Prayer Is The Work!?!

Below is a devotional that I did for the Africa Revolution board meeting this past Monday. I am hesitant even to write much or talk much about prayer, because I feel like I too often give lip service to the importance of prayer that is not backed up with a lifestyle of continuous & earnest prayer. Nonetheless, I was challenged as I shared this with the board on Monday, and the power and priority of prayer very much resonates with me.

The following excerpts from “Prayer And Missions” by E.M. Bounds within The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds and are slightly adapted…

“Prayer has a great deal to do with missions. The success of all real missionary effort is dependent on prayer. The life and spirit of missions are the life and spirit of prayer. Both prayer and missions were born in the divine mind. Prayer and missions are bosom companions. Prayer creates and makes missions successful, while missions leans heavily on prayer (p. 142)”

“The key of all missionary success is prayer. The Africa Revolution board on her knees fasting and praying (alongside of both African and American churches in prayer), is the great base of spiritual supplies, the sinews of war, and the pledge of victory in this great work of the Lord. Financial resources are not the real sinews of war in this fight. Machinery itself carries no power to break down walls, open effectual doors, and win hearts to Christ (nor can it bring about holistic redemption). Prayer alone can spark a revolution! (p. 143)”

“The Africa Revolution board has done a paltry thing when she furnished the money to establish missions and support her missionaries. Money is important, but money without prayer is powerless. Prayerless giving breeds barrenness and death. Poor praying at home is the solution of poor results in the field. Prayerless giving is the secret of all crises in the missionary movements of the day, and is the occasion of the accumulation of debts in missionary boards (p. 143).”

“It is truly wonderful how great a part money plays in the modern religious movements, and how little prayer plays in them. In striking contrast with that statement, it is marvelous how little a part money played in primitive Christianity as a factor in spreading the gospel, and how wonderful a part prayer played in it (p. 144).”

“The grace of giving is nowhere cultured to a richer growth than in the closet. If all our missionary boards were turned into praying bands, until the agony of real prayer and travail with Christ for a perishing world came on them, real estate, bank stocks, bonds would be in the market for the spreading of Christ’s gospel among men. If the spirit of prayer prevailed, missionary boards who individual members are worth millions (or maybe thousands in our case), would not be staggering under a load of debt and great churches would not have a yearly deficit and a yearly grumbling, grudging, and pressure to pay a beggarly assessment to support a mere handful of missionaries, with the additional humiliation of debating the question of recalling some of them. The ongoing of Christ’s Kingdom is locked up in the closet of prayer by Christ himself, and not in the contribution box (p. 144).”

“Is the harvest great? Are the laborers few? Then, “pray ye the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest.” Oh that a great wave of prayer would sweep over the Africa Revolution board asking God to send out a great army of laborers into the harvest fields of the earth (Africa)! No danger of the Lord of the harvest sending out too many laborers and crowding the fields. He who calls will most certainly provide the means for supporting those whom he calls and sends forth (p. 148).”

“The one great need in the modern missionary movement is intercessors (p. 148).”

Mark 1:35
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Luke 5:16 (NIV)
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.

Acts 1:14
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 12:5
So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Acts 12:12
…he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

Acts 15:3
Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them (Paul and Barnabas) and sent them off.

Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God…

Matthew 9:36-37
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

Thinking About Legacy

The week before last (May 15-17) I attended the Urban Youth Worker's Institute (UYWI) national conference in Azusa, CA. The theme for this year's conference was "Living The Legacy." Each general session focused on a different element of legacy: legacy of faith, legacy people, legacy at-risk, legacy of love, and legacy unwritten. All of the messages were very inspiring. During the first two messages we were reminded of the hall of faith found in Hebrews Chapter 11, which Hebrews 12:1 refers to as the "great cloud of witnesses." We were exhorted to take the baton from the saints that have "ran the race" before us - both from the saints of the OT mentioned in Hebrews 11 and from historical figures such as Billy Graham, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa. The emphasis was on us as the next generation of leaders to run with endurance, but we were also challenged to think about who we were passing the baton to. We were asked the question, "what legacy are you writing?" or "what legacy are you passing on?"

