Spreading the Word in SE AsiaPt. 1: Introducing AAI

Deadly cyclones and repressive governments notwithstanding, our friends in mission based in southeast Asia continue to spread the love of Jesus Christ, not only through their actions, but through the written Word of God. Following is an update we received from Mark and Astrid of the Christian Far East Ministry. We met with them both, learned from them and contributed to their efforts during our Thailand Mission, in 2008. Their work extends beyond the borders of Thailand into other southeast Asian countries ... as the following post will tell you.
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Pt. 1: Introuducing AAI

Christian Far East Ministry writes, "To begin this newsletter we’d like to introduce you to ministry work we have been doing for some time that we haven’t written about before. Those of you who have been receiving our newsletter for a long time will remember that Astrid was helping in a Sports Ministry some years ago. This ministry set up sports camps in schools and in other nations and used sports activities to share the Gospel of Christ. This ministry has gone through a lot of changes and is now involved in much more than sports outreaches. The ministry has recently changed it’s name and is now called Asian Alliance International (AAI). "

"The founder and director of the ministry lives in America, and Astrid has been overseeing and managing the work in South East Asia. There are three discipleship houses (two women’s hostels and one for men) that house young people going to collage. Housing is given freely, and discipleship training given each week. This helps the poor Christian students to be financially able to go to collage, and also gives them a Christ centered home their four years in collage. In a predominately Buddhist nation, this gives the Christians the support and hopefully the training they need to become strong in the Lord and to never fall away from Christ. We are not necessarily trying to make Christian leaders, but we aim to develop strong Christians who will be able to be the light of Christ in whatever part of society they chose to go in to."

"But these young people have the opportunity at times to accompany us on outreaches. We have seen their hearts change when they give to others and share the Good News of Christ. Many city people are bigoted towards the village people and refugees, and even the village people can be bigoted against the refugees. But these young people who have gone to the villages and refugee camps have come to love the Biblical encourage-ment to never forget the poor. (Gal. 2:10) Their hearts are now ever-increasing towards the ministry and several are growing in desire to serve the Lord full time. To see this transformation of heart is truly the working of the Holy Spirit and the intended outcome of running these discipleship homes. Praise the Lord! AAI is also one of our many supporters helping us feed, clothe, care for, and educate the refugees and the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) in Burma."

"Here is a picture of the two young ladies who are leading the women’s houses. Please meet Tiff and Kate. They have gone through discipleship training and are training the other girls in their homes. These two ladies are also leading outreaches in Universities and participating in outreaches to villages and refugee camps."

"On several occasions these young ladies have gone with a missionary friend in his 70’s to evangelize in an area where he has been going for 50 years. There were no converts to Christ in this village until one year ago. Once these young ladies went to share the gospel, suddenly the young men became interested in listening to the Gospel and about a dozen accepted Christ.

"Now other families have come to Christ. The first baptisms happened just a few months ago. The girls have to hike hours through the Burmese jungle to these very far off villages. We have also delivered Karen Bibles to this area and the people are starting to grow in their faith. Obviously some plant, some water, and some reap, but it is the Lord who brings the increase! (1 Cor 3:6-7) Karen Bibles have also gone to village leaders, and local religious leaders are open to learning about our Lord Jesus. Pray that many more people will accept Jesus as Lord."

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
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NEW INCORPORATION - Christian Far East Ministry has now been incorporated in America. All gifts may now be given directly to Christian Far East Ministry, PO Box 1411, Glendora, CA 91740. If it is easier for you to continue to give through Faith Community Church or His Servants Ministry, you can as our relationship with these ministries has not changed. But if you are mailing checks to the Glendora address, you may now make all gifts payable to Christian Far East Ministry. We’d like to thank Faith Community Church and His Servants Ministry for their assistance and support throughout the years and their continued assistance. We’d also like to thank all of you who support us and pray for us as we could not do this ministry without your partnership.

