Hearing Him in the Darkness

(Guest Writer: Bubba Hoelzer )

Every day I read My Utmost for His Highest.  It is one of my favorite devotionals and today’s devotion spoke to my heart:

Sometimes God puts us through the experience and discipline of darkness to teach us to hear and obey Him. Song birds are taught to sing in the dark, and God puts us into “the shadow of His hand” until we learn to hear Him (Isaiah 49:2).

“Whatever I tell you in the dark. . .”  — pay attention when God puts you into darkness, and keep your mouth closed while you are there.

Are you in the dark right now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? If so, then remain quiet. If you open your mouth in the dark, you will speak while in the wrong mood— darkness is the time to listen.

Don’t talk to other people about it; don’t read books to find out the reason for the darkness; just listen and obey. If you talk to other people, you cannot hear what God is saying. When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else once you are back in the light.

Yes Lord, when you bring me thru darkness in my life, complaining only defeats Your purpose for me. Talking to others about my struggles does not help my darkness—and more times than not it can drag them into my dark circumstances.

Yes, Lord, the wise thing to do is listen and obey. The only one I should speak to is You during times of darkness. Even if I shout to You it is better than a whisper to another. My heart and dependence must remain upon You and not the counsel of others. 

Listening and obedience are very difficult for us when we are feeling all alone and less than able to walk the steps You have called us to during in our everyday life. But Your power can only be funneled into me during these trying times as I focus all attention on you. This same lesson You taught to the children of Israel when they come to the bitter waters of the desert. Their nature was to complain, but You began to teach them the power of listening and obeying and having total trust in You. It was after they heard Your words to them that they found an oasis in the desert.

He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.” After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water. Exodus 15:26-27 (NLTSE)

While reading the story of the two blind men in Matthew I realized they were living in total darkness—both physically and spiritually. As they were sitting in their usual spot they were listening to a large crowd passing by and heard that Jesus was coming. They began to cry out to Jesus and did not seek or follow the aid or counsel of those around them.

In fact, when the crowd told them to be quiet, they became more focused on Jesus and called all the louder. They had no way of knowing if Jesus had already passed them and gone on his way, but they continued seeking Him in their darkness until they personally heard the Master’s voice. Then in an attitude of obedience they were able to hear and in response to His question, simply responded, "We want to see".

This moved Jesus to touch their eyes and remove the darkness from them. The power to radically change their situation came thru listening for Jesus and then hearing His voice.  All of this was done with humble and obedient hearts. Light flooded their eyes and their hearts as they submitted themselves to Him.  See Matthew 20:29-34.

A grumbling, self-centered, self-pitying and immature attitude will never move the spirit world on my behalf. Praise and perseverance are the only way thru, but honestly I often feel that I am wavering deep within myself teetering to and fro.

One minute remembering the truth, the next hearing a lie. Why, Lord, do I struggle with raw emotions when others achieve more than I can? This should not make me feel as if I am less than, but it does. I know that it is only when I am secure in the fact that You love me and created me special for your purpose that these fleshly emotions will begin to cease.

Lord, I want to strive to remember all the great things you have done in my life. I choose to press on to remember all the great things I have seen You do. I will cling to the truth that you have been there and moved obstacles that were not possible for anyone other than You to move. I am listening, Lord, and need to hear my Master’s Voice to give me the strength to continue. I am willing to be obedient, but I must hear Your words in me to give me the confidence I need to be victorious. I am listening for You. 

I hear You say:
"I am the Lord, your God that opened the Red Sea, am I not powerful enough to open your mouth"?

"The words you will use, whether many or few will be inspired by me".

"The words will indeed come, but it is the heart from which they will spring that I am shaping now".

"My Spirit within you, when needed, will form the words of your tongue, as well as forming the example your life will portray".

Those who seek will find and blind eyes will see and deaf ears will be opened.  Tongues will be loosed and the lame will jump for joy. 

The next time you are struggling, and feel the darkness of life covering you, submit your life to Him, walk in obedience to His word, turn your ear to no other and you too will hear the Master’s Voice.

(Copied with permission.)

