Dangerous Exports Part Two

As I have already stated: within the next series of posts I have decided to highlight some of the many issues that I am dealing with not only in my own particular part of the world in which I serve however, many issues that are faced by many who are involved in missions all over the world today. In my last post I dealt with the dangerous western export known as the Syncretistic Gospel which is most prevalent within many Muslim countries. However, in this post I want to shed light and my concern in what is also known as the “Prosperity” or “Word of Faith” Gospels.

The Word of Faith movement is heavily influenced by a number of popular pastors and teachers such as those coming out of the Hillsong church/movement in Australia and within many American teachers such as Kenneth Hagin, Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyers, Kenneth Copeland, Paul and Jan Crouch (TBN Broadcast Network), Paula White, T.D Jakes and Creflo Dollar (just to name a few).

The Word of Faith movement grew out of the Pentecostal movement in the late 20th century. Its founder was a man named E. W. Kenyon, who studied the metaphysical New Thought teachings of Phineas Quimby (considered cults then and still today). Mind science ("name it and claim it") was combined with Pentecostalism, resulting in a weird mixture of both orthodox Christianity and mysticism. A man named Kenneth Hagin studied under E. W. Kenyon and made the Word of Faith movement what it is today. Below are just a few of the many heretical theology in which most Word of Faith teachers espouse and teach.

Word of Faith theology teaches:  

• God created human beings in His literal, physical image as little gods. In a since we are all gods on this earth.

• Believers have the potential to call things into existence by using their spoken words. When this is done in faith and without wavering (doubt) the Lord certainly must and will act. If he does not, it is simply a matter of your lack of faith.

• Jesus Christ gave up His divinity and became a man, died spiritually, took Satan's nature upon Himself, went to hell, was born again, and rose from the dead with God's nature.

• God wants you rich in this world to declare his existence in what he blesses you with. There is usually a huge emphasis given to personal wealth within this movement.

• God wants everyone healthy and without sickness in this world that He may declare his existence in how healthy you are. If you are sick it is because of some sin in your life or once again a lack of faith on your part.

• God expects you to show your level of faith in how much money you give to His work. Usually of course, this means giving money to the works and so-called ministries of these teachers themselves.

• God continually gives prophetic messages and vision today. Often these teachers simply serve as Christ’s messengers for these new thoughts, teachings and visions.  Ironically these teachings and messages often contradict scripture and are of an extra-biblical nature.

The Rub (merely scratching the surface mind you):

As with anything that Satan uses to distract others from the truth of the Gospel, the Word of Faith message often possesses some truth (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). For some it is this mixture with truth that often makes it difficult for those to outright call this movement un-biblical or heretical. However is as Charles Spurgeon has stated;

“If God does not save men by the truth, He certainly will not save them by lies. And if the old Gospel is not competent to work a revival, then we will do without the revival. – Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong, rather, it is telling the difference between right and almost right.”

In the prosperity gospel, the believer is told to use God for their own personal well- being, whereas the truth of biblical Christianity is that God uses individuals in order to glorify Himself. Word of Faith or prosperity theology sees the Holy Spirit as a power to be wielded for whatever the believer wants and desires. However, The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is a Person who enables the believer to do God's will and seek His glory. In possessing such thinking prosperity teaching usually prohibits God from working on His own, meaning that God is not Lord of all however, He is bound until we release Him to do so. As the name “Word of Faith” implies, this movement teaches that faith is a matter of what we say more than whom we trust or what truths we embrace and affirm from “His” word.

Countering Word of Faith teaching is simply a matter of reading the Bible and possessing a heart more fixated on Christ rather than ourselves. Instead of stressing the importance of wealth, the Bible warns against pursuing it. Believers, especially leaders in the church (1 Timothy 3:3), are to be free from the love of money (Hebrews 13:5). The love of money leads to all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Jesus warned, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). In sharp contrast to the Word of Faith emphasis on gaining money and possessions in this life, Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). Simply stated there are just too many flat out contradictions between prosperity teaching and that of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ found in His word.

