Some may say there are not enough workers, not enough resources and not enough dollars to reach our world for Christ. Many disagree. A global lack of resources is not the issue. God has more than enough.
So what’s the problem? Why do we so often experience lack? Is there any way to tap into God’s supply on a more regular basis? Are there obstacles we can overcome?
Some say it’s the enemy. It is.
Some say it’s a lack of faith. It is.
Some say we squander what we get. Some do.
Some say we’re asking for things that are not God’s will. True.
Some say we’re holding onto God’s stuff as if it is our own. We are.
Some of us just can’t figure out what we really need. It seems so. [Page 100]
Source: Sylvia Foth, Daddy Are We There Yet? (A global check-in on the world of mission and kids), Kidzana Ministries, Mukilteo, 2009
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Books to Read and Studies to Do
We are told not to judge a book by its cover? Really? Why not? Our lives are light to glorify God. Our cover should show what is inside. This is why I don’t read books by authors who swear and tell off color stories (man talk) in their sermons, who are not biblical in their teaching or lifestyle, and who live lavishly; who are not someone I would like my son and grandson to be like.
CHARLES SPURGEON said, “God writes with a pen that never blots, speaks with a tongue that never slips, acts with a hand that never fails.”
CHARLES SPURGEON said, “God writes with a pen that never blots, speaks with a tongue that never slips, acts with a hand that never fails.”
Monday, January 11, 2010
Faith and Football
by Randy Alcorn
www.epm.org
One of the reasons we enjoy fall and winter is football. Nanci is more football-crazy than I am, but we both really enjoy the game.
Last January the Florida Gators won the national college championship. Quarterback Tim Tebow was named Most Valuable Player.
If you would have told us four years ago that Nanci and I would become Gators fans, we’d have said “no way.” Nothing against the Gators, but Florida and Oregon, land of Beavers and Ducks, are geographical opposites, and in the past we haven’t followed closely what happens in Florida at the college level.
But last year Tim Tebow and his family changed all that. Tim’s parents, Bob and Pam Tebow, invited us to spend a weekend with them and attend a Gator game last November. They lived in Oregon 36 years ago while Bob attended Western Seminary, where I went after Multnomah Bible College (now Multnomah University).
Bob graduated from Western with our old friend and pastor Stu Weber, who I served with in the first thirteen years of Good Shepherd Community Church, which Nanci and I are still part of. We went to the Tebow home for a fun weekend, with much talk of the past, the present, and God’s faithfulness. The Tebows have a great family, and a great ministry in the Philippines.
Tim Tebow, in his first three years of college, has won the national championship twice, as well as the 2007 Heisman trophy for the best football player in the country, and was one of the three Heisman finalists in 2008. For this year, he’s in the top five in the preliminary votes. But what’s really remarkable is his outspoken devotion to the Lord, who he always publicly thanks as “my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (which is much more specific and controversial than thanking “God”). You may have seen Phil. 4:13 and John 3:16 repeatedly on camera, under his eyes.
Timmy, as his family calls him and as he signs his autographs (including on several jerseys for our grandsons), is utterly serious in his commitment to Christ. I have only been around one public figure who receives the amount of attention Timmy does, which is way more than most of us are built for. We were sitting with Timmy for an hour in a private post-game tailgate event, where we were able to talk and pray with him and watch him interact with others. Then he jumped in his parents’ car with us to go hang out at his apartment with some of his friends. (Nanci and I posed with Timmy’s Heisman trophy and a Heisman ball signed by winners of the trophy at the Tebow home; to clarify, I did not actually win a Heisman myself.)
Because Timmy has been so explicit in his faith in Christ and commitment to purity, he has a target on his chest. (If I were Satan, I’d sure go after him.) Pray for this young man. Fortunately he has a truly wonderful Christ-centered, kingdom-minded family. His parents, brothers and sisters are the real deal. So is Tim Tebow.
Tim Tebow isn’t the only great football player with faith in God. Speaking in NFL chapels over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to get to know a number of them. One of our friends, Jason Hanson, ranks number seven in total points scored in NFL history. He is still going strong. Jason kicked for Washington State, setting NCAA records that stand to this day. He was a teammate with retired quarterback Drew Bledsoe. He holds the all-time college record for most field goals from 50 yards and more (20), and 40 yards and more (39).
