identity-reminding you who you are

There were always two systems

2014-06-03T15:13:00.000-05:00

In my chronological Bible reading plan, I just finished reading through the OT and Gospels. Now, concurrent with the reading of the first half of Acts, falls the book of Galatians. It strikes me while reading Paul's description of the children of the bondwoman and the free woman, or the children of law and faith, that the struggle between faith and law was not new. It is evident from Genesis through the Epistles, and continues today. Paul says in Galatians that the law was given "because of disobedience." God's first plan was relational faith, and when men and women found the boundaries of that system too arbitrary, God gave them the law as "a schoolmaster," but only until Christ, who was to be the end of the law, would come. The law was not the ideal system, but a provisional one, always designed to be temporary. Now it should be obvious to all of us through the suffering of the Cross and the power of the Resurrection and the miracle of the Holy Spirit's arrival that God's original plan for relational faith is not only sufficient but far superior to anything that depends on human obedience. Somehow, though,in Galatians, and I might add, in Romans, Hebrews, etc., and in the American Church, even recipients of the Gospel need to be convinced to leave the human system of law behind and trust completely in Jesus. I wonder what we could do if we finally got it.

Citizens of Heaven...re-posted from a few years ago, but timely.

2012-11-08T14:03:00.001-06:00

This is not our home. We are citizens of heaven...how often do we consider this? We are not from here, so in one respect, that could mean that we are out of place, even disadvantaged, and there may be an element of that. However, the place of our citizenship is the place to which this world owes its existence and by which it is ultimately ruled.

We are not just tourists from some insignificant foreign state. We are visiting dignitaries from the power of powers, ambassadors for the Ultimate Sovereign. Therefore, our citizenship in heaven should not be held with vague sentimentalism, as weary travelers longing for home, or worse, with tortured cries, as prisoners longing for freedom.

Rather, we should see this world and its flawed and broken systems as a daughter nation under oppressive enemy control, and ourselves as its governors, sent to put things back under the reign of our infinitely benevolent King. We are from a higher place, literally sent from heaven, not for a test, as to whether we will survive this life, but for God's purpose and pleasure, that we might reflect Him and bring about, in our spheres of influence, His kingdom, on earth as it is...at home.

Morning

2012-11-08T13:52:00.002-06:00

(I only sometimes feel this way...) Morning is a violent invasion The alarm, the light, the incessant screaming of the clock Like the sudden squadrons of an unforeseen assault, their Generals unfeeling, Mercilessly pound and pierce my mind. Day is a cruel imprisonment Each successive appointment a new form of torture, Until, sometimes quickly, other days slowly, and much more painfully, I acquiesce, And an all too fleeting truce Of tasks and places and people and words Affords me some of what I feel I should have expected, even love and joy, And I slowly let down my guard again. And find myself at peace, Until, amid the whispers of another world, Free from the dread of any cruelty, any bondage, I breathe away the day and blink, To wait for morning.

2012-08-20T15:27:00.001-05:00

On why I haven't blogged in two or three years and why I think I may start again... With the recent saturation of facebook and the rise of twitter and the like, I have begun to think of this obsession with posting our lives as somewhat narcissistic. I began to think, "perhaps someone wants to hear what I have to say, but who am I to presume it as fact?" That, in a nutshell, along with the usual busy-ness of life, is why I have put off posting these several hundred days in a row. Why will I likely...ok, I guess I have already done so...begin to blog again? Simple. And it makes me feel a little stupid actually. I realized that to choose not to post is to go against what I preach. If I really believe God lives in me, that I am re-created in His likeness and have His DNA, His power flowing through me, that I am all that He says I am, then I should most certainly assume that there are many who, whether they want to hear it or not, would benefit greatly from what I have to say. Of course, I realize there are seasons to these things as to everything, and We shouldn't pressure ourselves to do what may not be timely, but I know that I've waited much longer than a "season." So, if you're out there, expect more.

