Good Morning,
Happy first day of February. For those of you who live outside the USA, this coming Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. It is the culmination of the season, where the two, arguably, best teams in the NFL face off to prove to the world that they are the best of the best. Janice and Jeremy, who live in Boston have become avid fans of the New England Patriots. They are training Micah and Simeon to be Patriots' fans as well. The Giants and the Patriots are the 2 teams playing in the Super Bowl and, while they both are in this final game of the season, their roads to get there have been very different. To most fans, it came as somewhat of a surprise for the Giants to be one of the final 2 teams, while the Pats have gone undefeated all year long; no one has beaten them. The Giants have had quite a mountain to overcome.
Speaking of mountains, we read in Matthew 17:1-8, "And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He was still speaking when behold a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.' When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them saying, 'Rise and have no fear.' And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only."
Aside from it being Super Bowl Sunday, it is also known as Transfiguration Sunday in our liturgical Christian calendar, a day to remember this remarkable event, and look at how it impacts us and what effect is has on us today as Christians and followers of Jesus Christ. So, what is it that we need to know about the Transfiguration to apply this to our daily walk?
1. This was an eyewitness account. The disciples had struggled with and not really understood some of Jesus’ teachings the week before, primarily the aspect of his upcoming death. In chapter 6 verse 22 Peter is the one who stood up and said, “Far be it from you Lord! This shall never happen to you!” This was a confusing and troubling lesson that Jesus was trying to teach his disciples, but they just were not getting it. So Jesus took Jesus, James, John, and Peter up to the top of Mt. Hermon, and there His divine nature was revealed to them. These 3 disciples could not really be effective ministers after the resurrection until they truly knew that Jesus has ALL the power and ALL the authority. It is from this encounter that they were able to later say, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us and WE HAVE SEEN his glory” –John 1:14 “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but WE WERE EYEWITNESSES of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,' WE OURSELVES HEARD this very voice born from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain” –2 Peter 1:16-18
Having an eyewitness is very important. We talk much about Faith in our Christian culture, and the Bible gives us the definition of this in Hebrews 11:1, that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”, but the Bible also gives us the historical eye-witness account of what really happened by the men and women who were there.
The first point here is that we have disciples of Jesus, telling us, “Yes, this happened to me, I was there, I saw it, I heard it”. They are our eyewitnesses, and through our faith we believe. The end of verse 5 gives us words from God regarding Jesus, “Listen to him”. The Greek word used here for to listen means more than to just hear, it means to understand and live accordingly. There is a call to a higher ideal of knowledge and understanding that is acted out in the way that we live. Are we listening to him today? Are we hearing what He is telling us? Has Jesus changed your life? If so, then you have been changed from the inside out. Just as the light was radiating from within Jesus, so a light radiates from within us as children of Christ, and it is up to us how we show this light to others.
2. How we show this light leads us into the 2nd point of how we can apply the transfiguration in our daily lives today. The Bible mentions 11 different mountains by name, and on each mountain something amazing happened. On Mt. Hermon was the transfiguration we are talking about today, Moses met with God more than once on Mt. Sinai, Abraham’s faith was tested to the extreme on a Mount Moriah when he was told to sacrifice his son, Isaac. It seems that on the mountaintops it is easier to hear God’s words for us and to be closer to him. We all have these same mountains in our lives today, (not that we are out climbing mountains, though some more adventurous than I do), but figuratively speaking. My marriage, the birth of my children, my salvation, answering a call into ministry - those have all been mountaintops in my life. Those are all experiences that I would have loved to dwell in and bask in and soak up for as long as possible. This is what Peter wanted also. Verse 4 Peter is ready to pitch some tents, make a monument, and probably send John down the mountain to catch dinner while having James build a fire. Why? Because he realized that he was in the presence of something very special, and he wanted that to last.
Jesus, however, knew that it could not last and it should not last; there was something that needed to happen after this great event on the mountaintop, and there is something that needs to happen in our lives after our great mountaintop experiences. “But you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” –Acts 1:8
We cannot be effective witnesses while we are still on the mountain. We have to come down off our mountain and, often times, head down even lower into the valley, to share our testimony. The Bible uses mountaintop experiences to bring us to God’s glory and presence, but He also uses the valleys to bring this testimony to those who need to hear it. “Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself” – I John 5:10 What we need to say to witness to others is within us already. We just need to come down off our mountain.
Even after such a remarkable transfiguration and discourse with Moses and Elijah, Jesus was still approachable to his disciples, and he is just as approachable today, through prayer. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”- Hebrews 4:16
Despite our humanness, despite our sins, despite our sickness, despite our frailty, we can still take our needs to him with confidence because he is approachable. Through this approaching he will offer mercy, grace, and help in our time of need. The throne is always open. Jesus is not out chasing us to himself; he is waiting for us to come to him. “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” –James 4:8 We could all stand to draw a little nearer today.
Pray for my sister-in-law, Lalamani, wife of my brother Patel, who lives in India. She has come down with malaria.
Pray for the family of Juanita Griffin, who died very suddenly this week. She was a member of our local school board for over 30 years, and chairman for several years of that time.
Our annual couples' banquet will be held on Saturday, February 16. Dr. George Miller, former president of Davis College, will be speaking.
The Jeremiah People will be in concert on Saturday, February 23, at 7:00 PM. They will present a program which incorporates music, drama, comedy, and dance, all in such a way as to point people to the Lord.
Please pray for our friends, Larry and Jane, in Georgia as Larry seeks a new position of employment there.
Pray for the weekly television outreach ministry, on Cable Channel 4, tonight at 7 PM.
Pray for our friend Lauren Helveston, in Atlanta, who recently had surgery.
Have a wonderful day!
Brown
Friday, February 1, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Brown's Daily Word 1-31-08
Good Morning,
Praise the Lord for this brilliant new day, the last day of January, a gift from the Lord. In the Gospel of John we have a record seven miracles performed by our Lord. They are called signs. The first miracle our Lord performed was done in the setting of a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. There was emptiness, but the Lord brought about fullness in abundance.
We serve a Lord that specializes in filling emptiness! In John 2, He filled some empty wash pots at a wedding feast, a village event that the whole city came out for in those days. Here's the background: there was a festive mood until the unthinkable happened. The host ran out of wine and the people began to scurry about, whispering about the problem, until the whole crowd knew and the host was embarrassed! The Lord allowed them to scramble for a while before bringing the solution. He allowed them to feel their emptiness and inadequacy. He waited until they ran out of options, and then He took empty water pots, filled them with water, and then worked the miracle! He took control of the situation.
He is the Christ in every crisis. Jesus is the Joy of man's desiring. The joy that the world has to offer is just temporary. It always runs out, and the result is always a void left over - emptiness. But the joy of the Lord is ever new and ever satisfying! The Joy of the Lord is our strength.
The world offers you its best at first until you get hooked, and then it’s all downhill from there. Somebody once said, “The best day you’ll ever spend in sin is the 1st day.” The bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. But Jesus gives a miraculous joy that never ends. He gives us His best from the start, and somehow, miraculously, makes the joy grow and get even better! Truly, every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before, and the longer we serve Him the sweeter He grows!
Jesus took water pots that were used in those days for external washing, and made them useful for something internal, something deeper and more satisfying. He created something fulfilling, and He used emptiness to do it! We serve a Lord that specializes in filling emptiness!
George Mueller exemplified emptiness of self. Known for his great prayer life, he was often asked about it. He once answered, “there was a day when I died…I died to George Mueller, his opinions, his preferences, his tastes, his will…I died to the world and it’s approval…I died to the approval of my friends…and since then I have studied only to be approved unto God!” Total, complete surrender and intimacy with Christ go hand in hand!
William Booth, the founder of Salvation Army, was asked for the secret of his success. With tears he answered, “God has had all there was of me to have. There have been men with greater opportunities, but I made up my mind that God was going to have all there is of William Booth. If there is truly any power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has had all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.” Nothing blinds our spiritual vision like self-will! Nothing clears our spiritual vision like total surrender!
May Jesus, our Lord and Savior, fill our emptiness and heal our brokenness.
In Him,
Brown
Hi Pastor Brown,
Thank you so much for praying for us. L. and I enjoyed talking on the phone with you. A week ago Friday you sent out a message on Joseph. I think I told you that a few years ago, the Lord put it on my heart to pray that L. would be like Joseph and that God would grant him success in whatever he did and in the fullness of time God would raise him up. Your message that day was very encouraging to us. On that Friday, L. met with a builder to provide information on Levitt and Sons so they could make an informed decision on whether or not to buy it. They were very pleased with all his information and gave him a very generous consulting fee that can carry us another 6 or 7 weeks. He was also interviewed for a position with the company that would be a big promotion if he got it. We thought this was God’s answer for us but we have not heard anything. Please pray for Greg and Tom who would be over that decision. It is a big disappointment to not get it but then we know by faith that the Lord has something better in store. I am so glad we met in the Poconos. I can’t imagine life without Pastor Brown. You’re a blessing. I just spent quite a bit of time catching up on your e-mails. I feel uplifted.