Post Script: Bubba and his wife Cathy are M-workers among our cousins here in Africa. Please pray for them to be used powerfully for His glory among the tribes. His insights have blessed me over and over this week. I pray they bless you all as well.
Love ~SW

Pilgrims!

Pilgrim: def. A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.

A few years back I spent a month walking El Camino de Santiago (aka: The Way of St. James) with a dear friend. For those unfamiliar with this 500 km trek, let me explain.

El Camino de Santiago is one of the last remaining holy pilgrimages dating back to the middle ages. There were originally four holy pilgrimages. And if a devout Catholic wanted to absolve certain sins he or she could journey to either Jerusalem, Rome, Istanbul, or Santiago de Compostela.

Almost everyone is familiar with the first three sites. But where in the world is Santiago?

Santiago de Compostela is in the North Western part of Spain in the region of Galicia. It is said to be the burial site of the Apostle James who, according to church tradition, brought the gospel to Spain.

Today a stately cathedral marks the field where he is said to lay and thousands journey there every year by foot or bike.

There are at least a half a dozen different routes to get there though. My friend and I took the most common one --the Camino Frances which starts in the French Pyrenees.

During our journey I was amazed at how several Biblical truths took on new meaning for me. It taught me to take life a lot slower, to look at the fields, and to contemplate the flowers. It taught me what it means to be a pilgrim.

In 1 Peter 2:11 we are reminded that we are not of this world. As foreigners, pilgrims and sojourners, we are to set our sights on heaven and journey on. That requires good shoes, light bags, and a heart set on pilgrimage.

“Blessed are those whose strength is in You,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.”
            --Ps 84:5

Are there any out there feeling a bit out of place?
                     --Take comfort stranger and keep traveling!

Are there any who feel like the journey is too long?
                    --Look to Jesus and let Him be your strength!

And remember, set your heart on pilgrimage.
                                                 ... for this is not our home!

His Nets ~

After Jesus was crucified and buried, He rose on the third day to the total shock and disbelief of His disciples. Never mind the fact He told them He was going to be killed. Never mind the fact He promised to rise again. They just couldn’t fathom it.
           --Can you blame them?

So when it happened, they were surprised --surprised He was killed and awed that He rose again. And today, this disciple is equally surprised and awed!

But that is not the only thing on my mind right now. This morning, I can’t help thinking about nets. “Why nets?” You ask. Why indeed!

“Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn” (John 21:11)

In the 21st chapter of John we read a story of defeat and confusion turned to success because of Jesus. In it we learn that the very disciples who three and a half years before cast their nets aside to follow Jesus, turned back to them in the confusion after His death and resurrection.

Floundering in uncertainty they returned to what was comfortable. And Peter, James, John, Thomas, Nathanael, and two others hopped in a boat and fished all night.

They caught nothing.

But as they were about 100 yards out from shore they saw a figure on the sand asking if they had caught anything.

-- “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” He asked.
-- “No,” they answered.
-- “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” (v. 5-6).

Experienced fishermen will tell you fish are not normally so close to shore, nor are they moving at dawn. The best catch is always at night out in the deep. But none of that mattered because it was Jesus doing the fishing through His disciples this time.

When they obeyed, they caught 153 large fish!

Only then did Peter recognize it was his Master and impulsively swam to shore, leaving the nets to be hauled in by the rest (v. 7-8).

But the nets... the nets... that is what blesses my heart the most. The nets didn’t break. They were able to bring 153 slimy, flopping fish to shore and the nets didn’t tear even a little! (v.11)

This comforts me.

At times I feel like I’m ready to tear --my heart rips; my body burns-- forcing a moan from my lips. “Lord, the strain is too much for this net of Yours,” I complain.

But when the fish are ashore and the fire warms my skin, search as I might I can find no holes in this net.

When Jesus is directing the work, his instruments are always preserved. So remember if you are feeling the stain of the load today, rejoice!         --His nets do not tear.

We are called to be fishers of men.      
             --Are you fishing? Are you even in the boat?

Transcending Culture

Since moving to Sudan the Bible Stories I’ve come to know and love have been infused with new colors and vibrant life.