Part of my trip to California also involved spending time with my grandpa and grandma Clark. My grandpa is 91 years old. I discovered on this trip that he accepted Christ when he was 23 years old. His parents were not believers to my knowledge. So he was the first to carry the baton on my dad's side of the family. He has been running for Jesus ever since. He pastored 4-5 different churches over the span of many years, and he is still a man of God's Word. He has run well for many years. Spending time with him, and then attending the conference, made me think about the fact that he passed the baton of fatih on to my dad. My dad has been running for Jesus ever since he came to know Christ. My dad, in turn, passed the baton of faith onto me. I began running for Jesus at the age of 19, and I have sought to follow Him ever since.

During my visit, and since returning I have been thinking about who I am passing the baton to. Lord willing, one day it is my desire to pass the baton of faith onto my biological sons. In addition to any biological children that I may have in the future, it is also the desire of my heart and a huge part of my calling to pass the baton of faith on to spiritual sons. During the closing session of the conference we were instructed to make a list of those whom we were seeking to pass the legacy of faith onto. I have been thinking about that ever since.

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul writes to Timothy, "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." Within these two verses, Paul refers to a legacy of faith that passes through 4 generations:

Paul > Timothy > faithful men > others.

I am reminded then that as a follower of Christ I must have a "legacy mindset." It is not optional. It is a mandate - "Go and make disciples of all nations..." I have been thinking much about running with endurance and passing the baton. In the midst of this, God has spoken powerfully to me through Hebrews 12:2, and reminded me that in order to run or pass that my focus must be on Christ.

Hebrews 12:2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

California Love

I spent Sunday May 11th through Sunday May 18th in southern California. I was able to spend part of the time with family and the other part of the time at UYWI (Urban Youth Worker's Institute). It was a great trip - very refreshing. I will write more later, but here are the picture highlights from the trip...

National Day Of Prayer

Today is the national day of prayer. There are many things that need to be lifted up in prayer. I could write several entries and not come up with an exhaustive list. However, I would like to encourage everyone to lift up Chicago in your prayers today. Specifically, I ask that you would pray against the violence that has been occurring recently in the city. This school year alone approximately 25 Chicago Public School students have been killed as a result of violence (they weren't necessarily killed "at school" but they are all students within the school system). This number is possibly even higher than this because not all incidents get the same amount of news coverage. Two weekends ago there were 30 shootings in Chicago over the course of the weekend.

All of this violence has hit close to home this year (and in recent years) because it effects the young people that I work with - it effects my kids. In September a 14 year old young man was shot across the street from my building. When I cam walking home on that Friday evening, there was yellow tape marking off the scene of the crime. The student that was killed that night was a part of the 8th grade classroom that I volunteer in. The teacher has intentionally left his desk as it was. His name tag is still on the desk. No one moves his chair. Everyone in the classroom was effected in some way by the incident. Recently, as the violence in the city has picked up the most consistent prayer requests from our tutoring kids (2nd through 5th graders) is for safety for them and for their families and for their friends. Whether a young person is 7 or 16, they are very much aware of the violence and of what seems an ever-present sense of the threat of violence.

Here is a video that was on the Chicago Tribune's web site today that highlights the effects that violence has on kids.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-violence-health-28-apr28,0,5019883.story

In future blog entries, I am going to highlight what ministries and community organizations around the city and in my neighborhood (Woodlawn) are doing to combat this violence. But in this entry, I am asking that you join with me in prayer. Pray that peace would reign in the streets of our city. Pray that the young people and their families would be protected. Pray also for those that are caught up in the violence - those who see limited other alternatives and possibilities outside of the streets. Pray that a sense of hope and love would overwhelm them. Pray for God's people in the city. Pray that we would not retreat, but that we would raise up and have a real presence (Real ministry happens within the context of real relationships). Pray that God would move and that Christ would be lifted up.