God bless you!
Mark and Astrid

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles …” Psalm 34:17

“Prayer is the discipline of listening to that voice of love. Jesus spent many nights in prayer listening to the voice that had spoken to him at the Jordan River. We too must pray. Without prayer, we become deaf to the voice of love and become confused by the many competing voices asking for our attention. How difficult this is! When we sit down for half an hour—without talking to someone, listening to music, watching television or reading a book—and try to become very still, we often find ourselves so overwhelmed by our noisy inner voices that we can hardly wait to get busy and distracted again. Our inner life often looks like a banana tree full of jumping monkeys! But when we decide not to run away and stay focused, these monkeys may gradually go away because of lack of attention, and the soft gentle voice calling us the beloved may gradually make itself heard.”

"Sweep away all distractions, dear Jesus. Clear my mind of noise and let your comforting voice enter that solitude.”

Christ Our Hope, daily Lenten devotions compiled from the writings of Henri J.M. Nouwen

I don’t know about you, but the bit about the banana tree full of jumping monkeys definitely describes the turmoil in my inner life sometimes. Nouwen’s words encourage me to focus and not run away when it is time to listen for the voice of love. I am hopeful that the monkeys will find another tree in which to play.

This coming Wednesday, March 11, 2009, we will meet to pray for children at risk at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. I hope you are able to join us for prayer and then stay for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

Thank you for your compassion for the children of our community and our world. Thank you for lifting them before God in prayer. If you would like to share prayer celebrations or concerns about children or those who care for them, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call. Thank you for your prayers for the children of the world!

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always,

Chris

God Issues Today: "Life is a Fake Rolex"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

When are a pair of glasses, a pair of sandals, a bowl, a plate, and a pocket watch worth $1.8 million? When they belonged to Mohandas K. Gandhi. According to today's New York Times, the lot was sold at auction yesterday to Vijay Mallya, an Indian liquor and airline magnate who owns the company that makes Kingfisher beer.

The Indian government protested the sale, as did Gandhi's descendants. Mr. Mallya pledged to return the items to India for public display. But a court in New Delhi had issued an injunction to block the sale, so the matter is not yet resolved.

In a similar vein, today's Wall Street Journal tells us about a growing trend in home shopping, whereby people sell their clothes out of their closets in makeshift garage sales. Craigslist, a Web site with free local classified listings, says that its "clothing & accessories" category had 715,228 postings last month, more than double the 356,162 it had in February of last year.

What do you have that's worth more to someone else than it is to you? I cannot think of a single thing I own in that category. Trust me-you don't want to go in my closet. I only venture in that bastion of disorganization by necessity, and am happy to find something relatively unwrinkled to wear when I come out.

The closest thing to a marketable possession I own is my Rolex watch. I bought it for $10 the last time I took a tour group to Ephesus, from a shop which advertized "Genuine Fake Watches." It was purchased solely as a sermon illustration, and sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, just like the man who sold it to me. If I told you it was real and you believed me, I might make more money than it's worth. The same cannot be said for anything else in my possession.

What you own may not be of great value to others, but the One who owns you has a different perspective. He is less interested than anyone on the planet in the significance of your possessions, but he is more interested than anyone in the universe in you. When faced with the choice at Calvary, he decided that you are worth the death of his Son. He had already arranged time and human history so that his Son could die on your cross to pay for your sins. Now he has all of eternity to listen to your next prayer.

What is causing you to doubt your worth this morning? Measure that person or problem by the cross. What is your value to God? Will you agree with him?

Midland Group Addresses Remarks by U.S. Secretary of State

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Bob Fu Speaks at Press Conference Regarding Secretary of State Clinton’s Controversial Remarks on Human Rights in China

Released by ChinaAid, February, 2009 ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bob Fu, President and Founder of ChinaAid, spoke at a press conference at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. regarding U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s controversial remarks over the past week indicating a retreat on the priority of human rights issues in U.S.-China relations.
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

"In the News"Seeking to 'Bridge' the Gap of Worship Styles

Megan Lea Buck
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - First Presbyterian Church is building a bridge between those who were raised in the church and those who were not, between those who feel comfortable in traditional Christian worship services and those who may not. As the posters and advertisements for their new service explain, it is a bridge between new worship and an ancient faith.

"The Bridge is the new service at First Presbyterian Church in Midland," said John Van Dusen, minister of worship and arts. "It is to be exactly as it's titled -- a bridge as a way of bridging the gap ... of differences between people and how we go about worship in our faith."

