Video: Reflecting on the Presence of God
Last Tuesday our small group began a study around the new Philip Yancey book ‘Prayer: Does it Make a Difference?’ Before closing I made a video for everyone to watch as a way of reflecting on God’s presence with us both daily and in prayer. It isn’t anything special as it is my first attempt at such an activity but, I thought I would share it with you.
Martin Luther King Day: “I Have A Dream…”
Last night while reading my book, ‘An Untoppable Force’, I was confronted by the realities which Erwin McManus brought to the forefront. It wasn’t shocking to me as I had thought of it before however, he seemed to make the point well in describing the lack of diversity in ethnic church cultures.
He then concludes, “I can’t help but imagine what it would be like if there were at least one person from every country on the planet worshipping together in this community of faith, hope, and love. The global mosaic gives us tremendous potential for generating momentum. It gives us the opportunity to move beyond keeping pace with culture. If the church embraces the challenge of reaching the nations through Jesus Christ, it will stand at the forefront of the emerging cultural dilemma. I guarantee you that any community that can answer Rodney King’s question, ‘Can’t we all just get along?’ with a ‘Yes!’ will have the ear of every significant organization in our society.”
In reflection it seemed as though God was speaking to Erwin’s and my heart the same dream he shared fifty years ago with Martin Luther King Jr. A dream which echoes the beauty of Christ’s Kingdom and inspires us to strive for its fulfillment!
“I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equals.’
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, who’s governor’s lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places shall be made plains, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning, ‘My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountain side, let freedom ring.’
And if America is to be a great nation this must be true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from the stone mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountain side, let freedom ring.
When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of that old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, we are free at last!’”
Martin Luther King Jr.
The dream still lives Martin!!!
Job 31:13-15
“If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they brought a complaint against me, what then shall I do when God rises up? When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him? Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?”
Mark 10:42-44
“And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Galatians 3:28
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
An Unstoppable Force: The Great Divide
This morning I was struck directly in the heart as I listened to the truth behind the words I was reading in Erwin McManus’ book ‘An Unstoppable Force’:
“Living within a Christian context, it becomes easy to divide according to theological distinctions. The difference between a Baptist and a Methodist actually used to matter to people. In many ways we seem to have had to much time on our hands. Just look at how many kinds of Baptists there are – Southern, Northern, Conservative, American, Swedish, Cooperative, Free-Will, and Seventh Day, just to name a few. While we were dividing among ourselves, we missed the growing divide that really mattered. We were losing the battle for the lives of people who were without Christ.
From within this context, the contemporary parachurch movement has emerged. When we are truly ‘on mission,’ nuances become secondary to the primary mission of the church. The parachurch created a missiological rather than a theological environment. If you believed that the Bible held the solutions for man’s problems, knew that Jesus was the only hope for a lost and broken world, and were willing to do something about it, then you qualified to be on the team.
In many ways the emergence of the parachurch reflects the paralysis within the local church. When we stopped calling youth to the mission of Christ, ‘Youth with a Mission’ emerged. When we ignored the opportunity to reach university students, Campus Crusade emerged. When we settled for church attendance and neglected discipleship, ‘Navigators’ emerged. When we hesitated to call men to the role of spiritual leadership, ‘Promise Keepers’ emerged. Yet while the parachurch was rallying and mobilizing men and women whose hearts were longing to serve Christ, it was at the same time accelerating the spiritual anemia and decline of the local church. The church became a fortress from the world rather than the hope of the world. This disconnection from our present context exemplifies the need for holistic ministry. Seekers are looking for spiritual integration. This means that we must provide community with cause and meaning with healing. Having one without the other only leaves us fragmented. We must transform the fragments into a mosaic.”
Erwin McManus – ‘An Unstoppable Force’
Why is it that this message is so hard to communicate to a Canadian audience? So many people read these words and seem to react in one of two ways. Either they completely deny it accepting that being the church is a “responsibility” to maintain traditional view points. Or, they accept its truthfulness and respectfully do nothing about it!
I for one miss the church which existed to serve out a mission that was “worth dieing for”. A mission which served to seek out the relationships which Christ has with all people and the desire to experience God’s presence through all of his creation.
