Having Financial Peace, the Flu, Termites, and a New Outlook on Prayer

I thought I was going to sail through the flu season this year with no problems.  Be one of those lucky (or blessed) few who in the middle of March start bragging that I didn’t catch “the bug,” as though I had something to do with it.  About half the people I come in contact with on a daily basis has had this stuff at one time or another over the past month and I was feeling pretty good, until it hit me 2 nights ago.  Now it’s all I can do to stay out of the bathroom today, though the chills have finally left me.  Hopefully my body is just flushing out the sick from my body.  Despite my sickness, I’m happy to announce Karen and I have met one of our financial goals in paying off the first bill of our “debt snowball.”  A doctor bill that I incurred at the emergency room 4 or 5 months ago, next is the student loan, which has been hanging around so long it’s like a pet.  If the government isn’t lying to us about the “stimulus package” check that we should be getting around the end of May, that nasty thing will be paid off as well; freeing up enough money to hopefully have our truck paid off two years early.  Once all this happens, we will finally be able to start saving up for a real house, while repairing this one at the same time.  Speaking of, we’ve started painting!  Those of you have been here know that’s a huge step for us.  With all the repairs we’re doing, we have had to call a couple of exterminators, lest the termites eat away all our new work, who have quoted us anywhere from $1500 to $1700.  They’ve offered to finance us but we have promised ourselves never to borrow money again unless it’s for a house, so I guess a new envelope will have to be made called “Death to Termites.”  It may take another year to save up enough money, but we will not be saddled with another monthly payment right now.  Orchin Man thought I was nuts, maybe I am. I’ve been studying a lot on prayer lately.  I realize I am missing a lot when I’ve prayed before.  Using God’s name as “Lord” about 50 times in one prayer, but not really praying to anybody.  I’m almost convinced that teenagers pray better than adults every time they bow their head.  For some reason, once we reach adult hood, a lot of us, especially men, stop being personal.  We start putting on the tough guy facade, and pray in the same way.  We are very vague when we pray, “bless this, and bless that,” “bless preacher and his family, bless our church family,” “take care of the sick,” “bless those that are faithful,” and don’t forget the magic phrase we use just to remind God He has to answer our prayers we say, “in Jesus name, Amen.”  I’m convinced that prayer is more than that, and have been learning that as well.  I’m hoping to teach what I learn in our church to a group of men, but am nervous about it.  I’m so much younger than the men who I think would take this seriously.  Nevertheless, today in my devotions I read Jeremiah chapter 1 as this “fear of man” was on my mind.  In it Jeremiah quotes God as saying,    ” Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’       For you shall go to all to whom I send you,       And whatever I command you, you shall speak.        Do not be afraid of their faces,       For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD. So, I am going to teach, humbly, but also enthusiastically I hope, enough that God inspires and we start praying and leading our church and community and even more into revival.

Banjara For Christ 2007-2008 (Day 3)

At 2:30 AM we arrived in Hyderabad.  It took at least another hour to find our luggage; Richard’s checked suit case never arrived.  At 4:00 AM, we laid our heads down on pillows to get a few hours rest.  Now it’s 8:00 AM Hyderabad time and I’m wide awake.  It’s funny how just a few hours of laying down and resting can revive a person.

The city hasn’t changed much in a year.  The same terrible things I saw from last time are still here.  People with deformities are begging in the streets.  Dozens of grown adults lay trying to stay warm under store awnings just wanting a decent nights rest.  It makes me wonder how so many people can be in the same sad situation.  Is it a lack of will that keeps them in the streets?  Have they just grown so accustomed to begging that they just won’t do anything else?

Last night a boy came up to our group begging for money.  His arm was so mangled and gnarley looking.  It wasn’t bad enough that his hand appeared to be drawn up – but his fingers were bent toward a misplaced wrist, the opposite direction of his palm.  His arm formed almost an “S” which should be impossible with a human arm; but there it was.  The boy said nothing, he just kept putting that poor, freakish hand up to his mouth as if to say “eat, eat.”  You could almost get the impression he knew how bad his arm looked and he used it to his greatest advantage.  I felt so bad for this guy.  How in the world can men live this way?