Within scripture Paul and the other apostles were not men characterized as those accommodating or becoming fans with the false teachers who propagated such heresy. They identified them as dangerous false teachers and urged Christians to avoid them (2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 John 4:1, 1 Timothy 6:5, 9-11, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Galatians 1:6-10, Matthew 24:24)

Many of you may not already know this about me but, I am no stranger to this movement and its teachings. Before, I was truly converted to Christ I spent two summers in Africa (Botswana and Zimbabwe) with a missions organization known as “TeenMania Ministries”. Ironically this organization boasts of such endorsements coming from Joyce Meyer, T.D Jakes and Myles Munroe (all Word of Faith-ers) It was during this season that I found myself being exposed to much of these thoughts and teachings within the Word of Faith movement. When in Africa I even served and sat under missionaries from Lakewood Church (Joel Osteen). Since then and after my conversion I have also served as a mission’s pastor in the States and was privileged to serve the name of Christ in places such as Kenya, Honduras, Mexico and Australia. Now I have had the blessed opportunity and call to serve in the land of South East Asia and have ministered in many locations/ countries located here.

Sadly, much of what is called Christianity/ Christian in many of these locations fall under the teaching and beliefs of much of what we have come to know as the Prosperity Gospel/ Word of Faith movements. I am continually astonished at how often I am hearing this teaching in the churches here and how continually blitzed these people are with books, speakers and teachings coming out of America and Australia here within this movement.

One such example of this teaching being present here was when I was preaching the gospel in a large city located here and a group of about 50 men and women came forward at the end of the service for prayer. It was at this time I expressed a desire to stop the service and breakup with these folks in smaller groups and have the church leadership share in praying for these folks. The leadership would not have it. They said, “These people have come here for YOU to anoint them”.  I should have stopped everything right there however I went on to pray for each person all while expressing that I was not anointed (as having any power). In doing so I learned really fast that every one of these people (and yes I mean every one of them) merely wanted me to pray that they would receive more money, that they would be healthy, that they would get that new promotion, that they would become more influential at work.

I must admit a huge sickness came over me and frustration soon ensued. Not one of these people asked that they may become better witnesses of Christ and his gospel. No one asked that they might receive boldness and courage to take the message of the gospel to a friend, co-worker or family member. No one asked for prayer that they might grow more and more in the likeness of Christ. No one wanted to grow in humility. No one wanted to profess a desire to serve Christ and seek prayer for such service. All these people simple wanted was what they perceived that they could receive and get from God. Kind of like rubbing the lamp and waiting for the Genie to appear and grant their three wishes. These people were simply products of the Prosperity Gospel in which was coming out of that church and its leadership.

Frankly the Word of Faith movement is deceiving countless millions, causing many to grasp after a way of life and faith that is not biblical in the least. This gospel as with the syncretism coming out from the insider movements are no Gospesl at all. At its (Word of Faith) core is the same lie Satan has been telling ever since the beginning in the Garden: “You shall be as God” (Genesis 3:5). Sadly, millions are still listening and believing in this lie. So, be wary of the Word of Faith movement and any church that aligns itself with Word of Faith teachings.
 

For more great teaching on these subjects check out the ministry of Justin Peters

Dangerous Exports Part One

In these next set of posts I want to speak concerning a few issue that I am continually facing here on the field. This First issue is over the "Insider Movements" and the syncretism of the Christian message here with say that of Islam. Although I will not go very deep into what these movements actually teach in an in depth way. I have however posted links for you to follow and do your own homework. 

"Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with Gods word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God."  - 2Corinthians 4:1-2

Contextualization is that process of taking the Gospel which has been received in one’s own culture to a different culture and effectively communicating its unchangeable biblical message in a form that is culturally understandable and acceptable to the receiving culture.

I am speaking of course in regards to “Cultural” contextualization and never will you ever hear from me a defense or approval of anything remotely aligned with a contextualization of the Gospel.  I am speaking here of a contextualization that leaves the message of the Gospel unchanged, but merely seeks to present it in a manner that is not culturally offensive (being offensive outside of what the bible has allowed.)