Last weeks conference talked about the power behind networking and the ways in which it applied to church communities. Bob illustrated the power to which we had if we spent more time uniting rather then claiming independence. Power which would not only serve existing congregants but equip them to reach out to the true missional purpose of the church and serve the communities and people around them! People who are without Christ!
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”
Acts 4:32
“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.”
Dreaming for Epiphany
“All men of action are dreamers.”
James G. Huneker
“Nothing happens unless first a dream.”
Carl Sandburg
The vision has been set in my mind for several years now of a church community planted with certain intentions of holistically approaching faith. It was an epiphany of sorts which in my thoughts was understood as a moment of inspiration. It was not until a few weeks ago that God brought new insights however as to what “epiphany” meant.
Reflecting on this vision God placed in my heart, I asked God what such a community would be called and this word epiphany kept coming to my mind. I finally decided to look the word up and to my surprise I discovered the word primarily means: an appearance of God the manifestation of a divine being. It connected right away!!! A community with the desire to seek and experience the presence of Christ in their lives would be called ‘Epiphany’!
This last week I attended probably one of the most stressful and emotional Summits I have ever been to. It was the ‘Three Streams Church Planting Summit’in Calgary and while there I realized I was making a decision for Bonnie & I to commit to taking the next steps in seeing the vision become a reality. It was a commitment which in all honesty terrified me but filled me with excitement at its possibilities!
The possibilities of Epiphany:
A people of dynamic creative worship (Psalm 150; Heb. 10:24-25)
A church that is dedicated to and praises Christ through the dynamic gifts of everyone in it whether it is artistic, musical, theatrical, dance, or otherwise. That worship would be in the benefit of praising God for the gifts he gives each one of us and our building each other up within them.
A people of prayer (Luke 19:46; Acts 2:42)
That prayer becomes a communal center point through all activities such as open web blogs, small house groups, community prayer walks, ect.
A people who are focused on the teacings of the word of God in scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Tim. 4:1-2)
That all teaching is based on a Biblical footing and centered upon in regards to any gathering. The ”stage” is not looked upon for who is on it but to the spoken words of God’s scripture.
“Do not be influenced by the importance of the writer, and whether his learning be great or small, but let the love of pure truth draw you to read. Do not inquire, Who said this? But pay attention to what is said.” – Thomas a Kempis
A people who care for one another holistically (Matt. 22:37-39; 1 Cor. 6:19-20)
A community that cares not only for the spirituality of others but also for their physical and psychological condition. That being a follower of Christ means striving to transform and better all life in a holistic fashion.
A place for hands and feet (Matt. 25:34-40; James 1:22-27; Gal. 5:22-25)
A community which shares the good news of Christ’s presence and work in their lives by serving the needs of others regardless of their beliefs, setting, or social standing. It is an attitude that shares the gospel with those who have not heard it through the actions of service and presence rather then words and dogmatics.
A church that exists of the community and not in the community
It is a church which reaches out and connects with all parts of the community rather then waiting for the community to come to it. So that small groups meet and engage in local coffee shops, gyms, and other social establishments. It participates, connects, and develops with community events and gatherings.
Perhaps I am just a dreamer!?
Small Group Christmas
It was about six years ago that Bonnie and I were introduced to a small group fellowship in McKenzie Towne Church. We felt God’s direction and comfort many times in that fellowship and it eventually turned into a passion that I carry with me in ministry. We have since then now belong to a small group in Oak Park Church but this Christmas we wanted to get the two groups together to celebrate the great things God has done in both of our fellowships.
The evening was great and we had a lot of fun sharing what has been happening in each others churches and lives. Being that Bonnie and I hadn’t seen some of them for quit some time, we felt a lot of joy catching up with them a planning future get togethers. God truly is a blessing as he has shown us through the many friends he brings into our lives!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken. “
Jeff’s Christmas Party
Last Saturday evening was a blast as we went to my good friend Jeff Keop’s Christmas party in the basement of Saint Albert the Great’s Catholic Church! Jeff’s music plan had fallen through so I asked if Freek from our church would be willing to fill in. We all felt that God was providing us an awsome opportunity to impact our community through the bands gift of music and boy were we right.
