My friend, Dan Pennington, who I have grown the closest to in recent years, isn't so close these days. He is helping to lead a YWAM base all the way in Brisbane, Australia where he met his beautiful and Godly bride, Catrina. They will be getting married on the 27th of August and I have been asked to be the best man, of which I am incredibly privileged. I will be finished with my first year with George just before that and am looking for a cheap flight to Brisbane, so if anyone out there sees a good deal (even a good deal seems expensive but hey, it's Australia) on a flight, or boat or train to Australia, please send it my way. Weddings are incredibly important to me the older I get because I see the long term relationship that it establishes with those who are committing their lives to each other. If you have friends who are getting married, give yourself to the process and become part of the community of friendship and accountability from start to finish. These days, it is definitely more difficult to keep those precious vows, and it takes the whole community to help keep them, not just on their own. God bless all of you!

Supernatural vs. just natural?

In our recent visit to Nigeria, we were able to minister to between 4000-5000 Nigerian Church leaders. We also handed out between 4000 - 4500 free books, 1000 of which were titled, "AIDS and You" by Patrick Dixon. The crowd appreciated George's ministry but it was a slow start. Everything picked up though when just a second after he stepped off of the stage from his first message (a difficult message to hear), thunder and lightning, incredible winds and torrential rains immediatley errupted. It continued for at least 20 minutes and tore most of the banners hanging up around the colloseum while rain poured in horizontally through to the back. To those inside it was a physical affirmation
of the message and the messenger. They showed
this by erupting into spontaneous worship and prayer and the globe was taken all around the room and held by those there while they interceded for the nations and those greatest needs that lay on the side of the road for us as "good samaritans" to minister to. Those outside who were selling thier wares, mainly books, did not have the same sentiment as much of their merchandise was ruined. Our host returning from town, said that it hadn't rained in town and there was no lightning as she queried us for what happened. Is it possible for God to do something like this - to affirm a message with a physical manifestation? When God acts in such a way, if HE does, is it always going to benefit everybody or will it leave behind a mess for some to clean up. When God shows up, do we expect it to be neat and proper? In a culture that believes in the reality of the supernatural, Christian or not, on a daily basis, you most likely couldn't convince them otherwise. WOW! One more thing, George was just himself, nothing different, nothing altered, just himself, a man who is passionate about the globe, even to the point of wearing global pajamas.

Messianic or Syncretistic?

We are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the salvation of the Jews. There are so many views on what is and isn't supposed to happen in regards to Israel and the Jews. I was just interacting with a book the claims that present day Judaism is not really the direction that Messianic Jews should go in because Judaism is no longer Old Testament Judaism and has become something cultic and apart from the true Judaism of the OT. If this is the case, then those who claim to be Messianic Jews and form their religious order and worship after present day Judaism are actually in danger of crossing over into sycretism and are not "completing" themselves by calling themselves "Messianic Jews" and not "Christians". The author explains that he happens to be a Christian who is a Jew and is in favor of worshipping like a Jew but will not cross over into cultic Judaism in order to be "Messianic". Something new for me - any thoughts?

God bless you from Jerusalem where my friend (fellow Moody grad) and I walked down the trail from the Mount of Olives where Jesus would have historically walked down. It was a magnificent view of the city looking toward the "Golden Gate" and the temple mount. So much has taken place here over the centuries and it was a unique experience to be able to minister in the midst of it all.

Townships

I have just returned from Capetown, South Africa. My first experience after stepping off the plane was to visit a "township" Church meeting. This is where the poorest of the poor live in the area of the city. Local statistics were in the range of 1.5 million people live in six to 12 foot shacks (some bigger) that are thrown up in a day. I received a warm welcome and was shown some interesting music and dancing. It was an awesome experience. The Churches thrive in the townships. There are very few other faiths present there although there is a large contingent of Muslims that live nearer to the city. I haven't seen that much poverty in one single area ever in my life. AIDS has a growing stronghold there though. We were able to visit "Beautiful Gate", a division of YWAM that works with AIDS orphans there. It was amazing to see what is required to care for a single individual and then to enter back into the fray of need outside the gates of that compound. Overwhelming is the word that remains consistently on my mind - not impossible, overwhelming.

