Brown's Daily Word - 5.17.14

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name all the earth.  I just got back from India last night after being away on a preaching mission since the 4th of April.  Our team consisted of 6 short term missioners, including Laureen Naik, Andrew Groth, Rob and Ben from Washington, DC, and Dave Coles, who is serving in Indonesia.  It was great thrill and great blessing to be part of what the Lord is doing around the corner and around the globe. 

    The locus of mission and ministry was at  G.Udayagiri, Phulbani District of the State of Orissa.  As I write these notes and reflections they are announcing the General Elections results of India the largest Democracy of the world.  The party led by Sonia Gandhi had governed for last 10 years.  The results show that the ruling party for last ten years has been replaced by the opposition party. 

    Our team Arrived in G. Udayagiri on the 6th of April.  We had a one day youth conference that was held on the 8th of April.  Over 400 youth attended this event.  We saw the young people on fire for Jesus. The Holy Spirit moved in the meeting.  It was an all day event that seemed like a seamless hour full of the presence of the Lord.  A very delicious and full meal was served prepared by the elders of the church.  During the commissioning service many young people came for prayer of commissioning.  Our team fell in love with these beautiful and vibrant, energetic young people.  Many of the young people came daily for a time of refreshment and prayer.  These young people became part of the prayer  team that was called to be the part of the centennial celebration that started on the 11th of April.  The Centennial celebration started on the morning of the 11th with a colorful procession of drums,  trumpets, and praise dances.  The procession proceeded for a half  mile route that led to the Convention site.  The site of the conference was on large grounds in front of the Church.  The whole grounds were covered with very ornate and colorful tents with a very large stage that had room for the speakers, choirs, musicians, and praise dances. 

    Our team was involved in the music, in preaching, and in prayer.  The Lord of the Church granted us His favor beyond belief.  The services began in the morning and finished late in the evening.  The services were filled with lots of music.  The official report was that there were between 18 and 20 thousand people attending over the course of this 4 day celebration.  I had never attended the meetings of this nature except for Billy Graham Crusades back in the States.  The Lord moved in these meetings  beautifully and wonderfully.  There was order and beauty in these gatherings.  Fully authentic Indian meals were prepared and served twice daily.  I was blown away the way meals were prepared and served with so much love, hilarity, and generosity.  The Lord of the Church who fed the thousands orchestrated the feeding ministries.  In one of the meals they prepared 4000 pounds of chicken for curry. 

    The Lord blessed us with His presence and anointing.  During each session people were prayed for, for healing, salvation, and rededication.  The people were sitting on the ground for hours, never getting tired or complaining.  Our souls were full as we joyfully witnessed the outpouring of His spirit upon His people.  The service of celebration was completed on the night of the 14th of May, and the team from the US and Indonesia departed India on the 15th of  May.  The people of the Lord gave sacrificially and generously for the meetings, both for the arrangements and for feeding of the thousands.  Every Christian  household gave 25 kilograms of rice, along with two bundles of firewood  and two packages leaf plates, both disposable and biodegradable.  Besides the gift of rice, firewood, and leaf plates, people gave  money generously.  It took several million rupees to underwrite the entire cost of the event.  Many many people gave an entire month's salary for this event.  Many also gave their entire monthly pension to underwrite this Jesus event.  When I heard about the joyful and grateful sacrifice of His people for the work of the Gospel, I was humbled and moved with deep gratitude.   

    I noticed a great sense peace and order during these meetings.  Though there were thousands of people literally attending, there was no police presence needed.  The Prince of Peace was there to rule over His people.  The people were staying late in to nights in ceaseless praise and worship and holy conversation.  The whole atmosphere was infused with the  presence of the Holy Spirit, casting away any fear or disorder.  I could say, "Surely the presence of the Lord is  in this place".  I had never before preached to such huge congregation.  Due to the move and the presence of the Holy Spirit I was overwhelmed with a great sense of a "Jesus" event.  The Lord of the Church knit the hearts of thousands in to a seamless and joyful praise and worship.   

    I stayed  longer to preach and speak in another Celebration and gathering in a different location.  It was held from April 26-28.  These meetings were also held under huge tents, or pavilions.  Over 4,000 people attended these meetings.  I was reminded of the great tent meetings that used to be held by the Methodist movement back in the United States during the summer season.  It was an amazing and astounding scene for me.  During the second round of celebrations that took place toward the end of April,  individual churches came together as a single unit and cooked their meals like a camp.  You could see the fires going up in the evenings all around the fields.  I felt like it was the Pillar of fire, the very presence of the Lord. 

