FreeTruth

In a couple of hours I'll be heading out the door to go to youth camp with 7-8 of our teens and a few parents. As I exit NJ (and am away from my blogging for a few days) let me leave you with a few random thoughts and joys:
1. I go to youth camp with Gayline, David and several teenagers I love with full expectation of meeting God. Last year's camp was simply life-changing for David. In supernatural ways, he met God and God came after him, and a chain reaction of grace has been going on ever since!

2. I come off of an experience last Friday in which I had the joy of partnering with the Lawtons in their mission work to international students at Johns Hopkins Univ. I got to preach the truth of God our Creator, our reason for Existence, our Savior and Redeemer--to 15-20 Chinese folks, many of whom had never heard any real truth about God before. One said at the close of the evening: "We have never heard these things about God!" This group of first time hearers was simply gripped with eager hearing as I got to preach. Truth captured their minds and I trust will win their hearts! Powerful. Joygiving. And I think eternally fruit-bearing.

3. I feel fresh amazement and joy over the provision of God. Some of you will know that Gayline and I have pledged in giving a substantial increase to help God's work flourish here in TFC. We have already seen (in the 2-3 weeks since we made that pledge) God provide 45% of that increase for the coming year through a stunning reduction of costs in an budget area we least expected it! In the past two or three days I've heard similar accounts from others who, giving in obedience to the call of God, have once again found out that God will never be out-given!

4. Finally, I'm preparing a series of posts on the topic of joy as seen through the ideas of Luke in his two books, Luke and Acts. If you want to experience a sweet study read through Luke and Acts and notice how often joy is referenced. His clear message is that with the coming of the Messiah and sending of the Spirit, joy is now a hallmark of true faith. I can't wait to share some perspectives on joy with you, beginning next week, God enabling.

There you have it; some random sharings from the heart of a pastor and friend.
See you in a few days. In the meantime keep commenting and sharing. i hope to check in while I'm away.

Labels: Dependance on God, Evangelism, Giving, God's Blessing, Missions, Youth

Alina was seven years old when the eye doctor she'd had her whole life noticed that her left-eye retina was detached. She'd had issues with this eye since birth. It was stricken with glaucoma congenitally, and was virtually blind from her earliest days. At one, she underwent surgery at the hands of one of the world's best eye surgeons to relieve the pressure and salvage the eye, though not its sight (BTW-pictures of the inside of Alina's eye from that operation have been seen across the world by people attending this doctor's lectures on eye surgery. Undoubtedly, the inside of Alina's eye is one of the most famous eye insides in the world!).

But as if blindness in the eye was not trial enough this new report in her seventh year was not good. A detached retina leads to screaming pain, the only remedy for which is removal of the eye and the implanting of an artificial eye, a trial on top of her other trials that we simply longed that she would not need to bear.

She was sent to the Wills Eye Institute in Philly, where surgeons tried to laser-rivet the retina back in place just to keep it there so it would not cause any more problems or pain. But a week after surgery when we followed up at the doctors, they grieved to report that the surgery had not worked. The retina was still detached, and they did not have any real clue what to do next. They told us to return in a week and they would give us any options they might suggest.

We'd been praying all along, as had hundreds of friends, family, and perfect strangers (who loved and trusted the same Savior we did). So we prayed on for God to save Alina's eye. Seven days later we returned to Wills Eye and awaited the doctors' advice. They took her in, examined her eye, and then hurried out to tell us what they had found: the retina was re-attached. That's right: that which was humanly, naturally and physically impossible and therefore unheard of, had happened. The retina had returned to where it belonged "on its own" and there it has stayed to this day.

In this case our doctors were humble and honest enough to say, and they do to this very hour, that they have no explanation for what happened except that it had to be a miracle. It was God. Retinas do not re-attach any more than the mute talk or the deaf hear or a dog flies. It just does not and can not happen.

But it did.
Friends this is the hand of God.
God is; God cares; God moves; God heals; God saves eyes.

And by the way: God saves souls too. He saves them from hell, from sin, from bondage to fear and drugs and anxiety and depression and anger and soul-hollowing despair. God saves eyes to remind us that He is God and that He is a Savior whose arm is not so short that it cannot deliver (Isaiah 50:2).

I invite you today to come afresh to Him to seek His salvation of your soul from your sin and need, for your joy in your God.