My new Corvette--Setting my mind part 3

2010-04-07T08:45:00.004-05:00

I was driving today and was passed by a beautiful black Corvette. The low rumble of its engine, the sheen of its paint which seemed inches thick, the lines of its body, and in particular the cat-like ease with which it rounded the corner onto the entrance ramp beside me, obviously caught my attention. I have always loved fast cars, but have never been able to afford one, and so seeing these cars pass, especially as I get a little older, has become a little painful. Today, however, was different.

As I have begun this "experiment" (for lack of a better word) of "setting my mind on things above," I have experienced a liberating shift in my emotional life. I am content. I have recognized that, in the spiritual realm, where I truly exist, I have everything I could ever hope or dream of and much more. I am learning to take stock of my life according to the circumstances of my spirit, which is already present with Jesus in Heaven at the right hand of the Throne of God, according to Colossians 3, and to realize that what I see with my natural eyes simply does not count.

No, I do not have a new Corvette, but I also don't have a Corvette payment or insurance. I don't have to worry about where I park to avoid someone door-dinging me or something crapping on my gorgeous paint job. But, do you know that feeling you imagine you would have if you finally got that luscious car or dream house or perfect job, spouse, body, or whatever? ...I have that.

"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment."

"Seems to be working?..."

2010-04-02T23:37:00.001-05:00

While I don't think it's correct to follow a question mark with an ellipsis, I do think it's appropriate to follow a statement like that with an explanation. "Working" is such an ambiguous description. I want to make it perfectly clear that what it does not mean is that having set my mind on things above, I have somehow suddenly been beset by loads of cash. What I have been beset with, however, is in my opinion much better than cash...peace.

That's the best thing of all, but it's not all. Ironically, once I decided to stop thinking about these issues, they very suddenly became very clear to me; and the paralyzing analysis has given way to some very simple, very effective action. It's as if fear and worry (things that for years I never thought I was even capable of) had formed a cloud around me. In a way, as I have "counted all things lost," the fear of losing is gone, and I can see clearly to do what needs to be done...so it seems to be working.

Setting my mind on things above

2010-03-31T22:48:00.004-05:00

Things got really tough this last year...mostly just financially, but if you've been there you know it eventually effects some pretty important things...if you let it. I kept hearing the Holy Spirit say to me, "Don't think about it..." and I thought, "But that's irresponsible, isn't it? This stuff needs my attention. I have to fix this, don't I?" Then I remembered Jesus' words, "Seek first...and all these things..." and Paul's words, "Set your minds on things above..." so I tried it. Know what? So far it seems to be working.

Two trees...could it be that simple?

2009-03-18T13:43:00.002-05:00

The classic struggle between good and evil captivates us in literature, movies, even in world events. We love to see good triumph over evil, to see justice prevail, to see the right win the day.

Curious that we as Christians are so prone to jump in and choose sides in this struggle, when the very thing that caused our initial downfall was a tree called "the knowledge of good and evil," not just the tree of evil. Are good and evil really polar opposites, or are they fraternal twins, opposite sides of the same counterfeit coin?

In his final book, "Ethics," written from a Nazi prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer points out that our real choice as humans is not between good and evil, but between relationship to God and submission to logical morality. He observed that the church of his era (1930's Nazi Germany) had been lulled into complacency by their culture of religious rationalization, leaving them void of the conviction as a whole to fight or even speak against the Nazi regime. He held that they, both individually and collectively, had learned to operate under the tree of the knowledge of good and evil rather than the tree of life, or relationship to God, and therefore had substituted their intellectual reasoning powers for the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

Heavy example, but a good reminder. We are not on the side of good or right or justice per se, but rather on the side of life. Remember that it was the ultimate alliance of good and evil that crucified Jesus, and it was not evil that He conquered when He rose, but sin and death. How much more effective are we when we listen to God's voice, live out of love for Him, instead of trying to follow the rules, or worse, trying to get everyone else to?

The Infinite Uniqueness of Your Spirit

2009-01-21T23:18:00.002-06:00

God doesn’t want you to conform to some mold and be a good little Christian boy scout. That’s just what religious people want you to do. God wants you to be more of an individual, more unique than you can even imagine. Jesus was a natural radical, a sincere rebel, an easy revolutionary, and He created you to be the same way.

Read More...

