Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Worth Celebrating!









Location: Program Office, Sighisoara, Romania (Nearly 5am on the 18th of November)

Yes, of course, at times I pay for these early morning moments of paradise in Sleeping Sighisoara. But they are so wonderful that they are worth it! I get to spend such good, uninterrupted time with our Lord in prayer and in reading His Word, and I get to invite you into a little bit of my life.

Before I forget, I have a prayer request. One of our team members was very uncomfortable the last several days, and she found out yesterday that she is having some heart problems. She is very scared, and they are doing some tests. Please join me in praying for T.M.

Thank you for praying for my church. The congregation had a significant and encouraging weekend as they pray about and act toward splitting with their current denominational affiliation. However, though standing for what is right is good and encouraging, it is sad that it has to happen at all. Please continue to pray for us, that we might be a godly church. Please pray for the Church as a whole, that it might not be a denomination or a set of traditions, but that it might truly be a group of people around the world who are in an intimate relationship of grace with our Lord, Jesus.

Yes, it is good to celebrate, and it is good count our blessings. You will remember that I attended a Romanian birthday party on Sunday night; now you can see that I attended another on Monday night! I am a bit puzzled, because it seems that Romanians have a very different and much mellower idea of "party" than other parts of the world, though I do not think I have ever seen anyone stand in an apartment with fireworks shooting out of their cake! That must be where they stuff all the excitement! Our fire marshals in the States would love that!

Are you wondering what the other pictures are? On Sunday night, I was wondering what I was hearing since there were only a couple of us in the house. I looked out the window to see two horses with a cart parked only a few feet below me, and some men were unloading firewood. If you use your imagination, you might be able to pick out the horses in the dark. It is probably not something you see everyday when you look out your window. I wanted to be like Zorro and drop out the window, free my steeds from their harnesses and ride off standing on their backs! Instead, I took a couple of pictures for you! How is that for exciting?

More profoundly, I wanted to tell you about the village of V. Monday we had a great visit there. One lady came out yelling at us in Romanian that I did not really understand; evidentally it was our fault that her kids were skipping school to come to our program each week! But we encouraged the kids to go to school, and ended up in her home, praying for her baby with a club foot. Then we proceeded to visit six or eight more homes, praying for a boy with problems in his genital-area, for a boy with feet turned in toward each other, for a child sick in the hospital, for other illnesses, and for the families in general. It was great experience, and the first time I really spent significant time in their tiny homes/shacks. It is such an honor for them, but even more of an honor for me!

During the visit, we were "skiing" through the mud, though I managed to stay upright. I cannot say the same for a boy that was with us--he fell flat on his back when some dogs scared him, completely disguising his backside with a mud bath. One the way out of the farm yard, a huge turkey was "chasing" him out--it was hilarious! Another little girl showed us her puppy, and after she told me its name, she told me that it actually had two names--mine was its second name!

Yesterday, we had a good program there, and the local pastor (whom we had met the day before) made an appearance. We were also surprised by a visit from my choir director, whom I had invited but was not expecting that same day! It was our goodbye day, our last official program for the fall and for many of us who will be moving on after this semester, and it was good. I have a special heart for the people of V., because that is where I have done the most visits, and God is truly at work among the people there. Please pray for them.

We had a little bit of a problem with an angry parent at the very end of our day yesterday, and our team handled it quite well. But God encouraged me through it. While the tirade was happening, one mother said my name. I had not heard what she said, and when I asked her, she said, "J. loves our kids!" She was acknowledging that even though someone was angry, she recognized our love for the people, especially their children. How rewarding that was for me, to learn that at least some of the people could see the love of Jesus through us!

I am an encourager, as you well know, but we all need encouragement. I want to thank you, because I have recently been encouraged very much by you. The most important thing you can give me is your prayers, and you have been doing so! One group of the Body of Christ set aside a special time of prayer for me on Monday night (back in Indiana)--another did the same a month or two ago. I have also been flooded with prayers and hellos from my home church, which I greatly appreciate! It is easy to feel forgotten sometimes--out of sight and out of mind. Who I am is only because of the Jesus who lives in me. What I do is only because of His strength in me, working through your prayers! It would probably be impossible for me to be here and to do what I do if I did not have the Church behind me and under me, supporting me and lifting me up in prayer! Thank you so very much! Multumesc foarte mult!
You know, I was told yesterday that some of thing transformations I long to see in the Church are impossible. And I agree--we cannot do it! But with a God who is able to do immeasurably more than anything we can ask or imagine, I can dream big! Maybe I am naive or idealistic, but if I see these prayers answered, I will be able to testify with all my heart that no man accomplished such change! Pray big--my life has shown me that our God is greater than the greatest prayers we can pray!

I have posted several things recently; please scroll down to at least glance at the invitation, the word picture, etc. I also plan to post a story soon, after I proofread it. It has a hard message in it, so take it with a grain of salt. It is not aimed at anyone in particular, or based on a specific circumstance, but it is a warning to the Church as a whole, one that greatly impacted me a few years ago when the Lord first warned me. Remember, nothing else matters--not even "good" things, "good" deeds", nor "good" people--if you do not know Jesus, if He does not know you!

I bless you on this Wednesday! I had a great conversation yesterday about what God is doing in this city. I encourage you today to look to see what He is doing in your city, thank Him for it, and join Him in it!
Posted by at

A Rose From Home

A Rose From Home

My Story (As prepared for my church congregation this spring--2009)


I have a story to tell you. I am the main character, but the story is not about me. I have traveled several parts of the world, but my adventure has been closer to home. I am twenty-six years old. My story begins like many of yours…

I grew up going to church. I had been born into a family who labeled themselves “Christian,” in a country that labels itself “Christian.” Every Sunday found me attending a worship service and Sunday school in a mainline denomination church. I served as an acolyte, attended Vacation Bible School, helped my dad count and record the offering money, sang in the youth choir, was a leader in the youth group, and occasionally served as liturgist. Baptized as an infant, I was confirmed at the age of twelve, thus becoming an “official” member of the church. Then, hurt by the church, my family left to find another.