God Bless you.
Love,
J.
"HIS MERCIES ENDURETH FOREVER"
Today I saw Dr. Kloss and he seemed quite amazed that my blood counts were excellent. Everything was above average and my platelets were 418,000 which he said was wonderful. He suggested I continue with the maintenance program which is 3 weeks of chemo and then my next PET scan. I asked him if he would be surprised if the tumor is gone and he said not really. We took that to mean that our faith would bring it about. Just the way he said it led us to that feeling. In any event, I started what I believe to be my last series of chemo, God willing. I feel stronger and my faith even stronger that physically. All those who agree with me and Jo for my healing, please stand up.
God bless all of you for continuing to hold me up to the ruler of this universe. I wish I could give you all a great big hug.
Jack
Praise the Lord for this brilliant new day, the last day of January, a gift from the Lord. In the Gospel of John we have a record seven miracles performed by our Lord. They are called signs. The first miracle our Lord performed was done in the setting of a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. There was emptiness, but the Lord brought about fullness in abundance.
We serve a Lord that specializes in filling emptiness! In John 2, He filled some empty wash pots at a wedding feast, a village event that the whole city came out for in those days. Here's the background: there was a festive mood until the unthinkable happened. The host ran out of wine and the people began to scurry about, whispering about the problem, until the whole crowd knew and the host was embarrassed! The Lord allowed them to scramble for a while before bringing the solution. He allowed them to feel their emptiness and inadequacy. He waited until they ran out of options, and then He took empty water pots, filled them with water, and then worked the miracle! He took control of the situation.
He is the Christ in every crisis. Jesus is the Joy of man's desiring. The joy that the world has to offer is just temporary. It always runs out, and the result is always a void left over - emptiness. But the joy of the Lord is ever new and ever satisfying! The Joy of the Lord is our strength.
The world offers you its best at first until you get hooked, and then it’s all downhill from there. Somebody once said, “The best day you’ll ever spend in sin is the 1st day.” The bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. But Jesus gives a miraculous joy that never ends. He gives us His best from the start, and somehow, miraculously, makes the joy grow and get even better! Truly, every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before, and the longer we serve Him the sweeter He grows!
Jesus took water pots that were used in those days for external washing, and made them useful for something internal, something deeper and more satisfying. He created something fulfilling, and He used emptiness to do it! We serve a Lord that specializes in filling emptiness!
George Mueller exemplified emptiness of self. Known for his great prayer life, he was often asked about it. He once answered, “there was a day when I died…I died to George Mueller, his opinions, his preferences, his tastes, his will…I died to the world and it’s approval…I died to the approval of my friends…and since then I have studied only to be approved unto God!” Total, complete surrender and intimacy with Christ go hand in hand!
William Booth, the founder of Salvation Army, was asked for the secret of his success. With tears he answered, “God has had all there was of me to have. There have been men with greater opportunities, but I made up my mind that God was going to have all there is of William Booth. If there is truly any power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has had all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.” Nothing blinds our spiritual vision like self-will! Nothing clears our spiritual vision like total surrender!
May Jesus, our Lord and Savior, fill our emptiness and heal our brokenness.
In Him,
Brown
Hi Pastor Brown,
Thank you so much for praying for us. L. and I enjoyed talking on the phone with you. A week ago Friday you sent out a message on Joseph. I think I told you that a few years ago, the Lord put it on my heart to pray that L. would be like Joseph and that God would grant him success in whatever he did and in the fullness of time God would raise him up. Your message that day was very encouraging to us. On that Friday, L. met with a builder to provide information on Levitt and Sons so they could make an informed decision on whether or not to buy it. They were very pleased with all his information and gave him a very generous consulting fee that can carry us another 6 or 7 weeks. He was also interviewed for a position with the company that would be a big promotion if he got it. We thought this was God’s answer for us but we have not heard anything. Please pray for Greg and Tom who would be over that decision. It is a big disappointment to not get it but then we know by faith that the Lord has something better in store. I am so glad we met in the Poconos. I can’t imagine life without Pastor Brown. You’re a blessing. I just spent quite a bit of time catching up on your e-mails. I feel uplifted.
God Bless you.
Love,
J.
"HIS MERCIES ENDURETH FOREVER"
Today I saw Dr. Kloss and he seemed quite amazed that my blood counts were excellent. Everything was above average and my platelets were 418,000 which he said was wonderful. He suggested I continue with the maintenance program which is 3 weeks of chemo and then my next PET scan. I asked him if he would be surprised if the tumor is gone and he said not really. We took that to mean that our faith would bring it about. Just the way he said it led us to that feeling. In any event, I started what I believe to be my last series of chemo, God willing. I feel stronger and my faith even stronger that physically. All those who agree with me and Jo for my healing, please stand up.
God bless all of you for continuing to hold me up to the ruler of this universe. I wish I could give you all a great big hug.
Jack
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Brown's Daily Word 1-30-08
Good Morning.
We are called to a life of dedication, sacrifice, and service. Our youth recently attended a youth event called Excel. One of the themes for the conference was sacrifice and service. As expounded in 2 PETER 1:5-11, we are called to a life diligence and virtue.
5 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
This coming Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. Football is a big American pastime. For those who live outside the USA, the sport Americans know as Football is totally different than the football played around the world. This Sunday the New England Patriots meet the New York Giants for the Championship of the National Football League. This will be the 42nd Annual Super Bowl game. The focus will be on excellence on the football field.
Peter, however, calls for excellence in our moral character.
I read recently about the man who is credited with inventing the sport of football.
Amos Alonzo Stagg was born in 1862 in West Orange, New Jersey, during the early stages of the Civil War. His devotion to hard work produced success both in the classroom and on the athletic fields during his youth. At the same time, he sharpened his spiritual obedience in the Presbyterian church. Acting on the guidance of trusted mentors - his pastor, Sunday school teacher, and sister - Stagg enrolled at Yale University intent on becoming a Presbyterian minister. There Stagg excelled at baseball and football, earning recognition on the first All-American football team. His pitching abilities secured him lucrative offers from Major League baseball clubs, but the sport’s hard-drinking reputation and his love for amateur competition persuaded him to pass it by. He still wanted to become a pastor, but Stagg struggled to express his faith in front of large groups. Stagg was a quiet man who spoke with a soft voice. During one conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, he eavesdropped on legendary university evangelist John Mott, who asked an associate why Stagg "simply can’t make a talk."
Stagg had no such problems living his faith, however, and decided to pursue coaching. He accepted his first job out of college in 1888 as head football coach at the School of Christian Workers, a YMCA training school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Anchoring the center of his offensive line was none other than James Naismith, another Christian sports innovator. Naismith bounced his ideas about the new game of "basketball" off Stagg, who was prevented by a prior engagement from playing in that sport’s landmark first game. When the 30-year-old Stagg was offered the head-coaching position at the University of Chicago in 1892, he told the university president, "After much thought and prayer, I decided that my life can best be used for my Master’s service in the position you have offered."
In Amos Alonzo Stagg’s day, college administrators were more concerned about academics than sports. Few of them saw any value in athletic competition. However, Stagg’s vision for football’s ability to impart virtue to its participants led to the violent sport’s acceptance by cautious college administrators. Teamwork, sacrifice, and determination would aid colleges in their mission to develop well-rounded Christian men, Stagg argued. As head coach Amos Alonzo Stagg invented the tackling dummy, numbered jerseys, huddles, athletic letters, and men in motion. When the forward pass became legal in college football, he had 64 such plays ready to spring upon unsuspecting adversaries. Stagg was more than just a technical innovator, though. He placed athletics within the Biblical teachings of Christ and His church.
In his first two decades as coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg’s Maroons dominated the Big Ten, which the school helped found under a different name in 1896. On campus, Stagg’s celebrity rivaled that of the distinguished university’s Nobel Prize winners. Stagg’s employers also detected the fledgling sport’s knack for attracting media attention and strengthening alumni bonds. Football provided a means for developing commitment to a cause.
Amos Alonzo Stagg coached until he was 98, finishing with a record of 314 wins 199 losses and 35 ties. In 1965, Stagg died at the age of 103. Much of his success can be attributed to his high expectations, both on and off the field. He viewed football as a grand tool in developing biblical manhood. Stagg demanded from his players’ hard work, intense focus, and sacrifice for the team. Coaching was his contribution to the body of Christ. "Win the athletes of any college for Christ," Stagg said, "and you will have the strongest working element attainable in college life." His overall approach to coaching defined the role as more than just strategizing.