“But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.”
1st Corinthians 6:17 NIV

Paul says that when you become a Christian, you become one with God spiritually. Before you became a Christian, your spirit was dead because of sin, but now it is alive again. How did God make it alive again? By joining Himself with you so completely that you are now one with Him.

There is no dividing line, no space, no difference between your spirit and His. In fact, it is a complete misnomer to say “your spirit,” and “God’s Spirit” as if to make a distinction between the two. The scripture clearly says that they are no longer two, but one.

Notice also that he doesn’t say that God put His Spirit into you in place of your dead spirit. One verse in Colossians makes it sound that way (“For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:2), but Paul’s repeated reference to the new “self” indicates, along with this verse, that you have not been removed or replaced, but rather, regenerated.

God loved you and wanted to preserve all your individuality, every facet of your personality, and so He didn’t discard your true self, He joined Himself to you. All He discarded was the sin and brokenness that kept you in fear of revealing your true self; kept you afraid of being who He made you to be.

Why would God discard the very thing for which He paid the Sum of all His riches, Jesus? Why would He eradicate the one creation that contained His own image and glory? You are the crown of His creation and the treasure at the center of His plan of redemption and glory, the reward of His suffering and sacrifice.

You have not lost one ounce of individuality. In fact, the most exciting, unique, interesting, creative, bold, free-spirited people I know are people who know the stuff I’m teaching you. Since I began to see myself the way God sees me, I am so much more free to be myself than I ever was in my religious days.

God doesn’t want you to conform to some mold and be a good little Christian boy scout. That’s just what religious people want you to do. God wants you to be more of an individual, more unique than you can even imagine. Jesus was a natural radical, a sincere rebel, an easy revolutionary, and He created you to be the same way.

"Created in Christ"

2008-12-20T22:59:00.003-06:00

Paul repeats this phrase or idea several times in his letters, and frankly, it's an idea I often think and talk and write about, and just as often puzzle over in times of prayer and meditation. I understand it, but it baffles me at the same time.

Recently I was asking the Lord again about this. "What does it mean...created in Christ?" I had this answer from Him, "When does this imply your creation took place?" The obvious answer thrills and puzzles me even more, as do many truths of scripture.

If we were created in Christ, it necessarily puts our creation at the time of His creation. It means that in creating Jesus, or at least Jesus the man, the Father was also creating us. When He made Jesus, He made us.

This is clarified in Romans, as Paul explains how sin passed to us through Adam and righteousness through Christ. How did we inherit sin? We inherited it in the basis of genetics. Genetically, all of us were actually, physically "in" Adam when he fell.

It is the same with righteousness. When Jesus lived, preached, healed, worked miracles, suffered, died, conquered hell and death, rose and ascended, we were there. This is not physical genetics, but Paul says it works the same way.

Our spiritual genetic material was already in Jesus from the moment of at least His human creation, although we may have to put it before the foundation of the world to consider the rest of scripture. Why is our inner self righteous, powerful, holy, loving, unchanging, wise, and always victorious? Because we were there every moment of Jesus' life, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

I guess this is why Paul calls the gospel a revealed mystery. I get it...but I don't. God is good.

More on the Myth of "the Ministry"

2008-10-13T00:33:00.002-05:00

Why is it that many of those we see as the most mature Christians are the most isolated from the world? Should we not honor the calling of the faithful car salesman, plumber, teacher, or public school student as much or more than the Christian singer or Evangelist? Who actually has the greater impact on the world?

Citizens of heaven

2008-09-22T23:18:00.003-05:00

The Myth of "The Ministry."

2008-09-14T23:05:00.002-05:00

Interesting that we say that someone who chooses full-time Christian work as a vocation, particularly in the local Church, has entered "the ministry," when the Biblical reality is that he or she has actually left the ministry to engage in the equipping of ministers. (Ephesians 4:12)

Influence-a tribute to Dr. Bernard Holmes

2008-09-09T14:00:00.000-05:00

My father-in-law, Dr. Bernard Holmes, passed away at about 6:15 this morning in Bolivar, Mo. I'll be joining my wife and kids there tomorrow for the visitation Thursday and funeral on Friday. Those of us who know him will miss him dearly, but though he is absent from us now, he will live on in us forever.

