Suffer

¹⁵But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." – Acts 9

A guy named Paul (who would later write much of the New Testament), had just had an experience with God.  It blinded him.  He was in a house and God decides to send a guy named Ananias to Paul.  Ananias is to tell Paul of the great things that will come in the future.  Exciting things like . . . suffering.

Suffering?  You would think that God would say that he is going to show Paul all the great things that will be done.  The thousands that will be saved.  The church that will be established. Why not start with the big vision?  Why not get Paul pumped about the results and get him to commit to the plan no matter what the cost?

Because Paul was not committed to the plan, he was committed to the Christ.  If it brought suffering, so be it.

God wanted to give him a clear picture; it’s not all roses.

What if God showed me how much I would suffer for him?  Would I still make the decision to follow him?  Would you?

photo by CGehlen

Compassion Thursday; Brandoll Needs You

Be a part of a world-changing movement by becoming a child sponsor with Compassion International.  Brandoll is a young man in Honduras.  My family and I sponsor a child in Honduras and in her last letter she asked us to pray that her country would become safe.  Honduras is currently not the best place to live or travel.  How great would it be to make a difference in Brandoll’s life and give him a chance to thrive in challenging country?

Brandoll makes his home with his mother. Washing clothes, running errands and cleaning are his household duties. His mother is sometimes employed as a laborer. There are 2 children in the family.
As part of Compassion’s ministry, Brandoll participates in church activities and Bible class. He is also in kindergarten where his performance is average. Playing with cars, hide-and-seek and playing group games are his favorite activities.
Your care and consistent sponsorship are especially important to Brandoll because he has asthma and is receiving regular medical treatment. Thank you for your love and prayers.

To learn more about sponsoring Brandoll, click here.

Where is God Now?

⁷ Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not? – Ex 17

Sometimes I wonder about the presence of God. "Is the Lord here with me?"  Sometimes I know that he is.  Sometimes it feels like he is far away.  I look at Israel and think, "How can they think God was far away, he sent the plagues, opened up the Red Sea, freed them from slavery." 

I bet if I were there I would have wondered the same thing they did.  Or maybe I would have thought "Sure, God was with us then, but where is he now?" 

I know that God has done some great things in the past, but he seems a bit distant in the present.  Maybe it is because I am too busy to recognize him.  Maybe I am not paying attention.  Or maybe he is backing off for a season for some reason.  Either way, I have two choices; argue with God, or try to listen all the more intently.

I’ll chose to listen.

How will you listen today?

photo by adam selwood

Guatemala Updates

A small team from MCC landed yesterday in Guatemala.  To keep with their ministry, check out the blogs of Shawn, Nate and Rachael, and Jody.

Compassion Thursday; Muvunyi needs you

Most Compassion kids are young.  Meet Muvunyi, a 19 year old young man from Rwanda.

In his home, Muvunyi helps by carrying water, gathering firewood and caring for animals. He lives with his mother. His mother is sometimes employed as a farmer. There are 3 children in the family.
Soccer, volleyball and playing ball games are Muvunyi’s favorite activities. In high school his performance is average and he also regularly attends church activities and choir.
Your love and support will help Muvunyi to receive the assistance he needs to develop his potential. Please pray for him.
This child lives in an AIDS affected area. In Africa, the disease has impacted the entire continent, creating a generation of orphans and vulnerable children. God can use you to help ease the pain of a child in desperate need.

For information on sponsoring Muvunyi, click here.

Goodbye exchange

Last Sunday the leaders off MCC verbalized what God has been leading us to for the last couple of years.  Exchange has joined forces with the morning community (EPIC) of Maryland Community Church.   No longer will we carry the titles of EPIC or exchange.  We are now Maryland Community Church, a community of people following Christ and serving in his cause.

Why?  Because we believe that together we can be better. 

What does that mean for exchange?  The Sunday gathering will look very much the same.  We will gain the addition of Dr Vince when it comes to helping our personal spiritual formation.  Vince will be teaching some classes and is already exploring some cutting-edge ways to help our personal spiritual walk (stay tuned for details).  I will continue to teach on Sunday nights and will begin to teach more in the AM gathering.

I talked about all of this at our last official exchange gathering, Vince talked about it at the last official Epic gathering.  You can listen here.

A detailed document on the change is here.

Am I excited?  More than you know.  I believe that we are going to see God do some amazing things as we all join together, follow him, and serve in his cause.  Will you join us?

Compassion Thursday – Haiti

I find myself moved to tears with the situation in Haiti.  My daughter, Mariah, and a high school team are scheduled to be in Haiti in July.  Though I have yet to visit Haiti I have spent a considerable amount of time in the 3rd world and know the challenges when things are normal.  I cannot simply get my head around the disaster.  If your like me you wonder, “Sure, but what can I do?” 

As you know, I am a huge fan of Compassion International.  They have a strong presence in Haiti.  They are asking for donations for their efforts, as they work with over 6000 children there. 

If you can’t give, would you join hundreds of us in praying for Haiti.  The eyes of the world are turned to the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.  I am praying that the church will rise up.  My hope is that in years to come, an old man will sit on the beach with his grandson and say “The earthquake of 2010 changed where I lived and whom I lived with.  Then God came along.  He changed my life.”

You can donate here.

Compassion Thursday. Samir Needs You

I used to feel like I couldn’t change the world.  I was wrong.   I can change the world.  I can change the world for one child.  So can you.  For $38 you can change the world of Samir.  Click here for all the details and be a world changer.

Samir lives with in Columbia, South America with his father and his mother. He is responsible for running errands. His father is employed and his mother is employed. There are 2 children in the family.
Playing with cars, hide-and-seek and playing group games are Samir’s favorite activities. In kindergarten his performance is average and he also regularly attends church activities.
Because of your sponsorship, Samir will have new opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Thank you for your concern and prayers.

For more info on changing the world of  Samir, click here.

Take the Blame

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” – Gen 3:12

Passing blame.  A game we have been playing for centuries.  When I am busted for my actions, it is always the fault of someone else.  My parents raised me that way, everybody is doing it, I had no choice, my teacher doesn’t like me, blah, blah, blah.

Take responsibility for your actions.

If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest. – Eyck 10:4

Suck it up.  Admit  fault.  Ask forgiveness.  Make the change.

We are responsible for our own actions.

photo by Chris Owens

Brit Hume to Tiger: Turn to Christianity

Everybody has an opinion on the Tiger Woods deal.  However, these 55 seconds may say it best.  Props to Hume for manning up and speaking his faith both confidence and manners.