Were Stagg to watch today’s Super Bowl game, he might not recognize the sport he helped craft more than a century ago. But is the game really so different? Stagg saw in every missed field goal a test of faith, in every struggle at the line of scrimmage the fire of character growth. Teamwork, he believed, fashions the bonds of Christ-like love, shaping the soul to receive the gospel. That’s the game of football Amos Alonzo Stagg fashioned. Amos Alonzo Stagg had moral courage!
Jesus expects moral excellence in all of us! That means that we must come before Him and allow Him to cleanse us of all moral defects, of all failures, of all sins.
In Him ,Who makes all things beautiful in His time. In Him we are more than conquerors.
Brown
click here to view video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8BA-82kVR4
We are called to a life of dedication, sacrifice, and service. Our youth recently attended a youth event called Excel. One of the themes for the conference was sacrifice and service. As expounded in 2 PETER 1:5-11, we are called to a life diligence and virtue.
5 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
This coming Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. Football is a big American pastime. For those who live outside the USA, the sport Americans know as Football is totally different than the football played around the world. This Sunday the New England Patriots meet the New York Giants for the Championship of the National Football League. This will be the 42nd Annual Super Bowl game. The focus will be on excellence on the football field.
Peter, however, calls for excellence in our moral character.
I read recently about the man who is credited with inventing the sport of football.
Amos Alonzo Stagg was born in 1862 in West Orange, New Jersey, during the early stages of the Civil War. His devotion to hard work produced success both in the classroom and on the athletic fields during his youth. At the same time, he sharpened his spiritual obedience in the Presbyterian church. Acting on the guidance of trusted mentors - his pastor, Sunday school teacher, and sister - Stagg enrolled at Yale University intent on becoming a Presbyterian minister. There Stagg excelled at baseball and football, earning recognition on the first All-American football team. His pitching abilities secured him lucrative offers from Major League baseball clubs, but the sport’s hard-drinking reputation and his love for amateur competition persuaded him to pass it by. He still wanted to become a pastor, but Stagg struggled to express his faith in front of large groups. Stagg was a quiet man who spoke with a soft voice. During one conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, he eavesdropped on legendary university evangelist John Mott, who asked an associate why Stagg "simply can’t make a talk."
Stagg had no such problems living his faith, however, and decided to pursue coaching. He accepted his first job out of college in 1888 as head football coach at the School of Christian Workers, a YMCA training school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Anchoring the center of his offensive line was none other than James Naismith, another Christian sports innovator. Naismith bounced his ideas about the new game of "basketball" off Stagg, who was prevented by a prior engagement from playing in that sport’s landmark first game. When the 30-year-old Stagg was offered the head-coaching position at the University of Chicago in 1892, he told the university president, "After much thought and prayer, I decided that my life can best be used for my Master’s service in the position you have offered."
In Amos Alonzo Stagg’s day, college administrators were more concerned about academics than sports. Few of them saw any value in athletic competition. However, Stagg’s vision for football’s ability to impart virtue to its participants led to the violent sport’s acceptance by cautious college administrators. Teamwork, sacrifice, and determination would aid colleges in their mission to develop well-rounded Christian men, Stagg argued. As head coach Amos Alonzo Stagg invented the tackling dummy, numbered jerseys, huddles, athletic letters, and men in motion. When the forward pass became legal in college football, he had 64 such plays ready to spring upon unsuspecting adversaries. Stagg was more than just a technical innovator, though. He placed athletics within the Biblical teachings of Christ and His church.
In his first two decades as coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg’s Maroons dominated the Big Ten, which the school helped found under a different name in 1896. On campus, Stagg’s celebrity rivaled that of the distinguished university’s Nobel Prize winners. Stagg’s employers also detected the fledgling sport’s knack for attracting media attention and strengthening alumni bonds. Football provided a means for developing commitment to a cause.
Amos Alonzo Stagg coached until he was 98, finishing with a record of 314 wins 199 losses and 35 ties. In 1965, Stagg died at the age of 103. Much of his success can be attributed to his high expectations, both on and off the field. He viewed football as a grand tool in developing biblical manhood. Stagg demanded from his players’ hard work, intense focus, and sacrifice for the team. Coaching was his contribution to the body of Christ. "Win the athletes of any college for Christ," Stagg said, "and you will have the strongest working element attainable in college life." His overall approach to coaching defined the role as more than just strategizing.
Were Stagg to watch today’s Super Bowl game, he might not recognize the sport he helped craft more than a century ago. But is the game really so different? Stagg saw in every missed field goal a test of faith, in every struggle at the line of scrimmage the fire of character growth. Teamwork, he believed, fashions the bonds of Christ-like love, shaping the soul to receive the gospel. That’s the game of football Amos Alonzo Stagg fashioned. Amos Alonzo Stagg had moral courage!
Jesus expects moral excellence in all of us! That means that we must come before Him and allow Him to cleanse us of all moral defects, of all failures, of all sins.
In Him ,Who makes all things beautiful in His time. In Him we are more than conquerors.
Brown
click here to view video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8BA-82kVR4
Brown's Daily Word 1-30-08
Good Morning.
We are called to a life of dedication, sacrifice, and service. Our youth recently attended a youth event called Excel. One of the themes for the conference was sacrifice and service. As expounded in 2 PETER 1:5-11, we are called to a life diligence and virtue.
5 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
This coming Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. Football is a big American pastime. For those who live outside the USA, the sport Americans know as Football is totally different than the football played around the world. This Sunday the New England Patriots meet the New York Giants for the Championship of the National Football League. This will be the 42nd Annual Super Bowl game. The focus will be on excellence on the football field.
Peter, however, calls for excellence in our moral character.
I read recently about the man who is credited with inventing the sport of football.
Amos Alonzo Stagg was born in 1862 in West Orange, New Jersey, during the early stages of the Civil War. His devotion to hard work produced success both in the classroom and on the athletic fields during his youth. At the same time, he sharpened his spiritual obedience in the Presbyterian church. Acting on the guidance of trusted mentors - his pastor, Sunday school teacher, and sister - Stagg enrolled at Yale University intent on becoming a Presbyterian minister. There Stagg excelled at baseball and football, earning recognition on the first All-American football team. His pitching abilities secured him lucrative offers from Major League baseball clubs, but the sport’s hard-drinking reputation and his love for amateur competition persuaded him to pass it by. He still wanted to become a pastor, but Stagg struggled to express his faith in front of large groups. Stagg was a quiet man who spoke with a soft voice. During one conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, he eavesdropped on legendary university evangelist John Mott, who asked an associate why Stagg "simply can’t make a talk."
Stagg had no such problems living his faith, however, and decided to pursue coaching. He accepted his first job out of college in 1888 as head football coach at the School of Christian Workers, a YMCA training school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Anchoring the center of his offensive line was none other than James Naismith, another Christian sports innovator. Naismith bounced his ideas about the new game of "basketball" off Stagg, who was prevented by a prior engagement from playing in that sport’s landmark first game. When the 30-year-old Stagg was offered the head-coaching position at the University of Chicago in 1892, he told the university president, "After much thought and prayer, I decided that my life can best be used for my Master’s service in the position you have offered."
In Amos Alonzo Stagg’s day, college administrators were more concerned about academics than sports. Few of them saw any value in athletic competition. However, Stagg’s vision for football’s ability to impart virtue to its participants led to the violent sport’s acceptance by cautious college administrators. Teamwork, sacrifice, and determination would aid colleges in their mission to develop well-rounded Christian men, Stagg argued. As head coach Amos Alonzo Stagg invented the tackling dummy, numbered jerseys, huddles, athletic letters, and men in motion. When the forward pass became legal in college football, he had 64 such plays ready to spring upon unsuspecting adversaries. Stagg was more than just a technical innovator, though. He placed athletics within the Biblical teachings of Christ and His church.
In his first two decades as coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg’s Maroons dominated the Big Ten, which the school helped found under a different name in 1896. On campus, Stagg’s celebrity rivaled that of the distinguished university’s Nobel Prize winners. Stagg’s employers also detected the fledgling sport’s knack for attracting media attention and strengthening alumni bonds. Football provided a means for developing commitment to a cause.
Amos Alonzo Stagg coached until he was 98, finishing with a record of 314 wins 199 losses and 35 ties. In 1965, Stagg died at the age of 103. Much of his success can be attributed to his high expectations, both on and off the field. He viewed football as a grand tool in developing biblical manhood. Stagg demanded from his players’ hard work, intense focus, and sacrifice for the team. Coaching was his contribution to the body of Christ. "Win the athletes of any college for Christ," Stagg said, "and you will have the strongest working element attainable in college life." His overall approach to coaching defined the role as more than just strategizing.
