2011 Concluding Thoughts

Have been ill the last few days. Was it inevitable, given that I was around a number of sick people prior to coming down with my own cold? I do thank God, that with the exception of my teeth, I have enjoyed superior health over the course of my life.
One of the best pieces of advice that I ever received regards e-mail. If I receive an e-mail that gives me a strong emotional reaction, wait at least 24 hours before responding. The one time this year that, due to circumstances, I didn't follow this rule, led to major problems. I do observe an ongoing phenomenon that people have no hesitation in saying in an e-mail what they would never dare to say in person. Followers of Christ need to refrain from blistering attacks in any form.
Women do desire, no matter how much they may argue or fight against it, to be led. They need good, godly leadership. This requires that men seek God. ( I know I will get in trouble for this one.)
Listening, sympathizing, encouraging people repeatedly over time without pointing them to Jesus is like putting air in a car tire with a hole in it without fixing the hole. No matter how many times we put the air in, it will always leak out again. Only God can fix the hole.
Helping someone to become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ is one of greatest privileges and most fulfilling things that a person can ever do. Sadly, about ninety percent of the Christians whom I ask have never had anyone do this with them.

Only in Cambridge

As regular readers of this blog are aware, I enjoy taking long walks in whatever places that I am in. Todays' jaunt was in Cambridge, MA, a mecca of highly educated people. As I trekked down urban streets with large ornate houses, bigger brick apartment buildings and an eclectic melange of architectural styles- a lemon yellow house, another faint pink, a weary little flat topped garage just big enough for a car, and another aged building shrouded with vines, I noticed a large handwritten sign. Parking is scarce in Cambridge and thus highly prized. The sign forbade unauthorized parking, ending in large letters with the warning "Police Prosecute." Underneath, in another hand, was written, "Correct your grammar." Perhaps I need that person to help me.
On another subject, as I contemplate the reality of conflict between Christians, it strikes me as inevitable. What is not inevitable is our response. We have three major choices- to run from the situation, to fight by justifying ourselves or to work things out through love, humility, forgiveness, repentance etc. Sadly my track record, although improving, is not very good. Nor is it for most situations of which I am aware. However, I am encouraged by the victory won by the grace of God by two couples that recently started a house church. They experienced a situation that could easily have blown up the whole thing. Yet through a willingness to work it out, aided by prayer, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, they are going forward. "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield for those who put their trust in Him." (Proverbs 30:5)

Hard Work, Patience & Tears

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." While I believe that God calls every believer into some form of ministry and gifts them to do so, some are given the responsibility of shepherding more than others. ( I understand that for some, who suffered through the "Shepherding Movement" of the 70's and 80's, even the word "shepherding" is problematic.)Attempting to help others become more like Christ (sanctification)can often be hard work, patience, tears, and, at the end of the day, far fewer results than we hope for. The truth is, as humans, no matter how much we listen or encourage or express the love of Christ, we cannot heal the deep wounds that so many people carry. Only Jesus can do that. This is why we must point people to Jesus rather than ourselves. Sooner or later we will disappoint people, and especially if we build unhealthy or unrealistic expectations in them. We must also face the reality that many people will transfer their feelings from people with whom they have unresolved conflict or unforgiveness onto those who are actually trying to help them. While it is difficult to suffer for someone else's sins, it is a phenomenon that one will face often. Finally we need to understand that most people (like me) have to learn the hard way, through painful, prolonged personal experience. What may be very obvious to us is not to them. We should recall the patience and perseverance that God has had with us. "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ( 1 Cor. 1:9 NKJV)

Cross- Pollinating

Sunday, Dec. 4th the brethren in our group had the opportunity to meet with the Brazilian church along with saints from Virginia, Brazil and Canada. God provided a wonderful participatory gathering complete with prayer, worship, testimony, celebration of two children's birthdays and a sharing that included 2 Kings 3:16 "And he said, 'Thus says the Lord: Make this valley full of ditches." (NKJV) This verse was the center of the very first Bible teaching I ever gave in 1974.
The following Sunday our Lord drew more of His body together. Again the Brazilians and ourselves were present. We were joined by saints from Maine, New Hampshire and central Mass and Connecticut along with people who lived in the projects. This was an Acts 20 gathering modeled after the address of Paul to the Ephesian elders on the beach in Miletus. Our brother Vinci shared his heart for God, the believers and the unsaved world, exhorting us to have Christ live through us. Our sister Mariana walked in faith and courage to translate into English from Portuguese before so many people. And when we finally ate I never saw twenty pizzas plus a lot of home cooking disappear so fast. I thank God for those who traveled longer distances, and those that worked hard to prepare the facility (we normally meet in homes), those who prayed in preparation and all who participated. Glory to God! He is worthy!