Today’s schedule is some what up in the air.  Sush and Damodar are supposed to pick us up at around 10.  That is all we know for certain at this point.  I’m missing home already.

We’ve arrived at our “hostel” in a different town than last year.  It’s better than the one in Khummum I think.  We all have plenty of room and the room itself seems cool enough.  Though right now it’s pretty warm everywhere.  I’m probably just a little nervous.  We’re getting ready to go out and preach in just one village Sush said; though I’ll not be surprized if it turns out to be two or three.  I hope I can remember how to do this.  Lisa Forehand I believe will be accompanying me.  She’s about to see a side of me she’s never seen before…

Indeed, not just one village, but three.  The evangelism went well.  A couple of dozen people expressed an interest in becoming Christians.  I learned a couple of things myself.  Lisa did good as well.  Tomorrow will be a long day, but right now I am so tired the week looks as though it will never end.  I’ll shower in the morning…

Banjara For Christ 2007-2008 (Day 2)

I’m not certain I’ve recorded the date correctly in my journal or not.  Based on where we are in the air and all that I’m not real sure what day it is.  All went well in Amsterdam.  We were finally able to stretch our legs for a few moments before boarding our connecting flight to Hyderabad.  There sure are a lot of souvenirs i would have liked to take home to Karen, but it would just be more dead weight to carry while traveling.  Maybe I can get her something a bit lighter than porcelain or wooden shoes, pearls maybe.  There are a few advantages to being a missionary in the world’s capital for pearls.

Sleep came FINALLY!  I took a three hour power nap when we first boarded the plane heading for Hyderabad.  My brain seems to be functioning properly once more.  I was able to write some additional notes down for my lesson on the 3rd spoke of the discipleship wheel.  Thoughts came to me that weren’t necessarily there before.

I keep looking at my watch, I’m not sure why, all it tells me is what time it is in Oklahoma.  Right now it’s 12:09 PM back home.  I imagine the boys are probably playing with their Christmas toys.  Karen is probably doing something to keep herself busy.  Maybe she’s making the kids’ lunch.  The time away from them already seems like forever.

This flight has had some of the nicest flight attendants yet.  They certainly try to make you feel comfortable.  One stewardess is a bit sassy though.  This flight is laid back too.  I’ve never been on a plane where so many people are just standing and walking around and visiting.  It makes it crowded at times, but people are polite to move as best they can when you need to get past them.  I’ve met a nice Indian man who has had a few too many scotch and sodas, he’s friendly and apparantly approves of the way I keep a journal of our journeys.  Almost there I hope…

Banjara For Christ Mission 2007-2008 (Day 1)

Our destination is Hyderabad, India – in the province of Andreh Pradesh.  We plan to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the Banjara tribe of India.  Pastor Damodar and his wife Sush are making all necessary arrangements for our arrival and we have done what we can to prepare.  I’ve spent the last few nights working on outlines for the lessons that I will be teaching while there; I still have two more outlines to create.

I was telling Jana, a woman from our church who is going to be working with the Banjara pastor’s wives and children, that this seems like a dream.  Things have been happening so fast and time has passed so quickly.  Though I’ve known about this trip for months, and have been working and praying and asking that provisions will be made for the trip, it is still hard to believe they were and we are now on our way.

There are six of us going on this mission trip:  myself, Janna, who I’ve already mentioned, Pastor Steve, Richard, Julie (Richard’s daughter) and Lisa.  This is Steve’s fourth year to go, this is my second.  The rest of the group, it is their first.  But they are hopeful and happy to be aboard.  I’m happy to have them.  This will be the first time women from our church ahve come along since Steve has been coming to India, we look forward to seeing how they contribute.

The plan is to fly from Tulsa to Memphis, have an hour and a half lay over and then fly another 9 hours to Amsterdam; have another hour and a half and then fly another 9 hours to Hyderabad.  Experience has proven I will be in “la-la land” as far as what the actual time is until I am in India.  I’ll keep my watch set by the time at home until we get to our final destination.  This way I will at least have an idea as to what Karen and the boys are doing while I’m away (sleeping, working, etc.).