A More Accurate Perspective...Hmmm

A month or so ago the media began airing a few different clips of some of Reverend Jeremiah Wright's previous sermons. However, each time they were shown, the context of the sermons was not given, but rather sound bites from them were looped over and over. The purpose of flooding the airwaves with these soundbites was obvious given Barack Obama's relationship with Reverend Wright. Shortly after these clips were brought to the forefront, Obama gave a very powerful speech on race in American. I said in a previous post (and I still feel this way) that although the timing of the speech was dictated by political circumstances, the speech was nonetheless powerful and profound.

As the weeks went by, I grew tired of the media constantly referring to Rev. Wright. However, I admit that I wasn't intentional about learning more about Rev. Wright until recently when I learned that he had recently spoken at three different events: 1) an NAACP address in Detroit 2) a PBS interview with Bill Moyer and 3) a session with the National Press Club in Washington DC. I just finished watching the NAACP address and the PBS interview online (thanks Greg & Joel for the encouragement). I plan on watching the third event tomorrow. After watching these, I am grieved at how the media has portrayed this man. He has been portrayed as a racist, as un-American, and as a leader of some type of cult. I would like to submit that he is none of these. The problem is that too many of us (myself included), too often swallow what the media feeds us. In this case, if we have done this we have done Reverend Wright (& Barack Obama) a huge injustice.

I would encourage my blog readership (which I'm sure numbers in the hundreds:)) to watch these clips and to see if your perspective on Rev. Wright changes especially compared to the slant that we have been given on the news programs and on youtube. Here are the links...

NAACP Address

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Rev+Wright+NAACP+address&sitesearch

PBS Interview

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04252008/watch.html

A few thinks stick out that I am still chewing on...

Different does not mean deficient. (I love this phrase)

In the interview he shares that not only do most people not understand the black church, they lack a clear understanding of the history of why the black church came about. (I would argue that the black church will always be misunderstood if disconnected from the historical context in which it was birthed. This misunderstanding only accentuates the division between the white and black church here in this country, and I believe this grieves the heart of God.)

He also had some good insights on the historical mis-use of culture in missions ie - to be Christian means you should dress, talk, and worship the "normal" way - with the "normal" way being the dominant cultural (again different does not mean deficient).

Some questions...

(1) What has been the white church's response to all of this? Have you seen anything on web sites - ie Christianity Today? Have you heard it talked about on Moody radio?

(2) How should we as Christ-ones or Christ followers respond (regardless of our skin tone)?

(3) How do you think God views the American church which to this day (especially in this day) is so clearly divided along racial and political lines? Remember, "Christ died for a diverse bride" - Revelation 5.

(4) What things did you glean from the videos?

(There will be more blogs coming as right now I am full processing the fact that 25 young people have been killed this school year and last weekend there were 30 shootings in Chicago!!)

I'm Reading...What Are You Reading?...

The purpose of this post will be to share what I'm reading, and to hear from my "readership" (which I am sure numbers in the hundreds:)) what they/you are reading. I am going to try and do this every couple of months or so in hopes of learning of new books. Let's just say this is a online book swap.

So here goes...right now I am reading three different books:

1) Jesus For President by Shane Claiborne & Chris Haw

I am not very far in to this one yet. About a year ago I read "Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne, and it challenged me as much as any book ever has. So I have been looking forward to this one. Shane always pushes me "out of the box" so to speak.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-7412997-6857224?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jesus+For+President

2) Parting The Waters: America In The King Years: 1954-1963 by Taylor Branch

This books is 700 plus pages, and I think I am about 200 pages in or so. It is a fascinating read. The focus of the books is the life of Martin Luther King Jr. However, I have never read a book on him that gives so much historical context to his life. I highly recommend this book.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-7412997-6857224?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Parting+The+Waters

3) With Christ In The School Of Prayer by Andrew Murray

I am reading this book along with the learning community (small group) that I am a part of. I have been reading a chapter each day to kick off my devotional time. Each chapter is a different lesson on prayer from the teachings on prayer of Christ. It is a very convicting read, as it has highlighted my lack of faith.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-7412997-6857224?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=With+Christ+In+The+School+Of+Prayer

What are you reading?

