Melange

     A mixture of various thoughts today. Spring has finally arrived in all its vernal splendor although it is quite chilly this morning. Amazing how a few days changes the scene from drab gray and brown to verdant green splashed with white, wine red, pink and other colors.
    Am preparing for a summer overseas as the next phase in exploring whether God wants me to be a full-time missionary. May His will be done.
     Deeply appreciative of the people who God is blessing me with- the hospitality and concern of Daniel & Edel, rich fellowship this morning with S & S, and two days before with Gary.
     Also thankful for the long, steep, curving driveway which provides a good workout as I trek up and down twenty-five times a day.
    Am reading Leviticus in my second reading of the Old Testament in Portuguese, and have begun the third level of three in a spoken language computer program.
     Met with four other regional brothers Friday evening for the second time for mutual encouragement.
Today would have been my thirty-fifth wedding anniversary.
     As a lifelong student of history, economics and the Bible, I suggest to my readers that they buy a little extra food each time they shop, things you would eat anyway, and rotate the extra both as an opportunity to give and to provide for your families for the crisis i believe is inevitable.

May, 2013 Canada visit

Recently I returned from my first visit to Canada this year. The Lord Jesus has opened

a door of ministry there for me with a Brazilian home based group in the Montreal area. A brother Russ loaded me up with snacks after treating me to breakfast and then prayed me on my way. Drove up through New Hampshire and into Canada. As usual the Canadian border officials were pleasant. Counting brief stops the journey took about seven hours and I rolled into my destination about five-thirty. There I was greeted by Wellington and Suzel, my hosts, with their children Tiago and Lulu. We had good fellowship and the Brazilian food which I enjoy too much. My friend Reuel, his wife Erika, and their son Mateus joined us several hours later after a traffic filled drive from Ottawa.

In the morning after breakfast took a walk around the neighborhood. Wel lives in a residential suburb with new housing going up around the corner. Spring had sprung even in these northern climes and the day was quite warm. Later in the day we were joined by Andre, Camilla and their son Davi, as well as Wender, Ana-Paula and their son Antonio, and Edouard. In the evening we worshiped together. Wel had asked if I would share from the Word which I did, focusing on two questions. What did God do for us through Christ? What is our response? For texts I used John 3:16, Matt. 20:28, Ephesians 2:1-4, Matt. 25:21,23, Luke 12:21, 14:25. Then we looked at one reason why we did not reciprocate God's love- the culture we live in, subject of a prior post. They were attentive and receptive even with translation. Thank you, Reuel.

Sunday several families joined us for the ubiquitous and delicious Brazilian barbecue. After they departed had an opportunity to speak with some of the brothers about the church and the vision for the future. They were candid and I thank God for deepening relationship that allowed for that.

Monday morning discussed Biblical child-rearing with Reuel and Suzel. The foundation is our love to God expressed through our obedience to Him. If we do not receive this revelation then disciplining children to do the same will seem onerous. Left a little after ten in the morning and eventually came to the border. Was asked to see the agricultural inspector, something new for me in my travels. I assume that they are given a quota and fulfill this by selecting one out of every so many (15,20, whatever) cars that pass through. I was asked if I had visited or planned to visit a ranch or a farm in the last month or in the next one, and my trunk was inspected. Then I was passed on. Again with brief stops the journey came to about seven hours before arriving home again.

Reconciliation & other thoughts

     Met again with two precious brothers yesterday morning. S & S are faithful men in the Lord Jesus. Initially I discussed disciple making with one of them- the practical "how-to's" that I have learned the hard way through personal experience. One key is that there is a distinct difference between mentoring and disciple-making. Another is that the people God gives us to work with are His disciples not ours. A third is the necessity of commitment. If a person is not able or willing to prioritize getting together on a very regular basis you are wasting your time. Pray to God for someone who is willing to commit.
    When the second "S" arrived we switched to a brief study of the theme of reconciliation using the following verses: Romans 5:10-11, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Ephesians 2:16, and Colossians 1:20,22. Key themes are that God reconciled us to Himself; we did not reconcile ourselves to Him. He initiated this process when we were His enemies. He did this through Jesus Christ, His death on the cross. He put to death the hostility between His original chosen people, the Jews, and the non Jewish Gentiles. Praise Him for his merciful kindness towards us.
     The home where I live has a long, steep driveway like climbing a hill. Having discovered that this provides better exercise than my previous walks I am now ascending and descending this for over an hour each day. While this may seem mindless- a long walk to nowhere- it provides opportunity to pray. Thank you, Jesus.
     Perseverance is underrated. Walking up and down the driveway twenty-five times improves my physical condition. Studying Portuguese one and a half hours a day is slowly improving my ability in the language. Walking with Jesus over decades also requires perseverance. "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1b NIV)

M, M & M

     Candy? No, actually the three letter M's above are the initials of three brothers with whom I met last night. I met these men several years ago, have been in regular fellowship with them since the fall, and last night invited them to explore discipleship with me. About a month ago we went on a men's retreat together where i had the opportunity to teach on the subject of discipleship. Subsequent to that delighted in an opportunity to spend more than five hours straight with two of them searching the Scriptures and praying. Since that wonderful (and sadly rare experience) God has been challenging and convicting me on the imperative to disciple others.He has used a young author named David Platt, two of whose books ( Radical and Follow Me) I have read, and highly recommend, in that process. Last night I proposed a vision of discipleship which all three embraced.
     Let's look at how the Holy Spirit used Paul to describe this to Timothy. "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." ( 2 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV) This agrees with what he writes to the Philippians. "The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." ( Phil 4:9 NKJV)
     The vision that i offered was of a intentional pouring out of what God has worked in me over many years and tribulations into their lives. It involves commitment, caring, the Word of God, prayer, and application of what we learn. It is a two, not one way, street. We emphasized them in turn giving to others what they learn and grow in. We looked specifically at our new identity in Christ, and i gave them a little homework assignment. Thank you, God, for answering my prayers, and giving me men to mentor and teach in accordance with the words of Jesus in Matthew 28: 19-20. May we go to the nations and fulfill your will.