    I preached twice on Easter Sunday and attended a Sunrise service early in the morning, consisting mostly the youth.  I preached every Sunday while I was in India.  I also visited several churches in the villages during the week.  I preached one Sunday in a church that had been one of the first churches that was attacked during the persecution that broke out in 2007.  Two of its leaders had been martyred there.  One of my classmates, who was brutally beaten, died a few months later.  The church was completely destroyed.  The new church building is under construction.  It is incomplete at this time, so the church meets under a huge mango tree.  I was brought to tears as I  preached in this church that sat on the ground. There were four goats, one dog, one cat, and a few chickens that came by the gathering with out any interruption of the service.  Sunday School children recited memory verses during the service and a group of young girls offered a worship dance to Jesus.   

    The last Sunday I was in India I preached in a house church.  A baby was named and dedicated during the service.  On my way to the States I flew from Bhubaneswar, the capitol city of Orissa, to Calcutta, the city of Mother Teresa.  I spent the much of the day visiting the work of the Gospel in the City of Calcutta.  Due to the lack of time I walked by the mission station of Mother Teresa, but I visited the work of various denominations that run  two large hospitals, 10  English medium schools, and two guest house.  I had a great time with a young pastor and his family.  I was invited for dinner the night of my departure.  I had never before met this young pastor.  He was born after my  move to the USA in 1974.  This young man is pa storing a very large and engaging English speaking church consisting over 350 families. 

    As I traveled in the villages and the cities I notice a great transformation taking place in India.  The Church of Jesus Christ is alive and well.  The economy of the country is vibrant and explosive.  When I was growing up in India there was great poverty and hunger.  I sensed that the hunger is on a decline.  The infrastructure is expanding quickly.  The villages are connected with concrete and paved roads.  Many of the villages  now have electricity and running water.  Almost every family has more than one cell phone and access to the Internet.  As the economy on the upward swing the people of the Lord are giving with great generosity and the mission of the church is furthering.  The total population of Christians in the District of Phulbani is now 27% of the total population.  Many of the young people from Phulbani are are now scattered all over India, sowing the seeds of the Gospel. 

    One my nieces  is a Registered nurse works in a very modern Hospital in Calcutta.  She and her husband met me at the airport in Calcutta and I spent part of the day with them.  My flight was at 3:30 AM from Calcutta.  We left at midnight to go the airport, where I checked my luggage in.  The attendant looked at me with astonishment.  My printout ticket read that my flight was at 23.30 AM On the 15 of May, but the computer reading said my flight was at 3:30 AM on the 16 of May.  I was stunned and prayed. "  Lord Jesus, please help".  The attendant had to consult with his manager.  The flight was fully booked for the 15th of May.   Somehow Jesus came and intervened.  They found me an aisle seat that I had requested.  Usually there are hefty penalty to change an International ticket, but  Jesus did it again.  He showed me His favor and grace.  The Airline official waved any penalties that could have occurred.  My luggage overweighed, but He let me travel with out any overage charges. 

    My flight back home was seamless and beautiful.  Thank you all for praying for me.  The Lord  gave grace and mercy.  My eating habits were changed because of Indian Standard time.  There were days I was eating after 11 PM, but the Lord protected me.  I had no colds, no sniffles, no stomach issues, no headaches no fever.  I walked with one of my young friends almost every day for four miles. 

    I woke up around 5 AM every day after brief devotions to go for a morning walk by a reservoir, by the hills and the mountains.  It was sunny every morning.  The sun rose around 5:30 AM, with golden and bright colors, beaming and brilliant. Hundreds of spring birds sang, making melodious sonnets.  My heart was joyful, my feet were jubilant, and my soul was satisfied.   

    I met literally hundreds of people.  I graduated from High School in 1964, and so   It was my 50 year anniversary of my graduation from High School.  I met some of my High School class mates.  It was in 1974 that I finished my Graduate School, and I had the opportunity to see some of Graduate school FRIENDS.  It was 40 years ago that I left India to come to America the Beautiful.  In many ways It has been a joyful and nostalgic trip to India.  I got see my mom who is in her late eighties.  She has suffered several strokes.  She is home bound, without any physical pain.  My niece and my brother are caring for her.  She is well taken care of at home in Bhubabneswar.  There are two loving and caring women who take care of her daily.   We are grateful to Jesus.   I praise the Lord our church families back in New York for their faithful support and love.  I am grateful to the Lord for wife and family for their unfailing love and grace.  I am grateful to Jesus for you all with whom I am linked through Jesus and His blood.  