When I read that Jesus fed the 5000, I imagine the crowds clad in Jalibias, barefoot with boogery-nosed babes on their knees.

When I read that a paralyzed man is carried on his bed by friends and let down through the roof to see what Jesus will do, in my head I see tukels and crowds pressing so close movement is impossible.

And I hear people calling from the back of the crowd: “What’s happening? Tell us. We can’t see!”

And I hear their whispers of marvel and awe: “He has forgiven the man’s sins! And now he’s walking! He’s WALKING!”

Can you hear them too?

And as I read of the centurion named Cornelius who sees a vision of an angel telling him to send for Peter, I can’t help but smile. Images of tall, stately Dinka men with spears and shields flood my brain.

Living in Sudan now brings new life to this story. The reality is that God could have used the angel in the vision to lead Cornelius to salvation.         --But He didn’t do that.

He wanted both Peter and Cornelius to push past their cultures. 

After the vision Cornelius quickly obeyed and sent men to get Peter. Then he gathered his family together expectantly.                                     -- This truly was a man of faith.

Peter, a day’s walk away, was praying and God gave him a vision of his own. In that vision God teaches him not to call anything impure that God has called clean (v. 15).

Then there is a knock at the door; Cornelius’ men have arrived.

Does Peter go with them? They are foreigners after all and servants of a Roman soldier! What do Jews have to do with Gentiles anyway, right?

His cultural dilemma must have been intense.

Clearly Peter had deep prejudices and cultural baggage or he would not have delayed. But eventually he goes with the men and meets Cornelius who has been waiting 4 days.

As they talk, Peter finally understands the lesson God had in mind and says, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (v.34).

And Cornelius’ whole family comes to salvation!         --Whoohooo!

Why does God use flawed people like Peter? Obviously he had severe anger and impulsivity issues. Clearly he was burdened by biases.

So why did God use him? Why?

Yes, God could have sent the gospel through the angel directly and Cornelius could have been saved 4 days before, but that would have bi-passed a great opportunity for  Peter to learn this powerful lesson.

So I ask again. Why does He use flawed people like me? Or like you?

It’s simple. He wants us to transcend culture, prejudices, and personality to see God at work. He wants to use flawed vessels for His glory. He wants to teach us His heart of love for the nations.

So if like Cornelius you are in a place of searching, seek until you find! And if like Peter you are in a cultural dilemma, push past it and speak God’s truth! And if like me you are wondering why God would use you at all, rejoice! 

It’s not about us anyway!

If you are unfamiliar with these wonderful stories, read them here: Acts 10, Mark 2, Luke 9

To Work... To Believe

When Jesus came on the scene preaching against legalism and proclaiming to be God, He made quite a stink among the religious of His time.

Jesus didn’t mince words; He spoke with authority; and He backed up all He said with miracles which testified to the truth of His words.

This naturally drew more and more spectators daily. Masses of people walked far and wide to catch a glimpse of this Man and hear His words. They saw Him do mighty works and knew -- This had to be the Messiah!

And when Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves and two small fish (John 6:5-14), the people got excited and tried to force Him to be King (v. 14). But instead He fled the multitude (v. 19).

The next morning the multitude tracked Jesus down. But their motives in seeking Him were not pure, and He called them on it.

He told them that they were searching for Him not because of the signs He did (i.e. the sign of manna from heaven) but because they were hungry again (v. 26).

Were they looking for the Messiah? Or did they want another free lunch?

As they stood there looking confused, Jesus told them:
“Do not labor for the food which perishes but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (v. 27).

Interestingly enough, the multitude still didn’t get it. Instead they asked Him about works. They asked, “...What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” (v. 28)

Huh?

Did they completely misunderstand? Jesus is telling them that He is the Bread of Life and that they should desire Him --their Messiah and King-- more than food, and instead they ask for some kind of ‘work’ they can do to be saved.

Naturally, Jesus saw through their works-based confusion, telling them: “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (v. 29)
Now think about this carefully.

Is salvation found in doing?        

The religious leaders of that time sure thought so; they heaped rules upon rituals in every effort to be righteous.