Were Stagg to watch today’s Super Bowl game, he might not recognize the sport he helped craft more than a century ago. But is the game really so different? Stagg saw in every missed field goal a test of faith, in every struggle at the line of scrimmage the fire of character growth. Teamwork, he believed, fashions the bonds of Christ-like love, shaping the soul to receive the gospel. That’s the game of football Amos Alonzo Stagg fashioned. Amos Alonzo Stagg had moral courage!
Jesus expects moral excellence in all of us! That means that we must come before Him and allow Him to cleanse us of all moral defects, of all failures, of all sins.
In Him ,Who makes all things beautiful in His time. In Him we are more than conquerors.
Brown
Click here to view video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8BA-82kVR4
We are called to a life of dedication, sacrifice, and service. Our youth recently attended a youth event called Excel. One of the themes for the conference was sacrifice and service. As expounded in 2 PETER 1:5-11, we are called to a life diligence and virtue.
5 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
This coming Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. Football is a big American pastime. For those who live outside the USA, the sport Americans know as Football is totally different than the football played around the world. This Sunday the New England Patriots meet the New York Giants for the Championship of the National Football League. This will be the 42nd Annual Super Bowl game. The focus will be on excellence on the football field.
Peter, however, calls for excellence in our moral character.
I read recently about the man who is credited with inventing the sport of football.
Amos Alonzo Stagg was born in 1862 in West Orange, New Jersey, during the early stages of the Civil War. His devotion to hard work produced success both in the classroom and on the athletic fields during his youth. At the same time, he sharpened his spiritual obedience in the Presbyterian church. Acting on the guidance of trusted mentors - his pastor, Sunday school teacher, and sister - Stagg enrolled at Yale University intent on becoming a Presbyterian minister. There Stagg excelled at baseball and football, earning recognition on the first All-American football team. His pitching abilities secured him lucrative offers from Major League baseball clubs, but the sport’s hard-drinking reputation and his love for amateur competition persuaded him to pass it by. He still wanted to become a pastor, but Stagg struggled to express his faith in front of large groups. Stagg was a quiet man who spoke with a soft voice. During one conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, he eavesdropped on legendary university evangelist John Mott, who asked an associate why Stagg "simply can’t make a talk."
Stagg had no such problems living his faith, however, and decided to pursue coaching. He accepted his first job out of college in 1888 as head football coach at the School of Christian Workers, a YMCA training school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Anchoring the center of his offensive line was none other than James Naismith, another Christian sports innovator. Naismith bounced his ideas about the new game of "basketball" off Stagg, who was prevented by a prior engagement from playing in that sport’s landmark first game. When the 30-year-old Stagg was offered the head-coaching position at the University of Chicago in 1892, he told the university president, "After much thought and prayer, I decided that my life can best be used for my Master’s service in the position you have offered."
In Amos Alonzo Stagg’s day, college administrators were more concerned about academics than sports. Few of them saw any value in athletic competition. However, Stagg’s vision for football’s ability to impart virtue to its participants led to the violent sport’s acceptance by cautious college administrators. Teamwork, sacrifice, and determination would aid colleges in their mission to develop well-rounded Christian men, Stagg argued. As head coach Amos Alonzo Stagg invented the tackling dummy, numbered jerseys, huddles, athletic letters, and men in motion. When the forward pass became legal in college football, he had 64 such plays ready to spring upon unsuspecting adversaries. Stagg was more than just a technical innovator, though. He placed athletics within the Biblical teachings of Christ and His church.
In his first two decades as coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg’s Maroons dominated the Big Ten, which the school helped found under a different name in 1896. On campus, Stagg’s celebrity rivaled that of the distinguished university’s Nobel Prize winners. Stagg’s employers also detected the fledgling sport’s knack for attracting media attention and strengthening alumni bonds. Football provided a means for developing commitment to a cause.
Amos Alonzo Stagg coached until he was 98, finishing with a record of 314 wins 199 losses and 35 ties. In 1965, Stagg died at the age of 103. Much of his success can be attributed to his high expectations, both on and off the field. He viewed football as a grand tool in developing biblical manhood. Stagg demanded from his players’ hard work, intense focus, and sacrifice for the team. Coaching was his contribution to the body of Christ. "Win the athletes of any college for Christ," Stagg said, "and you will have the strongest working element attainable in college life." His overall approach to coaching defined the role as more than just strategizing.
Were Stagg to watch today’s Super Bowl game, he might not recognize the sport he helped craft more than a century ago. But is the game really so different? Stagg saw in every missed field goal a test of faith, in every struggle at the line of scrimmage the fire of character growth. Teamwork, he believed, fashions the bonds of Christ-like love, shaping the soul to receive the gospel. That’s the game of football Amos Alonzo Stagg fashioned. Amos Alonzo Stagg had moral courage!
Jesus expects moral excellence in all of us! That means that we must come before Him and allow Him to cleanse us of all moral defects, of all failures, of all sins.
In Him ,Who makes all things beautiful in His time. In Him we are more than conquerors.
Brown
Click here to view video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8BA-82kVR4
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Brown's Daily Word 1-29-08
Good Morning,
Praise the Lord for the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord. Praise the Lord for the seasons in the life of the Church. The season of Lent begins on February 7, 2008. We will celebrate Easter on the March 23. This is one of the earliest dates on which Easter falls. I was told that the next time Easter falls on such early date in March will be after another 100 years. The first Sunday of February is Transfiguration Sunday. Just a week before the Transfiguration Jesus was in the region of Caesarea Philippi. We read about this glorious event in Mathew 16.
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" [14] They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." [15] "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" [16] Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [17] Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. [18] And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Caesarea Philippi was located some 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee and 40 miles southwest of Damascus, on a beautiful plateau near the headwaters of the Jordan River. A few miles to the north, snow-covered Mount Hermon rises to a height of more than 9,000 feet above sea level. On clear days the majestic mountain can easily be seen from northern Galilee towns such as Capernaum, Cana, and Nazareth. Caesarea Philippi had been considered the northernmost boundary of the Promised Land; it was the last outpost of Israel and had always been especially susceptible to pagan influence. This location offered Jesus and the disciples welcome relief from the hot Galilean lowlands and from the pressure of the Jewish leaders and the threat from Herod Antipas.
From Luke 9:18 we learn that Jesus posed His all-important question to the disciples just after He had spent time praying alone, and from Mark 8:27 that the group had not yet arrived in the city of Caesarea Philippi proper but were passing through some of the villages on the outskirts. At the crossroads of paganism, heathenism, and Judaism, the story begins when Jesus had taken his disciples into a remote area to spend time alone with them. They had been together, at this point, for about two and a half years. They had heard His teachings and had seen Him work hundreds and hundreds of miracles. And now, as they were alone with Him, He asked them a question. (13) “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (14) “They replied, "Some say, John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
It’s interesting that Jesus was compared to these three men. Many people believed that Jesus was one of these great men raised from the dead. His preaching was similar to the preaching of these great prophets. People who believed Jesus might be one of these great prophets were paying him a compliment and setting him in a high place, but the place was not high enough. He was more than a prophet. So Jesus asked his disciples a pressing question. He said, (15) “But what about you? ... Who do you say I am?”
When Jesus asked His disciples “Who do you say I am?”, it was Peter who spoke up. He said, (16) “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said,That’s exactly right, Peter. That’s who I am.”
This is the question that Jesus asks each one of us, “Who do YOU say that I am?” It’s a question we all must answer, because it determines our destiny not only for this life, but for all eternity as well. The Christian life begins with this confession, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
In the book of Romans, Paul explains, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) When you make a declaration of faith in Jesus Christ -- when you proclaim him as your Lord -- God will use you to build his church, he will use to change the world, and You are Entrusted with Blessings.
(19) “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Jesus entrusts the blessing to us by giving us the keys to the kingdom. Jesus is telling Peter--and all of us who are believers---that we have been made stewards of God’s kingdom. We have been given the keys to the kingdom in order to open the door--to unlock it--so that others may come in.
Binding and loosing - Scholars debate about how these phrases should be translated. The verbs are written in the future perfect passive tense, and therefore, can be translated "whatever you bind on earth SHALL HAVE BEEN bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth, SHALL HAVE BEEN loosed on earth." In other words, we are doing the "binding and loosing" in response to God’s will, not our own whim. It is at HIS DIRECTION that we bind and loose. As we act in obedience to His will we are entrusted with His blessings.
