Saturday, November 24, 2007

communicaing something of value

Not a day goes by anymore without 2 or 3 or more people telling me that they watch my little TV show, and appreciate it. Recently I have been asking God to help me communicate His heart well so that people who mention the show start mentioning what they learned or how it helped.

I ache to have a little role in helping this country toward a bright future in faith. Our true potential lies in becoming people of character and truth, not selfishness and consuming. And I feel like a complete amateur at learning how to communicate with the soul and heart of this great nation.

So, for right now I am asking God to help me frame the right questions to Him, and figure out what to want in relation to this nation and it's spiritual health.

Friday, November 23, 2007

one amazing man

I've been in ministry since the early 80's. Not as much surprises me as it once did. I have seen some stuff, I guess. The same, boring old painful sins that destroy lives, and make hearts hard. And while it's hardly ever surprising anymore, it still hurts to watch someone destroy themselves.

But I have also seen some incredible examples of extraordinary faith and courage. For example, a few years ago, I watched a man as his wife worked through her own pain, and tried everything to medicate the ache in her soul. She even tried various affairs as the man helplessly wept and begged her not to leave him and their kids. But her personal pain drove her on, seeking some solution, or some respite from the thoughts and inner frustration.

He never gave up. He asked the few people he could trust to pray with him, and believe that she would come back. He also asked us to pray that he would have the courage and faith to forgive and take her back. I wondered if she could forgive herself and come back. And I wondered if he could actually forgive.

She did. He did too. I am still amazed at his extraordinary faith.

For a long time he asked for prayer to heal from his own pain. We prayed a lot. He seems better.

Amazing.

He's the kind of man I hope to be when I grow up. Because of him, his kids were able to come home for Thanksgiving, to both their parents. Because of him, they will never have to decide if they can put up with his new wife, or her new husband.

I have seen a lot of men (and women) say it's simply too hard to forgive, and that they couldn't do it. But it's harder not to, I think. God help me find the courage to do so when I need to.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

people with real faith

I am impressed with the kind of faith Freedom Valley South Hanover showed Sunday night. Several more people stepped up a lot, to offer their help with worship, kids, food, and all kinds of other great things. They even invented their own great things to do for God and for His people.

I was very impressed and very encouraged.

And then tonight, I met with 4 possible new church planters, who are putting their faith to work for new churches that they are believing into existence. We are working our way through the book Launch by Nelson Searcy, and excitement builds as we discuss the mountains that need to be moved to get there. I got so encouraged by their enthusiasm and thorough preparation, that I found the courage myself to ask God for one or two more of them! (church planters).

These meetings were so encouraging as they were sandwiched between other meetings where the topic had more to do with ways I failed to serve other people well. I am such a pathetic leader in a lot of ways. I often wonder what God was thinking when He called me. He is so gracious to me, allowing me to do the work that I love so much, and helping me even enjoy it a LOT most days.

Last night I participated in a Memorial service for Wendy Kadish's mom Pat Markle. When I gave people an opportunity to raise their eyes and look at me if they wanted to start a walk with Jesus, admit they need forgiveness, and start toward eternal life, about 8 or 20 people looked up. Some of them were people I had prayed for a long time. God help them take the next steps and get an authentic and eternal relationship going with their heavenly father.

This weekend as I prayed over the many people who give at Freedom Valley, I was moved with how much I love them and love serving them. I really have the best job ever, and love it so much. God, you are so kind to allow me to do this work. Please bless each of these families and individuals so much for all their generosity and for putting up with me. Let these generous givers find a gracious harvest, and experience their abundant God using them in mighty ways.

Monday, November 12, 2007

how to move ahead

This weekend was so life giving. I felt like I saw the chains fall off of people, and lives changed. I live for this stuff.

But I have a lot of decisions to work through. My guest this weekend, John and Ann Bosman, helped me see some things, and talk through them a bit. We have a lot of development and organization to do so that we can get better at making true disciples of Jesus, not just adding attendees.

