Kingdom Building

One of the building blocks in the kingdom of God involves developing trust and relationship between individuals and groups. This past Tuesday participated in a meeting of house church leaders from different parts of New England, discussing characteristics of a godly leader, and vision for the various groups represented. We also spent time in prayer.
On wednesday met with Matt W & Josh from the E.Cambridge HC. We prayed together and I gave them a sense of what I believe God's marching orders are for me -to spend far more time with those who don't know Christ, praying for a man of peace (Luke 10)to begin a new ekklesia. As I review the past ten years pursuing the apostolic tradition model of N. T. patterns, and the past year visiting thirty different house churches throughout the U. S., and the reality that, except for one, they are not growing via new converts, I needed to reassess, and go back to God in prayer.
This does not mean i plan to abandon the friends God has given me, or stop visiting house churches to encourage them. It does mean a different time/energy allocation for those things. Wednesday evening had dinner with our brother Bill. Thursday had lunch with Steve, a new friend, one whose fellowship, as my brother John mentioned, is addicting. I look forward to praying with Steve again soon.
On Friday met with our brother Jason for lunch and our sister Judith after wards. Both are experiencing their youthful ideals and hopes pressured by the realities of the world we live in. May we all trust God- that He sees everything, cares immensely, is still on the throne, and will work out everything for His own purposes, to the praise of His glory.

Victorious Jesus

One year ago I visited a group in Monson, MA consisting of one adult male and a total of six people. Last Saturday our Lord Jesus gave me the opportunity to visit this same group again. One dozen people, six of them new converts, and a even proportion of men. They are converted, baptized, Bible reading, gospel preaching, enthusiastically worshiping brethren who blew me away with their testimonies of how God had changed their lives, and that of others. (A number of others besides the six I met have received Christ, including one the day before.)One woman, who had experienced chronic pain in an arm, received prayer one night, went to sleep, woke up, began ironing clothes, and suddenly realized at the third garment that she had no more pain. God had healed her. She ran down weeping to her husband's home office, holding her arm up in the air, which she had not been able to do for years. How exhilarating to hear this and other testimonies.
As I spoke with Sanford, the man who, with his wife Deb, had founded the group, I discovered several catalysts. The first is that he is one of the most humble brothers I have ever met. Secondly, he left a well paying, high stress job when he felt God lead him to do so, which produced an availability to reach out to those who don't know Christ. He & Deb trusted God and persevered in prayer. Then they focused on their affinity group, Deb's large extended family that lives in the area.
I recall praying with them for her cousin Mark, whom they were going to see at a family picnic last summer. He was the first that God called. Jesus then used him to reach both his family, including three young adult children, and his own brother & his wife. This led to the conversion of their oldest son & his fiancee. And it won't stop there. I left there flying in the Spirit. Thanks for letting me hear your stories.
On Sunday drove to S. Hadley to gather with Wayne, Charlene and the saints. Had an opportunity to share along the lines of my last post, (Matthew 9:35ff) Thankful for their response. God will work mightily through us if we respond to the Holy Spirit.
Am excited about what God is doing in this region (New England)& eager to follow Him.

Red Letter Day

Google searched the phrase "Red-Letter Day," just now as I intended to use it for the title of this post & wanted to know its origin. Apparently church festivals were marked in red on church calendars in the Middle Ages. Well yesterday was a red letter day for me. (No consensus on whether the phrase requires a hyphen) Met up with my friend, brother & Timothy, Josh for lunch & received the glorious news that he and his wife Rema believe the Lord wants them to labor in the gospel with us rather than return to CA, as they had originally planned. I respect the months of prayer that went into this decision. God has used them powerfully already, and their growth in Him is sure and steady. The Lord Jesus is building a team to take His gospel into the city of Boston.
When Jesus tells his disciples to pray for laborers to send into the harvest, the context indicates people will hear and receive Him, if we tell them. (And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10:14) Instead of trying to get people to come to us, let us go to them.
Yesterday afternoon & evening had the joy of renewed fellowship with my dear friend, brother & comrade in arms, Doug. Hadn't seen him for about a year but God is faithful. We are restored to more than our former relationship as God continues his patient, painstaking work to make us more like Christ. The source of our deep, rich fellowship is a love for God, and a love of His Word. May the Holy Spirit use us to inspire others to hunger for the same.