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story
CLICK HERE to visit John's blog, "Into the West Texas Sun"
CLICK HERE to vist The Bridge online

God Issues Today: "Missing My Moustache"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

As the saying goes, sometimes hair turns gray and sometimes it turns loose. According to today's New York Times and anyone who's watched a recent press conference, President Obama is experiencing the former.

Observers began noticing gray flecks in Mr. Obama's hair during the presidential campaign, a process which seems to have escalated in the 44 days he has been in office. Given that presidents typically age two years for every year in the White House, such a response to the stress of the position is not uncommon. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush demonstrated a similar transformation early in their administrations. Now Mr. Obama appears to be following suit.

The First Barber dismisses rumors that the president is dyeing his hair gray to appear more distinguished or dyeing it black to appear younger. "I can tell you that his hair is 100 percent natural," we're assured.

I understand the temptation. I was a youth minister during college, and wore the requisite mustache and hair parted down the middle. When I gained a wife I lost the mustache, never to return. Then I became a pastor at the age of 25, and church members told me I was younger than their grandchildren; a little gray hair might have lent a certain gravitas to my neophyte sermons. Now that I am 50, no one comments on my youth any more. Perhaps I should grow the mustache back. Or perhaps I should stay married instead.

There's a saying in counseling: "I am not who I think I am. I am not who you think I am. I am who I think you think I am." It's human nature to judge ourselves by the judgment of others. If they approve of our appearance or achievements, so should we. If they don't like what we did, neither should we.

There's some value to such assessment, of course. The old Spanish proverb advises, "If one person calls you a donkey, think nothing of it. If three do, buy a saddle." But the only omniscient opinion is that of your Father and Lord. John said of Jesus, "He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man" (John 2:25).

Are you struggling with obedience to God this morning? Is there something your Father wants you to do or stop doing? He accepts you absolutely and unconditionally as his child. He wants only your best. He sees past your hair color to your soul, and loves what he sees. God thinks you are worth the death of his Son. Why not trust his will today?

"Matthew's Table" Video

Re-imagining church life in a "third place" context. You can go to www.diningwithsinners.com for more details. Video from dinningwithsinners at YouTube.

Tonight in Midland: A Recommended Film

Midlander Michael Makowsky writes, "FYI ... On March 5th - that's TONIGHT - local theaters will be showing 'A Powerful Noise,' the acclaimed documentary film about the lives of three women and their daily challenges and their significant victories over poverty and oppression. While the film focuses on their personal stories, it illustrates larger issues affecting millions of marginalized women worldwide."

"This is a one-time showing ... March 5th - that's TONIGHT - 6:30pm at the Tall City 14. For more information on the film, including a preview, and to pre-purchase tickets, go to www.apowerfulnoise.org/ "

God Issues Today: "Badminton Ferocity"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

Whatever you do today, don't make a badminton player mad. According to this morning's Wall Street Journal, San Francisco officials have learned that lesson the hard way. Until January, you could play the game at the city's recreation centers for free. Then the city, seeking to close an $11.4 million Parks Department budget deficit, decided to begin charging $4 for 45 minutes of court time. But the city didn't impose the same fee for basketball and volleyball, even though they are played on the same gym floors.

Officials were not prepared for what came next. The number of city badminton courts reserved from January through March fell 50% from the October through December period. Asian-Americans, who make up 90% of the badminton-playing public in the Bay Area, saw the new fee as discriminatory. An 87-year-old retiree named Ed Leong collected 200 signatures opposing the charge, presented the petition to the mayor, staged a rally in front of City Hall, and called local politicians to complain. Now the city has decided to drop the badminton charge and come back in April with a lower fee - $1 for 45 minutes-for badminton, volleyball, and basketball.

Apparently you can fight City Hall, if you're determined and play badminton. All through history, it's been the persistent individuals who changed history. In his work to produce an electric light, Thomas Edison filled 200 notebooks containing more than 40,000 pages with notes on gas illumination. Alexander Graham Bell worked for four years on his "liquid transmitter" before he spoke the words which launched the telephone industry, "Mr. Watson, come here, I want you."