Space is going to be an issue soon again. I could add more services, or I could try to speed up the building process. If I choose to speed up the building process, the questions seems to be whether I should double our sanctuary as previously planned, or start building a whole new sanctuary. John helped me see that it may be time to consolidate things a bit, reorganize slightly, and then start sending more out again.

To me, the question still is; how do I make the most difference for God that I can in the next 25 years?

Sunday, November 11, 2007

weekend

What a wonderful, breakthrough, God thing there was in the house this morning. I felt a lot of people get handcuffs broken off, and freedom came. The University Master's Commission skit human video was powerful. I was told about healings, people who quit smoking, salvations, and various kinds of healing from the past. Good stuff.

There's a lot happening this week. Missions team, Shine Gala, so much more.

I can't wait to get on with it.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

another post- in the same day!

I've been grappling with some heavy stuff for awhile, and really need to write about it, as painful and weepy as I feel when I do. So in addition to the post I just made, I need to add this.

The Hubbells marriage seems to be in a lot of trouble. It seems Christa moved out weeks ago, and is determined to end it, while Dan is praying for a miracle of restoration. Christa seems to be throwing out there a lot of accusations that are hard to believe, almost as if she is looking for an excuse to end it.

I'm sure things are not as they seem here, but I can only guess what is going through her mind, as she has not offered me an explanation. I hope she will so I can see it for what it is, not what it looks like. Until then I only have guesses.

I am clueless as to how to handle things like this, or what to do. I pray a lot, and ask God for miracles. And wisdom. And hope.


freedom house progress

Our Freedom House meeting tonight made great progress again. We worked on a series of privileges that men could earn and enjoy, hopefully teaching them to experience that God is a rewarder, as scripture says. Brandy reported that some of our scheduling issues may be getting resolved through some charity work that she lined up.


SO this is good stuff!

We even had a potential assistant leader show up tonight- Daniel Kollars. We are praying about the possibilities there, and weighing whether or not he is right for the job. It would be quite a switch in lifestyle for him and I wonder of he could do it. But I think it would help him a lot.

We are not meeting for the next two weeks, so the next meeting is on the 29'th. We need more people to be involved if we are ever to make this ministry successful.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

elections and kids on skateboards

God, I'd like your opinion on a couple of things.

Should I want to win this New Oxford Boro Council election today, or not? I've rarely been so double minded about anything. I guess James would suggest that I shouldn't expect God to do anything for me on it. I haven't even figured out how I feel about that.

But I gave my word that I would run, and I did. I hated asking people for votes. But I did it. I should know any minute if I won, I guess, according to the Evening Sun's website. I guess these new election machines are quick.

The last couple of days as a Boro Council president have not been fun. I think we should allow skate boarders to skate on our side walks and they (my fine citizens) do not. In fact, they seem to think that allowing them would be about the same as inviting hundreds of known murders to walk around our town every day and evening. They seem to think that makes me the chief murderer.

I think it makes me a lover of kids, and a kind and responsible adult. I honestly think they wish kids not to be present in town. Period. They get in our way, and trouble us by using our sidewalks for, dare I say it... fun!

May God forbid.

I don't even know if the battle is worth it. They have one strong argument; if someone gets hurt skateboarding on the sidewalk outside my house, I guess they could sue me! I would hate to lose my house over it, but I also hate to turn my town into a kid-unfriendly place.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Leadership needed

Tonight, my main request is for an assistant leader for the Freedom House. If we are to re-open in several weeks, I would very much like to get that person on the team early. An ideal leader would be a single man, in his twenties or thirties who would live at the Freedom House and fully partner with Jake for life change in the hearts of the residents.

I also need major help for our building fund. Our weekend was not as encouraging as we need it to be. We need an additional $7000 a month.

And last, I need serious help Saturday morning to meet at the previous Freedom House and full clean and repair what we damaged. Some wall repair, a window, moving out more stuff out of the basement, etc.