Let me tell you about my double date...

Okay, everyone that knows me just popped up in their chair with their mouths hanging open. "He had a date?!?!"

Two of 'em, actually. I went to dinner with two nineteen year olds. But in order to keep from being labeled as a creepy, old guy, if you add them together then I went out with a thirty-eight year old.

I told Sarah and Virginia I was going to post that. Thanks, girls, for keeping me company. No worries, Spenser. I'm not her type.

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"My Opinion on the Property" by Chuck.

This is just because I can. I had previously said I wouldn't give my opinion because it didn't matter. It still doesn't matter, because the property doesn't matter. I don't think God is waiting to see which way we vote.

We've gotta get this God's will thing out of our heads. God's will is for us to continue to be a church, to be a family and encourage, support, and, most importantly, love each other and work together.

God's will is for us to reach out to the community and make sure they hear His Name. His will is for us to continue to seek Him every minute of every day and be used by Him for His plans and purposes. His will is for us to "put on the mind of Christ," and to obey Him and put Him first in our lives.

With acres and acres of land at our disposal, we can do all of these things, and then some.

We can also do them without a teaspoonful of dirt.

This is simply an opportunity. We can purchase this land and do great things for God, or we can let it pass and still do great things for God. Stock Creek will not become better or stronger either way because possessions have no bearing on the strength of God's church. The strength is in the faith, obedience, humility, and unity of the believers and the body as a whole.

It's what we do with the land that will matter. It's what we do without the land that will matter. God's will doesn't hinge on this proposal.

I'll be absent Wednesday night for two reasons. 1) I don't care either way, take it or leave it, it's only dirt and it's only money. I will whole-heartedly support either outcome. 2) I haven't been to a business meeting in years to vote on any matter. I am usually occupied otherwise. People will fuss and gripe about those who come out of the woodwork to vote against and for this proposal. I won't be one who makes a special appearance just to weigh in on something that is "en vogue."

I hope you can find some wisdom in this, or at least respect it. Here are two verses that have been in my head since this whole thing started and that helped me find peace about it.

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. --Luke 16:10

And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. --Deuteronomy 8:2

Have a great week everyone. By the way, I LOVED Sunday night. The new Frequency schedule is going to be fabulous!

Funny how a study on prayer can be... well, funny

I read this today and cracked up. I don't know if it was the sarcasm or the fact that a preacher who lived 200 years ago made a joke in a sermon, but it's hilarious either way.

The author was expounding on the part of James 4:2 that says, "You do not have because you do not ask." He writes:

Many prayers fail to achieve their purpose because there is no faith behind them. Prayers that are filled with doubt are requests for refusal. Imagine that you wrote to a friend and said, "Dear friend, I am in great trouble. I am telling you this, and I am asking for your help, because it seems right to do so. But though I am writing to you, I do not believe you will send me any help. Indeed, I would be shocked if you did, and I would speak of it as a great wonder."

Classic.

And here's another quote from the same writer. This one made me stop and check myself in regards to SCBC's impending vote on the property. As we wait with bated breath for the outcome of next week's vote (okay, maybe that was a little too dramatic), let's all take one more opportunity to make sure we have the right motive, but especially the right perspective.

You can get that new, clever minister and that new church, and that new organ and choir. You can even get them without prayer. However, you cannot get the heavenly anointing without prayer. The gift of God is not to be purchased with money.

Some members of a small village church thought that they would build their congregation by hanging a very handsome chandelier in the meetinghouse. Indeed, the villagers talked about this chandelier, and some went to see it, but the light of it soon grew dim.

You can by all sorts of fancy furniture, you can purchase any kind of paint, brass, and fine linen, together with flutes, organs, and all kinds of instruments. You can get these without prayer. In fact, it would be disrespectful to pray about such rubbish. But you cannot get the Holy Spirit without prayer. Like the wind, He goes where He wishes. He will not be brought nearby any process or method apart from asking.

All I'm saying is that by all means let's buy stuff. Let's spend money and set goals and have vision. I'm thrilled that we are blessed to do so. But I sincerely pray that we never, EVER rely on the stuff to draw people in. I hope we never put the material things that we purchase in His Name above His Name.

Well then. Have a great day.

For once, I'm holding my tongue. You should be impressed

I have about a gazillion things on my mind that I would love to post about.