Jason also holds the all-time NFL record for field goals 50 yards and greater—42 of them—and we got to see record-setting number 42 on November 8, when he gave us four tickets (Rod and Diane Meyer came with us) to watch Seattle play the Lions. It was fun talking with Jason after the game, along with Lion punter Nick Harris, another committed Christ-follower; congratulations to Nick and Heather on the newborn twins!)
Last year was a rough one for the Detroit Lions, but an incredible year for Jason, who missed only one field goal from any distance (it was blocked). Jason kicked eight field goals over fifty yards last year, tying the NFL single season record He was a pro-bowl alternate. And at age 39, having played with the Lions seventeen years, he’s been with the same team longer than any other active NFL player.
Most importantly, Jason is not only a great competitor, but a humble follower of Christ, who uses his gifts for God’s glory. He loves his wonderful wife and children and is a real role model.
The way he’s kicking, Jason may keep playing for years. When he finally retires, in my opinion Jason will have had a hall of fame career. Speaking of the Hall of Fame, Jason is already there, because the uniform he wore and the football he kicked to break that NFL career record for 50-yard-plus field goals were officially handed over to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Isn’t it fun to know that God has his people everywhere, in grocery stores and tire shops, in offices, at colleges, and in professional sports?
And what about Kurt Warner? Nine years after he won the Super Bowl with the Rams, and about five years after everyone thought his career was over, last year he led the underdog Arizona Cardinals through the playoffs, all the way to the Super Bowl. For Warner, it’s all about Christ.
Source: www.epm.org
Friday, January 8, 2010
Recommended books for a pastor in his 20's
from Randy Alcorn
http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/
Recently I was asked to recommend some books for a pastor in his twenties to read.
It's tragic that many Christian adults, including many current church leaders and even some pastors, are so immersed in popular culture and so undisciplined that they do not turn off the television and devote themselves to daily study of God’s Word and reading of Christian books centered on God’s Word. I hope this list might encourage you to go out and find some good books to read as you start the New Year.
This is the list of books I came up with:
The J. I. Packer Collection (Packer’s best) compiled by Alistair McGrath
Exegetical Fallacies by D. A. Carson
The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God by D. A. Carson
God is the Gospel by John Piper
Their God is Too Small: Open Theism and the Undermining of Confidence in God by Bruce Ware
Why We’re not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
Young, Restless and Reformed: A Guide to the New Calvinists by Collin Hansen
Doing Theology With Huck and Jim: Parables for Understanding Doctrine by Mark Shaw
http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/
Recently I was asked to recommend some books for a pastor in his twenties to read.
It's tragic that many Christian adults, including many current church leaders and even some pastors, are so immersed in popular culture and so undisciplined that they do not turn off the television and devote themselves to daily study of God’s Word and reading of Christian books centered on God’s Word. I hope this list might encourage you to go out and find some good books to read as you start the New Year.
This is the list of books I came up with:
The J. I. Packer Collection (Packer’s best) compiled by Alistair McGrath
Exegetical Fallacies by D. A. Carson
The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God by D. A. Carson
God is the Gospel by John Piper
Their God is Too Small: Open Theism and the Undermining of Confidence in God by Bruce Ware
Why We’re not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
Young, Restless and Reformed: A Guide to the New Calvinists by Collin Hansen
Doing Theology With Huck and Jim: Parables for Understanding Doctrine by Mark Shaw
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Lessons from the Dungeon
The lesson from the dungeon is that if you are going to be the servant of God, you’re going to have to tell the truth ― the good, the bad, and the ugly ― no matter what. And you’re going to have to live with the blast furnace of criticism and opposition.
Witness the integrity of Joseph in this matter. Some people must have looked at him years later and said, “He became the prime minister of Egypt overnight.”
No, he didn’t. God was fashioning Joseph for leadership in the crucible of suffering, hammering out his convictions on the anvil of life. And one thing God was teaching Joseph was this: “Joseph, tell the truth. Do what is right, because it is always right to do right.” Joseph learned the lesson, and he stood out in the midst of the malaise around him.