But unlike the religious leaders, Jesus told the multitude not to work but believe.

It is not by doing that we are saved; it is not by works (Eph 2:8-9); and it is certainly not by racking up a bunch of brownie points!

Believe.

Perhaps you are reluctant to let go of ‘works’ or perhaps you like ‘doing’. If so, fine.

Go ahead and do great things for the Lord! Joyfully work out your salvation with fear and trembling! (Phil 2:12) But be careful not to confuse service with salvation.

Salvation is by faith.

What is the work of God?         -- To believe in Him who He sent!

Do you believe?

Sunday Smiles!

This weekend, I had the task of teaching Sunday school. Anyone who knows me well, would say teaching kiddos is one of my joys (not tasks), but I must confess, it's a lot harder cross-culturally. I often dread it and worry that the kids aren't hearing the gospel as well as they should.

Wouldn't it be better in their own language?

Nevertheless, by faith that God will somehow make this rock speak, I teach.

This Sunday I taught on Jesus being the Sheep-Gate (but I compared Him to the cattle camps). The kids instantly understood. I added the teaching on Jesus being the Good-Shepherd (but compared Him to a cattle herder instead). Their eyes lit up in sweet comprehension.

They got it! They really grasped what I was saying. It made the morning fun and easy. We sang songs, prayed and played.

Afterward, all I could do was praise God repeatedly for allowing me to share these truths with the kids. Many of them professed faith in Christ (but they do that over and over here. ha ha). Nevertheless, I hope that all of them truly understood and believed.

He is our Good Shepherd. His sheep know His voice and follow him. He is the Sheep-Gate. No one goes to the Father, except by Him. (Check out John 10:1-18)

Do you sing?

When the winds of trouble find you, do you worship? When darkness crowds out faith, do you sing? When you are at the end of your strength, broken and beaten to a bloody mass, do you lift up songs of praise? Do you? Tell me... what do you do, when trials come?

In Acts 16, we read about two itinerant evangelists, named Paul and Silas, who do something very unusual when faced with trouble.

One day, while preaching in Philippi, they were harassed by a prophetic slave girl who followed them everywhere, proclaiming they were from God and teaching people how to be saved (Acts 16:16-18).

I say harassed because she wouldn’t shut up. Even though what she said was true, it was not coming from God, so Paul silenced her by casting out her evil spirit (vs 18). But instead of thanking him for this, those who owned her were furious. The girl’s prophesies made them lots of money, so they falsely accused our protagonists and had them arrested (vs. 19-21).

Long story short, Paul and Silas were stripped naked, beaten severely and chained up in the darkest part of the prison (vs 22-24). Now that’s what I call a tough day in ministry!

I don’t know about you, but if I were in their shoes, I think I would have felt sorry for myself. I probably would have bemoaned my fate and cried myself to sleep. Who knows, I may have even questioned God and demanded to know why! I’m not proud of this... I’m just being honest.

What about you? When faced with unjust beatings and dark prisons, how do you respond?

The Bible tells us that Paul and Silas didn’t cry or bemoan their fate. They did something much less predictable; they worshiped and prayed.

In Acts 16:25 we read: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Do you get that? In their darkest hour, they sang and prayed for all the world to see.

They sang and God moved!

We are told that when they sang, the earth shook, the floors crumbled, the cell doors flew open and their chains were loosened (vs 26). Imagine that!

As a result of worshiping in dark times, Paul and Silas were set free -- literally. They were set free from their physical chains but most importantly they were set free from any spiritual and emotional chains. And if you read on, you’ll see how this act of joy brought many to salvation (vs 27-34).

Let’s remember this example and praise God when trials come. Let’s sing hymns when what we really want to do is cry. Let’s pray and worship instead... and watch what God will do! May all our prison cells and bruises vanish in song! Amen.

Quiet! Be Still!

 “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” ~ Mark 4:41

I was reading in Mark recently and came across the story of Jesus calming the storm. (Mark 4:35-41) You know the story. Jesus was asleep in the stern of a boat after a long day of preaching and healing. A storm hits. The disciples, though seasoned fishermen, fight for their lives as the boat rocked and reared in the wind and the waves. Sure that death was imminent, they woke Jesus, and he spoke two small words. Instantly, the sky cleared and the waves calmed.