This is another example of our stewardship responsibility, or the spiritual management of our life. He has given us the authority and the responsibility to do his will; it’s a job we must take seriously. New Testament scholar Craig Bloomberg said it this way, “God has delegated his authority to the church, such a glorious blessing, in which He entrusts His power to us as we take the initiative to bring more and more people into His eternal kingdom...” Craig Bloomberg
We therefore must understand this spiritual truth, We have been entrusted with an eternal blessing, and as a result, we MUST take the initiative to introduce as many people as we can to the LIFE OF Jesus CHRIST in order that they may choose to say, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” and join us in personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
In His Blessings,
Brown
click here to view video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je-wFV4M9MU
Praise the Lord for the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord. Praise the Lord for the seasons in the life of the Church. The season of Lent begins on February 7, 2008. We will celebrate Easter on the March 23. This is one of the earliest dates on which Easter falls. I was told that the next time Easter falls on such early date in March will be after another 100 years. The first Sunday of February is Transfiguration Sunday. Just a week before the Transfiguration Jesus was in the region of Caesarea Philippi. We read about this glorious event in Mathew 16.
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" [14] They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." [15] "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" [16] Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [17] Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. [18] And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Caesarea Philippi was located some 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee and 40 miles southwest of Damascus, on a beautiful plateau near the headwaters of the Jordan River. A few miles to the north, snow-covered Mount Hermon rises to a height of more than 9,000 feet above sea level. On clear days the majestic mountain can easily be seen from northern Galilee towns such as Capernaum, Cana, and Nazareth. Caesarea Philippi had been considered the northernmost boundary of the Promised Land; it was the last outpost of Israel and had always been especially susceptible to pagan influence. This location offered Jesus and the disciples welcome relief from the hot Galilean lowlands and from the pressure of the Jewish leaders and the threat from Herod Antipas.
From Luke 9:18 we learn that Jesus posed His all-important question to the disciples just after He had spent time praying alone, and from Mark 8:27 that the group had not yet arrived in the city of Caesarea Philippi proper but were passing through some of the villages on the outskirts. At the crossroads of paganism, heathenism, and Judaism, the story begins when Jesus had taken his disciples into a remote area to spend time alone with them. They had been together, at this point, for about two and a half years. They had heard His teachings and had seen Him work hundreds and hundreds of miracles. And now, as they were alone with Him, He asked them a question. (13) “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (14) “They replied, "Some say, John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
It’s interesting that Jesus was compared to these three men. Many people believed that Jesus was one of these great men raised from the dead. His preaching was similar to the preaching of these great prophets. People who believed Jesus might be one of these great prophets were paying him a compliment and setting him in a high place, but the place was not high enough. He was more than a prophet. So Jesus asked his disciples a pressing question. He said, (15) “But what about you? ... Who do you say I am?”
When Jesus asked His disciples “Who do you say I am?”, it was Peter who spoke up. He said, (16) “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said,That’s exactly right, Peter. That’s who I am.”
This is the question that Jesus asks each one of us, “Who do YOU say that I am?” It’s a question we all must answer, because it determines our destiny not only for this life, but for all eternity as well. The Christian life begins with this confession, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
In the book of Romans, Paul explains, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) When you make a declaration of faith in Jesus Christ -- when you proclaim him as your Lord -- God will use you to build his church, he will use to change the world, and You are Entrusted with Blessings.
(19) “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Jesus entrusts the blessing to us by giving us the keys to the kingdom. Jesus is telling Peter--and all of us who are believers---that we have been made stewards of God’s kingdom. We have been given the keys to the kingdom in order to open the door--to unlock it--so that others may come in.
Binding and loosing - Scholars debate about how these phrases should be translated. The verbs are written in the future perfect passive tense, and therefore, can be translated "whatever you bind on earth SHALL HAVE BEEN bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth, SHALL HAVE BEEN loosed on earth." In other words, we are doing the "binding and loosing" in response to God’s will, not our own whim. It is at HIS DIRECTION that we bind and loose. As we act in obedience to His will we are entrusted with His blessings.
This is another example of our stewardship responsibility, or the spiritual management of our life. He has given us the authority and the responsibility to do his will; it’s a job we must take seriously. New Testament scholar Craig Bloomberg said it this way, “God has delegated his authority to the church, such a glorious blessing, in which He entrusts His power to us as we take the initiative to bring more and more people into His eternal kingdom...” Craig Bloomberg
We therefore must understand this spiritual truth, We have been entrusted with an eternal blessing, and as a result, we MUST take the initiative to introduce as many people as we can to the LIFE OF Jesus CHRIST in order that they may choose to say, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” and join us in personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
In His Blessings,
Brown
click here to view video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je-wFV4M9MU
Monday, January 28, 2008
Brown's Daily Word 1-28-08
Good Morning,
Praise the Lord. He is the Christ in every crisis. He is the Lord in every situation. He is Mighty and Merciful. He made the Lord God, who is invisible and Eternal, visible. He is at work in time and space.
The world in which we live is one of tremendous contrasts and contradictions. No wonder we are baffled by it! For every step forward toward peace there seems to be a terrorist a round the bend. The astonishing beauty of nature is set against the ugliness of war, disease and famine. The same sky that one day is a painted picture of the colors of the sunset is also the scene of a destructive hurricane. It’s a fair question to ask God, "Why?" Mankind is clearly the culprit for some of life’s misfortunes, brought about by our own bad choices, neglect, greed and irresponsible behavior. Yet, beyond this there are circumstances not in our control, leaving us helpless.
The story of Christ stilling the storm is rich in meaning for helping us to make sense of this life with Jesus as our Savior and Companion. Here we meet the unpredictable and learn how to cope with it. Those who have witnessed a storm on the Sea of Galilee tell how the geography contributes to its violence. The inland lake is over 600 feet below sea level and surrounded by hills and mountains. Particularly in the evening, winds are funneled down the sides of the slopes onto the lake. Without a moment’s warning, the wind whips up a sudden storm which, equally suddenly, may calm down. What can we learn from this life-parable?
Surely it teaches that Jesus does not promise a trouble-free life. It’s not that tribulation may come, nor even that it will come, but that it must come Jesus told His followers, "The Son of Man must suffer ... If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:22,23). Trouble is not merely a ’possibility’; it’s part and parcel of our Christian pilgrimage. It is something we must learn to confront. When the storms of life come, it’s easy for a person’s Christian commitment to waver and to accuse God of being the cause of all the troubles. The story of the storm on Galilee was preserved to tell the disciples of Jesus, of whatever generation, whether of the 1st or the 21st century, that being with Jesus won’t guarantee a life of plain sailing, free from trials and tribulations.
Christians are as vulnerable as anyone else, and they are not isolated from the fragility of nature, physical or mental illness, and sudden bereavement. It is certain that there is no automatic immunity for the believer. Some of these unpleasant things happen to Christians of great faith. I don’t understand why they happen but I know that they do. Often, in the goodness and providence of God we are spared, but we cannot take it for granted that we will be spared. Notice it was Jesus who said, "Let’s go over to the other side of the lake." He could have gone by land but chose to go by water. In doing so, he was inviting the disciples to follow Him, and to take the risk "of those who go down to the sea in ships." We, as modern day disciples, must follow where He leads, even when He leads us into dangers and difficulties. There’s no land bridge into heaven; the sea of life must be crossed.
Jesus and the disciples were at the end of a busy day and looking forward to some rest when they encountered the unexpected hazard of the storm. The word translated "storm" generally means "an earthquake" - some mighty force that had stirred up the placid lake into a violent frenzy. We are told, "they were in great danger." A commentator suggests that the storm was an attack of the powers of darkness to snuff out Jesus before His life’s work was done. Who knows? It certainly indicates an occurrence out of the ordinary .
The disciples were on a steep learning curve as to the reality of Jesus. He had generally held back from demonstrating His divine nature and power because He had yet to come to the crux of His mission in the Cross and Resurrection, which were to be the grounds for believing faith. But here was an opportunity for them and for us to take a step forward in the life of faith. This incident is evidence that Jesus has power over the forces of nature. This should not surprise us when we remember what Scripture tells us. The opening verses of John’s Gospel states: "Through him all things were made" (1:3); He is the Creator God. The apostle Paul confirms Christ’s supremacy in creation: "For by him all things were created ... by him and for him ... and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:15-17).
The story of the stilling of the storm is only one example of how He can work out solutions to the needs of His people. It’s true that this one had the happiest of endings but if we read the account of the Early Church we find cases where the divine answer was not miraculous. Some of the choicest of saints were recorded as being ill and they stayed ill. Some were imprisoned and executed for the sake of the Gospel. There’s also the famous account of a great storm that raged for fourteen days and ended with Paul being shipwrecked.