Vision Casting

A little tardy with this post. The Lord Jesus put another piece of the puzzle in for me the other night. In the same way that children are influenced by their parents, I think that new believers are influenced by the "flavor" of Christianity that they grow up in. I suspect that most people brought into the kingdom in a charismatic context probably remain charismatics while most who receive Christ in a Reformed context probably remain Reformed. (doctrines of grace) My first 12 years in the Lord were heavily influenced by a man (Jim Durkin) with a very large vision, someone who genuinely believed that the gospel needed to be preached in the whole world, and made significant, fruitful efforts to see that come to pass, planting almost a hundred churches in the western hemisphere and in Europe. I find most people don't think this way or of themselves as "kingdom builders" (1 Cor. 3:10) While I tend to think large scale because of Jim's influence I don't have the giftedness to fulfill what I believe needs to occur. So I try to recruit others with various gifts, talents, perspectives to fulfill the vision.
Last Wednesday slept much of the time to make up for no sleep Tuesday evening on the plane. Thursday night met with my accountability brothers for whom I thank God. Saturday morning off to M. T's men's gathering in Southie. Saw several brothers hadn't seen in two years plus some of the young stalwarts. Sunday gathered with brethren in Whitinsville for part of their worship. Powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Then off to Milford to join the E. Cambridge group at Marcio's. Delighted to meet our brother Alex, his Mom & 2 friends who came to visit. Also had an opportunity to talk with & field questions from Marcio & his friend Roberto.
Monday trekked to Cambridge to see my friend Gary & catch up with what God is doing with him. Ended up sharing about four Biblical reasons why God established marriage. I guess marriage is in the air, or maybe I just know a lot of young people. Had the privilege and joy of praying a blessing at Dale & Laurie's wedding,and will have the oppty. to speak words of encouragement at Jose & Ashley's wedding, and to officiate at Matt & Candice's wedding. Thanks, guys.
Also great to hear from my brother Doug, who has completed a lengthy and honorable military career. As he enters civilian life, he will continue working and bearing fruit in the kingdom of God.

Back to Beantown

Busy day Sunday. Breakfasted with our brother Marcus, discussing a number of topics. We spent the most time on the vision that God has given to him & his wife Kristina, of concentrating on people in the same neighborhood in which he teaches & she ministers to pregnant mothers thru nursing. God is blessing them with a domicile. I am personally convicted that I need to spend far more time with those who don't know Christ. The Lord wants me to do the same things that i attempt to do with Christians- listen, respect, love, offer counsel & value. In my travels several people have presented a Luke 10 paradigm of kingdom growth & gospel presentation based on Jesus' instructions to the seventy-two disciples that He sent out. As I consider the thirty odd home groups that I visited in the last year, one common denominator is that they are not seeing any marked growth via new converts. Many reasons can be presented for why not but it seems to me like a car with flat tires. There is nothing wrong with the car itself but we need to fix the flats in order to use it. So I am very thankful for those, like Marcus & Kristina, who are exploring different approaches.
Had lunch with my brother Jeff at Carrows restaurant. Thanks, Jeff & then off to the S. F. Bay house church gathering. Matt W shared on the love of God, a theme that never grows old & is always needed & then we had a rich time of prayer for our sister Angela & others. Monday's highlight was dinner & fellowship with our brother Andrew at an Indian place. Later we walked along the beach. Glad to know that he is doing well. Thanks bro, for the time together. Tuesday evening had the oppty. to share a little with the S. F group again on the Luke 10 theme before heading off to the airport, an overnight flight, and no sleep.