It says the disciples were 'terrified' when Jesus spoke 'Be still'.

Think about that. Why were they terrified? Wouldn’t ecstatic be a better response? Why doesn’t it say they were relieved? No. They were terrified. Only then did it occur to me that this happened early on in Jesus' ministry. The disciples were still just beginning to understand who Jesus really is/was.

They knew he was a healer. He healed lepers and blind men. They knew he was a teacher. He taught with authority and power. But though they may have suspected He was God, this was finally proof!

God spoke and creation obeyed; they were appropriately terrified. I think their understanding of Jesus radically changed that day, and though the storm was scary, their faith was bolstered.

Are you in the midst of a storm? Is it dark and scary? Are you wildly rowing those oars? Stop a minute and think. You are not alone. Jesus is on the boat! Let Him speak peace in the midst of this squall, and forever remember, He is God!

May our faith grow to the heights of His powers - Limitless!

... more than this!

The end of the year is here... at least the calender is telling us so. Who decided the year would end on December 31st? Whose idea was time anyway? It’s such a strange concept. Think about it. What would life look like if we had no calenders, watches or alarm clocks?

It makes me wonder. Did God create time, or just the objects by which we calculate it? (aka: sun, moon, stars...etc.) Is it an eternal or human concept?

The Bible tells us that we were created for eternity not time. Eternity exists outside the limitations of time and space. It is a whole new foundation which makes the time-space continuum look flimsy and frail.

God placed eternity in our hearts (Ecc 3:11). Meaning, we were created for more than this. That is clear to me. And each year it becomes even clearer. This world constantly tells us that ‘this is all there is’ and we ‘better grab it while we can’.  Yet, this myopic attitude screams of hopelessness and greed.

The world teaches that death is the final curtain and that we race toward it at neck-break speed. With time comes a start and a finish line. It brings in the concept of age, and with age the awareness of death. Death is the ‘great unknown’ and thus... the fixation on time.

What would life look like if the factor of time were removed? Would society as we know it be transformed? Does time tie us together or just give us the impression of cohesiveness? Is it reality or just the nail on which this flimsy world hangs?

Once I stepped into a new life with Christ, time lost its weight and wonder. Eternity seems more real to me than numbers on a calender. Eternity is now. It is in my heart. It is the framework on which my life rests.

One day in time as we count it now, my body will cease to work like it should. I will have run out of time but I won’t be dead. I will have stepped out of time's limitations... no longer being bound by it. That is all.

What then?

Freedom. What sweetness that day will be! Until then, I hold time open-handedly, looking forward to the moment when it becomes obsolete. Eternity is now. Remember that. Walk in light of this reality and live like there's is a tomorrow!  

Happy New Year!

Seek the LORD until He comes.

“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and showers righteousness on you.” 

~ Hosea 10:12

Living in an agricultural society, the imagery of this passage stands out in new ways. Listen to all the agricultural words used. Sow. Reap. Fruit. Unplowed. Ground. Showers.

The message is clear. Sow righteousness. Reap unfailing love. Break up unplowed ground. Wait for the showers of righteousness from heaven. It is time to seek the LORD until He comes.

Come let us seek the LORD. Ready your soil. Sow in righteousness. Reap unfailing love.

Hope for the Broken hearted

Hope is a beautiful thing. The ability to hope is unique and wonderful and life-giving. When a person has hope, the natural ways of man fade and the supernatural becomes possible.

I am convinced with my every fiber that God -- and only God -- is the source of all hope and the creator therein. He tells us, “... hope does not disappoint.”

As Christians we have much to hope for. His promises are intense and wonderful. He does not lie. Therefore, our hope is not a ‘wish-i-may, wish-i-might.’ It’s a ‘Yes and Amen!’

That is exciting stuff!

When I think of hope... I’m reminded of a story I was told years ago. I may have some of my facts wrong... but the story is said to be true. So please indulge me this.