Well December has come and has gone, even though it was a month ago. It was not so full with travel although a lot did happen. The first part of the month saw us in Split, Croatia where we linked up with the team working on the new OM Ship (picture with all of the rugged looking people. It also brought me to a team in London to do something I had never done before, Muslim evangelism. I was put on a diverse team which included Canadians, Dutch, Koreans, Americans, an Egyptian, a Pakistani (whom I am standing with) and a Mexican - some with different levels of English speaking ability, but all intent on sharing the Gospel with whomever we could find. I was also able to travel to Portugal for the first time. That trip was so George could speak to a large group of University students who had organized this mission's conference from the ground up without any organizational backing. Very grass roots! While there both George and I had an amazing opportunity to be interviewed by some new friends in a film crew who were reporting on the conference for Portugeuse National T.V. Some of the students came forward to the globe and laid hands on a country that they felt God may be leading them to serve in cross-culturally. This seemed to be a genuine time for those students who did come forward! I was also able to spend some of Christmas day with George and Drena and their daughter and grandsons. It was a privilege and a memory that will last.

Apparently, this piec was brought to Split from
Egypt and placed in the castle by Diocletian. The statue of the man next to the tower is a famous Croation (Dalmatia in Biblical times) who translated the Bible into the language of his own people long before Martin Luther started the Reformation and changed it from solely Latin to the language of his people - German.


On a visit to the fourth ship that OM now owns in Croatia, I was able to visit the city of Split where the 1700 year old architecture boasts the castle of Diocletian, one of the last Roman Emperors also famous for killing 20,000 Christians.





Apparently the hallway in these pictures was where the servants/slaves quarters were where they slept in the mud with all the waste from the castle spread around them and falling throught he cieling. The structure with the door and the tower above it is claimed to be the oldest Catholic Church in the world where the Pope has prayed on occasion. It is also the tomb of Diocletian and may have been a temple to Jupiter during his reign. Irony prevails.

I have some images to share with all of you. Just some random pictures that I've taken throughout my travels, they include Cambridge, Prague, Belfast, Amsterdam, Split (Croatia) and London. Thanks to those who helped to bring me to these places with George to serve and experience something completely different.

Christmas is about submitting to...

December 22, 2005

I just got off the phone with George in what is one of many calls I make to him throughout the week. He told me that he had just got off the bus and had experienced a unique encounter. He usually sits at the front of the bus on the second level. This time he sat at the back where the “rowdies” sit. He went on to say that he was going to be sitting back there a lot more, especially in regards to the story that that he then shared with me.

As he sat down closer to the back, most likely pulling out his emails and working away. He felt something knock against his head from behind. He looked and it was a wadded up piece of paper. He looked behind him and saw some young guys – the rowdies – sitting in the back. He gave them a stern rebuke and then explained to them that when he was 16, etc, etc. etc…. And through this encounter he did what all great OMers do and handed them some Christian leaflets; this only after he had shared some of his own story and the gospel. He then went back to his work, (burrowing into his emails, I’m sure) and in not to short a time, received another wadded up projectile aimed at his head. His response? He looked at the wad decorated with graffiti, noticing it was one of the leaflets he had passed to them and turned around again and shared more of his younger self through his personal testimony in a kind yet firm manner with a strong Gospel message. He then turned back to his work and no sooner had he started than one of the young men was sitting next to him. George greeted him and again shared more of himself and solidified the message of the Gospel by loving well this young man whom he had earlier rebuked. As I got of the phone with him, I was encountered by his response (not reaction) with what so many of us do when we are given small opportunities to defend the Gospel when our rights and dignity have been trespassed upon.

In these days, there are warnings posted throughout London for young people, that if they abuse their privileges on the public transit system, they will lose them. Of course George’s encounter with this young man gave George the right to demand to be treated better and as a 67 year old man, both of them riding the transit for free, one because of his youth and one because of his elderliness, he deserved the better treatment. He deserved respect and he could’ve demanded it and threatened the boy with the loss of his transit card by reporting him. Instead he lovingly responded (not reacting) and sought out the souls and the hearts of these young men rather than his rights and their ensuing punishment. In a world that rushes to its rights, here is the Christ-likeness that demonstrates a heart not afraid of abuse for the sake of the Gospel. It has been said that the greatest leaders are those who submit themselves to the greatest abuse, especially from within their own circle and still give away love and dignity – free of expectations. Of course who is our greatest example of this, the One - the most abused with the least justification for abuse. I believe that the Christ-likeness that George shared with these young men will forever be an imprint of grace and love in these guys’ hearts that only see a world that offers judgment, retribution and a lust for what is deserved. This is the Gospel, this is the light shining in the darkness before men. Let us be challenged by his example and his willingness to accept abuse in the place of what he deserves. Some would say this is foolish. I think it is in the world’s eyes – and oh to be such a fool. “Jesus, please give me what I need in order to let go of what I deserve so that I can give them the “You” that they need and yet don’t deserve”


“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

-Jesus, Son of God

“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but is has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”

-Paul (in his 2nd letter to Tim)

The visit to the ship!