Just before his death, Paul told his spiritual son and disciple, Timothy, “Preach the Word…. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears what to hear” (2 Timothy 4:2-3). Calvin says, “All love to be flattered. Hence the majority of teachers, in desiring to yield to the corrupt wishes of the world, adulterate the Word of God.”
Joseph told the truth in the dungeon even when it was hard. What a shame that our nation is led for the most part not by people of this commitment, but by politicians who wait to see what popular sentiment is at the moment, and then follow it.
Somebody has to stand up and tell the truth. If God’s people will not be strong and do exploits, then who shall?
Alistair Begg, The Hand of God (Finding His Care in All Circumstances), Moody Publishers, Chicago, 1999 (page 106)
Witness the integrity of Joseph in this matter. Some people must have looked at him years later and said, “He became the prime minister of Egypt overnight.”
No, he didn’t. God was fashioning Joseph for leadership in the crucible of suffering, hammering out his convictions on the anvil of life. And one thing God was teaching Joseph was this: “Joseph, tell the truth. Do what is right, because it is always right to do right.” Joseph learned the lesson, and he stood out in the midst of the malaise around him.
Just before his death, Paul told his spiritual son and disciple, Timothy, “Preach the Word…. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears what to hear” (2 Timothy 4:2-3). Calvin says, “All love to be flattered. Hence the majority of teachers, in desiring to yield to the corrupt wishes of the world, adulterate the Word of God.”
Joseph told the truth in the dungeon even when it was hard. What a shame that our nation is led for the most part not by people of this commitment, but by politicians who wait to see what popular sentiment is at the moment, and then follow it.
Somebody has to stand up and tell the truth. If God’s people will not be strong and do exploits, then who shall?
Alistair Begg, The Hand of God (Finding His Care in All Circumstances), Moody Publishers, Chicago, 1999 (page 106)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
In 2010 please send us your best and brightest, as well as others!
Hundreds of additional missionaries are needed to serve with Action International Ministries (ACTION) in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America – workers to serve in evangelism, discipleship, and development with all sections of society including the poor, needy children and under-trained pastors and Christian workers.
Whether you are “the best and brightest” of your school or church or just ordinary like the rest of us, there are 10 basic requirements to serve with ACTION:
1. An ability to feed yourself on the Word of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).
2. A desire to rejoice in the Sovereignty of God in all circumstances (Daniel 3:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 6:10).
3. An understanding of one’s biblical call of God to missions (ministry) and a well thought-out biblical philosophy of ministry (Luke 9:57- 62, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
4. Basic evangelism skills (2 Timothy 4:5).
5. Discipleship skills (2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18).
6. Skills that allow one to function on a team, and help carry the load (Hebrews 10:24-25).
7. Relationship skills that allow for one to gently confront others, and also to receive correction and not be easily offended (Galatians 6:1-2).
8. A life marked by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-25).
9. A servant attitude (2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:7).
10. The willingness to adapt to a different culture and to understand that what is personally familiar and comfortable does not always work elsewhere in the world (1 Corinthians 9:1-23).
What do you think? Are you interested? Are you age 21 to 75 and willing to trust God for support (personal and ministry) and for Him to use you for His glory?
Please check our web site www.actioninternational.org or contact any Action International Ministries (ACTION) office for more information:
ACTION USA • PO Box 398, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043-0398 • Tel. 425-775-4800 • info@actionusa.org
ACTION Canada • 3015 A 21 Street NE• Calgary, Alberta T2E 7T1• Tel. (403) 204-1421• info@actioncanada.org
ACTION New Zealand • PO Box 8928, Christchurch • Tel. 011-643-341-0933 • rob@brighthopeworld.com
ACTION United Kingdom • PO Box 144, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 5WE • Tel. 011-151-630-245• info@actionuk.org • Registered Charity 1058661 •
Whether you are “the best and brightest” of your school or church or just ordinary like the rest of us, there are 10 basic requirements to serve with ACTION:
1. An ability to feed yourself on the Word of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).
2. A desire to rejoice in the Sovereignty of God in all circumstances (Daniel 3:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 6:10).
