Haven Ministries News From Ambassador

He's still a Young Man!

2012-04-05T00:00:00-06:00

60 is the new 40 – or so they say. I for one believe it. The reason I believe it is because of Charles Morris. He’s got a mind like a steel trap. He remembers your name, and the name of your kids. He keeps up with the tyrannical pace of daily radio with HAVEN Today and HAVEN Now (and I’m not talking about taking a 50 minute message and cutting it up in 3 parts). I wonder how he gets it all done – writing the programs, leading the ministry, meeting with station partners, keeping an eye on all that is taking place not only in the Christian world, but the world at large.

In thinking about all he does I was reminded of when the famous explorer and missionary David Livingstone asked Charles Spurgeon, "How do you manage to do two men's work in a single day?" Spurgeon replied, "You have forgotten that there are two of us." You see, Charles depends and relies deeply on Jesus -- which isn't just a good thing; it's the best thing for any leader.

As you may have guessed, he's turning 60 this month -- I hope you'll take a minute or two to wish him a Happy Birthday.

Robert Jacobsen

Who is the real Hero?

2012-03-28T00:00:00-06:00

Some say it was the first Hollywood Epic. It created a new genre of movies. It won 11 Oscars, and no film has ever gotten more. Ben-Hur. I can still remember seeing the iconic chariot race for the first time. Not only is the movie action packed … but in case you don’t remember, it has profound spiritual significance.

(Spoiler alert) The protagonist finds forgiveness in Jesus at the end, and it turns out that Christ is the real hero.

Why am I talking about a movie on my HAVEN ministry update? Well, because in April Charles Morris will be talking about Ben-Hur on HAVEN Today. He’ll have Fraser Heston (Charlton Heston’s son) on the broadcast talking about his father’s faith, including a moment on the set of Ben Hur that changed his dad’s life forever.

So, what scenes do you remember most vividly from Ben-Hur? I’d love to know.

Thanks for partnering with us as we tell the great story – it’s all about Jesus.

Serving our Hero,

Robert Jacobsen

Next Year in Jerusalem

2012-03-05T00:00:00-06:00

At the end of every Passover Seder, the Jews scattered throughout the world utter the hopeful prayer "next year in Jerusalem." It is a longing for a restored temple and a Messianic reign of Peace. That is one prayer that should resonate with all our hearts.

That said, when I hear the words "next year in Jerusalem"...my mind thinks more literally ... i.e. "Next year I want to go to Jerusalem." I've never been. I've always wanted to go to the land the early church Father Jerome called the 5^th Gospel. I can't imagine anyone would appreciate going to the Holy Land more than I. (Now you may be reading this and think it sounds like I'm begging someone to take me, and you'd be right - I am ... and when Charles Morris reads this I hope he gets the not so subtle hint.)

You see, Charles is there right now, and as you've been listening to HAVEN Today's daily broadcast you've been hearing him share sights, sounds, and recent happenings in the Holy Land. Riots on the Temple Mount ... chicken sacrifices ... Orthodox Jews throwing stones at cars on the Sabbath ... the detail and texture that Charles has been giving is almost as good as being there ... almost.

Shalom!

Robert Jacobsen

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How do You Parent?

2012-01-25T00:00:00-06:00

I wish kids were like play-dough .I wish you could just mush them in a mold and have them turn out just the way you want … but if you are a parent you know that isn’t how it works. In fact it doesn’t work in the way 4+5 =9 works. The longer I parent, the more I am convinced it’s more art than science.

We had staff devotions this week and our guest speaker happens to be pregnant. She is due in the beginning of April and already the she’s worried about “raising” her new son “right.” After being a parent for 7 years, I still think about that everyday on my way home from work.

What I have come to realize is while I can force my children to behave a certain way, what I want is for them to obey “the first time with a happy heart.” What I need is (1) Jesus and (2) all the help I can get. That’s why I was so encouraged to listen to HAVEN Today this week. On Monday and Tuesday Charles Morris had Elyse M. Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson on talking about their new book “Give the Grace.” Grace is what my kids need, and what I need as well. "We have far too high a view of our ability to shape our children and far too low a view of God's love and trustworthiness. So we multiply techniques and try to control the outcome." (p59). Yea – I got the book (but I haven’t finished it yet J).

If you missed the broadcast, it’s still available online, and I’d encourage you to give it listen and let me know what parts resonate with you. The rest of the week Charles (and Janet too) will be sharing “Give them Grace” themes … because ultimately – you and I are “them” and we all need it.

Grace, Peace, and Joy

Robert Jacobsen

BTW – if you are coming to NRB, make sure you come see Charles Morris at 1:30pm Monday in the Ambassador Suite (Presidential Boardroom A) – have a cup of coffee and enjoy some free wifi.

It's not to early to think about next year

2011-12-14T00:00:00-06:00

“I am undisciplined.”

“I don’t really have time for that.”

“I’m under grace, not the Law”

“There is no commandment that says “thou must have ½ an hour of devotions each day.”

“It has only been in the last few hundred years that common Christians have even had access to the Bible.”

I already can hear the objections and it isn’t even the New Year yet. The topic of personal devotions is a minefield.

As someone who works two jobs and has a young family, I recognize time is at a premium. I realize the tyranny of the urgent.

I wish I could tell you I wake up at 4am each morning well rested and enter into an hour of blissfully sweet communion with the Lord through prayer and His Word. I can’t.

I also realize there are some who wear there time of personal devotions as a “badge of honor” for all to see … or should I perhaps say a “badge of self righteousness.”

So here is what I am (Lord willing) going to do in the coming year.

1. I’m going to remember what my Jesus has done for me. I’m going to remember that He came from Heaven to give me new life in Him … not to give me a ladder to climb in order to reach Heaven on my own.

2. I’m going to pray in the morning and at night, and throughout the day. Some of the prayers may be as short as “Help me” or “Thank you.” Some of them will be longer. All of them will be heard by my Father.

3. I’m going to read to His word, and delight in it. There may be a time of the year when I only make it through a Psalm in the morning and a Proverb at night, but I don’t want to neglect the wonderful Word He has given me.

I’m not going to tell you how or how often or when you should spend your time with God next year. I’m not going to tell you what books (if any) to use in addition to the Bible. What I do want to encourage you to do is seek the Lord, cultivate a habit, commune with the Lord in prayer and His Word. Bible reading plans can be helpful as long as they don’t become burdensome. This year, I’m going to join my friend Charles Morris who shares God’s word each day on HAVEN Today…and attempt to read through the Bible in 90 days. I hope you’ll prayerfully consider joining us. Shoot me an email and I’ll send you the plan.

Robert Jacobsen