I could talk about the obvious things, like church and potential property procurement (say that five times real fast), I could talk about people that I am deeply concerned about, I could talk about the student ministry and where that is going, but I won't.

I have my own opinions about the property but I feel that voicing them would stir the pot, so to speak. Some would say that I should speak my mind, let my voice be heard. I could do that but I am almost certain that some of the people I love the most would be hurt, others would be angry, and others still would just not understand. So, yeah, I could rant and rave at the top of my lungs. But I won't.

That ain't how I roll.

There are some people that I am concerned about, and I mean tormented in the depths of my soul. I would NEVER call them out but I could use this blog to work out my thoughts or vent or preach messages with hidden meanings or just type a bunch of wise-sounding words that make it sound like I have God's wisdom all to myself. I could, but I won't.

It's not my way.

What I will do is continue to do what I have been doing. I try to post things that are Spirit-led, thought-provoking and in line with what God has called me to do. Some of those things cross people sometimes but there's not alot I can do about that. I've been called out by some folks for being a "downer" or a too negative at times. I should write more things that are uplifting and less convicting, they say. I've been told of conversations regarding this that I wasn't part of. That's all okay, though.

If I'm a Jeremiah in the midst of a group of Peters and Pauls, so be it. I can only speak my heart. Anything else would be fake. The things God talks to me about are relevant to my life and I can only pass them along. I assure you that even though the icky-sticky stuff makes you feel bad at first, there is no greater joy than knowing that God desires me to be more and more like Him. He loves me enough to continually work to draw me closer to Him.

In other news, I must say that I'm glad Spenarah moved back home. I got to hang out with them tonight and didn't have to drive sixty miles. Actually, I didn't even have to leave the couch!

Man, I hate it when I get kicked in the face

If you will indulge me, I have a few words of personal testimony. Nothing earth-shattering, mind you, just a sampling of what's going on in Chucky-land.

I miss God. I know that sounds ridiculous but it's true. I guess with moving, Romania, and general busy-ness in life I have just lost focus. It's funny that even a mission trip can be a distraction if your heart is a little left of center. But recently I have really longed to be closer to God.

Over the past year and a half, my relationship with God has reached new levels of intimacy, devotion, and passion. It has been amazing to see Him work and bring about things that I never dreamed of. But lately (a few months) I've slacked in my study time and my prayer time has really, really fallen off. The ol' slippery slope again. Man, I'm a sucker for that.

So in the past couple of weeks, I've been troubled about all of this. There have been several wet-eyed nights, sleepless nights, and heavy-hearted days. The worst of it is that even with a desire to reconnect, I've still found difficulty in turning back to Him.

But things are a-changing. God has shown me areas where I need work, things I've let interfere and things that I had dropped that I need to pick back up and continue pursuing. These burdens require much prayer.

Prayer. Back to that again. I need prayer to help... scratch that. Help implies assistance which implies that I just need an extra hand with this. That's not quite how it is. I don't need assistance, I need deliverance.

So in my prodigal-like return to closeness with God, I have found a passage that I will now share. Not only does it describe my recent dilemma, it also prescribes the cure. By the way, I totally ripped this off.

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from "How to Pray," by R.A. Torrey --

In the twelfth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, we have a record of a prayer that prevailed with God and brought to pass great results. In the fifth verse of this chapter, the manner and method of this prayer are described in few words:

"Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."

The first thing to notice in this verse is the brief expression unto God. The prayer that has power is the prayer that is offered unto God.

But some will say, "Is not all prayer unto God?"

No. Very much of so-called prayer, both public and private, is not unto God. In order that a prayer should be really unto God, there must be a definite and conscious approach to God when we pray; we must have a definite and vivid realization that God is bending over us and listening as we pray. In very much of our prayer, there is really but little thought of God. Our mind is taken up with the thought of what we need, and is not occupied with the thought of the mighty and loving Father of whom we are seeking it. Oftentimes it is the case that we are occupied neither with the need nor with the One to whom we are praying, but our mind is wandering here and there throughout the world. There is no power in that sort of prayer. But when we really come into God's presence, really meet Him face-to-face in the place of prayer, really seek the things we desire from Him, then there is power.

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Okay. Maybe you're a much better Christian than me (most likely), or you're just a more effective praying person (also likely). But I can honestly say that alot of my prayer times are taken up with my focus on the need. "God, can't You see how much I need this? Surely I've been good enough to deserve this? Throw me a bone here. I don't ask You for much and it really would solve everything." (God snickers)

Our faith shouldn't be in the righteousness of our request. Many things that we pray for are very godly but we let our understanding of God tell us that He should want this, too. I don't think it works that way.

Our faith and focus should be in the One who loves us enough to want to give us good things, and has the power to provide our needs. Only He has the wisdom and knowledge to define "good."

Funny side-note: in 1875 when R.A. Torrey came to realize his spiritual state and surrendered his life to Christ, he prayed, "Oh God, deliver me from this burden -- I'll even preach."

Stab the Pickle

I'm going to open a booth at the fair this year. It will be called "Stab the Pickle." Judging from the amount of money those carnies make from all the other impossible games, I'll be independently wealthy at 38.

I spent twenty minutes trying to get a pickle out of a jar tonight. I had a knife and jabbed down into the jar, just like I always do, which usually works flawlessly. I have loved pickles since I was a wee lad so I'm quite an accomplished pickle-poker. But tonight, I lost my mojo. That little sucker squirted all around the jar, bouncing from side to side, up and down, just out of reach of my too-wide-for-the-mouth-of-the-jar hand. Sure, I could've changed tactics, tried a fork or needle-nosed pliers, but where's the victory in that?

Look at 'em up there, taunting me with their beady little bumpy spot things.

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Today was the day I dread every two years at work. Yes, to my horror, today was Department of Transportation-mandated physical examination day. We have to be re-certified every two years in order to drive our company vehicles so that you people can go about your business on the roads without the fear of large, heavy trucks running all over your keesters. Physical exams are a walk in the park for me, I'm generally a healthy guy. But these exams come with an eye test. And, yep, that means color tests, too. (shudder)

Lucky for me (and you all), I am an accomplished sneak. The eye chart, the one with all the funny words on it like "defpotec" and "gnyxlep", was posted on the wall at the end of the hallway that I had to walk down to get to the paperwork room. So I stole a glance and memorized lines five through eight. The test was a breeze.

The color test consists of colored thumbtacks that I had to identify as the lady pointed at them. Never let it be said that luck doesn't get you anywhere. I passed with flying colors. Get it? Flying colors? Color test? I kill myself.

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I guess that's enough senseless banter for tonight. Friday night should be fun. Go here for details. I'm looking forward to just hanging out and relaxing. I hope everyone can make it. I think we'll watch The Princess Bride.

Have a great weekend, y'all. Sunday night begins our new stuff in Frequency. It's gonna be really, really awesome.

If a tree falls in the woods...

...will anyone hear it? I won't debate the answer to that question (I say yes, if anyone's around) but this I do know: If a tree falls in a residential neighborhood, most likely no one will hear anything on their telephone.

We've had a lot of rain lately, as you all know, and that always means more work for moi. Heavy rains mean saturated soil which means that roots are anchored in loose, watery mud instead of firm, dry soil. Add a little wind and, voila, Chuckie's working late.

Just a couple of days ago we were called, (at 3 stinking 30) to go to a small neighborhood behind Berry Funeral Home. Ugh. Lots of old trees there. We arrived and saw what you see above, only there was a telephone cable underneath it. This tree was HUGE! It was as big around as my dining room table. Okay, not my table because mine is rectangular (and scorched) but as big as a round dining room table. Trust me, it was a big 'un.

We looked over the damage and made a call for some new cable. While we were waiting for that to be delivered, we studied this tree and oohed and aahed over the size and how it wasn't dead. In fact, to look inside the exposed trunk it looked very healthy and alive. The problem was under the ground. The exposed root ball had a large, cavernous hole underneath. The tree didn't break, it didn't even blow over. One side had actually washed out under it and the thing just simply tipped over, just like if your tire goes flat and one corner of your car lowers. It was amazing.

As I stood and gawked about this, my wheels started turning. No matter how healthy and alive something appears, inside or out, knock out the foundation and it will topple over and come crashing down.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. --1 Corinthians 3:10,11

I will say again that if I had met Paul in the first century, I don't think I would have liked him. Great preacher, yes, but still, we wouldn't have clicked for other reasons. But one thing about him that I love, he was constanly reminding the believers of what they had been taught by him. He wasn't about to let them plead ignorance. If they fell away, it was their choice but he kept their faith fresh on their minds.

Here he reminds them that the basis of it all, everything that they do, believe, every work they perform, is built on the foundation of Christ. He is the reason and the cause of all we do. It's all for Him, about Him, and by Him. And anything built upon that will be tested by fire; the things that survive bringing reward, and the things that are burned up suffering loss.

The Old Testament prophesies of this:

...therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am the One who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.' " --Isaiah 28:16

Ah yes, now the personal part. How's your foundation? How strong are the central, core beliefs and the fundamental faith and love you have for God? Will they withstand a storm? Will Satan wash out underneath you and bring you crashing down with the simplest temptation? When you face the world and the deceptions it throws our way, will you become weakened and fall in with them, your faith toppling like the tree above?

I did. I do, frequently. I couldn't see it at the time but, ya know, hindsight and all that jazz. I've been a sucker for deception. I've often said that I am the devil's favorite Christian, so easy to sway. It's only because, at the time, I wasn't building anything worthwhile on my foundation. I've known Jesus for a long time and that will never change or weaken. But failing to maintain our relationship by not staying in the Word, not furthering my prayer life, and not doing the works that will stand the test of fire leaves me, and you, vulnerable and unsteady. The roots are still intact but the ground around them can't hold them in place. All it took for that big, strong tree to fall was for a little trickle of water to slowly but eventually wash out the foundation.

Sorry if this bored you but sometimes working late pays more than overtime wages.

Have a great Wednesday.

Point of view matters alot.

Cap'n Barbosa -- "The world's a-gettin' smaller."

Cap'n Jack Sparrow -- "The world hasn't changed. It's just less empty."

I love these lines from At World's End. Even though the movie is a little too outlandishly cheesy at times. It seems that things look different to everyone. It just depends on the place from which you are looking.

Honestly, this quote made me think of church. Uh oh. Now I've done it.

It seems there is a concentration of our church members who are drifting away right now. I'm sure some have valid reasons but from what the grapevine tells me, most are just making up reasons and then trying to justify them. My question is, "Why?"

A year ago I would have wished them all well because it was hard to be there most of the time. We could have hired a full-time bookie to take bets on who would be preaching, people were at each others throats trying to get their candidates name in the hat, and the music was, well, if you were there then I need say no more.

But now? Things are really good, y'all. We've got some good things going on, people are passionate about their respective causes, Dr. Golden has provided great stability in the pulpit and his teaching is as solid and biblical as you will find anywhere, and G-man has the choir back to a good number and the music is favorable to all. It's a good time to be at SCBC.

So why are people unhappy? I think they just can't see the forest for the trees, so to speak. We went for a few years in constant turmoil and now that things have calmed down and gotten enjoyable again, some people can't adjust. Maybe they're still looking for an on-going problem or something. I don't know. But now doesn't seem like the time to be bailing out. It's the perfect time to be getting re-involved.

So let's take those principles and apply them to the "Upper Room" (the youth room, to the lay-person). Good changes are coming, great new approach and teachings, and JGen is about to turn one year old (Sniff. Sorry, it's really just my allergies). But some regulars aren't as regular as they used to be and that makes me sad. I miss them alot. I know that summer does that but should it? Shouldn't we be faithful no matter what season it is? Shouldn't we remain faithful no matter what life throws our way? I believe with all my heart that if something draws us away from the things we do for God and the people we love there at church, then it's a distraction. Yeah, I'll say it. High School sports included.

God has us all there for a reason, and He has us all serving in the student ministry for a reason. I want to take that a little more seriously. Loving on our kids and influencing them and being mentors to them is a huge responsibility, but it's a great blessing, too. Because, to be completely honest, I don't want them to make my mistakes. I don't want them to turn out like me. I want to do all I can to help them live better and make better decisions than I did. One thing that my bad decisions have taught me is that life is too short to make bad decisions.

So, what I mean by all that is let's all re-ignite our fires. I don't think things have changed that much from a year ago or even the beginning of 2009. I think we just need to see things the way we did then.

Ta-ta.

Here's your sign.

And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, "The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor." And Gideon said to him, "Please, sir, if the Lord is with us then why has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us...' " --Judges 6:12,13

And the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do I not send you?" --Judges 6:14

Mighty man of valor?!? Sounds more like a whiner and excuse-maker to me. But I think I'll start using that title on my friends: Spenser Proctor, Mighty Man of Valor. Sure beats Ph.D, huh?