He was a great man who touched many, many people both directly, as a professor, pastor, seminar teacher, missionary, and discipler, and indirectly, as his heart for discipleship was: "to teach others who will teach others also." He deposited his life into thousands and thousands of people, and he is still a part of them all.

He traveled all over the world teaching Christians the principles of prayer and discipleship in Korea, Russia, India, Africa, and many other places. Pastors, missionaries, and thousands of church members in those places as well as in the United States have been changed, instructed, and encouraged by his life and ministry.

He taught thousands of students at Southwest Baptist University and Columbia International University in the areas of prayer and discipleship. Before he was my father-in-law, he was my New Testament professor. We (his students) would not be what we are without him.

I know of many young men in ministry today who spent early mornings in prayer and Bible study with Dr. Holmes, followed by breakfasts made with love by his wife, Joyce. Those men will never lose the personal and spiritual impact he and Joyce had on them, preparing them for ministry, but more importantly, for life in Jesus.

A few days ago, sensing, I think, that his time might be coming to an end, he expressed regret about not getting to spend as much time as he wanted with his grandchildren, and in particular my two boys. I wanted to jump up and scream "What!?," but he was very tired, and I would never have done that anyway. I sat rather stunned that he would think his impact on my sons might lack anything at all.

My sons are, and will continue to be, two of the greatest, godliest young men you could ever hope to meet, and my daughter in turn a great and godly little girl. Why? Well, do the math. They're being brought up (and home schooled) by the daughter of the guy in the above paragraphs. They are an extension of not only their mother and I, but in an infinitely significant way, their grandfather.

Dad Holmes, I wish you could have stayed longer, and I wish we had lived closer so you and they could have known one another better. However, you have no regrets. What you have deposited in them directly is great, but what you continue to give them indirectly through their mom is immeasurable. My three children stand in testimony to you, saying, "Well done, well done, well done."

Archimedes said, "Give me a place to stand, and I will move the earth." My father-in-law found a place to stand, and through his family, his life, and his ministry, he will continue to move the earth in more ways than we can measure or chronicle. Countless people all over the globe can offer a word of thanks to God for the invaluable gift of his influence in the past, and in the future.

You are already approved by God

2008-09-08T22:20:00.000-05:00

In order to do what God intends for us to do, we need fearlessness, freedom, even recklessness at times, attributes seldom associated with people concerned with failure. Have you ever worn one of those giant inflatable Sumo suits? They’re tough to move around in, but the great thing is…it just doesn’t matter. Inside that suit, you’ll try anything because you’re not afraid of getting hurt…maybe stuck, but not hurt.

God’s approval of us based on Jesus is like a Sumo suit. We can try anything in God, because even if we fall, we just bounce right back up. Failures don’t count anymore. All that counts is Jesus in us, and He never fails.

Read More...

As a believer in Jesus, you are approved by God right now, not based on your performance or merit, but based the merit and performance of Jesus. The book of Ephesians, KJV, says that we are “accepted in the beloved.”

What does that mean? The operative phrase is “in the beloved.” It could read, “you are accepted because you are in Jesus, God’s beloved Son.” The truth behind what Paul is saying is that because salvation places us in Jesus, God literally looks at us and sees only the perfection of His Son.

2 Corinthians 1:30 says that Jesus has become three things for us: righteousness, holiness, and redemption, which simply means your righteousness, holiness, and redemption (salvation) no longer depend on you, but on Jesus.

God sees you as perfect. God approves of you. Jesus took the test and gave you His grade…and by the way, He aced it. You are approved by God based on Jesus’ ability to gain God’s approval.

Why is that important? One of our greatest temptations in reading the scriptures is to disqualify ourselves based on regret for past failures, or fear of future ones. Guaranteed approval invalidates all regret and takes away all fear. God wants us free to live

In order to do what God intends for us to do, we need fearlessness, freedom, even recklessness at times, attributes seldom associated with people concerned with failure. Have you ever worn one of those giant inflatable Sumo suits? They’re tough to move around in, but the great thing is…it just doesn’t matter. Inside that suit, you’ll try anything because you’re not afraid of getting hurt…maybe stuck, but not hurt.

