The Comeback

When a blogger goes a total of 7 months in between blogs, one begins to wonder how serious he really is about blogging. Well, if you would, please extend to me the grace that it will take to once again return to the ranks of the blogging community. And since there is no graceful way to return to blogging, I will just jump right in.

Everbless!

Way to go Metaphor!

Metaphor, the young adult ministry at Harvest Bible Chapel, West Olive, deserves a really big "WAY TO GO METAPHOR!" The group just finished working through the book Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, and the challenge was put before them to step outside of themselves and give generously...and the giving would go toward blessing families in need during this Christmas holiday. What did they do? They gave!...And they gave!...And they gave! I am ashamed to say that with a group of 25 I expected that we might get $200.00. After all, they are either college students or very early in their careers. To my great surprise and joy, they dug deep into their pockets, gave up on the half off appetizers, and raised well over $900.00! I am blessed to be a part of your ministry, Metaphor. I pray that God's blessing would shower upon you this Christmas! "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now."

Cut Me To The Heart

Acts 2:36-38. ...Know this for certain that God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you..."

Three thousand people were "cut to the heart" that day and experienced the spiritual death that comes as a result of accepting the Gospel Message...that Jesus is the Christ and He died because of you and for you.

Take a moment and put yourself back at Pentecost. What would your response have been if Peter would have pointed his finger at you and told you that you were responsible for the death of Jesus? Would you have been cut to the heart? Or would you have been like those in Acts 5:33 and 7:54 who responded with rage and grinding teeth?

Pause for a moment before you answer and consider the reality of the death that comes from being "cut to the heart" by the Truth of the Cross:

1. You have been looking for the Messiah, someone to save you, but not one riding on a colt to His death on a cross.
2. You are confronted with the reality that you must give up the life you are accustomed to in order to enter one that does not make sense.
3. All that you have learned from very gifted teachers is being shot full of holes.
4. You are surrounded by family/friends/mentors who will disown you...and worse.

Hey...those who responded with rage and grinding teeth were not willing to give up the life they were living. It meant too much to them.

So...look at your life today. Yes, you may have experienced the initial "cut to the heart" that led to your belief and acceptance of Jesus, but does the message of the Cross still have the same impact today? Does it still "cut you to the heart?"

One final thought. What is Jesus asking of you that makes you grind your teeth at Him...that thing or those things from your former life that serve as a steel plate of selfishness, keeping the Cross from cutting?

November 09 Liberia Trip

The first Harvest, West Olive team to Liberia. What a very special group of people. Very sweet memories were made...memories that will be visited often. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters) dwell together in unity...for there the Lord has commanded blessing...". The bond that this team developed and shared together spoke volumes to our Liberian brothers and sisters. May the Lord bless you, team! I miss you all!

Do not be fooled by the look on her face. She loves me! Just a bit camera shy. From the first trip to Liberia, Ruth has stolen my heart. Join with me in praying for her..."that the Lord would bless her and keep her; that He would make His face to shine upon her and be gracious to her; that He would lift up His countenance upon her and give her peace."

Some of the most blessed experiences while in Liberia were the baptisms. They were performed in the ocean...which the Liberians are not fond of. This man could have easily broken my arm with his little toe...and this was his first time to ever enter the ocean. He was visibly shaken by the experience. I don't believe his head had ever been under water. I envisioned arms flailing wildly breaking noses and blackening eyes as he was taken under. Praise God for his baptism...and sparing our lives!

It has been awhile since I last blogged. The craziness of planning for a trip to Liberia became a bit consuming. To the very few that follow my blog, I apologize. I am back up and running! It is good to be back! Blessings to all.

Before October 13, I had never considered that one of life's biggest leaps starts with an expression of complete humility. Well, on October 13, our oldest asked his girl for her hand in marriage. Mitch has always impressed me, but upon hearing of the events of the proposal, I became well aware that Mitch has "got it goin on!" As I listened to my wife give her ultra detailed recount of the evening's proceedings, I experienced both pride and humility. Proud to call Mitch my son, I am humbled to know that the tender and chivalrous way that abounds in him did not come from me. I know where he got it. Yes Mitch, I am very proud of you. Just as Christ humbly put the needs of the Church before His own, I see you responding the same with your bride to be. I am very excited to see what the Lord has in store for you and Laura!

Things To Marvel At

Things I marvel at. Let me share just one. The coastal redwood tree, also known as the Stratosphere Giant, is the mother of all woodland mind bogglers. Consider these facts. The tallest recorded redwood exceeds 379 feet. That's...really tall! The oldest to be recorded is more than 2,200 years old (22 centuries!). That's...really old! It would be silly to ask if Jesus took the chance to swing by and visit this tree. After all, He planted it! Get this. A redwood seed, which rarely germinates, is smaller than a tomato seed. That's...really small! So, to go from...really small to...really tall, and to grow to be...really old gives much reason to marvel. Not done. The redwood has proven to be the most resilient tree to exist. It is impervious to harmful diseases and insects. Mostly due to the thickness of its bark. The average thickness of the protective layer of bark that covers a redwood is 1ft. That's...really thick! And with skin that thick, even fire has proven to be no match for these ancient giants! If only I had skin that thick. Again, I marvel. But marvel at what, the tree? I think not. For the tree is no more than an expression of the Creator's might and majesty and glory and strength and power and...the list goes on. When I marvel at such a creation, two things happen: the Creator God gets...really big and I get...really small!