However, make no mistake the Gospel is offensive! It is as J.C Ryle has written;

“Heart religion is too humbling to be popular. It leaves natural man no room to boast. It tells him that he is guilty, lost, hell-deserving sinner and that he must flee to Christ for salvation. It tells him that he is dead, and must be made alive again, and born of the Spirit. The pride of man rebels against such tidings as these. He hates to be told his case is so bad.”

And although this cannot be avoided as Christ’s messengers in this world, we need not clothe the Gospel in our American, British, etc. culture and contexts which may, in itself, be offensive to the receiving culture. The problem is, biblically, we are to put aside all culture, and take on the Kingdom culture of Jesus. We are Christians/ Disciples of Jesus Christ before we are American, British, etc.

A Healthy example of contextualizing the Gospel is Hudson Taylor, the great pioneer missionary of inland China. Taylor shed the British clerical garments the other missionaries to China continued to wear, and put on the garments of the Chinese clergy; he cut his hair like the Chinese, and ate Chinese food.  He did all this while not compromising the Gospel. He merely clothed the message and the messenger so that the Chinese were not immediately repulsed by a message packaged in foreign attire and weighed down in 19th Century British culture.  In setting out in this manner Hudson had tremendous success. Remember Paul became all things to all men, in order that he might win the more, but he never altered the Gospel to do so… Never.

Contextualization (Cultural) can be an accepted and even a necessary process. Unfortunately there are those who have twisted this concept of healthy contextualization and in doing so even the Gospel itself. For these Christians, contextualization means the same thing as compromise. They believe it means giving people what they want and telling people what they want to hear. Even flirting close with the belief that there are many ways to serve God, even if it is in worshiping a different God all together (John 14:6, John 20:32, Acts 4:12). What they misunderstand, however, is that contextualization is still a process of giving people God’s answers and message, which they may not want to hear. A message that frankly transcends all cultures and all of history.

The Rub:

This form of contextualization is known as Syncretism. Syncretism is the combining of different (often contradictory) beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. Syncretism may involve the merger of several originally discrete traditions, especially in the theology and practices of religion, therefore asserting an underlying unity and allowing for an inclusive approach to other faiths.

One such example would be levels within much of the practices and teaching that is given to workers among/towards Muslims known as the C5 Scale of Contextualization or what is known as “The Insider Movement” (also click here). This is a movement that is very prevalent here and something I deal with on a continual basis among westerners.

One of the main problems within this approach is that these scales are vague, and much can fall under them. Some may consider C4 as possibly biblical, though it depends on what the actual “permissible” or even biblical forms of Christian expression are. The biggest controversy tends to fall within the C4 & C5 sections.  Ultimately, the C-scale is a culturally biased scale. Made by westerners to put down western culture, and lift up indigenous culture. The problem is, biblically, we are to put aside all culture, and take on the Kingdom culture of Christ. On this subject John Macarthur has written;

“The Apostles went out with an absolute disdain for contextualization [that which is outside of biblically accepted practices]. The modern drive for contextualization is a curse, because people are wasting their time trying to figure out clever ways to draw in the elect. Contextualization is “Zip Code” ministry. The message of Jesus Christ, on the other hand is transcendent. It goes beyond its immediate culture or sub-culture. It crosses the world and ignores the nuances of culture.” [Emphasis mine]

I am continually awed by the creativity of humans to mix and match various religious beliefs and rituals to suit their changing worldview inclinations.  I am completely appalled at what many westerners here on the field call gospel and how often times God dis-honoring it all really is. Often times you hear things in conversation like; “Many here (Muslim) in all actuality serve the same God as us, it’s just that we serve and worship Him more fully.” Or as I had one friend approached by another western worker here; “All you seem consumed with and care about is that these people bow a knee to Christ.” Can you believe that? God forbid that be my objective as a missionary of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is as John Piper has stated;

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church, worship is. Missions exists because worship does not. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man… Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal in missions. It is the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations [any and all cultures] into the white-hot enjoyment of God’s glory. The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God.”