God’s approval of us based on Jesus is like a giant inflatable suit. We can try anything in God, because even if we fall, we just bounce right back up. Failures don’t count anymore. All that counts is Jesus in us, and He never fails.

Verses for meditation:
1 Corinthians 1:30
Ephesians 1:6-KJV
2 Corinthians 5:21

A thought...

2008-09-08T01:08:00.001-05:00

Churches today occupy themselves either trying to get God to do something or trying to make Him seem attractive to the world. Few, however, seem to grasp or enjoy the infinite significance of what God has already done by indwelling people, and just how attractive that can be all on its own.

Easy and Light

2008-08-26T23:34:00.001-05:00

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:29-30 NIV

That’s how I believe the Christian life should be. We were born to do this. It’s in all our genetic makeup, spiritually speaking, and I believe God’s specific call for each of us is a perfect fit for our personalities, passions, and gifts. If we get it right, changing the world should be the most natural thing we ever do.

Read More...

Since high school, I’ve always used my musical abilities in ministry, either as a singer, songwriter, part of a Christian band, or a worship leader. Particularly as a young adult, I took it very, very seriously.

I don’t know when it happened, but at some point, my Dad, noticing that I wasn’t enjoying myself nearly as much as I should be, pulled me aside and said, “Son, it’s an awful lot of pressure thinking you have to change the world every time you open your mouth.”

I didn’t listen to him at the time…I thought he was being shallow. Years later, however, the wisdom contained in that little comment has literally saved me from ministry burn-out and taught me to have fun with my life. My Dad made me think, “Hey, it’s God’s job to change people…I’m just here to make the connection.”

Now I realize that my entire life is ministry. Imagine the pressure I could be putting myself under if I didn’t understand that the call of God comes without pressure. As you begin to process the idea that you are in this world to impact it the same way Jesus did, you need to be very certain of something: the pressure is not on you.

Easy and light

Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you…” which means He wants us to do what He did. But He also said, “…my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Not only do I believe God has called us to do much more than most of us do, but I also believe He intended for it to be much easier for us than most of us make it. In fact, I suspect that the more we do, the easier it should get.

Take a look at those two statements—first, the call to do what He did. What a monumental call! How many of us actually have the courage to see the Christian life this way? I believe that most of us reject this call, either consciously or unconsciously, because it just seems like too difficult a job. However, Jesus did not only issue a call; He made sure we knew the pressure would not be on us.

First, He promised it would be easy. That word “easy” doesn’t mean there will be no effort involved, but rather that the work will be a perfect fit for us. He’s telling us that fulfilling His call on our lives will be natural—that it will feel right. Jesus’ call, though it may seem overwhelmingly grand, is guaranteed to be something we feel like we were born to do.

Second, He says it’s light. Very simply, it just means that when you’re fulfilling your call, it won’t really seem like work. We may get very tired, and you may appear to make great sacrifices, but to you, it will be a joy. There is an old saying: “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

I remember spending countless hours perfecting music with friends in high school, or spending entire days alone in a practice room in college writing songs on the piano. Some might call that hard work, and in a sense it was. I would emerge from some of those sessions blurry-eyed, half-witted and much in need of food and rest. However, I was invariably much more exhilarated and energized than exhausted. That work was not really work at all.

That’s how I believe the Christian life should be. We were born to do this. It’s in all our genetic makeup, spiritually speaking, and I believe God’s specific call for each of us is a perfect fit for our personalities, passions, and gifts. If we get it right, changing the world should be the most natural thing we ever do.

Matthew 11:29-30
Philippians 2:13
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

My thoughts on revival

2008-08-19T00:07:00.003-05:00

I get very uncomfortable when I hear people talk about "revival." The honest truth is, I don't think I believe in it...at least not the way most people think. I also believe more and more that our mistaken ideas about revival are at least part of the reason we see so little of it.

Most of those who speak of or pray for revival use phrases from the Old Testament such as, "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down." The more clearly I see what Jesus accomplished through His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and pentecostal return, the less that prayer makes sense to me. In my view, God has rent the heavens and come down.