Poor Gideon was a complainer. But isn't that how God chooses His servants? If He chose great, accomplished men then the men would get the glory. Seriously, if Bill Gates were called to give his wealth to the Lord, what would be the big deal? The money would be the big deal. But a poor woman with a few coins gives all that she has and God is glorified in her faith.

So it is with Gideon. He says, "What do you mean the Lord is with us? I don't see it!"

But this time God, not the angel, speaks. "Giddy-up, Gideon! I am with you." (That was really cheesy. Sorry).

Then Gideon said to God, "If You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as You have said." And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. --Judges 6:36-38

You gotta be kidding. God Himself appears to this guy and tells him He's got his back and he still asks for a sign. Can't you just see God rolling His eyes? But He obliges and Gideon wrings out his Sham-Wow like a sponge. Maybe the angel was Billy Mays? (R.I.P)

In the following verses, Gideon asks for one more little sign of God's sincerity. This time he wants the ground wet and the fleece dry. And God once again performs. So did Gideon get God to show His power? Did God prove to Gideon how almighty and faithful He is?

Nope. Gideon already knew that. Gideon knew God. All Gideon managed to prove was how insecure, faithless, and doubtful he was. But the next time God asks him to do something, he responds right away.

I was asked to teach Sunday School this morning and this was our lesson. I've ripped Gideon for being so weak but the truth is, haven't we all done this? Haven't we asked for God to prove to us that we are right?

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for asking for a sign (Matthew 16). What is it that we are really asking for when we ask for a sign? Isn't the Holy Spirit here to counsel and guide us instead?

I think, based on my own mistakes and faults (they are not so few), that we usually already know the answers to the questions we pose to God. We are just hoping that God will eventually conform to our wishes. So we pray, and pray some more for an outcome that fits what we want. We are trying to make Him our servant.

So we ask for a sign. Then we watch and hope for something that reinforces our desires. It's not hard to find something like that to latch onto when have convinced ourselves that we are right. Just like with Gideon, God does provide confirmations and such. But if we are watching for a sign that we choose, then we will ignore what He wants us to see in lieu of what we are hoping to see.

I guess it all comes back to surrender and truly being willing to seek God's wisdom and follow it even when it opposes our will. Dr. Golden mentioned this morning about presuming upon God, which means that we take it upon ourselves to determine what God would or should want. I think those of us who have been believers for a long time find it easy to assume we know God well enough to do His thinking for Him. Probably not a good idea, but I can recall times when I have been guilty of that very thing.

So I guess the point is that we don't need signs from God because we have God Himself leading our way. His word is His sign ("Our word is our bond, Harry!").

Yay! It's Monday! (can you feel the sarcasm?)

I kinda feel like I'm wiping the sleep out of my eyes

I had one of those days that makes me want to do this. No reason, I guess. But it didn't really start out that way so I guess it was church that did it.

I had a conversation with Benji after everyone had left and found myself almost giddy about the upcoming changes. He's got a great new way of doing things and the fact that I like it says alot. I'm not much of a changer, or decider.

Actually, I do like things getting shaken up occasionally but I was a little worried about these changes because I've been so fond of the way we've done things for... hmm, let's see... three years now? Wow.

Of course, I won't spoil things by telling you what the different schedule is. That's not my place. But you'll like it. Trust me.

My excitement, though, is not really in the new schedule, it's the new approach. What the Grand High Potentate has come up with is one of those things that builds and strengthens relationships between us all. It's back to that whole accountability and encouragement thing we all blogged about months ago (whatever happened to that?). Remember Jonah? Dying to self? Swallowed Alive?

I guess life and summer got in the way. That happens, ya know. But no matter. What does matter is that we all have that same desire to grow closer to God, each other, and pick up where things left off. Not that we've fallen or stumbled or anything bad, but our intensity faded. Our focus fox got ran over.

Sarah said it best (she does that alot). Discipline. There are many disciplines that we need in our lives but our spiritual disciplines are essential. It's not just the daily prayer and study time, but the vision, creativity, fellowship, and family time with our crew that keeps us strong and, yes, focused.

It's like the Good Reverend said just tonight, we are in a battle everyday. No one can stand alone. That's very true. We need our little pow-wows to regroup.

So I look forward to tightening the noose around my own neck. That may not be the best way to put it but I need to be spiritually challenged to grow. You do, too. We need the trials of life, the mountains and valleys, but we also need to simply re-evaluate our walk every now and then. We need to look at our way of living and our decision-making and see if they match up with God's desires. Holiness is a lofty goal, but it's attainable.