Saturday Morning Reflections

Last night the second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing was captured and transported to an area hospital in serious condition. As mentioned in a previous post, i have resided in the Boston area for over three decades. One would not deny the courage of the officers who entered house after house knowing that they could be booby trapped, and that they were facing someone who had murdered others and could kill them. Specialized training, weaponry and teamwork helps but does not eliminate the danger. May we Christians also exhibit  courage to tell a perishing world about Christ. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ( 1 Corinthians 1:18)
     The situation also showed again that the US is not immune from the terror that has struck other countries, like Israel. I believe it represents God's judgment on us for our unwillingness to repent of our disobedience to Him. Two men paralyzed a major city, killed or wounded almost two hundred and caused the equivalent of martial law.
     While the citizens applaud the law enforcement people now, it is a sobering example of the coercive power of the government which will eventually be used against the true Christians in this country. As Jesus said, "All will hate you on account of My Name. (Mark 13:13) May we endure to the end.
    On a lighter note, some Old Norse words which have come into the English language through the Danish and other Vikings who settled in the east of England are "they", "them", and "their." Also sky, skill and skin, as well as anger, husband, wing, thrive, egg, bread, and die. ( The Vikings by Robert Ferguson; Penguin 2009 pg. 238)

California Report

A week ago I departed home for my annual trip to California. There used to be a nonstop flight between these destinations which no longer exists. So I got up at quarter to four in the morning, received a ride from my friend Bud to the airport, where he works, waited for several hours, and finally boarded a plane to San Francisco. Unfortunately the Bay Area is about 450 miles ( 700 kilometers) from my ultimate destination. After waiting there for several more hours I made the final leg of the flight, rented a car and drove through rush hour traffic for ninety minutes to my friend Bill's house. He and his wife Ileana greeted me. I've known them since the Jesus People Movement days of the 1970's.

On Wednesday trekked to Orange County to see my daughter and son-in-law for the first time in almost a year, and my grandson for the first time. She and I went to the beach and walked down the boardwalk for several hours discussing discipleship among other topics. We had lunch at a sidewalk cafe. The little guy slept, nursed and watched us eat.

The next day Bill & I took a walk in the hills culminating in a vista of the surrounding countryside. That evening I had the pleasure of gathering with the home group that he fellowships with, and speaking for a few minutes on obeying Jesus as his disciples including an emphasis on going to the nations. One brother named Russ, a multi-lingual (4 languages) man, expressed great interest. He had been to a number of countries on previous mission trips. We may travel together in the fall.

Friday and Saturday I took walks around the neighborhood, read and relaxed. On Sunday my grandson was dedicated to the Lord, surrounded by many family members and friends. He behaved extremely well. We then heard a message from Luke 7 about the importance of finding answers to doubts or questions that we may have. Chuck & Cynthia, my son-in-laws' parents, hosted a barbecue at their home in the afternoon. Hospitality is only one of their many gifts. I had an opportunity to speak with Lee & Ed, whom I have known for many years, and with Chuck, who discoursed on his personal road of discipleship naming a number of books that had influenced him, and the opportunities that God has given him to interact with other men. He also spoke about hearing the Lord's voice (cf. John 10:4) Towards the end I finally got to see part of my daughter's wedding video.

Monday was another long and wearing travel day. Got up before 4 in the morning, drove an hour through rather heavy traffic for that time in the morning to the airport, dropped off the car, waited for the first flight, again to the Bay Area, and off at 7. Sat next to a nice couple with a four month old baby with lots of hair who never fussed during the one hour trip. Then I waited again until noon for the longer flight to Boston. The Marathon bombing happened as we took off. The young children on this flight, several of whom sat close to me, were not so happy on this journey. Arrived about 8:15 East Coast time, waited for the luggage, took the subway to South Station, and another to Alewife, where another friend Bill picked me up, and took me to Bud's house. By this time it was about 10 at night, and I did not relish a 2 hour drive west. Slept overnight and came over in the morning.

Many years ago I lived in southern California and the sybaritic, apathetic lifestyle remains the same. May we repent and God deliver us from hedonism and self-absorption.

What Jesus Said

For over thirty years i lived in the Boston area although only about six months in the actual city. Happened to be flying back from California when the bombing at the Marathon happened. The plane was equipped with individual monitors so i could follow the coverage. Many people expressed their thoughts, condolences, and in a few cases their prayers for the victims. The most recent report that I have heard says that three have died, eight more are in critical condition and at least 176 were injured. As i listened i could not help remembering what Jesus said about a similar situation in His day.
     "There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices (i.e. killed them). And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things. I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." ( Luke 13:1-4 NKJV)
     How radically different is His response? These are the words and thoughts of Jesus. He expresses what is truly important- that we repent and give up our lives of sin and disobedience in order to follow Him.
     But isn't Jesus compassionate and loving? Yes. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Matthew 23:37-39)