It is the same across biblical history. It took Noah 100 years to build the Ark; what if he had quit a month before it rained? Joseph endured slavery and prison on his way to Pharaoh's palace. Moses had to spend 40 years in the wilderness before he could lead the children of Israel to the edge of their Promised Land. Paul answered the Macedonian call and was beaten and imprisoned in Philippi for his trouble. John continued to worship his Lord even when faith cost him Patmos and exile. Persistence is the key to significance.

Og Mandino resolved, "I will be liken to the raindrop which washes away the mountain; the ant who devours a tiger; the star which brightens the earth . . . I will build my castle one brick at a time for I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking. I will persist until I succeed."

Why is persistence God's invitation to you today?

God Issues Today: "True Confessions of a Baptist Preacher"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

I'm thinking of writing a book called "The Preacher." It will expose the seamy underside of being a Baptist pastor, with all the intrigue of deacons' meetings and hospital visits. People have no idea what goes on behind the scenes of a baptism or worship planning meeting. It will be so scintillating that I'm sure it will sell two or three copies, if I can make everyone in my family buy it.

I'm following the lead of Rod Blagojevich. Today's New York Times brings us news that the former governor of Illinois has begun writing a book on his experiences in local and state politics. The working title, oddly enough, is "The Governor." Mr. Blagojevich, who has been looking for work since he was removed from office in January, intends to expose "the dark side of politics." His spokesman added, "There were some people in high places who didn't want the governor to write this book." I'm sure my family feels the same way about my book.

It could be worse-I could make a video of me writing this devotional. According to today's Times, the Supreme Court is now viewing YouTube videos when it reviews cases. Our nation's highest legal authority might consider a video of me typing on my laptop as legal evidence when someone sues me for malicious boredom. I'll watch my back.

When I became pastor of First Baptist Church in Midland, Texas, Janet and I fell in love with Nellivee Clark, the pastor's assistant for 45 years at that great church. Nellivee is one of the most gracious and godly people I've ever known, which is a good thing since she knew where all the bodies were buried, how deep, for how long, and why. When she finally had enough of me and retired two years later, we told her she should write a book on her experiences at the church, and that we would pay her not to publish it.

What if God wrote a book about you? He knows everything you don't want the rest of us to know-your last immoral thought or deceptive statement, your most humiliating moments and most terrible secrets. It's even worse-he knows the sins you don't yet know that you will commit today. And yet he stands ready to forgive all you confess (1 John 1:9) and to forget all he forgives: "I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more" (Hebrews 8:12).

What guilt or shame woke up with you this morning? Name it specifically, and give it with repentance and humility to your loving Father. Ask for his forgiveness and claim his grace. Do it now, and live forgiven and free today. This is the invitation of God.

Let's Do (Lenten) Lunch!

From First Presbyterian Church of Midland comes a reminder of this week's installment of their Lenten Lunch & Concert Series, Wednesday, March 4th.

This week features a performance by the Lee High School StrictLEE Strings at 12:00 p.m. in the First Prez Sanctuary.

Lunch will be available before and after the concert, for $6. Free child care is available for children ages 5-and-under.

First Presbyterian Church is loacted at the northwest corner of W. Texas and N. A streets, on the west edge of downtown Midland. There's plenty of free, off-street parking available. Call First Prez at 684-7821 for more info.

Special Deliveries

Those of us who have traveled overseas on mission will recognize some of the photos in the following document ... and be able to share some memories of our own encounters with 'Kings of Logistics' around the world ...

Real Kings of Logistics…

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

"“Have mercy on me, O God …” Psalm 51:1

“God’s mercy is greater than our sins. There is an awareness of sin that does not lead to God but to self-preoccupation. Our temptation is to be so impressed by our sins and failings and so overwhelmed by our lack of generosity that we get stuck in a paralyzing guilt. It is the guilt that says: ‘I am too sinful to deserve God’s mercy.’ It is the guilt that leads to introspection instead of directing our eyes to God. It is the guilt that has become an idol and therefore a form of pride. Lent is the time to break down this idol and to direct our attention to our loving Lord. The question is: ‘Are we like Judas, who was so overcome by his sin that he could not believe in God’s mercy any longer and hanged himself, or are we like Peter who returned to his Lord with repentance and cried bitterly for his sins?’ The season of Lent, during which winter and spring struggle with each other for dominance, helps us in a special way to cry out for God’s mercy.”