Scientists wanted to see if animals could hope. They devised a study and chose to use rats. (I’m all about rats being tested on, since they are about the nastiest creatures on the planet.)

They took a number of rats and put them in a container of water, the sides of which were slippery so they could not climb out.

Then they waited. It took something like 6 hours and 21 minutes for them to drown.

Then they took a new set of rats. They put them in the water and they swam. They swam and they swam... and they got tired. But just at the last moment --at 6 hours and 20 minutes -- they lowered a plank into the water. The rats scurried to safety and lived.

Then they put those same rats back in the water. And they swam. They swam and swam and swam. Six hours came and went. And they kept swimming. Six days came and went and ... would you believe it? They were still swimming. Why? Because they had hope. They had learned how to hope. They had something to live for. They knew that the plank would come and they would be saved.

In fact, those rats swam for over 21 days non-stop before they drown. Hope gave them the strength to swim 21 days when without it they would have lasted only 6 hours!

Often I look around and think, God you are taking so long. I don’t know if i can take much more of this. It’s hard to see such suffering. It’s sad to experience such pain. It’s tiresome and difficult. Come back. Please, come back now!

And yet, even when He tarries my hope is not lost. For His hope does NOT disappoint. He is its source. He has placed it in my heart. So I expectantly wait for his return. For in Him and through Him and by Him, I have all I need to go on one more day.

“For thou art He that took me out of the womb; thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts.” Psalm 22:9

If you are like me and need some extra reason to hope today... here are a few scriptures to lift your heart and fill it with new hope.
Psa 42:5   Psa 16:9   Psa 31:24  Psa 33:18  Psa 33:22  Psa 38:15  Psa 39:7  Psa 71:5  Psa 71:14  Psa 119:49  Psa 119:81  Psa 119:114  Psa 119:116  Psa 130:5  Psa 146:5  Psa 147:11  Pro 10:28   Pro 13:12  Jer 17:7  Lam 3:24  Lam 3:26  Rom 5:5  Rom 8:24  Rom 8:25  Rom 12:12  Rom 15:13  1Cr 13:13  Gal 5:5  Eph 1:18  Eph 4:4  Phl 1:20  Col 1:27 1Th 5:8  2Th 2:16  1Ti 1:1 Tts 1:2 Tts 2:13  Tts 3:7 Hbr 6:18 1Pe 1:13 1Pe 1:21  1Pe 3:15  1Jo 3:3

Sacrifice of Thanks!

This morning God chided me for my un-thankful heart. He said, “Hear, O Stephanie, and I will speak... I am God, your God. I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices but I have no need of them. If I were in need of anything, I would not tell you. The whole world is mine. Sacrifice instead thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High and call upon Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you and you will honor me.” (See Psalm 50)

It struck me to the heart that I think I can offer anything to God... my service, my days, my work here in Sudan... as if it is something important or grand. It’s not. Anyone can be doing what I do, yet He lets me do it. I get to be here!

He doesn’t want my good deeds of service but my heart of thanksgiving. That is how I can honor Him! So join with me in Thanks to the Holy One who was and is and forever will be. Thank Him with me for the work He is doing here and the small part I get to play.  I want to see souls saved!

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” ~ Psalm 50:23

Still Understanding Sudan

Guest Author ~ Daniel Crawford (Short term missionary who served with IDAT over the summer)

He writes in his most recent blog:

I have been back from Sudan for almost 6 weeks now.  Last Sunday at church I vividly relived an experience I had in Sudan.  It meant little to me at the time, but now I understand why I had it: so that I could know God's love for me more.

In the middle of worship the Lord revived my memory of the day I slaughtered a goat in Sudan.  It was so bloody, so messy, and just horrific.  The Father and the Son went through this horrible ordeal for me.  When I killed the goat, I felt it's life-blood on my hands.  I'm not about to get theological, but I wonder, did the Father feel the life of His Son in his hands?  They suffered so much.

