternity together, in His presence.
May REAL PEACE be abundant in your life and family every day, every hour, every minute until we celebrate and worship together forever.
David Phelps sings "O Holy Night"...ENJOY! (copy and paste the link below into your browser address bar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37NQ2VlFfXc&feature=related
David Phelps sings "O Holy Night"...ENJOY! (copy and paste the link below into your browser address bar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37NQ2VlFfXc&feature=related
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thanksgiving, 2010
Paul wrote, in his letter to the Philippians, about being satisfied with whatever he had. In other words, to be content, come feast or famine.
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Phil. 4:10-12, NIV)
A popular tradition among families that celebrate Thanksgiving is to go around the table just before they eat (you know, while those wonderful refrigerator rolls that just came out of the oven are getting cold, not to mention the turkey and stuffing or the taters and gravy!) and each person mention something that they are thankful for.
There is no lack of creativity during the sharing of this tradition, as blessings for most of us are in abundance, at least in this country. And...the USA is generous with missions of mercy and supplying the rest of the world with material, financial and man-power donations in times of disaster or other crisis.
However, I often muse that the more difficult task of maintaining true contentedness with what we have as Americans stems, obviously, not from lack or from actual need but more from pure "want."
We have become, perhaps, a bit complacent or "fat" on our abundance, often taking it for granted, so our lack of contentedness is based not on having to do without a basic, life sustaining need, but rather on the simple desire to have more.
In other terms, our struggle, for the majority of us, is to learn to live a balanced, God-centered life IN SPITE OF THE ABUNDANCE THAT SURROUNDS US!
Our battle then is within, and it is with that old familiar demon known as materialism-the desire to have things we don't really want or even need, and our purpose may be none other than that of appearances.
Am I thankful I live in this country? Oh yes I am, but I also have lived in places where meeting actual need is part of daily survival, EVERY DAY.
Perhaps a better tradition among our families would be to call attention to those who really do have need, wherever they are, and to do our part to minister to them in some viable way. That can be done first of all by praying for them as a family, but also by giving through our local church or some other valid support organization to reach out to the less fortunate.
May your Thanksgiving celebration be a blessing that extends throughout the year to the less fortunate.
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Phil. 4:10-12, NIV)
A popular tradition among families that celebrate Thanksgiving is to go around the table just before they eat (you know, while those wonderful refrigerator rolls that just came out of the oven are getting cold, not to mention the turkey and stuffing or the taters and gravy!) and each person mention something that they are thankful for.
There is no lack of creativity during the sharing of this tradition, as blessings for most of us are in abundance, at least in this country. And...the USA is generous with missions of mercy and supplying the rest of the world with material, financial and man-power donations in times of disaster or other crisis.
However, I often muse that the more difficult task of maintaining true contentedness with what we have as Americans stems, obviously, not from lack or from actual need but more from pure "want."
We have become, perhaps, a bit complacent or "fat" on our abundance, often taking it for granted, so our lack of contentedness is based not on having to do without a basic, life sustaining need, but rather on the simple desire to have more.
In other terms, our struggle, for the majority of us, is to learn to live a balanced, God-centered life IN SPITE OF THE ABUNDANCE THAT SURROUNDS US!
Our battle then is within, and it is with that old familiar demon known as materialism-the desire to have things we don't really want or even need, and our purpose may be none other than that of appearances.
Am I thankful I live in this country? Oh yes I am, but I also have lived in places where meeting actual need is part of daily survival, EVERY DAY.
Perhaps a better tradition among our families would be to call attention to those who really do have need, wherever they are, and to do our part to minister to them in some viable way. That can be done first of all by praying for them as a family, but also by giving through our local church or some other valid support organization to reach out to the less fortunate.
May your Thanksgiving celebration be a blessing that extends throughout the year to the less fortunate.
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