Labels: Blessing, Faith, God's Blessing, Prayer

"Let us tell to coming generations the glorious deeds of our God" (Psalm 78:4).
How God provides!
Morning by morning new mercies we see.

If you want further evidence of this be sure to read Peter and Brooke's testimonies responding to yesterday's post. Then read on here.

One Friday afternoon in the spring of 2000 Gayline and I spent a few minutes discussing our car situation. Once again we are not the type who sit around often talking about such things (it had been years since our last such conversation), but this moment seemed to demand it. You see, we had a Chrysler "K" car, which, as my old readers will remember, was not a particularly stylish make. Besides, our "K" was arKaic (sorry). It was old and it seemed diseased; at least it looked leprous. And of course most of all it was a mechanical mess; we weren't sure how long the old leprous thing would keep running.

So the talk revolved around whether to try to get another car. But how? We could pay cash for one, except that we didn't have the cash. We could pursue a second income, but in doing so we would have to neglect both family and church needs. We could borrow money for one but we really wouldn't have the money to pay it back. We could charge it on a credit card, but we just didn't think it wise to do life that way. We could beg for one, but I wasn't sure how that would reflect on the reputation of my Father above. We could steal one, but I wasn't sure how the morning headline "Local Pastor Caught Hot-wiring BMW" might affect church attendance and community good will. So we decided to pray and wait on the Lord.

We didn't have to wait long. Forty five minutes later the phone rang and on the other end of the line a friend asked if I was home. Since he had called me at home, it made no sense to deny it. He then asked if he could swing by to show me something, to which I of course said yes. Ten minutes later he pulled into the driveway in a car I did not recognize which turned out to be a one year old like new vehicle of which he had taken possession through a business deal.

Getting out he asked me if I thought our family could use a car like this. Unsure of what he was getting at, and inwardly wrestling with how to tell him that no matter how good of a car or deal it might be, we probably would not be able to afford it, I hesitated. "Yes, I'm sure we could," I replied tentatively . He said "Good!" and reaching into his pocket he pulled out the key, placed it in my hand, and said, "It's yours!"

A gift. Free. No costs. No payments.

It turned out that there was another option besides the paying cash, getting-a-second-income-and-neglecting-family-and-church-in-the-process, borrowing, charging it on a credit card, begging from others, or stealing alternatives I'd thought of: God could just give us a car. In fact, God could foresee months in advance the need for a car that we would have that Friday afternoon and long before that day set in motion a business deal for my friend that would end up including a car thrown in, a deal that would end up being closed on this particular Friday so that he would come into possession of the car the very day we were forced to talk about our need for a new one so that he would actually be driving our new car to our house while we were talking about our need for it, so that it could be delivered within 45 minutes of when we discussed that need so that we would have one more opportunity to experience God's jaw-dropping love in action.

"God knows even before we ask," Jesus said (Matthew 6:8). So why ever panic (Matthew 6:25-34)? And why not pray, and then wait and see what God does?

Two questions:

Does God always act so quickly? No, God's children often have to wait what feels painfully long as their Father makes sure not only to provide for their needs but also, in the process, to build their character. Sometimes to teach us patience, God drizzles His blessing over a long period. Other times to teach us awe, He sends a quick downpour! Be thankful for both.

Does God advocate passivity when it comes to our needs? No; if a man will not work neither shall he eat, He inspires His apostle to tell us (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

But here's the truth: if you are a Christian who works as hard as you can at a God-honoring job which He has provided, working with strength that you know comes from Him and which you daily and prayerfully depend on Him to give; and if you work hard without sacrificing time with God or commitment to the other priorities of life (like church and family), making sure never to neglect the kingdom and righteousness of God for the sake of work or physical concerns (Matthew 6:33), and if you still have needs that go beyond what your income can meet, then it's time to pray and wait on God to do His wondrous deeds.

Don't start by thinking about how you can work harder or borrow more or swing a better deal.

Start by asking your heavenly Father, and waiting on the good hand of the One Who provides.

Then, when He does provide, whether it be by drizzle or downpour, be sure to be amazed and grateful and in awe of Him.

And finally be sure to tell this and the coming generations of the wonders done by your God.

Labels: Blessing, Faith, God's Blessing, Prayer

I've only got a short post today because I want to ask for more reflections on yesterday's entry. I'm interested to know what further experiences or insights or questions you may have about living life by faith in the way described yesterday. What do you think/feel about it? Does it raise any concerns? What experiences of remarkable provision have you had?