Simply put this is a movement in which sadly I find many westerners advocating and working in confines to here. This is a movement that in all actuality threatens the very biblical Gospel in which we are all to be promoting and heralding. I have often said that one of the greatest things that could happen for these people (indigenous) is for many of these western workers to simply pack up their bags on go home. And sadly I mean it. 

Please, continue to pray for us as we continually contend and proclaim the gospel here. Pray that I would have love and complete compassion towards those who advocate such practices here. Pray for the many here are involved in much of these views towards ministry. Please, pray that I would continually have boldness, courage, love and compassion as I continually speak against such work here.

Bringing Sight To The Blind

Within the last several weeks I have been training a dear brother here (Paul) with the eye vision and glasses kit (i-see) from i-tec ministries.

In the next few weeks both Paul and I will travel to several surrounding villages where he will then be administering eye exams and matching up villagers with glasses that suit their personal needs. It is great to see this brother excited to minister among his own people and even share with them the message of God's love in the face of Jesus Christ.

Please, pray that not only will the Lord bring physical sight to the blind but, that he would also open up the hearts and eyes of many who are blind to their current need of salvation in Christ. Also remember Paul as he will be visiting an area that at one time persecuted him for his faith. Our prayer is that many will see his example and that many conversations and encounters for deeper dialogue will make themselves available for the future.

          Here are some pictures from our time in Paul's Village:

"Faith Driven Family" Week

As many of you may already know, I have been hard at work for several months concerning a conference on the Gospel and the family within a particular city here in South East Asia. The conference was compiled and established around the book "Family Driven Faith" written by Dr.Voddie Baucham. Just recently two dear brothers came out to visit and minister with me during the course of this week. It is now and here I wish to give a little update as to our time together.

I am thrilled to report that we had over 800 tickets sold for this event and that a great many people joined us for a time of worship, teaching, fellowship and encouragement in the word and on the issues of the gospel and the family. It has been reported that over 800 books "Faith Driven Family" were put in the hands of many pastors, college students and families here. Also, Pastor Voddie's other two books "What He Must Be" and "Family Shepherd" also were sold at this event and now after the teaching of these issues and topics, over forty couples are now meeting in homes to discuss the issues presented within them. Please, join us as we pray that many will have been encouraged and challenged through both the reading of these book resources and the teaching presented at this conference.

The Lord was truly faithful to bless our efforts and work in this matter even though Dr. Voddie Baucham was unable to attend at the last moment (emergency). So many indigenous brothers and sisters rallied together to make this a reality in the eleventh hour. How blessed I was to see the Lord provide all the strength, energy and needed provision up until the very last moment. Although a huge piece to this whole event was not in place, I pray the Lord used this time to further glorify His name.

During the course of this week the two men able to attend (Matt- Elder from my sending church and Julian- Voddie's personal assistant) also visited with many of our brothers and sisters who serve Christ in very difficult situations and circumstances here. It was such a great honor and privilege to once again hear these dear brothers and sisters as they recounted many of their stories of persecution and unyielding devotion to our Lord to these two men. The fellowship and time spent together in prayer/teaching was a great delight and time of encouragement for us all.

On Sunday both Matt and myself were given the privilege of preaching in two fellowships that meet here and on Wednesday night we all listened to Julian as he spoke on the issue of prayer at a local gathering as well. This served as a busy week as we had much sweet fellowship with so many in such a short amount of time.

I want to thank you all who joined in prayer concerning this week and the great task of making this all a reality. In the course of this week the Lord was lifted high and set before His people. Please, pray that the Lord would accomplish all that pleases Him in using this particular week for the glorifying of His name here. I want to thank both Basswood Church and Grace Family Baptist for all your preparations in sending these men here and all your time spent in prayer leading up to this trip. Your prayers were very much felt from this side of the world.

David Platt On "Going or Staying"

  Written by David Platt

One important question that I’ve been asked is why I — with a passion for the unreached and unengaged peoples of the earth — serve as a pastor in Birmingham, Alabama, one of the most churched cities in America. It’s a great question and one that often perplexes me. Here are three conclusions that I have come to in my own personal wrestling with this question.

God Called Me

First and foremost, I am a pastor in Birmingham because I believe this is where God has specifically called and ordained me to pastor. Years ago, my wife, Heather, and I said that if there are nearly two billion people in the world who have little to no access to the gospel — and most of them live overseas — then the only way we can stay here instead of moving there is if we’re convinced we can do more to affect them from living here than living there. And whenever that is not the case, we want to take a one-way ticket overseas.

We have given God a “blank check” with our lives. Wherever he wants us to go, we will go. And I trust that he has used and will use that blank check according to his wisdom. Five years ago, I was living in New Orleans, teaching seminary, and traveling around the world. I had no desire to pastor a church in Birmingham. But in God’s sovereign wisdom and by his boundless grace, he led me here. And I trust— I pray! — that he is using me here for the sake of the unreached and unengaged.

Leading God’s People for God’s Mission

Second, my heart’s desire is to shepherd, equip, and mobilize the people of God for the purpose of God. I believe God’s purpose for his people is for them to enjoy his grace and extend his glory to the ends of the earth (this is obviously all over Scripture; see particularly the bookends in Genesis 12 and Revelation 7).

This God-given desire fits well with the people among whom God has placed me. God has been gracious to people in Birmingham. He has given us abundant gospel access. Not everyone in Birmingham is saved, but people in Birmingham have access to the gospel. And many have been saved. By God’s grace, many have been born into families where they have heard and received the gospel at an early age. This is evidence of the mercy of God!

And God gives mercy for the sake of mission. He has given us the gospel in Birmingham for his glory among all nations. And I absolutely love shepherding, equipping, and mobilizing people who are overwhelmed by God’s grace to live for God’s glory among all peoples. And I rejoice that this is happening as we send out people from our church throughout Birmingham and around the world.

Undo the Hidden Assumption

Finally, when I contemplate this question — why someone with a passion for the unreached and unengaged peoples of the world lives in Birmingham, Alabama — I conclude that the question itself contains a hidden assumption that, with all due respect, I am not comfortable with. This question almost assumes that those who have a passion for the “unreached and unengaged” should live among the “unreached and unengaged,” and those who have a passion for the “reached and engaged” should live among the “reached and engaged.” But I am convinced by God’s Word that every follower of Christ should have a passion for the “unreached and unengaged.”

Together, we have all been given a command to make disciples of all nations (i.e., panta ta ethne, among all the people groups of the world). Obedience to the Great Commission, therefore, requires commitment to taking the gospel to all the people groups of the world. This is a command for all of us, and it is not an option for any of us. How God calls us to carry out that command obviously varies from person to person and church to church. But whether someone is a pastor (or Christian, for that matter) in Birmingham, Minnesota, Seoul, Beijing, Delhi, or London, we are all commanded to make disciples among all the people groups. Therefore, we all need a passion for the unreached and unengaged.

Like every other follower of Christ, I want to live — wherever I am — with a God-given, Christ-centered, gospel-saturated, world-embracing longing to see every people group on the planet reached with the gospel so that our life-giving, grave-conquering, all-satisfying King receives the praise that he is due. That’s the primary motivation that drives me as a pastor in, of all places, Birmingham, Alabama.

For Your Sakes He Became Poor

 "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." 2 Cor. 8:9

It is here, in the thing that happened at the first Christmas, that the profoundest and most unfathomable depths of the Christian revelation lie. " The Word became flesh" (John 1:14); God became man; the divine son became a Jew; the Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than lie and stare and wriggle and make noises.  Needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child.  and there was no illusion or deception in this; the babyhood of the Son of God was a reality.  The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets.  Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the incarnation.