3. An understanding of one’s biblical call of God to missions (ministry) and a well thought-out biblical philosophy of ministry (Luke 9:57- 62, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
4. Basic evangelism skills (2 Timothy 4:5).
5. Discipleship skills (2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18).
6. Skills that allow one to function on a team, and help carry the load (Hebrews 10:24-25).
7. Relationship skills that allow for one to gently confront others, and also to receive correction and not be easily offended (Galatians 6:1-2).
8. A life marked by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-25).
9. A servant attitude (2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:7).
10. The willingness to adapt to a different culture and to understand that what is personally familiar and comfortable does not always work elsewhere in the world (1 Corinthians 9:1-23).
What do you think? Are you interested? Are you age 21 to 75 and willing to trust God for support (personal and ministry) and for Him to use you for His glory?
Please check our web site www.actioninternational.org or contact any Action International Ministries (ACTION) office for more information:
ACTION USA • PO Box 398, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043-0398 • Tel. 425-775-4800 • info@actionusa.org
ACTION Canada • 3015 A 21 Street NE• Calgary, Alberta T2E 7T1• Tel. (403) 204-1421• info@actioncanada.org
ACTION New Zealand • PO Box 8928, Christchurch • Tel. 011-643-341-0933 • rob@brighthopeworld.com
ACTION United Kingdom • PO Box 144, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 5WE • Tel. 011-151-630-245• info@actionuk.org • Registered Charity 1058661 •
Monday, January 4, 2010
Cancer Survivor by God's Grace
Yes, by God’s grace I am a survivor of colon cancer which was diagnosed in 1993 and treated over the next year. God's hand was on my life through this experience, especially in giving me two extraordinary doctors. Dr. Dan was the skilled surgeon who, when faced with a difficult choice in the middle of my surgery, stopped and asked God for direction. The decision he made helped save my life.
The second doctor par excellence was Dr. Saul. All of the patients who are privileged to be in his care loved this man and appreciated his dedication to each one of us. He aggressively attacked any cancer cells that escaped the knife.
Several months later, during a regular checkup with Dr. Saul, he mentioned that he had only one other patient with similar circumstances who was still alive.
"Why do you think God allowed you to live when so many others have died?" he asked me. I was taken aback by his question but then thought of several possible reasons. I replied that in God’s plan, He gave me cancer so I could share the Gospel with him.
It was also, during my painful year of chemo treatment that God gave Margaret and me a concern for Africa, especially to the 13 million AIDS orphans. In the intervening years, by God’s grace we began ministry in four African countries as well as continuing to minister in our beloved Philippines!
In a discussion with my former surgeon and now friend, Dr. Dan, in which we were planning a medical outreach with him to Uganda, I told him about my conversation with Dr. Saul. Dr. Dan concurred about the severity of my cancer and shocked me by saying that I was one of his worst cases who survived.
Margaret and I are humbled that God has allowed me to live these extra years (now in 2023, age 80). Whether I die today or next week, my prayer is to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father. In the words of John Newton, "I am a wretched sinner, but I have a wonderful Savior!"
The second doctor par excellence was Dr. Saul. All of the patients who are privileged to be in his care loved this man and appreciated his dedication to each one of us. He aggressively attacked any cancer cells that escaped the knife.
Several months later, during a regular checkup with Dr. Saul, he mentioned that he had only one other patient with similar circumstances who was still alive.
"Why do you think God allowed you to live when so many others have died?" he asked me. I was taken aback by his question but then thought of several possible reasons. I replied that in God’s plan, He gave me cancer so I could share the Gospel with him.
It was also, during my painful year of chemo treatment that God gave Margaret and me a concern for Africa, especially to the 13 million AIDS orphans. In the intervening years, by God’s grace we began ministry in four African countries as well as continuing to minister in our beloved Philippines!
In a discussion with my former surgeon and now friend, Dr. Dan, in which we were planning a medical outreach with him to Uganda, I told him about my conversation with Dr. Saul. Dr. Dan concurred about the severity of my cancer and shocked me by saying that I was one of his worst cases who survived.
Margaret and I are humbled that God has allowed me to live these extra years (now in 2023, age 80). Whether I die today or next week, my prayer is to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father. In the words of John Newton, "I am a wretched sinner, but I have a wonderful Savior!"
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