I also remember, although I was not present for the experience, the second goat we slaughtered in Sudan.  I heard the story that Jonathan had the knife on the goat's neck when Donato came running: "Not that goat!  Not that goat!"  He came and spared the goat's life.  A different goat was killed.  That is what Jesus did for me.  When the knife was put to my throat, He came running, yelling "Not that goat!  Not that goat!  I love him!"  He came and He spared me, and placed Himself under the knife that was meant for me.  His life was taken.  Blood and water flowed from His side.  The Father watched as He died.

O Lord, your love is so good.

The Lord showed me these things and much more during worship last Sunday, and I left knowing His love for me unlike ever before.

I am back in SLO for college.  I am still working on a video documentary of my experience in Sudan.  It will be released soon.

Blessings,
Daniel

Check out Daniels blog at Summer in Sudan

He bends down to listen.

"I love the LORD because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!" Psalm 116:1-2

Imagine that! Our God, our Abba Father bends down to listen when we speak. When I read these words I see an image of a crying child too hurt to say anything but a whisper, running to his father. I see a loving father softly bending down and leaning in to hear what is wrong. It's an image of tenderness and love.

What father wouldn't want to hear what his precious child has to say? In the same way, our Father in Heaven delights to hear from us. Do we delight to speak to Him?

What keeps us from prayer?

Some people chose not to talk to God because they worry what others will think. They worry they'll say the wrong thing and look silly to their friends. Others don't pray because they let life's distractions crowd their day until they are too tired to do much more than nap. And I'm sure there are those that refuse to pray because they have it all figured out. "Why ask God what He thinks when I'm going to do it my way anyway?" Selfishness. Stupidity. Sin.

But I think it's more than that. I think we don't pray because we don't understand who God is and what a privilege it is to speak to Him. 

We have the RIGHT to talk to God! He delights to hear us speak! He bends down to listen!

Think about it! If we really had a clue as to how radical a statement that is, how outrageous an honor, we wouldn't stop praying!

So I exhort you. Pray without ceasing because He's listening.

Impossible.

“I will turn all my mountains into roads...” - Is. 49:11

God is speaking to the nation of Israel in this passage of Isaiah. He is promising them restoration in the land. This prophecy to the nation is one of hope and compassion. God reminds them that His covenant with them will be honored. They will never be forgotten. The thing they have given up on -- even despaired of-- will come to pass. Why? Because God said it.

He tells them that what looks like a mountain to them is really a smooth road to Him. For God nothing is impossible.

This comforts me as I’m easily overwhelmed by the mountains in my life. This person or that work is just too challenging. I want to give up. I want to run away.

But God reminds me not to despair. That mountain is put there to grow me in grace. This  person is here to teach me patience. That obstacle will work God’s perfect will in my life-- all for His glory.

He know all things. He is the source of all strength. For Him mountains are smooth paths. He is the God of the impossible.

If there is a problem in your life, trust Him with it. He will make your path smooth. Just you wait and see!

Fishers of Men... Midwife of Men?

While reading through the book of Mark recently, I came across the section when Peter and Andrew were called into ministry.

Two things stand out for me in this passage. The first is that Jesus called them to come and “immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”

On the surface, Mark makes it sound like they heard Jesus speak once and (boom!) they followed.

But I’m not so sure. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogues for some time. People from all over, were coming to hear this Galilean speak. Peter and Andrew knew this Galilean was different but didn’t hesitate when given the opportunity to follow.

I like that.

However, what I find most interesting about this passage, isn’t the speed and conviction with which they dropped their nets. What catches my attention most, is the fact that Jesus calls them to do exactly what they were already doing ~ Fish!

But instead of netting trout and sturgeon, they are called to be Fishers of Men.

Think about it. He didn’t call them to be preachers or evangelists of men -- even though that is what they would end up doing. In fact, had He said that, I wonder if they would have followed at all.

Instead, He called them to do what they knew well. Fishing. This encourages me. God choses to use us where we are in life with the skills we have currently.

He will use our talents, skills, knowledge and experience if we will just let Him. He calls us to do what we are already doing for the furtherance of His kingdom. He doesn’t care if we are day care workers, architects or paper pushers. The call is the same.

“Come after Me and I will make you ________ of men.”

Are you coming?