What are you reading? Please share...

The Passion of The Christ (through the expression of hip hop)

The Passion of the Christ (through the expression of hip hop)

I am spending some time today looking at the Scriptures that take us to the account of the cross. It is a sobering read every time - and a cause for self-reflection, humility, fresh repentance, and gratefulness. Today I also revisited Hazakim's (www.hazakim.com) Passion video and listened to a few tracks off of shai linne's newest album "The Atonement" (www.lyricaltheology.blogspot.com).

Here is the Link to the Hazakim video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpvWTNKXh9Q


Here are the lyrics to "The Cross (3 Hours)" off of shai's album...

The Cross (3hours)
written by shai linne
Verse 1
There’s something you gotta see, journey with me
It’s approximately 30 A.D.
In the land of Israel- the city of Jerusalem
But on the outside there’s screams and loud cries
Through faith, this scene can be seen without eyes
The mean shout lies and seem to sound wise
As we inch through the crowd, we need to be cautious
A Roman execution, men on three crosses
But all the focus is on the one in the center
The gate closes behind you- no one can enter
The sight you behold is so odd, you’re stunned
The man hanging on the cross is God the Son
12 noon, it’s pitch-black because the sunshine’s lacking
Your minds can’t fathom this divine transaction
As slowly the sound becomes mostly drowned
You realize that you’re standing on holy ground
Bridge

So forever will I tell
In three hours, Christ suffered more than any sinner ever will in hell (4x)
Chorus
It’s where we see Your holiness- at the cross
We see that You’re controlling this- at the cross
We see how You feel about sin- at the cross
Your unfathomable love for men- at the cross
It’s where we see Your sovereignty- at the cross
We see our idolatry- at the cross
We know that there’s a judgment day- from the cross
May we never take our eyes away- from the cross
Verse 2
We’re now in the realm of the sublime and profound
With God at the helm it’s about to go down
The Father’s wrath precise will blast and slice
The priceless Master Christ as a sacrifice
Willingly, He’s under the curse
To be treated as if the Son was the worst scum of the earth
The scene is the craziest
Jesus being treated as if He is the shadiest atheist
How is it the Messiah is in the fiery pit
As if He was a wicked liar with twisted desires?
The One who’s sinless and just
Punished as if He was promiscuous and mischievous with vicious lust
The source of all godly pleasure
Tormented as if He was a foul investor or child molester
How could He be bruised like He was a goodie two-shoes
who doesn’t think that she needs the good news?
He’s perfect in love and wisdom
But He’s suffering as if He constructed the corrupt justice system
We should mourn at the backdrop
Jesus torn like He’s on the corner with crack rock with porn on His laptop
What is this, kid? His gifts are infinite
But He’s hit with licks for religious hypocrites
He’s the Light, but being treated like
He’s the seedy type who likes to beat His wife
He’s treated like a rapist, treated like a slanderer
Treated like a racist or maybe a philanderer
Jesus being penalized like He had sin inside
Filled with inner pride while committing genocide
I could write for a billion years and still can’t name
All of the sins placed on the Lamb slain
But know this: the main thing the cross demonstrated
The glory and the holiness of God vindicated

Obama on Race in America

Many of you are aware of all of the media attention that Barack Obama's pastor's sermons have been getting lately. I think the media has blown things way out of proportion (that's a whole 'nother blog), and few have responded with honest race dialogue and understanding that Obama calls us all to in the speech he gave today. I am still digesting his words from earlier today. Here is a link to both a video of the speech, and a script of the speech.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hisownwords

Regardless of your political persuasion, I encourage you to read/listen/watch this speech.

Thoughts?

