Count it all joy

Hard times are a part of life. Trials, tribulations, and temptations are the common thread that links all of mankind, regardless of culture, age, gender, wealth, or status.

Our reaction to the tough times is of paramount importance. They can build us up, or they can cause us to tear ourselves down. It all boils down to our response. In the midst of trials and temptations (the same Greek word is translated as both), there is a choice between two diverging paths. The wide, common path is that of enticement and sin. This path leads only to death.

James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

The other path is narrow, and is found by few. It is the path is one of faith, obedience, and perseverance leading to completeness, maturity, and life.

James 1:2-4,12 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

We can have faith in God’s providential promise, for we know that we will not be tempted beyond what we are able to bear and He always provides an escape rout (1 Cor. 10:13). We can trust that after we have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish us (1 Pet. 5:10). We can have joy because we know the final outcome, the redemption of our souls. Yet rejoicing in tribulation is an unnatural (supernatural) act, and can only be accomplished through the strength of Christ. For through our weakness, Christ is strong through us (2 Cor. 12:10).

In trials and temptations we have a decision. We can count it all joy, rejoicing in the midst of the hard times, knowing and trusting that God is in control and that He is on our side for our ultimate benefit. Or we can continue to fall victim to our own lusts and depravity.

for His glory,
DJ

The Real Patrick

Two authentic letters from St. Patrick survive, from which come the only universally accepted details of his life. He was born to a wealthy British family, and when he was about 16 he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland. He lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. During his captivity in Ireland, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to Christ for comfort and became a devout Christian.

Upon His return to Britain, he felt God was calling him to be a missionary to Ireland. After fifteen years of study and training he returned to Ireland. Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish.

Patrick faced great persecution from many of the pagans. He described his sheep as being “torn to pieces and driven away.” He also described “ravening wolves have devoured the flock of the Lord, which in Ireland was indeed growing splendidly with the greatest care.” Many of those whom he converted to Christianity were killed, taken captive, or sold into slavery. On one occasion, some were killed on the day after their baptism and “the fragrance was still on their foreheads when they were butchered and slaughtered with the sword”

Patrick was not the character that legend makes him out to be. Instead, he was someone far greater. He never drove out all the snakes in Ireland or any other silly sort of deed. Instead, he was a devoted missionary in a pagan culture. He faced harsh persecution from the Irish, and yet he faithfully and courageously served as a “servant in Christ to a foreign nation for the unspeakable glory of life everlasting which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The following are excerpts from a letter written by St. Patrick to Corotisus.

“I, Patrick, a sinner, unlearned, resident in Ireland, declare myself to be a bishop. Most assuredly I believe that what I am I have received from God. And so I live among barbarians, a stranger and exile for the love of God. He is witness that this is so. Not that I wished my mouth to utter anything so hard and harsh; but I am forced by the zeal for God; and the truth of Christ has wrung it from me, out of love for my neighbors and sons for whom I gave up my country and parents and my life to the point of death. If I be worthy, I live for my God to teach the heathen, even though some may despise me.”

“Did I come to Ireland without God, or according to the flesh? Who compelled me? I am bound by the Spirit not to see any of my kinsfolk. Is it of my own doing that I have holy mercy on the people who once took me captive and made away with the servants and maids of my father’s house? I was freeborn according to the flesh. But I sold my noble rank. I am neither ashamed nor sorry for the good of others. Thus I am a servant in Christ to a foreign nation for the unspeakable glory of life everlasting which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

“Hence I do not know what to lament more: those who have been slain, or those whom they have taken captive, or those whom the devil has mightily ensnared. Together with him they will be slaves in Hell in an eternal punishment; for who commits sin is a slave and will be called a son of the devil.”

