My Sister in Papua New Guinea

This is my Sister April, and her family "The Markleys". They are missionaries with New Tribes Mission. Right now, they are living among the Dinangat people, learning the language to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Please pray for them as they work hard to preach the Gospel to these people. If all goes as planned, they could start teaching the Bible lessons next fall!! Jeremiah, April, Jordan and Judah would sure appreciate your prayers.

Real Fun

I remember when I was 8 yrs old growing up in South Boston, the funnest thing we used to do was twist the cap off of the firehydrant across the street and fill the street and the school yard with water. Cars would come by and we'd spray them with water, the police would come by and we'd blame the kids down the street. For a while the police would just screw the cap back on the hydrant and we'd take it off during the next heat wave. Then one day, the police put a chain on the cap, and the fun stopped. Wally Sanberg down the street got a wrench and tried to twist the chain off, but it didn't work. Sometimes I think the rules, limitations, boundaries, schedules, and programming put on the ministry of the Gospel is like a chain. It's so easy (especially as a churchman), to assume God can only work on church property during the appropriate times (namely 10am on Sundays and 6pm on Wednesdays).
For example, there is a volunteer in our youth ministry that works with children with special needs (but especially one). The one is a boy that has been abandoned by his parents, and has basically every excuse in the world to act like a tyrant in class (and he does). This boy has slapped her in the face, pulled her hair, and called her dirty names. But, this lady knows the power of God and the need for prayer. She is continually showing this boy unconditional love (the kind that God shows us when we are kicking and screaming), in hopes that one day he will know that love can only come from God (who is love). She is a true missionary.
My point is that I think we church programmers (i.e. pastors, ministers etc.) need to release more of our church members as missionaries (even if it means some programs suffer for the sake of the lost being reached) Our church members already have their own mission fields (work, school etc.), so why do we try and pull them out to fill the roles?
May we take the Great Commission seriously and make disciples rather than recycle weary church-goers. Go get them...Go-Go-Go!!!

The Epitemy of Humility

So Phil and Shelley were over one night to watch another exciting episode of "24". Since there's no commercial breaks when you're watching a T.V. series on DVD, no one wants to be the one to make everyone pause the movie for a pottie break. But eventually Phil caved. While he was in there, I decided to limp to the kitchen for more coffee. Phil emerged from the lavitory with a coy smile on his face and I thought to myself "He really had to go" or "Oh no, I left the shower seat out of the tub in plain view!" Yes, it's true. For a period of time I had to submit to taking a shower on the above seat. But I assure you, it was only a short period of time that I HAD to use the shower seat (by the way, thanks Nana), now it is purely by choice whether or not I use the seat. Don't look at me like that, eventually we'll all be there. I'm not gonna make fun of you, so wipe the smile off your face!

Phil 3:21 "who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself."

Hasten that Day Lord!