The How, What, Why, & Who of Wealth

Last Sunday, I was given the opportunity to preach at my home church, the Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church. I was humbled by the opportunity, and challenged by the text I was given to preach. It didn't take long into my sermon preparation time to realize that God wanted me to internalize and be messed up by James 5:1-6 before I stepped into the pulpit and attempted to unpack it for others. You see I used to deflect "warnings to the rich" passages onto other people. After, I would read them I would think "so and so should read this." Or if I didn't deflect the passage onto someone else, I would use them as "spiritual pats on the back" for my commitment to incarnational ministry. Rich passages fueled righteous anger within me towards injustice. However, as I continue to read this passage and spend time in prayer over this passage I realized that this text was talking to me. I realized this text was a warning to me. I needed to do a self-check, I needed to repent, and I needed to change.

I wanted to share the outline, and in future blogs I will continue to unpack what God challenged me with over the last few weeks. Here is the outline...

The How, What, Why & Who of Wealth

James 5:1-6
1 Now listen you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.
2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.

Starting Points:
(1) We are all wealthy.
(2) It is all His.
(3) It’s not just the wealth.

“It is not the wealth itself that is condemned, but the greedy attitude toward it and the grisly actions with which it was obtained (W&Z).”

Opening Statement: Our wealth will bring judgment
(v. 1 & 3b)

We will be judged according to:
(1) HOW we have attained our wealth (v. 4)
Leviticus 19:13
Deuteronomy 24:14-15
Amos 8:4-6
Malachi 3:5
Proverbs 3:27-28

(2) WHAT we have done with our wealth (v. 2-3b, 5)
Luke 12:13-21

(3) WHAT our wealth has done to us (v. 6)

Questions to ponder…
(1) WHY do we have wealth?

“We have money to use it in such a way that we show that money is not our God, but God is our God. That money is not our treasure but Christ is our treasure. I have resources for one purpose to magnify the worth of God in the world.”
- John Piper

(2) WHO is our treasure?
Matthew 6:19-24


Recommended Reading:
“Rich Christians In An Age Of Hunger” by Ron Sider

I AM I Have & I Will

I AM and I Have and I Will

As I reflect on my spiritual journey - both historically and currently - if I am honest with myself, I sometimes tend to be a "runner." What I mean is that in the past, and sometimes currently, I try to run from the direction God is taking me or from the task God has called me to do. I love the stories of Moses, Gideon, Jonah, and others because I can relate to those guys. What I have come to realize through those stories is that although we can benefit and gain encouragement and perspective from their lives, ultimately those stories are about God. They magnify who He is and what He can do in and through us - in spite of us.

I have been reading through Exodus during my quiet times and was struck by God's words to Mosese to encourage and exhort him. In the preceding verses and chapters Moses had responded to God's calling and instructions with several "but's" - but they won't listen to me, but I'm not a good speaker, etc. In this passage God was shifting Moses perspepctive off of himself and onto His God. Notice I AM, I Have and I Will.

Exodus 6:1-8
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country."
2 God also said to Moses, "I am the LORD. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, [a] but by my name the LORD [b] I did not make myself known to them. [c] 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they lived as aliens. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.
6 "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.' "

Puttng Things In Perspective

I am in a Starbucks digging into the book of James. My guy Allan encouraged me to take a look at the Miniature Earth video, and possibly using it to give some perspective on James 5:1-6. I just watched it (and realized I had seen it before), and was sobered by it. I need to watch it a few more times and chew on the numbers and insights a little bit. I just finished reading "Rich Christians In An Age Of Hunger" by Ron Sider (You can check it out at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-2450380-8086318?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Rich+Christians+In+An+Age+Of+Hunger .) It is a sobering read, and it sheds light on some of the same realities that this video does. After you take a look at the video, give me some feedback if you want.

http://www.miniature-earth.com/me_english.htm

What hit you the most?
What are we too often blind of?
How should we respond as Christ-ones?


Let's be some World Changers for the Kingdom!