It was great!!! Never went quit as planned but always with the movement of his Spirit and everyone enjoyed it. I particularily liked the rendition of U2′s ‘I still havn’t found what I’m looking for’ as I am a U2 fan. Bonnie and I though, also enjoyed Cheryl’s ‘Huron Christmas’ solo. It was all beautiful!
Psalm 150
”Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
Rebirth of a Nation
It has been difficult to find time to write over the past little while with final papers coming up in the semester and balancing work with my internship. Here is a sermon with a Christmas twist that I wrote for this Monday mornings service. I wrote it from a passage I read in Nehemiah 8:
Verse 1 – “And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel.”
Are passage begins, “all the people gathered as one man”, one body, one community of equals. The Israelites saw something in one another that united them regardless of what struggles they had been through and the different places they may have come from.
Many of them were from different countries as their families had been split up through the exile that Babylon had led them into 100 years before. Some may have had Babylonian parents or been injured in far off places or in their travels to come back to the land of their Israelite ancestors. Their injuries may have made them crippled or disfigured some how recognizably different from those around them. Also many in this crowd may have been women and children each with their own unique world view and understanding of who they thought their ancestors where and what it meant to be Jewish. All of these people having different skills, trades, and talents. Some would be good with their hands and using carpentry tools. Others would be intellectually skilled and able to draw and plan out hopes and dreams for what the city could look like and provide for its people.
All these people with unique qualities, differences, and challenges, and character; and it says they gathered as one body and community! Verse 2-3: “So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, won the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.”
Then Ezra as a priest and a leader recognizes the peoples need. They gathered as one body but for what reason, what purpose do they have as being a Nation dedicated to God. Ezra took the words of scripture being what we understand as the first five books of the Bible and he brought it to the people to read to them. Believe it or not this was actually a radically revolutionary move which Ezra was taking. See in the traditional aspects of the Jewish temple practice, the scripture would never leave the temple ground area. This meant that the only way in which most would be able to see and hear it being read was if they were of pure Jewish blood and free from anything that was considered a physical infirmity.
Most of the people gathered in the square that day would typically in most cases never have seen or heard the scripture being read. Ezra knew this but instead listened to the voice of God inside him and he took the word to the people instead! It says that he then read to them for about 5 to 6 hours. Can you imagine that? 5-6 hours! I think that last passage took me what 5 minutes at most. Can you imagine having to stand there for 5-6 hours while I read to you? I mean, what if church was 5-6 hours long?
These people where hungry though for something greater then physical need. Listening to God’s word was not about a religious practice which had to fit into their daily schedule. It wasn’t like saying “Let’s get this finished cause I’ve got other things to do.” No, it took physical exertion to stand there and listen but it was worth it just to catch a glimpse, a moment to feel the same presence which Moses may have felt when God was telling him to write those words down. Verse 4: “And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose.”
It is this same point that leads into the next verse that I want us to really look at. The Israelites built a platform, a stage in which Ezra and the other leaders could stand on and read. This was a stage built not for Ezra specifically and not just for the others (please don’t make me try and say their names again) but the others to expound or exegete what Ezra had read. This was a stage which was meant to elevate and raise up the words of God that Ezra was speaking.
This is a profound respect not to who was on the stage or who was speaking but rather a respect and expectation as to what was being said. The Israelites were not seeking to hear Ezra or Nehemiah, or anyone else speak. They where seeking to hear God speak. They wanted to see, to hear, and to sense the very presence of God in the midst of their worship and devotion to his words. What they wanted to experience was a moment, a brief instance, of God’s presence. An epiphany! You may not know but I am in my fifth year at Alberta Bible College and I am getting ready to graduate next April. A lot of my thoughts have been drawn to what it is that God has planned for my wife Bonnie and I after graduation and more and more I feel God’s calling to be a part of a church plant. As I was thinking about the vision God keeps bring to my heart as to what this church plant would look like, I began asking what kind of a name would reflect this vision of Christian community. And it was this word which kept coming up in my mind. This word Epiphany. In most cases the word epiphany means to have a moment of enlightenment or a great thought. But, when I looked it up it surprised me to learn that the word epiphany’s primary meaning is: an appearance of God – the manifestation of a divine being.