Jesus may not give the kind of victory we expect, but He will always overcome trouble in some way if we ask Him. His answer in trying circumstances may be relief; but it may equally be endurance. His answer in illness may be health; but it may be courage instead. He may plan a rescue from the jaws of death, or permit bereavement and give new hope with it. He calls on us to trust in His providential grace and find, as the apostle Paul did, that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37).
No doubt Jesus was tired after a long day of ministry to the "large crowd" so that "as they sailed he fell asleep." The disciples were spellbound as Jesus showed He was master of the situation. He was so much in control that even at the height of the storm He could be in peaceful sleep. Contrast with Jesus' calm the panic shown by the disciples, even though some of them were experienced fishermen. The awe of the disciples was beyond words. "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Some have wondered whether the recorded words of Jesus, "Peace be still," although addressed to the waves, could also have been directed to the frantic disciples. Jesus, the God of Creation, who could calm the elements, was equally able to bring peace to the troubled passengers on the boat.
That same power is still available to the "ship" known as the church. The disciples "went and woke Jesus, ’Master, Master, we’re going to drown!" They were at their wit’s end, but not at faith’s end. We have the same Savior to turn to when life turns against us. It helps to have a powerful father. The disciples didn’t stand on ceremony - they were desperate.
The story tells us that Jesus awoke and brought calm in the most dramatic way. He used the situation as the opportunity to teach the disciples what it means to be in relationship with Him. "Where is your faith?" he asks. Only three words from the lips of Jesus were required, "Quiet! Be still!" They were enough to bring the raging sea to a dead calm. In response to Jesus asking them about faith, the disciples responded with another question, "Who is this?" He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." This is what Jesus was after. The key words are "Who is this?" The incident of the stilling of the storm was part of the process of answering the question, "Who is this?" The disciples still had much to learn about Jesus and His mission to become the Savior of the world but it was an important step in their spiritual pilgrimage. The question, "Who is this?" was being continually answered by Jesus as He gave them further insights through His words and actions leading up to His Passion and Resurrection. The process of understanding for disciples of all ages is to lead to a transfer of faith away from self and direct it to the Lord. The purpose of this story for today is for us to think seriously on the question, "Who is this?", and to know for ourselves that Jesus is truly God with the power to save, and to trust more and more of our lives to Him. Yes, He is able to help us to "ride the waves of life."
In Christ,
Brown
News From Orissa , India
Wednesday January 23, 2008
INDIA: HINDU NATIONALISTS PLAN TO REVIVE TENSIONS IN ORISSA STATE
Christians told to convert or die after Christmas attacks; extremists plot ‘Mission 2008.’
NEW DELHI, January 23 (Compass Direct News) – Amid reports of forced conversion of Christians to Hinduism following an unprecedented spate of violence over Christmas in Orissa state’s Kandhamal district, federal intelligence sources have warned churches of the likelihood of more attacks.
The intelligence department intercepted a letter by an extremist of a Hindu nationalist (Hindutva) group stating members will renew efforts to spark tensions in Kandhamal district and neighboring Chhattisgarh state, said Father Babu Joseph, spokesman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI).
According to a fact-finding team of the Orissa state chapter of the All India Christian Council, the violence killed at least four Christians and burned 730 houses and 95 churches in the days following last Christmas Eve. Hundreds of displaced Christians in Kandhamal are in various relief camps set up by the state government, where at least two people have died recently due to ailments.
Joseph told Compass that the letter, written by an extremist of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Murari Lal, and sent to his colleague, Saudan Singh, reveals that the Hindutva group has planned an effort to create more tensions for Christians called “Mission 2008.”
Church leaders, added Joseph, have been asked to remain alert.
Lal, who was identified as an RSS worker in Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh state, named and praised several Hindutva outfits for their “good work” in the letter.
“Our Mission 2008 and its confidential meeting took place successfully,” the letter says, according to the Daily News and Analysis (DNA) newspaper. Our hope is to create Gujarat [state] type communal frenzy in Orissa.”
Gujarat is seen as the Hindu extremist Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) “laboratory of Hindutva.” In 2002, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP colleagues allegedly allowed Hindu extremists to carry out anti-Muslim violence in which at least 2,000 people, mainly Muslims, were killed.
“We have begun a program to create communal tension by using the cow issue,” adds the letter, originally written in Hindi language. As cows are considered sacred by Hindus, extremists portray Christians and Muslims as “cow eaters,” besides accusing them of conversions and terrorism.
“In Jashpur and Sarguja districts [of Chhattisgarh state],” the letter says, “we have created a very good environment against Muslims and Christians. Adivasis [tribal people] have also started a front against foreign missionaries … This time even the Congress [Party] is supporting us.”
The letter also says there is a need to install statues of Hindu gods Hanuman and Shankar, which tribal people “recognize faster.”
“We need to install the statues as early as possible to make adivasis Hindus,” it says.
Tribal people or aboriginals in India are not Hindu. Most tribal people groups have their own faiths, mainly animistic.
RSS leader Ram Madhav, however, claimed in DNA that his organization had no role in the violence. “The RSS does not support any violence,” he said.
Christians fear the incidence of persecution will increase this year as legislative elections are expected in 10 states, including three states ruled by the BJP – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan (See Compass Direct News, “Christians Fear More Violence in Election Year,” January 15).
Convert or Die
Although the spate of violence began in Kandhamal on December 24 and subsided in about a week, special armed forces continued to be deployed in affected areas at press time.
The Times of India newspaper reported on Tuesday (January 22) that the 700 officers of Central Reserve Police Force deployed during the week of violence would remain in Kandhamal till March 15.
Despite the presence of federal armed forces and local police, however, reports surfaced of forced conversion of Christians to Hinduism.
A local Christian source from the Indian Evangelical Team ministry told Compass on condition of anonymity that such conversions have taken place in at least four villages after the initial violence.
“In Jargi village, 41 out of the 45 families from my church became Hindu due to pressure and threats,” said the local source. “Extremist elements forced the Christians to break their church with their own hands, and now a temple will be constructed at the site.”
In Mardudi village, pastor Dibakar Digal and his wife were forced to drink cow urine and apply vermillion on their foreheads, declaring themselves Hindu. They were threatened that if they did not convert, they would be killed.
While 18 Christian families were converted in a similar fashion in Kambarkia village, nine families were converted in the same way in Dandikia village.
UCA News (UCAN) also reported on Tuesday (January 22) that Orissa Christians had been given a “convert or die” ultimatum.
“There was no other way than to convert to Hinduism,” a Christian youth, Sumant Digal, from Gochhapada village, told UCAN. Extremists had threatened to kill him and torch his house if he did not become a Hindu.
“Several people told UCA News in mid-January that although the violence had subsided, Hindu fanatics continued to threaten Christians in interior villages,” stated the UCAN report. “The radicals want Christians to convert to Hinduism or leave the area, and they threaten to kill those who do not comply.”
The Catholic news agency quoted another Christian, Pusali Digal, from Jemapadar village, as saying, “Reconvert or die, or leave the place, was the option given to me and my family.”
Deaths in Relief Camps
Dr. Sajan K. George, national president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, told Compass that two Christians died due to unknown ailments in Kandhamal relief camps.
Pastor Hari Digal died in the Baliguda relief camp on Monday (January 21), and a church elder, Kujura Digal, died in a camp in Barakhama two days earlier, said George, who was in Kandhamal at press time.
Houses of both Christians had been destroyed in the violence.
“The two Christians could not bear the trauma of being attacked and the loss of their houses,” said George, adding that he had urged the state government to improve facilities at the relief camps.
Violence Preplanned, Organized
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM), which sent a team of two representatives to Kandhamal district, said on January 17 that the violence was “organized and preplanned.”
Additionally, the New Indian Express newspaper reported that the NCM team “maintained that the large-scale violence was because of the inaction of the administration.”
But Hindutva groups, mainly the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP), dismissed the NCM report, saying it was “one-sided,” added the newspaper. The VHP is connected with the RSS, which allegedly planned and organized the Christmas violence.
Earlier, a fact-finding team led by Dr. John Dayal, member of the National Integration Council and a Christian leader, had also said the violence was carried out in a planned manner. (See Compass Direct News, “Fact-Finding Mission Suggests India Violence Was Preplanned,” January 4.)
The NCM team also criticized the state government for not giving sufficient compensation to the victims of the violence. In apparent response to the NCM report, the state government increased compensation to be given to victims.
Financial assistance for reconstruction of destroyed houses has been revised from 40,000 rupees (US$1,009) to 50,000 rupees (US$1,261), while 200,000 rupees (US$5,044) each will be provided for schools, hospitals and hostels damaged in the violence, the New Indian Express reported today.
