#200

This post marks number two hundred since the inception of the blog in the middle of 2009. Following in the footsteps of Tychicus has taken me to thirty odd states and the visiting of over thirty different groups, some a number of times. God has graciously provided for both material and spiritual needs. In recent times He has provided an idyllic semi-permanent residence, and an upcoming opportunity to travel to another continent. The Holy Spirit has inspired me to write on numerous topics from mutual accountability to our brotherhood in Christ to eldership to encouraging one another. I am thankful for the opportunity to do so. I also thank God for the many saints that I have met along the way, some that I hadn't seen for thirty or more years. I also thank Him for the ongoing relationships that I enjoy with fellow citizens of the kingdom of heaven. ( Phil 3:20) He has shown me the diversity of His Body to a greater extent than ever before. I even thank Him for the occasional person whose comments to this blog have resembled the launching of missiles. May it help in making me humble. As I look forward I trust that the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify me, that I walk in a God given balance between love and truth, so that I may glorify Him and be pleasing in His sight. God be praised. Amen.

Father

When Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Christ after His resurrection He tells her, "Go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father

Home School Debate Championships

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise) that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Eph. 6:1-4 ESV) Yesterday I had the privilege of participating as a community judge at the national debating championships of the N. C. F. C. A., an association of home schoolers. Approximately five hundred students of high school age from around the country had made it through lower rounds of competition to come to Gordon College for the week. Although I did not have the opportunity to do homeschooling myself, I have interacted with many home school families over the years. (Many people involved in house church begin by home schooling.) The debaters whom I judged, three separate matches involving a total of ten participants, were all poised, prepared, effective speakers, even when cross-examined. It was very difficult to decide between them.
Also impressive was the long hours, courtesy, and dedication of the many volunteers who put the event on. From registration to ballot procurement and reception to a continual stream of food- the oxen treading out the corn were certainly not muzzled- hard work was evident everywhere. Thanks, Bud, for the invitation.

Home Schooling

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother

Ghana

Over four years ago I had the opportunity to visit some indigenous house church planters in Ghana, who work among the Ewe people group, numbering several million believers with a Bible in their own language. These brethren took me to villages in the interior that did not have electricity or potable water. Most of the people are unreached voodoo worshippers but God is faithful, and we saw conversions among them, and a level of joy I have rarely experienced among groups of believers in the U.S. Africa as a continent is one vast need, and it is easy to experience compassion fatigue when attempting to minister to physical needs. Recently the brethren there began a micro finance program to attempt to minister to the poverty of their people. Simply stated, the micro finance principle involves loaning small sums of money to budding entrepreneurs with strict, gradual pay back schedules reinforced by peer pressure. Once the initial loan is repaid it can be loaned out to another person. This idea is catching on in the more affluent parts of the world but there is a "food chain" concept. The big international groups work through progressively smaller groups before they get down to the individual level. God has led me to give to the brethren in Ghana to jump start the process so they can build up a track record and attract the attention of one of the larger organizations. If God should lead you in this direction leave a comment for me. Thanks.
I am grieved to say that I can no longer endorse the ministry of Ross & Trina, whom I have often commended in these posts.

Trust

"Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord." (Prov. 16:20 ESV)"Put your trust in the Lord," (Ps. 4:5b ESV) "O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you." (Ps. 84:12) Trust lies at the heart of any good relationship, whether with God Himself, a spouse or other relative, a friend or a person with whom we have a business transaction. Without it, genuine relationship, especially the kind we should have with our brothers and sisters in Christ, seems impossible. Without trust, suspicion reigns, and everything said or done, or not said or done, can constitute an offense. Sadly, it seems very difficult to recover from a violation of trust. Forgiveness is crucial; receiving the love of God for ourselves personally will help us to love others. Sometimes we have to establish boundaries for people who are unable or unwilling to do this for themselves.
Enjoyed my time in Rhode Island recently, fellow shipping with John & Danielle, watching their sons prepare for their baseball game, good interaction with brother Daniel from India, and a feast at Ron & Marianne's. Also thankful for time with Josh, the Thursday evening bros, and the Saturday morning bros.

Veranda

While the word "veranda (h)" is probably a little grandiose for the little, screened in porch off the back of the "Mexico" suite that i occupy in the little hobbit house in the woods where I reside, I am very thankful to God for it. It is seasonal but I am enjoying the serenity of sitting there- praying, reading the Word, or reflecting on the glory of God's creation in the midst of the storms of life, both literally and figuratively. A rare tornado smashed through the little town where I live last night, uprooting huge trees, knocking down buildings, and making the places where it touched down look like a war zone. By the grace of God we were unaffected, except for the loss of electricity, still out. Paul refers in 2 Corinthians 11:28 of his concern for all the churches. I thank God that He sustains and loves me as I feebly attempt to follow in Paul's footsteps in caring for brethren in New England small churches. How easy it seems for years of painstaking efforts towards developing trust and relationship to go down the drain. God forbid. I am thankful for those who contacted me to see if I was all right following the tornado, which put our little town on the TV news.
"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you." (2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV)