May 3rd, 2005

Mennonites on Mission.

I found this article encouraging:
"Immigrants Fertile Soil for Mennonites" by K. Connie Kang, pub. 4/30/05

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-beliefs30apr30,1,6239750.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
(If that fails, go to www.latimes.com & search for the title keywords.)

It is an excellent reminder of the power of the Lord Jesus over all! Not just a little part of life, but ALL of life & ALL peoples, Germans, Mennonites, Indonesians, Mexicans, & Nigerians.

AEIOU - WIN

Prayer notes from this week's 10/40 Window update that pertain especially to the Arab World. I encourage you to visit their site regularly to get prayer points from more nations:
www.win1040.com/prayerpoints/

Sudan – Pray against the spirit of division and for unity among the leaders of the tribes.

Kuwait – Pray for wisdom and boldness for Christian leaders and for a burden to reach their own people.

Guinea-Bissau – Pray that leaders of the Christian Church in this nation will catch a missions vision and receive the courage and gifts to be able to reach out to their people and other 10/40 Window nations with the Gospel.

Saudi Arabia – Pray for the mighty hand of God to move upon political leaders in this nation to legalize Christianity and stop the persecution of Believers.

Niger – Pray that Muslim and animist spiritual leaders will have an increased interest in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How to Have a Great Family Vacation

Pray for God's wisdom throughout, enjoy the whole process, and be thankful in both the good times & the bad!!

1. Decide where you all want to go. What is your goal?
(Take a poll of primary desired destinations.)

2. Figure out the route.
www.mapquest.com can help with this.
a. Discuss how many days you are willing to travel.
b. Discuss how long you are willing to be on the road each day.
c. Contact any friends / family you wish to visit along the route.
i. Don't invite yourself over.
ii. If they invite you vigorously, accept the invitation.
iii. Don't overstay your welcome & be helpful while there.
d. Arrange to stay in hotels / motels where needed.
@ google.com, enter the name of the city / area you will be in
and "cheap hotels". I.e. "New York City cheap hotels"
e. When you have found the best deals on hotels, call the hotel
direct, with a written down record of what you can get the room
for online. Remind them of the online rate when you ask for the
best price if the best price they cite is higher.

3. Decide what you will see & do along the way.
a. Ask the hosts / hoteliers what they think would be good sites to
see along the way.
b. Look in the encyclopedia, a standard atlas, online travel
guides, travel guides @ the library, or remember past visits &
history lessons.

4. Print &/or email the itinerary.
a. Where you will be & on what days.
b. Phone #'s of the hotels that you will be at.
c. Any #'s for those cell phones you will have with you.
d. [If you are taking along any minors that are not your own kids,
it is wise to send the itinerary to their parents also.]
e. [Make sure that any permission forms for any kids from other
families are with you.]

=====
Ten Tips for a Terrific Time of Travel

1. No grumbling & complaining.
2. Prepare for inclimate weather & drive wisely.
3. Dress modestly.
4. Youth should respect their elders.
5. Consensus: Listen quickly, speak slowly, don't get mad easily.
6. Don't buy too many souvenirs.
7. Stick with the plan as much as possible.
8. Attend church when as often as able.
9. Be prepared to share the good news with those you meet.
10. Learn from all you see & all you meet.

Ministry Evaluation

Ministry evaluation:

1. What good things have happened with the ministry this month?
2. What new partners have joined the ministry this month?
3. What setbacks has the ministry suffered?
4. How faithful have you been to pray for the ministry and the people involved?
5. What are some things you need help with?
6. What are you looking forward to in the future?
7. What threats are there to the movement on the horizon?
8. What are action steps to seize the opportunities and change threats into great moments?

(Based on something sent to Hope Tajikistan partners by the U.S. coordinator.)

Red-Letter Edition & the Word of the Lord

Originally, someone mentioned that a fellow was reading the "red-letters" of Jesus in the Bible, but the fellow didn't see that Jesus claimed to be Creator. These are my thoughts on the subject:

RE: Jesus as Creator, see John 2

There Jesus oversees the transfer of water into pots ... and of course, the water is then (according to the taste test) of the very finest variety of wine ... implying that it would have tasted like it was originally from grapes. There are chemical elements/properties in all wines I have heard of which are not in any water or quick leaching process, at least certainly not in the quantity required for good quality wine. It seems the leader of the wedding feast didn't have a clue what was going on, but Jesus of Nazareth, the disciples, and the servants watched the whole process. Mary was also quite confident that her son could do what it took.

This seems to be a "creative" type miracle ... requiring a creator. When a person looks at the creation, whether in a jungle or the desert, you do not see a large billboard in the middle of the wilderness saying: "Ahem, hello, did you notice that I made this? - God." God is not merely glorious, he is humble (cf Philippians 2:1-11). This sort of gentle approach is evident in Isaiah 41:1-14. God speaks, but in the most gentle & supportive of ways (though Israel feels like a worm.)

May we also expand the discussion just a little, along the lines that was following?

The Bible I have which has red letters, includes the list below (For those with spare time, it was for my own reference).

After going over this list, I couldn't help but remember that Jesus himself said, "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead" (Luke 16:31) and "You diligently study [or, Diligently study (imp.) ] the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." (John 5:39-40)

While in none of these passages in "red-letters," does Jesus directly claim to be "Creator," his title as Lord implies that he is indeed God. CF: Jesus' discussion in Matthew 22:41-46, and the passage quoted from in Psalm 110.

How the red-letter edition started:
http://www.angelfire.com/la/prophet1/redlettered.html
"The words in red in many Bibles are neither more nor less important than the words in black. Jesus said to the seventy: 'He that heareth you heareth me' (Luke 10:16). This was his position concerning every divinely inspired writer or speaker."

=====
In Acts 1:4-8, Jesus urges the disciples to trust him, receive the Holy Spirit, and to be witnesses to Him in Jerusalem ... and to the ends of the earth.

In Acts 9:4-6, Paul has a dialogue with the Lord Jesus. The Lord's word are in red letters in my Bible. Basically, Paul is invited/called to also be a witness.

In Acts 9:10-16, Jesus appears to Ananias. Hmmm. Ananias is not an apostle listed anywhere that I know of. Yet he has a "red-letter" discussion with the Lord in a vision. Indeed, what we know from Acts 22:12, where Paul is giving his testimony is that "He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there." What does that do to our theology?

1 Timothy 5:18 "The laborer is worth his wages."

2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for [My] power is perfected in weakness."

In Acts 22:7, 8, 10, 18, 21, Paul quotes Jesus as saying:
"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
"I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting."
"Arise and go into Damascus; an ther
"Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me."
"Go! For I will sedn you far away to the Gentiles"

Acts 23:11
"Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."
Acts 26:14-18 is also mostly in red letters.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega ... who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:8 Revelation 1:17-18 ... "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and theliving One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades."

And of Course, the Lord Jesus, has a pretty long message to the 7 churches in Asia, (Revelation 1:11; 1:17-3:22) My Bible, also has these verses from the Revelation in red: 16:15; 22:7, 12-13, 16. The last thing I read in red in my bible: Jesus says, "Surely I am coming quickly."

==> I guess we better stay in fellowship with Jesus & get as many others
ready as possible.

February 2007

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