I believe that when believers, in whom, according to Colossians 2:9-10, the fullness of the Godhead lives in bodily form, begin to fully recognize the extent to which God has come to them personally, they will cease to pray for Him to come to us corporately, and will rather ask, "Oh that You would rend my flesh and come out!"

Now, when that happens, it may look like "revival," but it won't be. God will reveal Himself through individuals in daily situations as they acknowledge His power and presence in them. My belief is that if God has to "fall on" us like He has in the past, it will be because once again, another generation has failed to realize He has already "fallen" into us and has never left.

Chambers' voice on being revealed.

2008-08-11T12:36:00.002-05:00

I don't often quote Oswald Chambers, since for all his passion and insight, I constantly feel as I read his writings that he cannot let go of the idea that the Christian life must be difficult in order to be genuine. I assume it's a cultural lens through which he viewed life, and therefore God and the Bible. However, what a poignant statement he makes here about this process of sanctification, or "being revealed." It's definitely worth a read.

"The mystery of sanctification is that the perfect qualities of Jesus Christ are imparted as a gift to me, not gradually, but instantly once I enter by faith into the realization that He "became for [me] . . . sanctification . . . ." Sanctification means nothing less than the holiness of Jesus becoming mine and being exhibited in my life.

The most wonderful secret of living a holy life does not lie in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfect qualities of Jesus exhibit themselves in my human flesh. Sanctification is "Christ in you . . ." ( Colossians 1:27 ). It is His wonderful life that is imparted to me in sanctification— imparted by faith as a sovereign gift of God’s grace. Am I willing for God to make sanctification as real in me as it is in His Word?

Sanctification means the impartation of the holy qualities of Jesus Christ to me. It is the gift of His patience, love, holiness, faith, purity, and godliness that is exhibited in and through every sanctified soul. Sanctification is not drawing from Jesus the power to be holy— it is drawing from Jesus the very holiness that was exhibited in Him, and that He now exhibits in me. Sanctification is an impartation, not an imitation. Imitation is something altogether different. The perfection of everything is in Jesus Christ, and the mystery of sanctification is that all the perfect qualities of Jesus are at my disposal. Consequently, I slowly but surely begin to live a life of inexpressible order, soundness, and holiness— ". . . kept by the power of God . . ." ( 1 Peter 1:5 )."

Being revealed

2008-08-07T10:51:00.005-05:00

"The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed."
Romans 8:19 NIV

The Bible does not teach us how to become like Jesus. The Bible teaches that Jesus lives in us so that He can be revealed in us. There is a huge difference between the two, and unless you understand that Christlikeness is not a goal to be achieved, but a gift to be experienced, you will miss genuine Christianity.

Read More...

For much of my life, I was taught that my goal should be “Christlikeness.” The process, as I was taught, went something like this: I get a picture of Jesus through His word, measure myself against it, and find “areas I need to work on.” Interestingly enough, I was assured that I would never actually reach this goal, but that this was the way it was intended to be.

As ludicrous as that seems to me now, like many people I know, I bought into that system for many years of my Christian life. I worked to be more Christlike through Bible study, prayer, Church involvement, ministry projects, etc. I even chose full-time ministry as a means to keep myself focused on becoming more Christlike, but in the end, I was no more Christlike than when I began.

In fact, as an adult, I have often looked back on my High School years as being the most effective time in my Christian life…the time when I was most Christlike was the few years immediately following a re-dedication of my life to God as a ninth grader. The truth is, the time in my life during which Christianity worked best for me was before I had any opportunity to “become Christlike.” Why? Because that’s the way it works.

The Bible does not teach us how to become like Jesus. The Bible teaches that Jesus lives in us so that He can be revealed in us. There is a huge difference between the two, and unless you understand that Christlikeness is not a goal to be achieved, but a gift to be experienced, you will miss genuine Christianity.

True Christianity is a bit like being a superhero. The process of Christian maturity is not about becoming something we are not, but being revealed for who we actually are. Like Peter Parker, Clark Kent, or one of my new favorites, David Dunn in M Night Shyamalan’s “Unbreakable,” the difficulty is not in acquiring anything; these things are gifts. Peter Parker was bitten by the spider; Clark Kent and David Dunn were just born with their powers. Becoming wasn’t the issue. The issue was being revealed for who and what they were.