    As I was visiting one of the large churches in Calcutta, I noticed a bronze engraving on the towers that lead to the entrance to the church, with the words of our Lord and Savior, "Upon this Rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it" 

Praise the Lord for all His promises.

   In Him,

    Brown

http://youtu.be/i2Iz4cS1PF8

Brown's Daily Word 4-4-14

     Praise the Lord for the Glorious and triumphant Resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the grave." Up from the grave he arose
With a mighty triumph o'er his foes.
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And he lives for ever with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! Indeed up from the grave He rose....   We celebrate the victory of Jesus our Lord over death and sin.  indeed He came and He saw and He conquered. We Celebrate the Good News of Christ's resurrection in a good Friday world. Indeed the world we live in on this side of eternity is still a Good Friday world. Each one of us does live just a breath away from eternity.  We have seen the mission of the Malaysian Air, the massive mudslide in the State of Washington.  Shooting of a police officer in our own community, shooting in an army base.  They asked some children to write sentences about what they believed about death. Gilda, aged 8, said, "When you die they put you in a box and bury you in the ground because you don't look too good." Stephanie, aged 9, said, "Doctors help you so you won't die until you pay their bill." Marsha, aged 9, said, "When you die, you don't have to do homework in heaven unless your teacher is there too." Raymond, aged 10, said, "A good doctor can help you so you won't die. A bad doctor sends you to heaven."

 In our Wednesday Evening we have been studying the Gospel according to St John. I love the Easter account recorded in John.  The story of Mary Magdalene meeting Jesus at the empty tomb is found only in John’s gospel. I think Mary must have told John about it personally. Everything about this little slice of life rings true to human nature as we know it. A weeping woman lingers by an empty tomb, wondering what has happened to the body of the one she loved. When Jesus suddenly appears, she doesn't recognize him. Then she grips his feet so tightly that he has to tell her to let go. The vignette ends with the mourner turned into a missionary, running to tell the others what she has just seen and heard. Indeed the Risen Lord turns her mourning in to dancing.
 It is written that the Lord had set Mary free. He liberated her from the evil impulses that had kept her chained figuratively and perhaps literally. She is living proof that those whom the Son sets free are free indeed. If we piece together the various accounts of Easter Sunday, it seems that Jesus rose from the dead sometime in the pre-dawn hours. There was an earthquake, the seal was broken, the stone rolled away by the angels, and Christ came out of the tomb. The soldiers were knocked unconscious and when they awoke, they fled in fear. When the women found the tomb empty, they were confused and terrified. The angels told them that Christ had risen from the dead. They returned to tell the disciples who thought they were talking nonsense. John and Peter investigated, and when they saw the linen wrappings exactly where the body had been placed on Friday evening, they believed. They left to tell the others. At that point, Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb. She is confused, bewildered, in shock, frightened, and brokenhearted. It has not yet occurred to her that the empty tomb meant that Jesus had risen from the dead.
It has been often said that Mary Magdalene was “last at the cross and first at the tomb.” This is a high honor that can be said of none of the men who followed Jesus. She was the first to see him alive and the first to hear his voice. The irony of the story is that when she saw him, she didn't recognize him. But when the truth hit home, she became the first evangelist in Christian history. Christ bestowed this great honor on her because she loved him so deeply and so devotedly.
Craig Barnes the president of the Princeton Theological Seminary, In an article called “Easter in an Age of Terror”  points out that Easter is both good news and also terrifying news. It is good news that Jesus came back from the dead. It is terrifying news because Easter confronts us with the awful reality of death. The biblical accounts of the crucifixion stress that many people watched it from a distance. They wanted to see what would happen but they didn't want to get too close. That’s how most of us handle death—by keeping it at arm’s length. We avoid going to funerals if possible and we never just drop by a funeral home to have a cup of coffee. We work out and lose weight and lower our cholesterol and we try to be careful so that death won't come too close to us. But sometimes death comes and knocks at our door. Other times death breaks the door down and comes barging into the living room whether we like it or not. That’s what happened on September 11.
Death is never easy to deal with. Most of the time we can avoid it or postpone it or keep it far away from us. But sometimes death stares us in the face and we don't know what to do or how to respond. And that’s why Mary was standing alone at the Garden Tomb early on First Easter Morning. “But Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don't know where they have put him’” (John 20:11-13).
She weeps because the tomb is empty. She is weeping over an empty tomb! What should have been good news broke her heart! “At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. ‘Woman,’ he said, ‘why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him’” (John 20:14-15).