It comes from the Greek word “epiphaneia” and get this – It can be a root to the name Emmanuel meaning God with us! And we can find it in: Matthew 1:23 – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel”
This Christmas we are surrounded by stages whether they are in our homes, in shopping malls, or even in our church. But the question is, who will you seek on that stage this season of Christmas? Will you seek your friends or family first? Will you seek a present or presents that you may be expecting? Or, will you seek Epiphany, Emmanuel, God’s gift to you of his presence? His Spirit of love, joy, peace, and grace? I pray we don’t forget the real treasure and meaning behind this Christmas and we as a community can come together, all of us as one body, as brothers and sisters, and together lift up God’s word made flesh in Christ Jesus and celebrate as a new people transformed to reflect his image! Amen!
Korea: Thinking of the Lost
I was up late last night reading a new book I had just picked up at Christian Pub. Like most of Philip Yancey’s books, I can’t put his new book ‘Prayer: Does it make a difference’ down. Last night though at 4:30 in the morning a particular story he was writing about touched me deeply.
It was a story about the Yokotas family; a Japanese family who’s daughter disappeared after badminton practice in 1977. Philip writes, “Sixteen years later, long after the Yokotas had resigned themselves to Megumi’s death, a North Korean defector made a stunning claim: a Japanese woman named Megumi, who played Badminton, was living in North Korea at a training institute for intelligence agents. Scores of Japanese, he said, had been kidnapped and forced to teach Korean spies the Japanese language and culture. He provided heart-rendering detail’s of Megumi’s abduction: agents had seized her, wrapped her in a straw mat, and rowed her to a waiting spy ship, where she had spent a night scratching against the hold with bloody fingers, crying “Mother!”
The story went on that the Koreans returned five of the abducties but sadly claimed that Megumi had hung herself and died while in their custody.
I connected instantly to this story as a few days ago I remembered reading an article in Christian Today’s news website. The article expressed many peoples concern that the United States push against Korea’s Nuclear program would delay and even cease their willingness to discuss these abductions and release their victim’s (for the full article click here).
Megumi’s mother has spent time talking with George Bush but my heart is divided. At what point is North America’s security of greater value then the pursuit of healing the open injustices that have already taken place in North Korea? Why has it taken so long for North America to respond to such injustices in that nation and why does it seem like the response only came when it involved North American interests?
I realize that these questions have no easy answers however, my heart sinks when I think of the affects American politics could have on individuals like Megumi. My hope is that Canada and the United States would not place their own political values and objectives over the value of seeking spiritual and national healing and justice for the PEOPLE of and in North Korea.
“Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matt. 10:31
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:35-39
Conversing Over Starbucks Coffee
After being on bed rest for a week and and half I was dieing for a ‘Starbucks’ Chai Latte so once I was finally on my feet I hit a good friend up to meet me for coffee over at the local cafe.
It was a great time to catch up and reflect on the future particularly in where ministry would take me after my internship. We had had this conversation before and remembering the dreams expressed then I realized my thoughts had become less abstract and intent on self desire and instead shifted to my desire to be respectful to the dreams that others might be following.
This being said, it struck a real cord as my friend began talking about the struggle he has between the characters of Joseph and that of King David. Joseph was quick to share his dream with his brothers and in doing so was sold by them into slavery. All of which was in the control and workings of God. On the opposite end, David did not boast of God’s anointing over him as king and instead remained quiet in respect to Saul. Then he posed the question, “At what point does God direct us to be submissive and quite out of respect or boastful of the dreams which he presents us?”
This question stuck with me after I left and as usual it wasn’t until later that I had some thoughts.
Is the characters of Joseph and David so distant as this question seems to presuppose? Although David remained respectful to Saul’s leadership, was he really so quiet about God’s anointing over his life? In short the answer seems to be no!