"Lord, cleanse me of my hard-heartedness. Help me embrace your infinite mercy and love in my life.”

Christ Our Hope, daily Lenten devotions compiled from the writings of Henri J.M. Nouwen

The devotion above was intended for Ash Wednesday and would have been perfect in last week’s mailing. However, I was so preoccupied with not feeling well (a pesky cold), that I took the easy route and didn’t include scripture or a Lenten devotion when I sent out last week’s prayer requests.

I decided to go ahead and use it this week, though, because Nouwen’s reminder that paralyzing guilt can become its own form of idolatry was a wakeup call for me, and perhaps it might be for you, too. Quite often, I am my own worst enemy when it comes to self-critical analysis. Control and perfectionism issues also feed into this inner battle. Nouwen’s words are helping me begin the season of Lent with my attention focused squarely on God. On what will your attention be focused?

This coming Wednesday, March, 2009, we will meet to pray for children at risk at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. I hope you are able to join us for prayer and then stay for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

Thank you for your compassion for the children of our community and our world. Thank you for lifting them before God in prayer. If you would like to share prayer celebrations or concerns about children or those who care for them, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call. Thank you for your prayers for the children of the world!

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always,

Chris

God Issues Today: "Talking Computers"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

If you're like me, you sometimes talk to your computer—usually when it chooses to restart in the middle of a task or refuses to send an email you just spent 15 minutes writing. Soon your computer will be able to talk back.

Today's New York Times tells us about Microsoft's efforts to create an interactive personal assistant for your computer. Dubbed "Laura," their test program appears as a talking head on a screen. You can ask her to book appointments for meetings or schedule a flight. She can look at you and tell you whether your clothes match. (That makes her significantly smarter than me. Janet threw out nearly all my clothes the week after we were married. I still get sent back to the closet on occasion to try again.) Laura is not yet ready to take up residence inside your computer, but her day is coming.

Microsoft is looking for ways to sell more product in a time of stagnating computer sales. Not all their futuristic ideas come to fruition, however. In 2003, they predicted that you and I would soon be wearing wristwatch computers known as Spot watches. Last year they quietly ended the project. Undeterred, they predict computing systems which are 50 to 100 times more powerful than today's systems by 2013. If Laura can help me with my stylistic shortcomings, both Janet and I will be grateful.

The good news is that we don't have to wait for such omniscience. Someone much smarter than Laura will ever be is watching me type these very words. In fact, he knows what I will write before I do: "Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord" (Psalm 139:4). I stare at the night sky in awe, but he looks at the stars "and calls them each by name" (Isaiah 40:26).

I don't understand the technology which makes this essay possible, but "his understanding has no limit" (Psalm 147:5). I cannot see anything beyond my computer and the desk on which it sits this morning, but "nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:13). In short, "he knows everything" (1 John 3:20).

To access his divine databank, you need only ask for his help: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). Self-reliance is spiritual suicide. Every time a decision, problem, or opportunity comes to you today, give it to God. Seek and follow his leadership, and it will be yours. Why do you need his wisdom this morning?

Got Prayer? ... Got Bear?

Available now at First Presbyterian Church-Midland

(there's no charge ... just look for one of the baskets inside any of the main doors of the church, which is located on the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, at the west edge of downtown Midland)

Dear Friend,

I'm Just a teddy bear, it's true,

but I have a message to bring to you;

I've been to church, and sat in a pew,

and I've been hugged by quite a few;

I've bowed my head when they said a prayer;

I've been charged with love by those who care.

And now I've come to live with you -

to bring you joy when you are blue,

to let you know that others care

and want all your days and nights to share.

So keep me close and squeeze me tight,

and know God's love makes all things right.

With our prayers for you,

In Touch Ministry, First Presbyterian Church

When you've had your time with me,

maybe you can set me free

to someone else who needs a prayer,

to show that God is always there.