“I ask earnestly that whoever is a willing servant of God be a carrier of this letter, so that on no account it be suppressed or hidden by anyone, but rather be read before all the people, and in the presence of Coroticus himself. May God inspire them sometime to recover their senses for God, repenting, however late, their heinous deeds - murderers of the brethren of the Lord! - and to set free the baptized women whom they took captive, in order that they may deserve to live to God, and be made whole, here and in eternity! Be peace to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

MSSION Trip Day 5" The Last Day

Well today was our last day here in the valley. It is kinda bitter sweet. On one hand I am homesick and can't wait to get back to my wife and son. On the other hand, I am going to miss this place and these people. It is so nice to get away from work and responsibility and have a chance to spend so much time worshiping, serving, and fellowshipping with fellow believers. While I am here there are fewer distractions, and I am better able to concentrate solely on the Lord.

Today I hung out with the wise elders and helped them fix a water leak under the sink. In reality i was about two degrees south o useless, but I enjoy their company. At Bible school we had nine students in the high school class. Jess gave a wonderful devotional on Romans 12:1-2 and I share the gospel using the wordless bracelet craft. Overall, we averaged about sixty kids at Bible school each night. I pray that the decisions made and the seeds that were planted this week will grow and mature long after we have left.

for His glory,
DJ

Mission Trip Day 4: Work Day

Today we served Jesus through manual labor. The iglisais and the parsonage sit on almost an acre of land. The buildings are old and there is always a need for repairs and maintenance. The wise elders used their skills to try and fix the riding lawnmower. They put a lot of hard work into it, and even got it to run, but n the end it was abandoned because the damage was too great. We ended up buying a small pushmower from Walmart. The college guys took turns weed whacking and push mowing. I was on pole saw duty. My mission was to eliminate all low hanging limbs from the premises.

The cross on the gabled front had vines growing all over it. We wanted to clear it out so that it would be more visible, however, it was guarded by a troop of angry bees. A few brave souls took on the challenge to clear the cross, and MD even took one for the team. At the end of the day, the church looked much better.

That night at Bible school, Jes took the two girls aside who made professions of faith Sunday. She discipled them as to what the next step in their Christian walk should be. I stayed with the other two girls and shared the gospel with them. One girl seemed very receptive, while the other seemed confused and uninterested. While they were doing their craft I asked Jes to talk to the interested girl. We gather that she has previously trusted Christ, but she still has a lot of questions. I hope both girls come back on the last night so that we can have one more opportunity to share with them.

To be continued...

Mission Trip Day 3: Prayer, Praise, & Horses

We started this morning in the municipal square in Roma, Texas. Behind one of the buildings is a deck built on a bluff overlooking the Rio Grande. As we looked across the river at Miguel Alemon, Mexico we prayed as a group for the salvation and welfare of that city. We all felt a heaviness and sadness for the people because of the events of the past few weeks. We prayed and worshipped there on the bluff.

We then broke up into groups and walked around the area praying for the city and for the city leaders. Our group walked down by the river, and then we prayed for some of the workers in city hall. After out prayer walking, we went door to door talking with people and handing out Gospel of John tracts. The people down here are very frindly and receptive. We talked with several people and prayed with a few. There is a staunch difference between the financial classes here. There are some with lots of money and possessions, and lots with neither.

We encountered one man who was riding his bicycle collecting aluminum cans. Us gringos helped collect cans for him while the spanish speaker of the group talked with him. We ended up praying for him and his wife. Overall, it was a good experience and I pray that some seeds ere sown on good soil.

After a tasty, home cooked mexican lunch we went to a ranch owned by a friend of the pastors. The ranch had a myriad of pets, including a small army of Chihuahuas, donkeys, chickens, horses, turkeys, catfish, and a hound dog. They saddled up a few horses and we were able to ride them around. It was a hoot. That night after VBS we returned there for dinner. They served s a great banquet of food. Afterwords we set out on the deck and sang a couple songs in spanish with the host family and all the guests. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and worship.

Mission Trip Day 2: Sunday

Today started with church at the igelisia baptista. We had a sweet time of worship in Spanish. We sang several songs in Spanish as a congregation, and then we sang From the Inside Out in both English and Spanish. Even though we are separated by a language barrier, I truly felt connected to the congregation.

Jsn gave his testimony, as did cthia. They were both very encouraging and uplifting. MD preached the sermon on Sampson. He outlined Sampson's strengths and weaknesses. Sampson made many mistakes that should have been avoided if he had only taken every thought captive, and controlled his lusts and desires. Despite his shortcomings, though, God showed grace to Sampson and he ended faithfully.