  The Risen Lord standing before her.  She does not recognize Him.  How often we have been there.  In our sorrow and in our massive grief, we do not recognize the Lord who is with us..   Jesus asked: “Who are you looking for?” Not “What are you looking for?” That’s a different question. Mary was looking for a what, a dead body. She was looking for something; Jesus pointed her to someone. The answer to our deepest needs is not something, but someone, the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher). She knew his voice. And he knew her name. Suddenly the life and world of Mary changed for ever. She came to the grave broken , bruised with massive grief.  Her world had fallen apart. Her dreams were shattered.  Then Jesus the Risen Savior stands before her.  "He speaks, and listening to his voice,new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe."

Praise the Lord for the way the Risen Lord turns our mourning in to dancing.  Once again we proclaim," Weeping may tarry for the night but the joy comes in the morning."
 May the Risen Lord touch us once again that we might be propelled to go out tell others " I have seen the Lord". " And Because I have seen the Risen Lord.. All is well".
 Worthy is the Lamb.
   In Him,
   Brown
http://youtu.be/6iOAM_777SY

Brown's Daily Word 4-2-14

   Praise the Lord for this First Wednesday of April.  The Lord blessed us with a beautiful day yesterday.  It was warm and sunny.  You could feel and experience the brilliance of sweet spring everywhere.  Alice and I walked for over three miles yesterday late afternoon around the church grounds.  We saw Crocuses bursting  colorfully in the fields, and we also saw several morning doves offering to the Lord their evening songs of praise.  In just two days our mission team will be departing for India.  Thank you for praying.  We will gather for our Wednesday fellowship and study this evening at 6 PM followed by choir practice at 7:30 PM.

    In recent days we have been watching the search and rescue teams involved locating the missing Malaysian Flight.  Search and rescue teams are also involved rescuing people after the massive mudslide in the State of Washington, here in the  USA.  As we journey with Jesus to Jerusalem we come to discover how, at the Cross, God initiated the ultimate search and rescue mission, moving into the war zone of sin and evil.  God was in Christ reconciling the world back to himself, risking and losing his life so that we might live.  The motto of the cross of Christ is  "So that others may live."

     As we reflect on the Passion narratives in the Scriptures, and also on the passages dealing with new life and resurrection, we are  reminded that the Good News of Jesus is a huge plan to redeem and restore God's fallen creation (Colossians 1:20).  It's a plan for cosmic reconciliation.  A crucifixion, in and of itself, was not a victory; it was a shameful, painful, agonizing, excruciating defeat.    The Lord of the universe, the King of all creation and the King of Glory, transformed the sorrow and shame of the Cross into salvation and victory.  At the Cross:

    We were offered acceptance.
    We were offered forgiveness.
    We were offered victory over evil. 

    We see the evil and sin all around us.  The Bible declares that raw evil is not just "out there" in the demonic and really bad people.  The Biblical narrative and the Story make it clear that the evil is in us—it runs right through our hearts, even as followers of Jesus.  Peter, one of Jesus' favorite followers, stumbled and cracked. Thomas grumbled and doubted.  James and John argued over who was to get the best seat in the house.  These seemingly small acts are all part of a downward spiral into evil, which does its very worst to deface God's good creation, destroy human beings, and kill the Son of God, Jesus.  In the words of Bible scholar N. T. Wright, "The Gospels tell this whole story in order to say that the tortured young Jewish prophet hanging on the cross was the point where evil had become truly and fully and totally itself."

    The natural conclusion to draw is that evil wins the day.  With all its violence, cruelty, and hatred, sin rules the world, but in the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus our Lord we discover that the here and a summer day somewhere else and right in the midst of our imperfect lives, with our fears and pettiness and sins, our Lord offers us the chance to share in the victory of Jesus.  Sharing in Jesus' victory means that we can be reconciled to God and as a result nothing will ultimately defeat God's plan to reconcile the world through the blood of the Cross of Jesus.

     As Tolkien claimed in his great book, "Lord of the Rings", "One day all of our sad stories will become untrue."  In and through Christ and His victory on the cross, we can expect that one day every tear will be wiped away, every sorrow will be healed, every addiction conquered, every broken relationship reconciled, and every sad song will become a shout of joy.

  Thanks be to Jesus our Lord.

   Brown

http://youtu.be/Jii9sArCKWQ