As believers in Jesus, we are the same way. God re-made us into who we are. He gave us gifts we could never develop on our own, and power we could never acquire by merit or effort. The challenge for us is to acknowledge the incredible gifts we have been given, allow them to be manifested in our lives, and then perhaps learn to use them better. Becoming Christlike is a false goal. We don't need to become anything. We need to be revealed.

What is 565?

2008-08-03T22:17:00.002-05:00

Some of you have noticed the numbers "565" in the graphics on my blog header. I've had more than one inquiry as to the significance of those particular digits. No, it's not my birthday, although it's only a couple years off, ironically. I was born in May of '63.

A couple of possibilities have been suggested: The 5th book of the Bible, 6th chapter, 5th verse, which would be Deuteronomy 6:5, one of my favorite verses. Another plausible suggestion is the fifth book of the New Testament, 6th chapter, 5th verse, Acts 6:5. This is the introduction of Stephen, one of my favorite heroes of the Bible.

Neither of these is correct. However, either is equally acceptable, since the numbers appear in the template provided by blogspot, and have no significance whatsoever to my blog...sorry.

Home from Brasil

2008-07-31T22:12:00.004-05:00

Thanks to all of you who prayed and gave financially for the Brasil mission trip. God did great things through our team and through the churches in the state of Espirito Santo. I'm not big on numbers, but I need to share one number with you to help you continue to pray.

I estimate that about 500 people prayed prayers of salvation with members of our team this past two weeks in the five towns where we ministered. The church members laid a solid foundation of prayer and relationship with all these contacts, making our work seem very easy at times. It was a joy and a pleasure.

Pray for these believers as they undertake the work of loving and discipling so many new believers. I know they were very encouraged by the results and by our presence, but as I encouraged them in our final outdoor meeting on Saturday night, the work is just beginning. Pray that they will do the work of the ministry in the power of the Spirit so that it energizes and refreshes them.

Pray especially for the pastors of the five churches. Many victories have been won, but the enemy has attacked in many obvious ways since the work began. Satan is defeated. Pray that these pastors, their families and church members will walk in Jesus' victory.

Brazil day 10

2008-07-26T22:47:00.002-05:00

The work is finally finished here in Brazil. My interpreter, Renata (pronounced Heh-nah-tah) breathed an enormous sigh of relief. I have never preached with an interpreter, and while that makes it tough for me, I'm certain she's the one suffering most from my lack of experience.

Tonight in particular was a difficult message, I'm sure. I wanted so badly to encourage the church here, and the way I know to do that is to teach them who they are in Christ and show them what God has given them. I have tried to keep the number of scripture passages in a message down to three or four, but tonight I think I at least doubled that. Sorry, Renata.

Of the seven interpreters on our team, I think she was on stage the most, since at every service, no matter who was preaching, I was singing, and she had to come up with me. These seven ladies have done tremendous work this week. They not only interpret, but in homes and other ministry situations, they often minister from their own hearts as the Spirit leads.

I should also mention the sacrifices these young women have made to be a part of this ministry. All of them are giving up vacation time from their regular jobs in the Rio area. I can't remember if they're paid, but it's not much if anything. They do it because they love Jesus. Renata was married just three months ago, and has been away from her husband now for nine days...if you've ever been a newlywed, you know that's an eternity.

Our interpreters are women of God and they are heroes to all of us on the team. There's no way we will ever be able to thank them enough, but I thought it would be appropriate to mention them here at least. Thank God for servants who don't care who gets the credit!

Brazil Day 7

2008-07-24T15:31:00.000-05:00

Today was a beautiful day of ministry. Many people heard my simple, uneventful testimony and again, almost every single one prayed to receive Jesus. It's almost overwhelming...distracting at times to look into their eyes as I speak, because I see their hearts yearning and being filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

My favorite visit, however, did not end in any salvations. The lady at one house had scheduled a visit with us for today, but had gone to the church on Sunday and received Jesus that night. I told her she destroyed my plans by getting saved too quickly!