How are we to think of the incarnation: the New Testament does not encourage us to puzzle our heads over the physical and psychological problems that it raises, but to worship God for the love that was shown in it.  for it was a great act of condescension and self-humbling.  "He, Who had always been God by nature," writes Paul, "did not cling to His prerogatives as God's equal, but stripped Himself of all privilege by consenting to be a slave by nature and being born as mortal man.  And, having become man, He humbled Himself by living a life of utter obedience, even to the extent of dying, and the death he died was the death of a common criminal" (Phil. 2:6), Phillips).  And all this was for our salvation.  The key text in the New Testament for interpreting the incarnation is not, therefore, the bare statement in John 1:14, "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us," but rather the more comprehensive statement of 2 Corinthians 8:9, "you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his porverty might become rich."  Here is stated, not the fact of the incarnation only, but also its meaning; the taking of manhood by the Son is set before us in a way that shows us how we should set it before ourselves and ever view it- not simply as a marvel of nature, but rather as a wonder of grace.

For the Son of God to empty himself and become poor meant a laying aside of glory; a voluntary restraint of power; an acceptance of hardship, isolation, ill-treatment, malice and misunderstanding; finally, a death that involved such agony- spiritual, even more than physical- that his mind nearly broke under the prospect of it.  It meant love to the uttermost for unlovely men, who "through his poverty, might become rich."  this Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity- hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory- because at the Father's will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later he might hang on a  cross.  It is the most wonderful message that the world has ever heard, or will hear.

We talk glibly of the "Christmas Spirit," rarely meaning more by this than sentimental jollity on a family basis.  But what we have said makes it clear that the phrase should in fact carry a tremendous weight of meaning.  It ought to mean the reproducing in human lives of the temper of him who for our sakes became poor at the first Christmas.  And the Christmas spirit itself ought to be the mark of every Christian all the year round.

It is our shame and disgrace today that so many Christians-I will be more specific: so many of the soundest and most orthodox Christians - go through this world in the spirit of the priest and the Levite in our Lord's parable, seeing human needs all around them, but (after pious wish, and perhaps a prayer, that God might meet them) averting their eyes, and passing by on the other side.  That is not the Christmas Spirit.  Nor is it the spirit of those Christians- alas, they are many- whose ambition in life seems limited to building a nice middle-class Christian home, and making nice middle class Christian friends, and bringing up their children in nice middle-class Christian ways, and who leave the sub-middle-class sections of the community, Christian and non-Christian, to get on by themselves.

The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob.  For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor- spending and being spent-to [I would add: ultimately bringing about the glory of God], enrich their fellow men, giving time, trouble, care, and concern to do good to others-and not just their own friends-in whatever way there seems need.   There are not as many who show this spirit as there should be.  If God in mercy revives us, one of the things he will do will be to work more of this spirit in our hearts and lives.  If we desire spiritual quickening for ourselves individually, one step we should take is to seek to cultivate this spirit.  "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."  "Let this mind be in you , which was also in Christ Jesus." "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free" (Ps. 119:32).

Excerpted from Knowing God by J.I. Packer.  Copyright 1973 by Intervarsity Press.  

"All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name"

Delighting In God Alone

It has been some time since I have written here or even in general to many of you my dear brothers and sisters back in the States. For many of you it is as if though I have fallen off the face of the earth or something. It is here and now I wish to speak to you all concerning why. It is my hearts desire that in the complete honesty of this post you may only be encouraged in your own journey with God and life spent in pursuit of His glory.

Some of you may already know how this past month and a half have been a most trying and difficult time for both my family and I. One such issue has been sickness. I have just spent the last month (literally the entire month) in the fight against one ailments after another (Sinus infection, Bacterial infection and food poisoning). It has been during this time that I have spent almost this entire month in bed and have lost an incredible amount of weight due to much of my symptoms and inability to keep food in. Both Misty (while also being pregnant) and Josiah have also succumbed to many infections as well. Elijah has been the most healthy of us all and even he just got over some sort of rash that came over his entire body striping him of all his energy. This has left us weak in more ways than one and we are thankful to report that we all seem finally on the mend.