Let me prime the pump. Awhile back, I had a rare moment in which I actually had a craving for a certain style of shoe, a kind of upgraded moccasin-type look. I mentioned to Gayline that maybe my next pair of shoes could be that style. Within a week someone gave us a bag of hand-me-downs, at the bottom of which was a pair of size twelve shoes, just the size I needed and style I wanted. No one but Gayline and God knew about this desire/need. But clearly even before I asked, God was making provision.

About 4-5 years later when that pair of shoes was worn out I mentioned to Gayline around Christamastime that if the kids wanted to chip in and get me another pair for Christmas, I'd be cool with that. Three days later someone gave us another bag of hand-me-downs and yes, in the bottom of it was another pair of the same style shoes provided for me. And yes again, only God and Gayline knew of the need.

Twice, separated by 4-5 years, in response to a single comment about shoes, and to bless our simple reliance upon Him, my Heavenly Father heard and answered and gave manna/moccasins from heaven.

So, have you had this kind of experience? If you can't think of many do you think it's because you haven't received them or haven't noticed them?

Go ahead: click Commments; type your thoughts in the box; type in the key letters/word; click anonymous if you'd like(if you're willing type your first name in the box with your comments; it's more fun that way); and then click to post your comments.

Friends: take time to see and taste the manna today.

Labels: Blessing, Giving, God's Blessing

Late Saturday was spent trying to make my back yard presentable for a BBQ on Sunday afternoon. As I wrapped up my labors I realized that my patio was covered with dirt but that I had no broom adequate for the task. So as has become my way of life, I thought Godward in the moment and wondered how my Heavenly Father might provide me with a good broom to get this done.

Sunday morning arrived and since I was not preaching I decided that I could spare the energy to take our dog Heidi for a walk; something I had never done on a Sunday AM before. And what do I find in the neighborhood, but buried curbside under a pile of garbage a high quality sturdy patio broom. I threw it over my shoulder with heart rejoicing in God and headed on home.

You might think this a happy or lucky coincidence, but I know it to be the hand of God. After all it's the kind of thing that's happened hundreds of times in our family's life ; too many times to be unguided coincidence.

Sunday afternoon I talked with my son Tim who, with Brooke, had just moved into a new place. T and B are living examples of a couple sold out to Christ and the church, and choosing to live simply so that they might aerve and give liberally to the cause of the gospel. So needless to say I'm confident that God will provide their every need, too .

Anyway, TW mentioned that he would be needing a desk for his office at home (he works three days a week from home). I told him--partially joking, but with real faith, that on my way over to visit him in his new home, I'd be looking for God to provide a desk. We laughed--not a laugh of unbelief, like Sarah in Genesis 18:10-12--but a laugh of knowing, trusting glee. We knew that if not within the next hour, somehow and sometime God would provide.

Within the hour, as Gayline and I drove down Rt. 37 to T and B's here's whatI see: a desk on the side of the road, being thrown out by others, being provided by God. Gayline and I loaded it up, and delivered it to T and B, not one hour after the need had been made known.

Folks, this is God. I could fill up a hundred blog posts giving examples of God's care of us in meeting needs in stunning ways (the two I've mentioned are but small and inconsequential examples!). Whenever we drive and walk and pray and decide on how needs in our life are going to be met, Gayline and I look for God's provisions. Call me a scrounger or call me a man looking for manna from heaven. As best I know my heart, the second description fits me more closely than the first.

I am aware that God loves to provide in amazing ways. He's done it so often for Gayline and me that we've come to see it as the norm, not the exception. I could tell of cars provided, shoes from heaven, cancer treatments prepared beforehand, clothes given, furniture supplied, bills paid, a daughter's retina reattached by miracle, food delivered, and a whole lot more.

It would blow your mind. But then, that's what God loves to do: blow our minds. He loves to do things that make us stop and wonder and worship.

What has He done for you lately? I'm sure He's done as much for you as He has for me, or anyone else who's walking faithfully with Him. Stop and notice, and it'll fill you with wonder!

Labels: Blessing, Giving, God's Blessing, Promises of God

Psalm 90:16, 17 presents a model for prayer that is well worth imitating.