After the service we enjoyed a good lunch prepared for us by the ladies of the church. Then after a short nap, we broke into small groups and roamed the neighborhoods surrounding the church. We handed out fliers and invited kids to the Bible clubs started in the evening. My job was to man the moonwalk. I was entrusted to maintain order and keep the moonwalk from becoming a chaotic mess. Some of the other students played soccer and others painted faces. After about an hour we started the Bible study. I co-taught the High school class. We had two twelve-year old girls who spoke poor English. After an icebreaker game, MD took over and presented the gospel through a translator. Praise God, those two girls prayed a prayer of salvation. It was all in Spanish, so I only caught a word here and there. It was an amazing experience. I pray that those girls come back tomorrow so that we can continue to disciple them.

To be continued...

Mission Trip Day 1: Driving

470 miles, 8 hours and 54 minutes, two Dr. Peppers, a powerade and a bottle of water, but we finally made it here. We left Beaumont on Sat. morning. WW drove the van with the eleven college students, and I drove the truck with the luggage in the back. I had forgetten how long of a drive it is. We made two stops along the way, each of which were about 45 minutes. After a brief detour caused by following our trusty TomTom, we finally arrived here in RGC in the late afternoon. We unloaded at the hotel and then went and ate some comida Mexicana.

This is my fifth trip down here, but it is different for me this time. I am not a college student anymore. I am older now and I feel a deeper sense of both freedom and responsibility. Although I am only a few years older than the college kids, I feel like there is a huge generation gap between us. I find it even harder than usual to connect and relate to them. I am slightly apprehensive, but I hope that changes as the week goes on.

I am always surprised at how different things are here. Though we are still in Texas, the culture is predominantly Mexican. The look and feel of the city seems so foreign. It is a culture shock for a sheltered country-boy like me.

The people, though, are amazing. Everyone is here friendly and outgoing. They are laid back and affable. Even though most of them speak Spanish much better than they do English, they are a true pleasure to be around. I usually end up doing a lot of smiling and head nodding. The people are also hurting. This is one of the most poverty stricken, corrupt, and crime plagued areas of Texas. The recent outbreak of violence between the Mexican drug cartels has added to the fear and unrest. My prayer is that we can bring the hope of Christ in these trying times. I know that God has prepared good works for us, and now I pray that we have the faith, courage, nd wisdom to walk in them.

To be continued...

The roar of the gator

My two-year old has a toy alligator, and one of his favorite games is to sneak up to me and shout “roar”. I, of course, dramatically react to the surprise attack as he fervently giggles and squeals. Then the surprise attack ensues once again.

Any true Southeast Texan knows that alligators don’t roar, they make an eerie hissing sound. So I began to wonder why my boy assumed alligators roar. Then I remembered the dinosaur book. We have a book with brightly colored illustrations of different kinds of dinosaurs with big sharp teeth and scaly skin. He likes to look at the pictures, and every time we turn the page we let loose with a terrifying dinosaur roar. So I figured he assumed that the alligator is the same as the dinosaurs from the book.

I must admit that is not a bad assumption for a two year old. After all alligators are reptiles that have big sharp teeth. They even look similar to dinosaurs. But they don’t roar.

In fact, I can’t seem to think of any large reptiles that roar. Iguanas, Kimodo dragons, Galapagos tortoises, snakes, alligators, and crocodiles – none of them roar. They can hiss, howl, squeak and grunt, but not roar.

So why on earth do we assume that dinosaurs, which ranged from the size of a chicken to the size of a 3-story building, made loud, terrorizing, deep throated, roaring noises?

-Because they said so. On TV, in movies, at museums, and in our science books dinosaurs are portrayed as massive, savage, roaring beasts. So it must be true, right?

It seems to me that evolutionary scientists and archeologists base their “facts” on some shaky assumptions. I am by no means an expert on the subject, I don’t see any evidence that supports the assumption that dinosaurs roared. I bet that dinosaurs no more roared than alligators do.

But I’m not going to break this news to my son yet, I’m just gunna let the gators roar.