Chiang Mai - Thailand

My nephew David Allen, along with his wife Michelle and their two children are part of this great mission team in Chiang Mai.

Christmas List

"For to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

It's almost Christmas day. The day we celebrate our Lord and Saviour's birth. Most of us have finished shopping or making presents for all our family and friends on our list. Just a few more hours and those we love will receive their gifts that we have taken the time to find for them and in return we will be opening gifts that they have given to us.

It can be a wonderful season for us as we think about giving to others. It doesn't have to be an expensive present, just something that shows them our love and thankfulness for them. It's a time when we think about the homeless and those who are lonely, sick, or in prison. It reminds us to think of someone other than ourselves.

But when was the last time we put Jesus on our Christmas list? Or how do we acknowledge that He is in the list? We remember His words, "when you do it for others, you do it for me" but do we understand the meaning behind that? Scripture tells us that we are being changed into the image of Christ and that is something most of us yet can't grasp the meaning. I know what it means to me...but what does it mean to you? Have you thought about being like Christ Jesus? Do you recognize Christ Jesus in others? This is how we give our gifts to Christ. For all who belong to Him are being changed into His image. Is Jesus on your Christmas list?

Happy birthday Jesus!

The Journey

"And Jesus said to them, Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them. And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere." Luke 9:3-6

Because of the way my life is, I normally don't sit around our house. I have recently because of a health problem and yesterday had surgery. So, I have time to think about things and get reacquainted with our stuff. Stuff that we have been acquiring for many years. We are certainly not extravagant in what we purchase, but I am amazed at how much stuff we have. Especially the needless stuff like trinkets!

Jesus sent the 12 apostles out and told them to leave their stuff behind. Take nothing. God would be their provider and they will have what they need. They were also given the gift of healing as they went through the villages spreading the gospel. There was nothing in their way to distract them from their mission.

How hard is it for us to do these things? To leave all behind to follow Jesus. We think we need our stuff for the journey. And sometimes, I guess we do. Not all are called to the type of ministry the apostles had...but all of us are called to do the same things. To spread the gospel and be light to a dark world.

I guess as I reflect on this, I come to the conclusion that I spend more time on keeping my stuff instead of releasing it. I work hard to make sure our stuff stays safe and we have the comforts of life around us. I need to balance that out. I wrote a song many years ago where the chorus says;

I have more than enough, I have more than I need
Is the state of my heart lost in this age of greed?
How can I carry this cross that You've given to me?
Heal the state of my heart.

It's a good reminder as we are coming up on Christmas. I haven't had time to go buy more "stuff" for our family. I hope I can keep it reasonable. Merry Christmas all.

April 26, 2008

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

I often get into discussions with people who are overwhelmed by the sickness of our world. The murders including abortion, adultery, hate, pride, greed, lack of self-control, disease, famine, natural disasters...and on and on. Many of these people claim Christ as Lord and Saviour and I am always concerned by the way they think that it's the "world's" problem that we live in such a godless society.

The verse above is constantly thrown out to the church. You'd think that at some point and time we might actually take this incredible truth, believe it, and actually do what God is calling us to do.

God isn't telling the world (unbelievers) to do this...He is telling believers to do this! Repent, turn from your wickedness, humbly approach His throne and seek His face...pray and He will hear us, turn our hearts around and heal our land. The problem isn't the world's problem, it's ours. It's all of us who believe in the Lord God Almighty, and His son, Jesus the Christ, Saviour of all mankind.

Today is a good day to get started on this. Each one of us has the ability to start the process with those whom we know. To band together and humbly ask the Lord to cleanse us from the selfishness that has invaded our hearts and minds...and repent to allow the Lord to heal us and heal our lands.

The time is short. Even the world recognizes this. Now, it's up to us who believe to repent and allow the Lord to heal us and bring this world to order.

April 26, 2008, hopefully, the church will all be together as one for the purpose of healing our world. But it needs to start with each of us today. Whether you agree with the doctrines of those who are trying to get the church together for this day should not matter!
Please consider your part and join in if you can! http://www.reigndownusa.com