This is the fourth ship that OM will launch out into the water and when it does, it is reported that it will be the world's largest floating book fair, but much more happens than that - check it out on the OM website - www.logoshope.com It is also reported to be big enough to hold both active ships, the Logos II and Doulos, inside of its capacity. Incredible vision! I asked George what he was thinking as we walked through the ship and if he ever thought the first vision would come to this; he remarked later that 35 years of ship ministry has prepared them for this enormous task and what a task it has been and will continue to be!

Peter Walks Beneath the Water

Amidst the thunder blunder cracks and moans

A Hand reaches

My gutter my bed

Slumber sleep or stained

I want what my heart sees

But my eyes cannot feel

Rescue is a word

Captive a force

Reaching breaks forth effortless

I am indwelt with a passion

succumbing, sucumbing

He reaches forward...

I have stepped out of the boat - I nnow realize whereI am; I know where you are - my faith is failing me. Each day I slap away your hand and drown again - when will i cling? Teach me to cling, take me to the place where I can only cling

Hercules!

The other task that follows arranging for the book table is to make sure that I have this trademark globe blown up, out of the reach of children, leakless and ready for action as soon as George asks for it. This has been difficult in the past because our previous globe had numerous leaks and would eventually deflate after 30 minutes of speaking. I once had to sneak into the middle of the message, grab the shrunken earth, find a secluded area at the front of the Church and blow it back up and then rush it back right underneath the pulpit in front of nearly 300 people so that George could challenge individuals to come forward to lay their hands on an area of the world that they felt God calling them to. Now we are in business because we have a globe that won't leak, but it is the largest globe that George has ever used, so it can be a bit awkward, especially when he throws it up in the air and almost knocks out an overhead lamp. It is a central aspect to the message and it ends up being something that people will always remember. Please pray with me for this fragile globe and maybe let it remind us of the fragile globe that we are living on today - it needs our prayer and concern as well.

A record set!

I have just received the prize for the largest book display at a Church meeting George has ever seen from any gopher - almost 1800 books. For those who are unaware, book table exhibits at mission's meetings is one of the key areas of ministry that OM is involved with and hence what I spend much of my time doing. At any meeting I can be found arranging an area for books to be sold,given away, inquired about, ordered, etc..., carrying boxes, loading and unloading, handling the money and distributing OM literature for recruitment purposes.

We are all big, green, ugly ogres in reality.

Some days we live with that reality and try to make the best of it, other days we think of ourselves as a princess by day and an ogre by night. Where will we find true acceptance and love, by embracing reality or sucking the death out of self-deception? I came across this piece while walking through London earlier this year and was captivated by it. For further reading on this pick up Philip Yancey's "What's so Amazing about Grace" - the visaul edition is incredible- as well as "Messy Spirituality" by Mike Yanconelli. Reality is much better for growth and maturity in the long. Many cannot grow because they will not visit the place from which they need to leave. Is there a place for performance in our Faith, does Christ demand of us to "get right" in any way? I know that there is affirmation of this but it is widely distorted in the circles I have been brought to in life and thus I have not found easy answers.

A man of paradoxes, grace and reality!

He is a man without a time zone; he is a man with his own time zone!

He can have a hard approach and seem insensitive but has a tender heart and endures much abuse.

He is incredibly frugal and watches every penny except when it comes to giving, his generosity is innumerable and full.

He can yell at you and weep with you in the same moment.

He is always in pursuit of excellence and maturity yet at the same time embracing grace and reality.

He says too much sometimes and yet we can’t get enough of what he says.

He carries so much grief and in the same moment bursts with humor.

He tells the same jokes over and over, yet we laugh again and again.

Martin Luther said that Christianity was a religion of paradoxes and grace. George seems to emulate this principle after years of commitment to his Savior. God bless all those who are blessed by his life!

He doesn’t know why he can rejoice and weep in the same moment - probably something that comes from years of concerning himself with the advancement of the Gospel and the reality of a suffering world!

George has been disciplined most of his life and it allows him to not suffer from fear that comes with change. When you are consistent within your own world then change in the outside world is not so forboding because you don't depend on your externals for meaning and satisfaction. I believe that is where God wants to draw us to in our walk with him and discipline seems to be an integral part of that process.

A tribute to my bro

Lonnie Smith, a friend, my brother, a constant, the comedian, what a guy

He's spent more time with me than anyone else in my life. Many late night conversations, too many. Packing wood till our fingers fell off, playing GI Joe when we were supposed to be cleaning our room, hiking high above alpine to our own favorite lake "up Texas Creek", getting in fights and not getting in trouble because he would cover up for me even after he was the one in pain... So many more memories are packed away and now as adults (if we fight I'm the one in pain) we have enjoyed a new relationship, one built on choice, mutual respect and a love for many common things. Being connected to the ones who love you and the ones you love - what a privilege. Take care! and remember who you have history with!