So that's why I'm Snoopy-dancing today. Because God has brought us to a place that will bring us closer to Him by putting our love for Him to the test through our obedience to Him.

Didn't the old G.I. Joe cartoons say something about "knowing is half the battle?" Hmmm...

Turning over a new leaf, over and over and over

I pulled this picture simply because it makes me grin. Rachel truly was a rose on our trip because she was always in a good mood no matter what situation we were in.

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Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

These verses from 1 Thessalonians 4 have been on my mind for a few weeks. I was thinking about the limits we place on ourselves when it comes the way we live. Dr. Golden touched on this Sunday and that brought it home for me.

I think too often we decide we want to live better, holier even, and we psyche ourselves up for a great lifestyle change, get a fresh, blank journal and put our Bible a little closer to the bedside, and then... ____.

Our Christian life has many seasons of ups and downs, just ask anyone who has been a believer for more than twenty minutes. By ups and downs I mean times when we walk the line and times when we swerve from ditch to ditch. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you're a saint. Congratulations.

Paul wrote that when it comes to how we should walk and live to please God, do that then do more. And more. There are no limits, there is no point of achievement, no checklist to complete. There isn't a, "Whew! Made it!" It's an on-going process that takes diligence.

He goes on to say that our sanctification is God's will and we should abstain from sexual immorality and be self-controlled in holiness and honor, because we are called in holiness. I expect we will all hear more on the holiness topic in the coming weeks.

I know we can all pursue holiness more diligently because, honestly, there is always more to pursue. We aren't closer to the finish because we're better than some or most. The benchmark isn't people, people. It's Jesus.

Paul also wrote, and Dr. G also spoke about, "persuasive words", or "plausible arguments" (Colossians 2:4). It doesn't take much to let our guard down and be persuaded by people who want to tear down our beliefs. In fact, Paul says that we should take care that we aren't deceived or deluded by them.

So I see it this way. Since we know how we ought to walk and live, we should just simply live that way. God has given us His Spirit to guide us. To not listen to that voice is to turn our back on God Himself. The enemy is actively pursuing us all, trying to deceive us through any means possible. Pursuing God and holiness is our only defense. And that's the beauty of the simplicity of God's Word. As the good Dr. said, "If the Bible says to avoid something, it says that for a reason."

Now that I've managed to rid myself of H1N1...

let's get back to business. My life the past few days has consisted of church, work and sleep. I can't remember when I've felt this sick. But I am on the mend, so, allow me to talk about the darling people who probably gave me swine flu.

The photo above represents a typical day in Tataresti after bible school. All the children are leaving, some with parents or older siblings, some alone. Shortly after this we would put all the chairs back out and sit down for a palate-pleasing meal of peanut butter and jelly or honey sandwiches. Every day. During lunch we would all talk about who was attentive and who we thought really got the message.

I will always remember thinking of these kids and wondering what was going through their minds while we taught them about Jesus, tried to tell them how a fisherman named Peter met this Man and learned to believe Him, trust Him, and follow Him, and how they all needed Him more than they needed anything else. At the time it seemed almost silly to try and convince these poor, under-privileged people that they could find joy in their lives even without clothes or food or any ceature comforts.

But they felt joy. They felt love. They felt it enough to come back four more days, some walking who knows how far just to spend two hours playing, making a simple necklace, and listening to us sing and talk. Something brought them back.

I assure you it wasn't a game, a skit, a song with animated hand motions, or a bible story in a language they had probably never heard. It most certainly wasn't any one of us that drew them back to that little church at the bend of the road.

That's what ran through my mind each day as they left. I hated to see them go but I knew they would be back. They would be back because it didn't matter how many of them "got it." They would come back because they had felt something that many of them had never felt before. They had heard the message, the message that we sometimes take for granted as old news, routine, or those stories we heard in our childhood.

Some of them may never hear it again. But that's okay. They heard it for one short week. And sometimes, once is all it takes.

Revelation 3:20 says, "...I stand at the door and knock." We can only pray that the message these Romanians and Hungarians were given finds a way to pry open the door. We have completed the task that we were given and now we leave them in the hands of the Holy Spirit, knowing that He desires their acceptance more than anything.

I'm really grateful to God for the opportunity I had to go there and share Him with them. Continue to pray for the children of Tataresti.