The Legacy Conference

The Legacy Conference will be hosted in Chicago this August. It will once again be a three day conference August 14-16. We are still trying to lock down the location, however many of the same speakers/teachers have already committed for this year: Paul Washer, Shai Linne, Lecrae, Flame, Tedashi, Trip Lee, Azriel, and more.

Check out this promotional video for this year's conference...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GU7y1-dSv2s

You can also check out the web site at http://www.legacy-conference.org/

Snapshots of Our Father

Over the last month or so I have seen two different scenarios that really touched me when I saw them, and that made me think about my Heavenly Father.


The first scenario happened during my road trip to Richmond (see earlier post). That Sunday morning when I arrived at the church, the man (Dan) who's family had hosted me the night before, was in the basement of the church getting a cup of coffee ready for a "return visitor" to the church. That in itself does not sound all that spectacular. However, this church visitor was special. He was handicapped in some way - possibly having cerebal palzy. He seemed to be mentally sharp, but due to his condition, his speech was at times hard to understand. I ended up sitting at his table after the service for the fellowship meal. What happened next is what impacted me. Dan went through the food line and fixed the man a plate. He then sat next to him, made a bib out of a napkin for him, and then proceeded to feed him patiently for the next fifteen to twenty minutes. He wasn't doing this to "be seen." He was just loving his brother who couldn't feed himself. What an amazing picture of our Heavenly Father who is full of compassion, patient with us, and meets needs for us that we could never meet ourselves.

The second scenario happend this past weekend. I went over to my friends Brian & Becky's apartment for the Super Bowl game. A month or so ago their 17 month old daughter's brain began to swell. She was rushed to the ER, where they performed an emergency surgery to remove the top of her skull. Days later the swelling in her brain began to go down. However, the long road to recovery had just begun. The doctors are still not sure if her brain will ever fully recover. Brian and Becky are prayin for God's miraculous intervention. They now take her to physcial therapy appointments multiple days each week. They also have to do daily exercises with her. I sat and observed Brian on Sunday as he took Felicity through a series of exercises - moving her hands, arms, legs, feet, etc. I watched him encourage her and praise her efforts. I also watched him accidentally push her a bit too hard in one of the stretches, and then hold her in his arms as she seemed to cry out and wonder why she had to keep doing the exercises. Again, what an amazing picture of our Heavenly Father who loves us no matter what, who never gives up on us, and who leads us through multiple "rehabilitations" throughout our lives. He is also there to wrap His arms around us when we need to feel His touch.


Next time you pray the Lord's prayer, stop and pause after the first line. "Our Father in heaven" - What an amazing statement? When we stop and think on that it alters our entire perspective as we approach the throne of grace.

A World Changer Named King...

I'm not sure at what age I first learned about Martin Luther King Jr. I suspect that it was during my elementary years during a U.S. History unit. However, I know that ever since junior high he has been a role model of mine. His speeches have always given me goose bumps and his life has inspired me to be a world changer.


In the last few years I have begun reading books on his life, and copies of his speeches and sermons. I have also listened to audio clips of his various speeches and sermons. I recently discovered video clips of his speeches and sermons on youtube.com Since today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I thought I would share some of the resources that I have found.


Books
I have read a few different books on King:
1) The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. by Clayborne Carson
2) Martin & Malcolm & American by James Cone
3) A Knock At Midnight - edited by Clayborne Carson & Peter Holloran
All three of these books are powerful in their own unique ways. Have any of you read other books on King that you would recommend?