Have you ever been hurt by the Church?

After months of searching, we settled into a very large independent church. Things were different there, and I was quickly welcomed and at home among new friends that truly had a passion for Jesus. The Word of God was taught boldly from the pulpit, and I was introduced to a missions-aware lifestyle. So it was with regret that I said goodbye only a couple of years later to move with my family to another church. I purposely remained aloof, not wanting to make new friendships before I left for college a year later. Besides, I was loosing my faith—or so I thought—and I didn’t want anyone to know. I was asking scary questions like “Is there really a God?” and, if so, “Is He the Christian God?” and “Would I be Christian if I had been born in another part of the world?”

Have you ever asked yourself unsettling questions about what you believe?

So I headed into college under a cloud of confusion that only worsened for the next two years. Though I didn’t know what I believed anymore, I continued to go to church every Sunday, and to help lead worship in chapel. Most importantly, even during this questioning, I continued my morning habit of daily study of the Bible. I had begun at age twelve, reading at first a chapter per day, then ten minutes each morning, then an half-hour, and so on. So, only by the grace of the very God I doubted, I remained anchored in His Word and in His community, though I felt like a fake most of the time. Since then I have learned that “fake” is the worst insult the world can give us; that is why the label of “hypocrite” is so offensive.

Have you ever felt like a fake?

Six weeks with missionaries in South Africa followed by a year in France began to teach me what life with God is all about. I began rebuilding my faith, this time it belonged to me, in contrast to me borrowing the faith of my parents, church, or anyone else. In my parent’s basement in 2003, on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, I invited Jesus to live in me; perhaps I had done so before, but I didn’t recall—but since 2003, I have never forgotten that moment. Unfortunately, nothing changed. I continued to do my best to act like a Christian, as I had done for so long.

Have you ever found yourself “doing your best” to be a good person, or to act like a Christian?

Though I did not realize it at the time, I was quenching the Spirit, even though I had welcomed Him into my life. During the next few years, the LORD continued to nurture me, and slowly things began to change. Several tough months in Idaho birthed my prayer-life. I spent three years being humbled in a job that was my informal seminary training. In 2007, a short stint in Mexico helped me to see things as they were, and not long afterward, I was baptized by immersion. No baptism of any kind can save a lost soul—only Jesus can do that. However, this baptism was an important covenant between me and God, symbolizing not only my death and resurrection with Jesus and my public profession of faith, but it also my life change, the beginning of my bearing fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit…”according to Luke 6:44. During the past year and a half, the LORD has provided me with an informal pastoral internship in my church, teaching me every aspect of discipleship. Simultaneously, I have been studying unceasing prayer and worship. I am now very different than I was five years ago.

In the Book of Acts (which tells the story of the earliest years of the Church) every time a person decided to follow Christ, two things took place—though not always in the same order. Each person experienced a life change, which I call the “baptism of repentance,” as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which I call the “baptism of the Spirit.” Looking back, I realize that the Holy Spirit was living in me in 2003, but it wasn’t until I surrendered everything to God, as represented by my immersion, that I allowed the Spirit to have His way in me and transform my life. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)”

Have you invited Jesus to live in you? Have you allowed the Spirit to transform your life?

I tell you this story for two reasons. First, I tell this story in order to boast in the LORD! May God our Father get all praise and glory forever! Second, I tell this story because it is relevant to you. Likely you have heard that I am leaving the country: I have let my light shine before you; please let your light shine within the Church, too! This congregation is in revival, and as each of you allows the Spirit to revive you, the entire Church will be revived and utterly transformed, to the glory of the Most High God. And for His glory is the reason He created us; the reason He sent His only Son to reveal Himself to us; the reason He became Sin for us and died for us on the cross—while we were still sinners; and the reason that He conquered death and offered us eternal life with Him.

It will cost you a lot—in fact, it will cost you everything, your very life. But if you have never surrendered your life to Christ Jesus, if you have never invited Him to send His Spirit into you and to transform your life, then do it right now. Just let go of everything to which you are desperately clinging; stop trying to do it yourself! This is the very reason you are still breathing in this physical life—God has been delaying His judgment of this sinful world because He is waiting for you—2 Peter 3:9 says He wants none to perish!

If you have already invited the Spirit into your life, then live like it! Bear fruit! Anyone and everyone who meets you or knows you or sees you or hears you should know immediately and clearly that Jesus the Christ lives in you and loves them! That is how stark the contrast should be between your life and the world around you!

Have you immersed yourself in God’s Word and in prayer in the last twenty-four hours?

If you call yourself a follower of Christ, then there is no excuse for not communing with Him daily! Anchor yourself in the Word! God has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Bible is a complete and accurate record of that revelation. And prayer is humbly letting Him love us. Let Him love you! God doesn’t need us, but He wants us! God doesn’t need us to live for Him—He wants to live in and through us! Let us love and fellowship with one another, even when you disagree! Pray for each other—the names in the church directory are a great place to start! Church, we are not only the Body of Christ, but we are the Bride of Christ. We have allowed ourselves to get bedraggled and stained—now let us stand to the glory of God! Let’s let Him purify us, restore us, and love us!

My dear Brothers and Sisters, if you have ever once been blessed by God our Father at work in me, then I urge you, please, take seriously His desire to love and work in you, beyond anything you can ask or imagine! I have told you the beginning of my story—may it end in glory to the Father, in the Name of Jesus, by way of His Spirit.

Now, what is your story?