END
"I wanted to write everybody to share what God is foing. First, my dad is doing very well in his healing process. God is so good. Not only is He healing my dad but He is giving him the strength in spirit, soul and body. God is also really watching over my mom and holding her in His hands also. Second, God is truly moving in both my daughters, Misty and Danielle. Thru man's eyes it may look like He isn't doing anything and that the enemy is having a hay day. However, I know better. I see God moving and drawing both of them back to Himself. I have faith in knowing that He knows exactly what He is doing and what He is after in both of them and knows just how to get it. Third, my sister and her daughter and son experienced a loss in their lives this past week when a very close relative took his own life. At the same time, a new life entered this world as my nephew and his girlfriend had a healthy baby daughter. We don't understand on this side of heaven why things happen but God in His mercy and compassion does. Fourth, Marcos is doing wonderful. God has really been moving in an awesome way in his life. I shared with Marcos last night what God showed me in my conversation with my wonderful Father. We are all going thru the refiners fire and being transformed into the likeness of our Lord Jesus. Just like Shadrak, Meschak and Abednego (probably spelled wrong), we need only to keep our focus on our wonderful Lord and Savior who is with us and we only need to trust Him, lean on Him, depend on Him and BELIEVE He is able to do above and beyond all that we could ever ask or think. It is hard at times to sit back and watch someone you love hurting and suffering, and in my many years of gaining experience at becoming a professional co-dependent, I want to jump right in and relieve the pain and hurt. God has been very merciful in His grace upon me to keep me from doing that. He is teaching me to discern what I am to do. He has given me such peace and reassurance in knowing that He knows where each person is at and is always faithful to meet each of us at that point. We can all be going thru different circumstances and need something different from God and He is able to meet each of our needs, as different as they are, all at the same time. Is He not awesome? All we have to do is reach up and He will then reach down the rest of the way. Lastly, I will be going into the hospital on Friday for surgery and would ask that you all stand in prayer that God directs the hands of the surgeon and I have a quick recovery. I am trusting and believing that it will not be so much recovery as a time to spend with my Father. To be renewed, refined and refreshed in my spirit, soul and body. Marcos wants to be with me on Friday to give me and be to me what a husband is to a wife, however if he is unable to my Jesus will be holding my hand and walking me thru. I only want to honor God and for Him alone to be glorified thru me.
May all of you being richly blessed thru our awesome Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our God is ever so faithful and I love Him so much."
Sandy
Praise the Lord. He is the Christ in every crisis. He is the Lord in every situation. He is Mighty and Merciful. He made the Lord God, who is invisible and Eternal, visible. He is at work in time and space.
The world in which we live is one of tremendous contrasts and contradictions. No wonder we are baffled by it! For every step forward toward peace there seems to be a terrorist a round the bend. The astonishing beauty of nature is set against the ugliness of war, disease and famine. The same sky that one day is a painted picture of the colors of the sunset is also the scene of a destructive hurricane. It’s a fair question to ask God, "Why?" Mankind is clearly the culprit for some of life’s misfortunes, brought about by our own bad choices, neglect, greed and irresponsible behavior. Yet, beyond this there are circumstances not in our control, leaving us helpless.
The story of Christ stilling the storm is rich in meaning for helping us to make sense of this life with Jesus as our Savior and Companion. Here we meet the unpredictable and learn how to cope with it. Those who have witnessed a storm on the Sea of Galilee tell how the geography contributes to its violence. The inland lake is over 600 feet below sea level and surrounded by hills and mountains. Particularly in the evening, winds are funneled down the sides of the slopes onto the lake. Without a moment’s warning, the wind whips up a sudden storm which, equally suddenly, may calm down. What can we learn from this life-parable?
Surely it teaches that Jesus does not promise a trouble-free life. It’s not that tribulation may come, nor even that it will come, but that it must come Jesus told His followers, "The Son of Man must suffer ... If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:22,23). Trouble is not merely a ’possibility’; it’s part and parcel of our Christian pilgrimage. It is something we must learn to confront. When the storms of life come, it’s easy for a person’s Christian commitment to waver and to accuse God of being the cause of all the troubles. The story of the storm on Galilee was preserved to tell the disciples of Jesus, of whatever generation, whether of the 1st or the 21st century, that being with Jesus won’t guarantee a life of plain sailing, free from trials and tribulations.
Christians are as vulnerable as anyone else, and they are not isolated from the fragility of nature, physical or mental illness, and sudden bereavement. It is certain that there is no automatic immunity for the believer. Some of these unpleasant things happen to Christians of great faith. I don’t understand why they happen but I know that they do. Often, in the goodness and providence of God we are spared, but we cannot take it for granted that we will be spared. Notice it was Jesus who said, "Let’s go over to the other side of the lake." He could have gone by land but chose to go by water. In doing so, he was inviting the disciples to follow Him, and to take the risk "of those who go down to the sea in ships." We, as modern day disciples, must follow where He leads, even when He leads us into dangers and difficulties. There’s no land bridge into heaven; the sea of life must be crossed.
Jesus and the disciples were at the end of a busy day and looking forward to some rest when they encountered the unexpected hazard of the storm. The word translated "storm" generally means "an earthquake" - some mighty force that had stirred up the placid lake into a violent frenzy. We are told, "they were in great danger." A commentator suggests that the storm was an attack of the powers of darkness to snuff out Jesus before His life’s work was done. Who knows? It certainly indicates an occurrence out of the ordinary .
The disciples were on a steep learning curve as to the reality of Jesus. He had generally held back from demonstrating His divine nature and power because He had yet to come to the crux of His mission in the Cross and Resurrection, which were to be the grounds for believing faith. But here was an opportunity for them and for us to take a step forward in the life of faith. This incident is evidence that Jesus has power over the forces of nature. This should not surprise us when we remember what Scripture tells us. The opening verses of John’s Gospel states: "Through him all things were made" (1:3); He is the Creator God. The apostle Paul confirms Christ’s supremacy in creation: "For by him all things were created ... by him and for him ... and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:15-17).
The story of the stilling of the storm is only one example of how He can work out solutions to the needs of His people. It’s true that this one had the happiest of endings but if we read the account of the Early Church we find cases where the divine answer was not miraculous. Some of the choicest of saints were recorded as being ill and they stayed ill. Some were imprisoned and executed for the sake of the Gospel. There’s also the famous account of a great storm that raged for fourteen days and ended with Paul being shipwrecked.
Jesus may not give the kind of victory we expect, but He will always overcome trouble in some way if we ask Him. His answer in trying circumstances may be relief; but it may equally be endurance. His answer in illness may be health; but it may be courage instead. He may plan a rescue from the jaws of death, or permit bereavement and give new hope with it. He calls on us to trust in His providential grace and find, as the apostle Paul did, that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37).
No doubt Jesus was tired after a long day of ministry to the "large crowd" so that "as they sailed he fell asleep." The disciples were spellbound as Jesus showed He was master of the situation. He was so much in control that even at the height of the storm He could be in peaceful sleep. Contrast with Jesus' calm the panic shown by the disciples, even though some of them were experienced fishermen. The awe of the disciples was beyond words. "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Some have wondered whether the recorded words of Jesus, "Peace be still," although addressed to the waves, could also have been directed to the frantic disciples. Jesus, the God of Creation, who could calm the elements, was equally able to bring peace to the troubled passengers on the boat.
That same power is still available to the "ship" known as the church. The disciples "went and woke Jesus, ’Master, Master, we’re going to drown!" They were at their wit’s end, but not at faith’s end. We have the same Savior to turn to when life turns against us. It helps to have a powerful father. The disciples didn’t stand on ceremony - they were desperate.
The story tells us that Jesus awoke and brought calm in the most dramatic way. He used the situation as the opportunity to teach the disciples what it means to be in relationship with Him. "Where is your faith?" he asks. Only three words from the lips of Jesus were required, "Quiet! Be still!" They were enough to bring the raging sea to a dead calm. In response to Jesus asking them about faith, the disciples responded with another question, "Who is this?" He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." This is what Jesus was after. The key words are "Who is this?" The incident of the stilling of the storm was part of the process of answering the question, "Who is this?" The disciples still had much to learn about Jesus and His mission to become the Savior of the world but it was an important step in their spiritual pilgrimage. The question, "Who is this?" was being continually answered by Jesus as He gave them further insights through His words and actions leading up to His Passion and Resurrection. The process of understanding for disciples of all ages is to lead to a transfer of faith away from self and direct it to the Lord. The purpose of this story for today is for us to think seriously on the question, "Who is this?", and to know for ourselves that Jesus is truly God with the power to save, and to trust more and more of our lives to Him. Yes, He is able to help us to "ride the waves of life."