Key Speeches
"I Have A Dream"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk&eurl=http://www.mlkonline.net/video-i-have-a-dream-speech.html

His final speech..."I've been to the mountaintop..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0FiCxZKuv8&eurl=http://www.mlkonline.net/video-martin-luther-king-last-speech.html


Songs of Tribute
Here is the music video for a song that Common and Will.I.Am did...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBa55sDTIiA


Web Sites
This is one of the best web sites that I have found on MLK. It is a "hub."
http://www.mlkonline.net/

Road Trip To Richmond

On Thursday January 3rd, Aaron Roy, Vince McCaskill, and I departed Chicago at 11am-ish to embark on a cross-country road trip of epic proportions. Our purpose was to help Aaron (and his family) move from Chicago to Richmond, CA where they will be re-launching a church. The three of us are all burly guys - meaning that we are all "barrel chested" or "wide shouldered" or "thick." Some might even say that we are carrying a few extra pounds, but we all like to say that we "wear it well." I even like to say that I have "filled out nicely." Anyways, the three of us had to fit in a U-Haul truck. It was crazy. We tried to keep a driving rotation, where each guy drove for 4 hours and then rested for 8. For the most part it worked really well. However, the person stuck in the middle seat could count on being very uncomfortable (sore knees, back, and butt). We took a GPS device with us that the Hamernicks let us borrow. We affectionately named her (the GPS device) Fuquanda. She talked a lot, and although sometimes we questioned her guidance, in the end we found that she was always right. We traveled through 6 states - Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and California. We left on Thursday morning, and arrived (after a short night's stay in Barstow, CA) late Saturday afternoon. Here are a few of our traveling pictures.

My Cloud of Witnesses

(Pictured to left: L to R - Aaron, Vince, me)

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.


This verse, found at the beginning of the 12th chapter of Hebrews, points back (It begins with, "Therefore.") to Hebrews chapter 11 when it references the "great cloud of witnesses." Hebrews 11 is what many people call the "Hall of Faith." It highlights men and women found throughout Scripture (Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Moses, Rahab, etc.) who followed the Lord "by faith." The author of Hebrews then charges the reader to run with endurance in light of the example and legacy of the faithful men and women found throughout scripture. I have been thinking about this passage recently as I reflect on the "great cloud of witnesses" that God has surrounded me with. God has placed people within my life that challenge me to "lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely" and "run with endurance the race that is set before" me. Some times they exhort me verbally. However, usually the exhortation and inspiration that I receive from them comes from my observation of the way that they follow Christ. I want to highlight a few of those people.


Aaron Roy

I have known Aaron now for roughly 6 years. We worked at the ministry together over a good portion of those six years, and in many ways we "grew up" in the ministry together. I have observed Aaron's walk with God over the last few years as God has "shifted" his calling, from a youth ministry calling, to a burden to minister to whole families, to a pastoral calling that he couldn't shake or run from even if he tried to. I have also watched as he and his wife have collectively sought the Lord as to where God would have them to serve. They truly lived out Isaiah's heart cry to the Lord (Isaiah 6:8) of "Here am I! Send me," and were open to wherever God might lead them. God led them to Richmond, CA a place literally across the country, and a place where neither of them have any family or friends. I have had the privilege of seeing them throughout this process as they have walked by faith each step of the way. I helped them move to Richmond (last weekend) and watched their excitement as they were welcomed by their new church family, and as they moved into their new house. Re-launching a church is not an easy task, but they are moving forward by faith.

Vince McCaskill
I have learned much of what it means to be a godly husband and father from Vince, by observing his life. I have seen him wrestle with the Lord in prayer over things that concern his family. He truly strives to be a godly husband and father in the midst of the challenges that life brings. I have witnessed him praying with his wife on the phone. I have seen him search the Scriptures and seek out godly counsel on how to love and lead his kids. Recently, I have seen him "be there" for his wife and his wife's family during the passing of his father-in-law. In addition to being an example of a husband and father, I know that I can go to Vince when I need godly counsel and wisdom.

Allan Greig
Allan and I were roommates at Moody during the 2002-2003 school year. I have always appreciated Allan for the authenticity and realness of his faith. Over the years since we departed Moody, I have observed how God has "fine-tuned" Allan's calling, ultimately leading him to start a ministry called Africa Revolution. His obedience has included much sacrifice and risk, and I have watched he and his wife Annie joyfully endure and "follow close" to the Father. Allan and Annie are committed to "living the Kingdom" like few people I know. In the midst of an American Christian culture that often times elevates family comfort and financial security above the things of the Kingdom, their counter-cultural example speaks loudly to me.