Meet the Teicherts

There has already been so much coming-and-going to and from West Texas this year. Among those visiting Midland several weeks back was Karl and Jenny Teichert, visiting First Presbyterian Church-Midland during their sabbatical from South Africa where they are missionaries with OC International.

First Prez-Midland is one of a number of churches that sponsor the Teicherts in their mission, assisting South African church leaders in achieving greater church-planting effectiveness throughout their countries and around the world.

The family - including their children, Ann, Scott, Stephen and John - has been in mission work in South Africa since 1987, and have served with OC Intrernational since 1995. They live in Johannesburg where Karl and Jenny are involved in a ministry that plants and develops churches as part of OC's Southern Africa Regional Team. The Teicherts' vision is to see a healthy, Bible-based church in every unreached village and community in South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

The ministry recently began a project to train preschool teachers in an impoverished settlement called Finetown just south of Johannesburg.

"As you support the Teicherts through your financial gifts and prayers, you are partnering with them to to equip leaders in Southern Africa to reach their nations and the world for Christ. Thank you for co-laboring with them in the Lord's harvest!"
Sign up to receive the Teicherts' prayer letter electronically through OCI

Midland School Raises Moneyto Help Kids in Africa

God Issues Today: "Singing Forever"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

People who meet my wife often say that I "outkicked my coverage." I can only agree. Apparently President Obama feels the same way about Michelle. At a recent event honoring Stevie Wonder, Mr. Obama admitted, "I think it's fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me." The story in today's New York Times reminds us that we affect more people than we know, that our deeds outlive us.

But our immortality is more real even than our legacy. We have been considering C. S. Lewis's claim in The Weight of Glory that "you have never talked to a mere mortal." Each of us will live forever with God or separated from him. If Jesus is your Lord, in the moment you gave your life to him you received eternal life. Jesus told the grieving Martha, "He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26). But it's hard for us to set aside our fear that death is forever, that the world we can see is all there is. It's human nature to fear what we cannot see or experience or quantify.

[Friday] I countered that fear with the assertion that you and I have already died once. We have passed from the only world we knew to a world we could not possibly imagine. If we survived that experience once, we need not fear surviving it again. What death am I describing? Years ago I discovered an analogy by Norman Vincent Peale which has helped me greatly.

A child is conceived and begins to grow in her mother's womb. As weeks become months, she begins to sense her surroundings with growing appreciation and comfort. She is warm, well-fed, protected. If she could process conscious thoughts, she could not imagine a better world than hers.

Then the unthinkable happens. Horrific pain thrusts her out of the only world she has ever known. But immediately she is taken by loving arms and surrounded by smiling faces thrilled to welcome her into their world. She begins to adapt and grow. Months become years, as she matures into childhood and then adulthood. She marries and has children of her own. She cannot imagine a world better than hers.

Then it happens again. Events beyond her control thrust her out of the only world she knows. But once again she is taken by loving arms and surrounded by smiling faces thrilled to welcome her into their world. And she is home forever. So it will be for all who know Jesus as Lord—our greatest fear leads to our greatest joy. So it can be with anything we fear today, when we put it into the transforming hands of God. What fear has found you this morning?

Oy haw!

Midlander Eric Siegmund writes, "Last December, a group from my home church and the West Texas Cowboy Church, accompanied by world champion roper Allen Bach, traveled to Israel to conduct a roping clinic. As it turns out, the cowboy is alive and well in Israel, and horsemanship is a popular pastime among Israelis."
CLICK HERE to read the rest of Eric's post.

Coming to Midland: A Recommended Film

Midlander Michael Makowsky writes, "FYI ... On March 5th, local theaters will be showing 'A Powerful Noise,' the acclaimed documentary film about the lives of three women and their daily challenges and their significant victories over poverty and oppression. While the film focuses on their personal stories, it illustrates larger issues affecting millions of marginalized women worldwide."

"This is a one-time showing ... March 5th, 6:30pm at the Tall City 14. For more information on the film, including a preview, and to pre-purchase tickets, go to www.apowerfulnoise.org/ "