In Christ,
Brown
News From Orissa , India
Wednesday January 23, 2008
INDIA: HINDU NATIONALISTS PLAN TO REVIVE TENSIONS IN ORISSA STATE
Christians told to convert or die after Christmas attacks; extremists plot ‘Mission 2008.’
NEW DELHI, January 23 (Compass Direct News) – Amid reports of forced conversion of Christians to Hinduism following an unprecedented spate of violence over Christmas in Orissa state’s Kandhamal district, federal intelligence sources have warned churches of the likelihood of more attacks.
The intelligence department intercepted a letter by an extremist of a Hindu nationalist (Hindutva) group stating members will renew efforts to spark tensions in Kandhamal district and neighboring Chhattisgarh state, said Father Babu Joseph, spokesman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI).
According to a fact-finding team of the Orissa state chapter of the All India Christian Council, the violence killed at least four Christians and burned 730 houses and 95 churches in the days following last Christmas Eve. Hundreds of displaced Christians in Kandhamal are in various relief camps set up by the state government, where at least two people have died recently due to ailments.
Joseph told Compass that the letter, written by an extremist of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Murari Lal, and sent to his colleague, Saudan Singh, reveals that the Hindutva group has planned an effort to create more tensions for Christians called “Mission 2008.”
Church leaders, added Joseph, have been asked to remain alert.
Lal, who was identified as an RSS worker in Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh state, named and praised several Hindutva outfits for their “good work” in the letter.
“Our Mission 2008 and its confidential meeting took place successfully,” the letter says, according to the Daily News and Analysis (DNA) newspaper. Our hope is to create Gujarat [state] type communal frenzy in Orissa.”
Gujarat is seen as the Hindu extremist Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) “laboratory of Hindutva.” In 2002, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP colleagues allegedly allowed Hindu extremists to carry out anti-Muslim violence in which at least 2,000 people, mainly Muslims, were killed.
“We have begun a program to create communal tension by using the cow issue,” adds the letter, originally written in Hindi language. As cows are considered sacred by Hindus, extremists portray Christians and Muslims as “cow eaters,” besides accusing them of conversions and terrorism.
“In Jashpur and Sarguja districts [of Chhattisgarh state],” the letter says, “we have created a very good environment against Muslims and Christians. Adivasis [tribal people] have also started a front against foreign missionaries … This time even the Congress [Party] is supporting us.”
The letter also says there is a need to install statues of Hindu gods Hanuman and Shankar, which tribal people “recognize faster.”
“We need to install the statues as early as possible to make adivasis Hindus,” it says.
Tribal people or aboriginals in India are not Hindu. Most tribal people groups have their own faiths, mainly animistic.
RSS leader Ram Madhav, however, claimed in DNA that his organization had no role in the violence. “The RSS does not support any violence,” he said.
Christians fear the incidence of persecution will increase this year as legislative elections are expected in 10 states, including three states ruled by the BJP – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan (See Compass Direct News, “Christians Fear More Violence in Election Year,” January 15).
Convert or Die
Although the spate of violence began in Kandhamal on December 24 and subsided in about a week, special armed forces continued to be deployed in affected areas at press time.
The Times of India newspaper reported on Tuesday (January 22) that the 700 officers of Central Reserve Police Force deployed during the week of violence would remain in Kandhamal till March 15.
Despite the presence of federal armed forces and local police, however, reports surfaced of forced conversion of Christians to Hinduism.
A local Christian source from the Indian Evangelical Team ministry told Compass on condition of anonymity that such conversions have taken place in at least four villages after the initial violence.
“In Jargi village, 41 out of the 45 families from my church became Hindu due to pressure and threats,” said the local source. “Extremist elements forced the Christians to break their church with their own hands, and now a temple will be constructed at the site.”
In Mardudi village, pastor Dibakar Digal and his wife were forced to drink cow urine and apply vermillion on their foreheads, declaring themselves Hindu. They were threatened that if they did not convert, they would be killed.
While 18 Christian families were converted in a similar fashion in Kambarkia village, nine families were converted in the same way in Dandikia village.
UCA News (UCAN) also reported on Tuesday (January 22) that Orissa Christians had been given a “convert or die” ultimatum.
“There was no other way than to convert to Hinduism,” a Christian youth, Sumant Digal, from Gochhapada village, told UCAN. Extremists had threatened to kill him and torch his house if he did not become a Hindu.
“Several people told UCA News in mid-January that although the violence had subsided, Hindu fanatics continued to threaten Christians in interior villages,” stated the UCAN report. “The radicals want Christians to convert to Hinduism or leave the area, and they threaten to kill those who do not comply.”
The Catholic news agency quoted another Christian, Pusali Digal, from Jemapadar village, as saying, “Reconvert or die, or leave the place, was the option given to me and my family.”
Deaths in Relief Camps
Dr. Sajan K. George, national president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, told Compass that two Christians died due to unknown ailments in Kandhamal relief camps.
Pastor Hari Digal died in the Baliguda relief camp on Monday (January 21), and a church elder, Kujura Digal, died in a camp in Barakhama two days earlier, said George, who was in Kandhamal at press time.
Houses of both Christians had been destroyed in the violence.
“The two Christians could not bear the trauma of being attacked and the loss of their houses,” said George, adding that he had urged the state government to improve facilities at the relief camps.
Violence Preplanned, Organized
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM), which sent a team of two representatives to Kandhamal district, said on January 17 that the violence was “organized and preplanned.”
Additionally, the New Indian Express newspaper reported that the NCM team “maintained that the large-scale violence was because of the inaction of the administration.”
But Hindutva groups, mainly the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP), dismissed the NCM report, saying it was “one-sided,” added the newspaper. The VHP is connected with the RSS, which allegedly planned and organized the Christmas violence.
Earlier, a fact-finding team led by Dr. John Dayal, member of the National Integration Council and a Christian leader, had also said the violence was carried out in a planned manner. (See Compass Direct News, “Fact-Finding Mission Suggests India Violence Was Preplanned,” January 4.)
The NCM team also criticized the state government for not giving sufficient compensation to the victims of the violence. In apparent response to the NCM report, the state government increased compensation to be given to victims.
Financial assistance for reconstruction of destroyed houses has been revised from 40,000 rupees (US$1,009) to 50,000 rupees (US$1,261), while 200,000 rupees (US$5,044) each will be provided for schools, hospitals and hostels damaged in the violence, the New Indian Express reported today.
END
"I wanted to write everybody to share what God is foing. First, my dad is doing very well in his healing process. God is so good. Not only is He healing my dad but He is giving him the strength in spirit, soul and body. God is also really watching over my mom and holding her in His hands also. Second, God is truly moving in both my daughters, Misty and Danielle. Thru man's eyes it may look like He isn't doing anything and that the enemy is having a hay day. However, I know better. I see God moving and drawing both of them back to Himself. I have faith in knowing that He knows exactly what He is doing and what He is after in both of them and knows just how to get it. Third, my sister and her daughter and son experienced a loss in their lives this past week when a very close relative took his own life. At the same time, a new life entered this world as my nephew and his girlfriend had a healthy baby daughter. We don't understand on this side of heaven why things happen but God in His mercy and compassion does. Fourth, Marcos is doing wonderful. God has really been moving in an awesome way in his life. I shared with Marcos last night what God showed me in my conversation with my wonderful Father. We are all going thru the refiners fire and being transformed into the likeness of our Lord Jesus. Just like Shadrak, Meschak and Abednego (probably spelled wrong), we need only to keep our focus on our wonderful Lord and Savior who is with us and we only need to trust Him, lean on Him, depend on Him and BELIEVE He is able to do above and beyond all that we could ever ask or think. It is hard at times to sit back and watch someone you love hurting and suffering, and in my many years of gaining experience at becoming a professional co-dependent, I want to jump right in and relieve the pain and hurt. God has been very merciful in His grace upon me to keep me from doing that. He is teaching me to discern what I am to do. He has given me such peace and reassurance in knowing that He knows where each person is at and is always faithful to meet each of us at that point. We can all be going thru different circumstances and need something different from God and He is able to meet each of our needs, as different as they are, all at the same time. Is He not awesome? All we have to do is reach up and He will then reach down the rest of the way. Lastly, I will be going into the hospital on Friday for surgery and would ask that you all stand in prayer that God directs the hands of the surgeon and I have a quick recovery. I am trusting and believing that it will not be so much recovery as a time to spend with my Father. To be renewed, refined and refreshed in my spirit, soul and body. Marcos wants to be with me on Friday to give me and be to me what a husband is to a wife, however if he is unable to my Jesus will be holding my hand and walking me thru. I only want to honor God and for Him alone to be glorified thru me.
May all of you being richly blessed thru our awesome Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our God is ever so faithful and I love Him so much."
Sandy
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