Power's Out!

As I sit here writing a short blog, I am doing so in the dark. Now, there are some who would say that I’m already in the dark (ha), but literally the power is out! A sudden storm came through the area and a major portion of the city is without power - no building lights, no stoplights, no air-conditioning! We’re running on generator backup and hopefully the power will get back on in an hour or two (we’re told). If not, we’ll be in trouble with our freezer trying to thaw out and food spoiling. Albeit, I have great confidence in the city utilities folks’ ability to take care of the situation in short order.

Not only am I in the dark at home, but our son just headed off to south Texas on Sunday with their youth group to do some missions work in Mexico. Now, normally that would be a very wonderful thing and make parents proud, but a hurricane just happens to be in the vicinity and approaching landfall close to where they are. On top of that, we have no communication with him - we’ve got to trust God and believe that he is bigger than hurricanes. We also need to believe that our son listened to the many hours of parental instruction and actually knows how to pray himself.

But there is one connection that never has to worry about being disconnected and that is the connection that God has with his children - namely, us. I don’t mean that we can’t willfully run from Him, but that when we decide to communicate with Him - the line is always open. There are no busy signals from the heavenly switchboard - lines are always available. Isn’t it nice to know, that even when we have no control over certain situations and loved ones are far from home and possibly in harm’s way, we can call out to God and receive the peace that passes all understanding? As Psalm 59:16 says: “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” I’m glad there is always a refuge in times of trouble with God - aren’t you?

A good hamburger please.

After being in Namibia, Africa for about three weeks, we finally returned home (after about 35 hours of travel time). I told my wife that I would "take her out to dinner" the evening we finally got back (since we were all dead tired) and asked her what she would like to eat after being in Africa. She said, "I want a good hamburger." Knowing her normal preferences (like pasta, Chinese food, etc...), I was surprised to hear her say that she wanted a good old-fashioned (somewhat greasy) hamburger. But thinking about it for a moment, I realized that most of the meat we had been privileged to eat was mainly wild game meat - like Kudu (sp?). If you have never had a Kudu hamburger, you have missed an extremely "lean" experience. It is true that folks in Namibia wouldn't have batted an eye eating that, and most would have thought it a delicacy. But if you have been raised on farm raised beef all your life, farm raised beef is what you crave.

Interesting (I know you're wondering where this is going), we get used to tradition as well - in day to day affairs, in our relationships, and even in our religious experiences. Church can be one big tradition that can oftentimes be more boring than beneficial. But tradition can be a source of inspiration and reminder of God's wonderful holiness and majesty. And more importantly, our source of spiritual nourishment is what helps ensure our priorities stay in their proper order. It is the sustenance of God's Word that helps nourish a right relationship with God - not the vehicle by which it arrives. Enjoying certain traditions, helps us feel comfortable and open to God's spirit when he speaks to us. So whatever traditions you are comfortable with, allow them to merely be the vehicle that helps usher in God's spirit into your life - allowing a change that will last for eternity.

Coffee Cup Religion

Although I wrote this a while back I thought it might be a nice addition to the blog since so often peopel feel that “evangelism” is being a “soul winner” instead of realizing that “evangelism” is working in harmony with the Holy Spirit to help bring a person one step closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have never seen the “Engel Scale” you just might want to do a search for that and see the process involved of someone going from totally unchurched to a discipler of others. Oftentimes we only focus all our efforts on the aspect of conversion - that “moment in time” when someone makes a decision to let Jesus Christ take lordship and leadership of their lives. In actuality there is quite a portion of the process that we are currently neglecting. If you think being an evangelist is being a “soul winner,” just remember God alone draws people to Himself. He is the soul winner, and as the apostle Paul wrote, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV)

Coffee Cup Religion…

Before my dad graduated to a heavenly home, I traveled the 15 hour drive to see him and went out to breakfast with him one morning. As we sat around a table with some other retired gentlemen, in a small town café, the conversations went from work, to family, to military, and occupations. They got a laugh, when I told them that I was an evangelist and enjoyed traveling around the country finding new places to eat.

We talked about all the mischief we had all gotten into earlier in life, and I was able to share how much I appreciated the Lord not giving up on me, and the blessings that God had given me since getting that right relationship back with Him. Other light conversation about life and family continued until it was time to go. As I headed out the door, the Holy Spirit seemed to remind me how easy it is to share the gospel message – planting those little seeds for the Holy Spirit to water. I wasn’t responsible for anyone else’s response to the gospel, just the delivery as the Holy Spirit gave opportunity. I did not have to preach, only share the small seeds that the Holy Spirit prompted me to sow.

Peter said in 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (NIV). When we have a vibrant relationship with God, we can’t help but bear fruit for God’s kingdom. But just remember, the fruit bearing part is God’s responsibility – not yours. It is nice to know that you don’t have to be a preacher to share the gospel, and you don’t even have to knock on doors or hand out tracks. You can just let the light of the gospel shine through your life and everyday conversation – even around a cup of coffee.