Wedding

Flew to the West Coast early Thursday morning, with a courtesy drive to the airport by our brother Nic. Layover in Denver broke up the flight but made it longer. Arrived in Oakland, picked up luggage & rental car, fought thru traffic to Berkeley & arrived for Dale & Laurie's wedding rehearsal. They had asked me to give a benediction. An efficient wedding coordinator put us thru our paces & then off to an Italian restaurant for the rehearsal dinner. Wonderful to see most of the S. F. Bay house church. Too tired by then to be very fruitful.
Finally got to sleep about 11 pm west coast time courtesy of the hospitality of our brother Fred. Friday had dinner with my brother Jeff at another Italian place, and then back to the Friday night gathering at Fred's to receive God's blessing.
Off early Saturday morning to Berkeley for the wedding. Several hundred in attendance, beautiful piano pieces, a vocal by our sister Angela, and lots of people dressed in black- suits or dresses- i didn't know that was a wedding color, but what do I know. Our brother Matt officiated, God blessed Dale & Laurie, and we all headed over to the Marina for the reception. Highlights were Dale singing, and then dancing to his wife. I wonder whether Laurie knew she was getting married to a combination of Frank Sinatra & Fred Astaire. He has amazing talent. Best man Chris gave a humorous roast of his best friend. Hope Dale & Laurie have a wonderful time in Hawaii.
Took a walk on the pier afterwards with Fred & Mari. Saw a halibut someone had caught, a thin bodied fish.

God's Joy

Enjoyed a blazing hot Monday with C & C. Thank you God, for their hospitality & fellowship. On Tuesday trekked north, to John & Debra's home. What joy God gives us in true, tested friends. They have provided a pleasant basement suite, complete with desk, bed, closet, chest of drawers, refrigerator & love.
Already good conversations, questions & responses, prayer- with much more to come. Finally had the oppty. to do a little study on God's joy. Up until recently I have not ever seen God as joyful. Loving, yes, persevering, patient, triumphant but not joyful. Yet David writes that at God's right hand are pleasures forever more. (Ps. 16:11) Joy is the second of the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22. Nehemiah tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. (8:10) For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame. (Hebrews 12:2) Paul writes that the "kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 14:17) Jesus says, "These things have I spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11) Although I believe that joy is only one aspect of who God is, I think He lives in delight.
Today in the midst of pre-Cal errands, i had the privilege and blessing of lunch with brothers Ken & John. we discussed vision- what God has been impressing on us- and walking together with Him. While we all feel tough times are ahead for the Church, the country & the world, we believe that God is at work. He desires to see the charismatic & evangelical wings of the Body come together. He wants to build the Kingdom by taking people out of darkness into light. He wants to restore gifting to the Body, and build on the right foundation. (Eph. 2:20) He wants us to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb. 12:2a)

Evan

Before moving from Russ' place to Bud's home, met a 9 yr. old boy named Evan, apparently the son of a single mom, whom I did not meet. Even though he didn't say it explicitly, he yearned for a dad, a man in his life, and was young enough to believe that possible. How many Evans are out there, who will end up in gangs, or unnatural relationships etc. unless the Body of Christ reaches out to them?
Thursday evening met with Russ & Bill, part of the men's group I've have participated in for many years. I'm thankful for these brothers, who don't hesitate to challenge me if they think I'm getting off the track. May God bless all of us with those in our lives who will speak the truth in love.
Friday morning went to the bible study at Jake's garage. One dozen men from a number of churches participated. First Friday of the month is a time of prayer. Jesus asks in Luke 18:8b whether, when He returns, He will find faith on the earth? In context this refers to praying believers. I trust He will & this group encourages me in that belief.
Friday afternoon, in conjunction with Matt, Mary & their family, visited Josh & Rema, and made an appeal to them to remain in the Boston area to work together with us. I should mention that God has responded to the prayers of many and given me clarity of direction. For the remainder of the summer will continue in itinerant ministry in New England, visiting various individuals & groups. In the fall i commence a one year commitment to ministering in E. Boston with the ekklesia there. I hope to rent a room & find work in the immediate area. Am hoping that God will provide laborers to bring in a harvest of souls into His kingdom.
Saturday morning received the warm hospitality of Dave & Chris, friends from the Jesus People days, a healthy pancake breakfast, fellowship, answers to questions & catching up. Later Saturday trekked back to CT. to spend time with Chris & Carolyn. Both are deep thinkers whose company I enjoy.
Today had the blessing of visiting the house church in Waterford and sharing a little of what God has shown me over the past year. Afterwards had a strong time of prayer with Paul & Donna. I thank God for their friendship & hospitality.