Another Fun Pass

This is a phone prank done on the Steve Harvey Morning Show. It too is a "fun pass." Try listening to this mean usher without smiling.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmRAxQ78O0w&feature=related

Fun Pass

Try watching these clips and not smiling at some point. You can't do it!


12 Days of Christmas Remix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8


This Is How We Do It (inspired by Montel Jordan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKx_BTj_-IE&feature=related


Stand By Me (live at Burger King)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46e85PzCnAo&feature=related


The groups is called Straight No Chaser. Does anyone know where I can find a cd?

Keeping CHRIST At The Center Of Christmas - Part 5

5 more reasons to celebrate Christmas for WHO Christ is...

21. Christ is our security.
John 10:11 = I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

22. Christ is our access to God.
1 Peter 3:18 = For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

23. Christ is at the place of highest honor.
Philippians 2:9-11 = Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

24. Christ is the center of heavenly worship.
Revelation 5:12 = ...saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

25. Christ is our soon returning King!
John 14:3 = And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am

How do you celebrate Christmas?

More than any other Christmas (or Christmas season) that I can remember, I have thought much this year about how I (and my family celebrate Christmas). I was challenged at the beginning of the month to have an exalted view of Christ, especially at Christmas time. As I reflect back on previous Christmases and on what my focus has been, I'm not sure that Christ has been at the forefront of my mind during the Christmas season. My parents raised me in the church - First Baptist Church of Paw Paw to be exact, so I have known from a young age that Jesus is the reason for the season. I could still sing you a children's song or two that proclaims this. However, even though I have always known the "real Christmas story," I can't say that my thoughts, conversations, affections, and activities have celebrated Christ. I don't say this to discount all of the wonderful Christmas times that I have spent with my family. I treasure these times, and I have greatly enjoyed my time with my family this year. I also enjoy many of the traditions that we have. Every Christmas Eve we eat hodge podge soup at Grandma Wilson's house. We usually watch a few Christmas movies - Elf, Christmas Vacation, White Christmas, etc. On Christmas day we usually go to the movies together. We exchange gifts amongst one another. I am not "anti" any of these things. I am not anti-Santa Claus. I am just really thinking about how I (and my family) can inject more of Christ into all of these activities of the season.


This year, for the first time that I can remember, we went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. I think that this must become a regular thing in our family.

I spent time throughout this month reading the Scriptures that focus upon who Christ is as well as the passages that describe his birth and the events leading up to it.

At our tutoring program's final night (before Christmas break), we watched the "Nativity Story" with the kids. It is a powerful movie. It does a great job in creating a sense of anticipation for the birth of our Messiah.

As a ministry staff this past month we have read about the historical and theological significance of the various symbols of advent. This was very new to me, and is definitely something I want to further research and celebrate in future years.

One thing that I have thought about this Christmas season is how the life of Christ was such a life of sacrifice. Jesus was the ultimate sacrificial gift - He gave His life. I think this is where we got the tradition of giving gifts on Christmas. But I wonder how much sacrifice is involved in the gifts that we give (and credit card debt is not considered sacrificial giving). Is giving gifts to only those that we are related to or have a relationship with what it is all about? Should we instead focus on sacrificial gifts (could be of love and service) to those whom we expect nothing in return from? Isn't that what Jesus encouraged/exhorted us to do when we host a "dinner party?" Maybe our Christmas parties should look more like this? Maybe we should invite those who don't have a family to celebrate with, maybe those who can't afford to buy gifts, maybe those who are going through a tough time? Wouldn't Christ be more exalted if this was how we celebrated Christmas?

Does anyone else have an idea (or ideas) of how we can better exalt and exemplify Christ during the Christmas season? Please share them if you have them. I am definitely learning and looking for ideas.