Recently at a wedding reception I heard a blessing prayed over the newly married couple. The pastor prayed for God's favor on them in such a way that they would know His gracious touch on everything they put their hand and hearts to do, for His glory! I don't remember all that he prayed but in essence he prayed that their love would be sweet, that their work would be prospered, that their union would be fruitful, that their children would be many and godly, that their laughter would be rich, that their witness would be strong, that their health would be good, and that every endeavour to which they applied their hand would succeed.

It was not at all a health and wealth/prosperity gospel/word-faith type prayer in which he presumed to think that everything in life would be pain and suffering free. But it was a prayer that dared to believe that God loves to bless. This brother clearly believed that God is neither stingy nor reluctant nor sparing in His gifts.

It was a really cool and frankly, a really biblical prayer; the type of prayer I hear myself praying more often these days. It was psalmist-like.

In light of his awareness that life is short and our days are few (Psalm 90:3-12) Moses gets right to it with God. Here's the gist of his thought and prayer: "Lord we don't have a lot of time here, and there's lots to do. So please let your work be shown to us (Psalm 90:16) so that it'll become our work. Then let Your favor--Your beautiful, pleasant, delightful, gracious favor (the Hebrew word means all that)--be upon us and all we do. And Lord, please establish the work we do; yes Lord establish it."

Moses is praying for God's favor, God's blessing, God's success-producing grace on all he and the people of God did.

It does remind of the well-known "prayer of Jabez" in 1 Chronicles 4:9, 10. I know the recent best-seller by that name raised some concerns (which I would share). Some seemed to turn Jabez's prayer into a daily mantra with almost magical powers. People abused the truth for personal gain (not including the author, he gave away most of the proceeds from the book as I understand it!). But let's be reminded: the abuse of a truth does not argue for the non-use of a truth. It argues for the right use of the truth.

The right use of the truth that God blesses and favors and establishes the work of our hands for His glory and our happiness, is that we pray boldly and believingly in the light of it, and then live expectantly as a result. I say it again: God is neither stingy nor reluctant nor sparing in His gifts. He loves to bless and He promises to move mountains, build the kingdom, heal diseases, save souls, rescue our children, and bless labors when His people pray in faith.

Today, God enabling me, I'm going to spend about 3 hours in study and the minstry of the Word. I have a doctor's visit (to keep a watch on my health). I'm going to spend a couple of hours encouraging a hurting brother. I'm going to plan a Ministry Fair. I'm going to spend time with the pastoral team in prayer and care for you all. And I'm going to lead a care group meeting at the end of the day. In between and after all that there's a wife to love, and children to raise. All as the Lord enables.

So here's my Psalm 90 prayer for today:
"Lord in my study and teaching of Your Word establish the work of my mind and heart by making my mind clear, by giving me insight for the blessing of Your people, by filling me with your Spirit that the truth I learn may become life and power and joy for my heart and for all who hear it.

"And when I visit the doctor's office, I ask that You give me at least one opportunity to speak openly and clearly of the Savior's love. Make today be a day in which I am able to point someone to Jesus. And Lord remember the prayer I offered a few weeks back and have prayed a few times since: please establish the work of our hands and the words of our lips by giving us at least 50 new believers in our church this year.

"And when I encourage my brother with truth and grace may he be overhwelmed by the love of Jesus, and rise up in new courage and faith to face the challenges of his life. May he leave my presence knowing that he was in the presence of grace. Shine Your favor on him o Lord.

"And when the pastors gather to pray, Lord may we pray with the filling and power and leading of Your Spirit. Give us spiritual gifts, biblical and prophetic insights into the needs of Your people, and a clear leading for the shepherding of Your sheep.

"And Father, establish my care group as a place of refuge for the hurting, of strength for the weak, of correcting grace for the wandering, of hope for the despairing, of faith for the doubting, of fellowship for all. And come by Your Spirit with gifts and blessing for all.

"And yes o Lord--please establish Gayline's and my work in our home. May our marriage be strong and sweet. And may our children become men and women of faith and courage as leaders of the next generation of Your church. Lord, do not just save them; please make them mighty in Your kingdom.

"And I pray all these things not for myself only, but for everyone of those You've entrusted to my care, or who read these words today. O yes dear Lord, may Your favor be upon us all today, giving us mighty God moments of grace and frutifulness and strength.

"O that You would do it Lord--for Your glory! Amen."

Go with God my friends.

Labels: God's Blessing, Prayer, Spiritual disciplines