David even challenged Saul - ”After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.” - 1 Sam. 24:8-15. The dream he shared was clearly spoken to Saul without David holding back his tongue.
This would hardly be the first time or the last David spoke out to Saul! It does however still leave me in a bind. Where will God lead me following internship? Should my dreams and hopes for ministry be silenced to better serve the desires of the “church”? I continue to pray for answers.
And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” - Luke 19:39
Praying Through Psalm 31
“O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be put to shame. Rescue me, for you always do what is right. Bend down and listen to me; rescue me quickly.”
I have been locked away into a prison which seems inescapable Lord, and my heart has sunk deep. My mind and my spirit are free but my body cries out for your healing hand to bring redemption and my restoration.Be for me a great rock of safety, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
“You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this peril. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. I entrust my spirit into your hand.”
I can’t help but feel as though I were under spiritual attack. Evil could not repress my mind; it could not defeat my spirit, so it attacked my body. It could not silence my voice so it removed my presence from society. Lead me back to wholeness Jesus. Make me a strong warrior by your side once again allowing my presence with your people to communicate your love and desire for them; and my words to speak of your truth and justice.
“Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God. I hate those who worship worthless idols but I trust in the Lord. I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to my enemy but have set me in a safe place.”
Thank you Jesus, and I praise you for the great blessings you have surrounded me with at this time. You have richly blessed me with a wife who loves and cares for me greatly in my time of need. I could not overcome this suffering without her. I thank you for you have surrounded me with a community of friends who lift me in prayer, understanding, and thoughts. I am truly in a place of safety, blessing, and well being.
“Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. My sight is blurred because of my tears. My body and soul are withering away. I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Misery has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within.”
My heart is heavy Lord and I weep here in my place of rest. I long to be closer with my friends and family. I long to feel the fresh breeze of the wind and the openness of being outside. I long to feel once again like, “I make a difference!”
“I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors—even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they turn the other way. I have been ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot. I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror.”
This has been a great time of trial for me Jesus. My friends and family have shown great patients and understanding yet I am fearful. How can I explain my absence as this sore robes me of personal dignity? Please teach me Father how to get over my own pride and exemplify the humility in which you wish me to act.
“My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life. But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, save me.”
You have brought me a great distance Father! You have brought me to a place of wisdom, understanding, and great passion for your word and your presence in both mine and others lives. This is by far purely through you grace and your works and I trust that in this time of trial and this time of transition you will bring out a great vision of your works. Like the blooming of a flower or a hiker coming out of a narrow pass into the openness of a beautifully valley; I know this moment will pass into great purposes for your Kingdom.
“Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave. May their lying lips be silenced—those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.”
Do not let me fall pray to the words of the evil one speaking lies in my head. Instead let his deceit and rumors of impossible healing and threats of future attacks be sealed in silence.” Fill me with the courage of a great warrior that shouts, “Bring on your Goliaths, for my God is greater and mightier then them all!”
“Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.”
I am not alone in this trial Jesus, as you know many others who face this same battle. I praise you as you fight equally for them. Do not let their voices be squelched by depression, anguish, or the lies of evil attacks whether internal or external. Fill them also with the same sense of courage and strength you brought to me. Let their hearts also feel lifted, restored, and overflowing with dreams and visions of your promises and restoration of purpose and significance.
“Praise the Lord, for he has shown me his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. In sudden fear I had cried out, “I have been cut off from the Lord!” But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. Love the Lord, all you faithful ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes all who are arrogant. So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord!”
Praise be to you Jesus! You are my rock and my salvation! There is light at the end of the tunnel and my time of imprisonment is drawing to a close. I thank you with every part of my existence Father, for hearing my prayers. You are truly great and awesome! It is in your name Jesus that I say this truly and verily!
Amen! Amen!
Expressions
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years By Donald Miller
Follow Me to Freedom By Shane Claiborne & John Perkins
Journey to Significance By Neil Cole
Organic Leadership By Niel Cole
Sacrilege By Hugh Halter
Forge Canada
Friend of Missional
Missional Apologetics
The Missional Network
Verge Network
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