Saturday, April 19, 2008

Operation In As Much

In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto Me. -- Jesus, Matthew 25

The numbers are not in, and that really is not the the most important thing anyway, but a lot of lives were touched today through OIAM. We were able to show to our neighbors in all kinds of ways the love of Jesus Christ -- freely we have received, may we freely give.
Care packages were delivered to women's shelter, flowers planted around hospice home, wood cut, split and delivered to those in need, care packages taken to EMS stations throughout county, windshields cleaned and gas pumped at convenience store, quarters given out at laundry mats, flowers and cards placed in restaurants -- on and on it goes . . . . to the glory of our gracious and loving God.
Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard and given so much. I know you are and you will be blessed.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

What Do We Really Want

As evangelical Christians we may say and pray that God would send a revival, a spiritual awakening, to our nation, our communities, our churches and our lives. But is this what we really want? Is this the desire of our heart?

Usually what people really want they go after. If I say I really want to lose weight, and I am serious about wanting to lose weight, I will do what it takes to lose it -- go on Atkins or whatever.

As a Christian, do I really want to see revival? What am i doing about it? Am I going after it? Am I following the Lord's commands?

Of course I know that revival is a supernatural gift from God, it comes down from heaven. My prayer is that of the prophet Isaiah (64:1) - Oh that You would rend the heavens and come down! Apart from Him we can do --- NOTHING! (John 15:5)

At the same time, He calls us to action. Note that familiar verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14 -- we must, as God's people, turn from our wicked ways and seek His face in humility, "then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

So back to my question, what do we really want? We say revival and awakening. But have we, God's people, forsaken our evil ways and truly sought His face in humility?

Do we want our evil ways more than we want His healing?

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Answers?

Today General Petraeus comes to Washington, in theory, to report on the conditions in Iraq, along with the US ambassador to that country.

I have been glancing at the "hearing" in the Senate, and all I hear is US Senator after US Senator bloviating. These people do not want answers, they just want to sit up there and give their take on the whole situation.

How do I know?

They will take the time that they are given to ask questions and just sit there and go over the talking points handed down from the national parties and campaigns; they'll quote a story in the NYT and recite poll numbers. Then they will put forth a slanted, lawyerly "question" and then get all in a tiff when the General and Ambassador try to give a reasoned response. But the senators don't care about the truth, about hearing from these men who live in Iraq everyday and breathe the situation every waking hour. I think they just like to hear themselves talk. It disgusts me.

It is a wonder anything ever gets accomplished in Washington DC. What a cesspool.