Adventures with Brazilians (3)

When I left Brazil last August one of the things that most impressed me was the warmth, and sacrificial nature of the hospitality of the saints that I met. ( Found in greater detail in my Brazil report blog entry of August 6th.) Frankly I despaired of Americans ever matching it. As with so many things, I, the man of little faith, had God show me otherwise. On Thursday Vinci and Samia, Reuel and Erica and Mateus, and Getulio and Ana came to visit. Our household is a fairly quiet one, with only one extrovert among the five of us. This was transformed at once. We had lunch together as the Spirit of God knit together those who had not previously met. Sanford and Deb gave up their basement "Hawaiian" suite to Vinci and Samia, I ushered Reuel & Erica into the "Mexico" suite, and our sister Pat provided a guest room for Getulio and Ana.
Bruce, a brother who has ministered extensively in central Asia, swung by about 4, and was immediately swept into the flow of the Spirit. He emerged about two hours later like a man who had come out of a desert into a waterfall. Wayne and Michael took his place, Nate joined us, and we dove into a whole lot of Chinese food, fellowship, laughter. Later Nic, Mike and Katie, and Danielle hopped on board.
Finally we sat down and Vinci shared his heart with us about the kingdom of God, and building in that kingdom through home based ministry. Samia translated. Just watching them is a joy as they tease each other (after many years of marriage.) In the morning we had breakfast and then Vinci and Samia spoke with me privately. They are a multi-faceted couple, humble yet walking in the power of the Spirit, full of joy, Vinci is an avid jokester but also serious about the preaching of the gospel. We ate lunch later, and I noticed that Vinci spent time with each daughter of my host family separately, drawing them out.
Friday night we celebrated Vinci and Marcio's birthdays. Together they are 100 years old. Imagine a long narrow table filled with Brazilians, and the occasional stray north American, chattering away in Portuguese and a little English lingo, punctuated by explosions of laughter, eating and joy. I cannot help thinking of the marriage supper of the Lamb. ( Revelation 19)

Adventures with Brazilians ( 2)

Last night I had the blessing and joy of spending the evening with my friends Vinci, Samia, Getulio & Ana from Brazil along with my American friend Matt. We met in a
confeitaria (pastry & coffee shop) The waitresses spoke Portuguese, and my friends felt comfortable. Samia ordered a Brazilian specialty for us, the name of which I forget, consisting of shredded chicken and cheese in a pear shaped, and sized, fried dough coating. We discussed the advance of the kingdom of God through ascension gift teams ( Ephesians 4:11)and a swirl of other topics. Matt was meeting them for the first time so they got acquainted. After two hours we departed with Matt returning to his family. Then the real adventure started.
We were walking back to the car when we heard sirens. First one fire engine, then a second and a third filled the narrow street on which we had parked, completely blocking us in. It turned out the "fire" was very minor but it took a awhile to figure this out. Then they wanted to go to stores to exchange things or find items not previously obtained. Now i am familiar with the northern suburbs so I was ok there. Then they wanted to go into the big city, which I do not know. Vinci held the GPS while I tried to keep my eyes on the road. Everyone is speaking Portuguese, which I am trying, thus far in vain, to learn. My reflexes are not what they were, and I don't like driving at night in strange places. I made several wrong turns, and on one occasion we were nearly killed.
I once heard a teaching that said that God used angels to protect His children from physical harm, and the Holy Spirit from spiritual danger. After last night I am inclined to believe it because I don't see any other reason why we are not all dead. So while I want to serve them I think it should take another form than driving around at night in strange cities.