We usually refuse to visit Christians. The reason we decided to visit her, however, is that this lady had complained often of depression, and they decided we should go and pray for her. We walked in and I thought, well, she seems ok right now, but depression is sometimes below the surface a little. It didn't take more than a minute or two for me to see there was no depression in sight.

Over and over during our visit, she just kept saying, "I'm so happy, I'm so happy!" She said she used to feel something terrible inside, but now only joy! I counseled her briefly about depression and prayed, but I doubt she will ever struggle with it again.

She told us how a few months ago her son had met a young man from the Baptist Church, the son of one of the ladies accompanying me on the visit. She said that all the other boys his age are involved in drugs and trouble, but that since he met these new friends and subsequently accepted Jesus, life in her home began to radically change.

Her husband is away all week working as a truck driver, and she used to always want her son to be home so she would not have to be alone. However, when he accepted Jesus, she began to let him spend much more time with this Christian family because she loved how he made her feel when he came home. Now she tells her son to go and be with his new family, but just to spend a couple of nights at home with her each week!

Listening to her rejoicing in how Jesus had changed her life, I felt tears of joy welling up in my eyes. My interpreter said, wiping her eyes, "Everyone is crying!" What a miracle to see! I will remember that woman and her joy for the rest of my life. If you're ever in Brazil, and you have any doubt that Jesus changes lives, you should look her up.

Tonight I preached at First Baptist Church, Sao Marcos. It was an amazing service. God's presence was so powerful and sweet. One of the most exciting times of ministry I've had. God is good.

Brazil Reports

2008-07-22T21:35:00.002-05:00

Day 4:

Saturday night's crusade was a great start to the trip. I had the priviledge of opening the service with a few worship songs with the Brazillian praise team from our host church. They are a wonderful group of mostly teenagers with lots of talent and an inspiring amount of passion for Jesus.After the service, the other praise team for the night, a group from a local Indian Reservation, played an incredible mix of...Hillsong United and...Salsa! There were drums and percussion instruments EVERYWHERE! If you know me, you know I love drums, and I like them loud!

We danced and jumped and sang for at least an hour after the service. The praise team I played with and the other youth from the host church had a great time getting all us old people to do their latin dance steps with them. You may get an opportunity to see some pretty humiliating pictures of that soon...we'll see.

I preached today at two churches and saw great evidence of God's Spirit flowing out and encouraging His people. One lady in particular spoke in tears after tonight's service about what a blessing it was to feel the presence of God and to be reminded that we are one spirit with Him. That's big.

Thanks for praying.

Day 5:

It's only 5pm, but I have finished all my home visits and have a break before our evaluation time. Then it is off to our evening service, where I will preach in an outdoor evangelistic gathering. This is miles outside my comfort zone. It's something I've just never done, but I know the One who is in me has absolutely no problem making it a home run...so no worries.

The home visits today were great...Brazillians are very open and courteous, so almost everyone agreed to pray the prayer of salvation after I shared my story through an ingerpretor. That might have bothered me, but I could tell in the Spirit that many of them were truly being touched by God and meeting Him. Probably 25-30 people received Jesus today in homes and in a daycare where I spoke to the staff. Good stuff, Maynard.

Please pray for my wife and kids...they're the ones really making the sacrifice for me to be here and have all the fun.

Day 6:

I preached last night at an outdoor gathering in one of the nearby towns. At the end of my message, I had one of our team members share her story...magnificent. It's one of those stories that makes you wish you could get saved again. I'm trying hard not to be frustrated that no one came forward, but they say that while people here worship freely and respond verbally, they don't come forward easily. I know God's presence was strong and moving.

Many more people received Jesus in homes today. It's a cool process. All these visits are set up by friends or family members who are believers and they all know a missionary is coming to talk about their need to be saved. Sometimes it seems too easy, and once or twice I think people have prayed just to get us out of the house, but almost without exception, when we finish the prayer, I look into moist eyes and see that they feel the presence and love of God.

Please pray for my church, as they are without their worship leader for two more services while I'm here.