Along with all this sickness has come much stress over visa situations, two trips out of the country, unknown and unplanned expenses, difficulties among the culture in which we live and family issues that come with all such moving around and not truly knowing what else is coming our way. 

Without going into all the details, I want to express to you all how utterly weak, spiritually depressed, hopeless, bitter and beat down all this has left me. I am ashamed and regret that this has become the outcome of such a trying month. However, it is in this regret and shame that the Lord is teaching me a huge lesson in our service for His glory here.

Being in a land not your own, among a language not your own, in a culture not your own is enough in and of itself and can add a great deal of stress on anyone. The loneliness in such a place as this can often bring great sadness upon many who work in such locations. Oh, how Misty and I long for the fellowship of other brothers and sisters as we once had with many of you. How we wish that there was a congregation that we could call family here. We are so desperate for true Christian community. We have such fond memories of you all. It has been a sweat reward and blessing to have been so close to you in true Christian community. You never truly realize how powerful fellowship in a local body (with all it's imperfections even) are until you don't even have such a choice or opportunity to meet in one. I pray that when Sunday morning roles around you see it for what it truly is. Namely a privilege, a gift and an honor.

Sadly in the course of this month my heart has also grown cold for my love of these people in which I serve as well. I am often lied to, taken advantage of and totally overcome by the corruption that seems to run so rampant within peoples lives here. on top of all this I have all around me the massive oppression of Islam constantly in my face screaming at me to conform, much like a drop of water that drips over and over again until it drives a man mad. In the course of this month I have felt that these people are the most rude, disrespectful, oppressive people I have ever come to ever meet and therefore, I have often placed my attentions back on thoughts of home and all the things I perceive that I have given up to come to this far away land.

It is thanksgiving season and Misty and I miss the traditions spent with her family in Tennessee. Soon after this will be Christmas and how we long for the sights and sounds that are associated with this season. We have begun thinking about the food and fellowship that we are leaving behind as well. Salsaritas. How it has just become another hunting season in Texas once more and how I will miss yet another wonderful experience with my boys and friends such as Doc Cawley. How Misty misses her little house in Graham, Texas with its backyard, sidewalks and parks on what seems like every corner. How we miss being able to drive in a car. Chick-Fil-A. How we miss the exciting times in fellowship and growth with both Basswood and Graham Bible Church. How I miss coffee with Pastor Ronnie talking theology and times spent in prayer and pouring out my heart with my dear brother Reagan Kelley. How Misty misses running water and being able to take a bath in water that has not just come out of the sewer. How Misty longs to laugh along so many dear friends and ladies over the most trivial of things. Oh, how I could go on and on for hours.....lol.

What The Lord Is Teaching me:

Now for the cold hard truth. Brothers and sisters..... some how in the course of this month I have lost or better yet allowed my Joy in Christ and His glory to be high jacked and overshadowed with other thoughts. I have allowed sicknesses, stresses, culture and earthly trappings to steal from me what should be my true reason for coming to a land such as this in the first place. I have allowed the age old enemies of the world, the flesh and the devil to distract me from abiding in the true enjoyment of my soul. Namely Christ and His glory and the great privilege that has been given me that I should go fourth as His servant here on earth.

Instead of watching and warring through prayer and abiding in Christ's word, I have simply got busy feeling sorry for myself. As if I have made some sort of sacrifice. One in which the pay off is not seen as worth it. Something that could not be farther from the truth. Jonathan Edwards has written:

“The enjoyment of [God] is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams. But God is the ocean.”  - Jonathan Edwards

I am ashamed to admit that in my sickness and stress I had gotten lazy in my pursuit of God. I am ashamed to say that I had allowed Satan to lead me to see all the problems in this culture as issues somehow particular to Indonesians and Muslims and not as it truly is. A problem of sin and a people who are totally lost and helpless apart from a Savior. Ashamed that my focus was brought to the place of earthly joys and happiness and not my overarching abiding joy and happiness in Christ and His glory here on earth. Jonathan Edwards has also written:

“True virtue never appears so lovely as when it is most oppressed; and the divine excellency of real Christianity is never exhibited with such advantage as when under the greatest trials; then it is that true faith appears much more precious than gold, and upon this account is "found to praise and honor and glory.” - Jonathan Edwards

Friends I need your prayers more than ever in recent days. Pray that in difficulties and trails (which in my case are so very trivial to what so many face and experience) that I would be found not in depression, joylessness, bitterness and in stress. Pray that I will have found my sole Joy in Christ alone and His glory and that I will become steadfast in my pursuit to bring God glory in any and every circumstance.

I now wish to leave you with this list below. This list is now placed upon my wall as a guide in helping me remember what is most important as I seek to find my Joy found namely in God alone! My prayer is that you also will fight for joy as well....... Not so much to receive it as in keeping it. Blessings to you all. We truly miss and love you and pray for you continually. 

How Shall We Fight For Joy?: an adapted list from John Piper

1. Realize that authentic joy in Christ is a gift.

2. Realize the joy must be fought for relentlessly.

3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.

4. Learn the secret of gutsy conviction - fighting as one in need of grace daily.

5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God as He truly is.

6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night.

7. Pray desperately and continually for wisdom and an inclination for God.

8. Learn to preach to yourself rather than find satisfaction in merely hearing yourself.

9. Spend time with God-saturated people who will lovingly and honestly spurn you on in this fight.

10. Be patient in the night of God's seeming absence.

11. Get the rest, exercise and proper diet that your body was designed to have.

12. Make a proper use of God's revelation in nature (get outside).

13. Read great books about God and biographies of those who have gone before us.

14. Do the difficult and loving things (witness in truth and mercy) for the sake of others.

15. Get a global vision for the cause of Christ (Pour yourself out for the nations).

Faith Driven Family Conference

It brings me great joy to announce that Pastor Voddie Baucham will be visiting with my family and I in the month of January. Along with brother Baucham, we will also have the great privilege of having one of his fellow elders along with him and one of my fellow elders (Matt - The question and answer panel extraordinaire) from our sending church as well.

I am growing more and more excited with each passing week to have the opportunity to hang out with, learn from and minister with these men during their visit and stay here.

One such ministry endeavor will be to have Pastor Voddie speak at the "Faith Driven Family Conference" an event that we are in the middle of planning here. The sessions will include "The family in the discipleship of the next generation", "What is the gospel" and a special session for Pastor Baucham to preach on whatever the Lord is so leading him to bring to the people of this location.

After learning of his book "Faith Driven Family" (as it is translated here) being translated into this language and being that I am in great support of what is written within its pages, an invitation was made to Pastor Voddie to come visit and speak concerning it's content. I am very grateful for his enthusiastic desire to come and share with many of the folks here who will come under such teaching.

In the weeks leading up to the start of the planning of this event, I had been buying these books and meeting with several pastors, elders and church leaders to give them a copy and discuss it's content. The amount of excitement I have been receiving from these men in regards to the content of this book have been somewhat shocking. There seems to be a real hunger in understanding more concerning how to lead our families for the glory of the Lord here. This is an area in which many here simply do not know and or understand.  Even for those already in church leadership. This is not something that is often times seen in and modeled by men within this culture.

During the week that follows there will be several other ministry endeavors in both the city and in the jungle villages. There will also be moments in which all on this trip will learn concerning the work that is taking place here among those who live here and the needs that are still very much present here as well.

I would ask you all to pray for this week in January. Please, pray for the teaching on the family and the gospel that will be presented in it. Pray, for all those who will come under its teaching. Pray for the three men who will learn and see what our Lord is doing here. Pray for the months in preparations leading up to it. And please pray that above all our Lord and King will be greatly glorified in it. Blessings to you all.