We are on our way!  Karen dropped me off and saw I made it throgh security before she left.  I sure am missing her already.  Our flight was delayed.  I personally am not surprized as it is the day after Christmas.  Still…it bodes ill.  We can only handle so much of a delay or we’ll miss our connecting flight and when you only have an hour and a half, each minute seems to be precious since you’ll be on a plane for 9 hours at a time.

Okay…had to check one of my carry ons, not planned but still not surprized, the delay gave us only about 20 minutes to get our checked carry ons and jump on our connecting flight in Memphis.  Problem is, the checked carry ons weren’t right there waiting!  Steve ran on ahead with Julie and Jana.  Me, Richard and Lisa stayed behind for the bags, and man…we barely made it on board!  Pastor Steve thought for sure the plane was going to be leaving without us.  Thank the Lord it didn’t!  The airport in Memphis is BIG!  We were all out of breath once we boarded.

At first it appeared I was going to be sitting in the middle with Richard on the flight to Amsterdam, not that this is a bad thing – but sitting in the middle with ANYONE on a 9 hour flight is no fun.  This type of trip requires leg room and that’s hard to get when you don’t get an aisle seat.  Fortunately, Steve had an extra aisle seat open next to him and offered it to me.  I had more room; Richard had more room, and it worked out great.  As of right now we only have a little over 2 hours left on this flight, maybe we’ll have a chance to stretch our legs this time around.

The Wheel – 3rd Spoke “Fellowship”

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;”   James 2:8 

I have come to a critical juncture in my discipleship training…fellowship.

I think I’ve admitted once before, I’m kind of a loner.   I could hang out in the mountains (or anywhere else with solitude) with my family and really be okay for quite some time.  But it has been brought to my attention that no man is an island, and the Lord intended communion with others.  The Lord had fellowship with Adam in the garden.  He also saw that Adam was “alone” and created Eve.  Loneliness was the first thing God ever deemed “not good.”  Now I have to deal with crucial aspects of my own heart.  Things I’ve put off because “well, that’s just me.”  That’s not going to fly anymore.

I’m trying to get down to the core as to why I push people away.  Or maybe not push away, but take on a nonchalant attitude about them.  Is it just easier?  Am I afraid of getting hurt?  Is it me, me, me?  Or have I finally just come to the point to where I have to admit I’m more selfish than I am loving?  Maybe I’ve put a wall up for so long that I just don’t care.  I’ve only cared about me and what’s on my side of the wall (family, close friends, my interests) and have made some kind of conscience decision somewhere just not to get involved with anyone on the other side of the wall I’ve put between them and me.  Even fellow believers are on the other side.  The Lord has tugged at my heart all day since yesterday about this. 

Pastor’s sermon was on ”What’s the desire of your heart?”  Sunday morning.  He asked us to make a mental list of about 10 things that we had on our top most desired list.  I jotted down 5 real quick, thinking this was going to be a “God giving the desires of your heart” sermon.  What was on mine?  Well, let me just share the first 5 with you and see if you can guess where my heart was.

1.  A good, well built, clean, house that’s not been torn up by termites

2.  Poison Ivy that has festered all over my right foot to be healed and just GO AWAY!

3.  To be debt free.

4.  Go on vacation w/out worrying about money

5.  To go to India w/out worrying about money   

Sounds bad doesn’t it?  Paul’s heart’s desire was that Israel might be saved.  Mine was, well…

I took notes on the rest of the sermon and planned on going over them all day long today, but something always got in the way.  I always found something better to do than focus on this problem I have within myself.  I must learn to love people the way I love myself, and Pastor Steve gave some tips on how to do that in his sermon.  Over the next few blogs I’m going to go over those tips and write a little bit as to how they apply to my life.  Maybe as I write them down I’ll start to see that somehow the Lord through His Spirit will start providing a new love for just people in general, believers and non believers alike.  Because I really believe that is the root of the problem, just not loving people in general, and being too wrapped up in my own life.  Comments always welcome.  God bless.

Here’s a girly question: “Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?”

I heard this today on TBN, and my jaw dropped. 

Of course Trinity Broadcasting Network was promoting Fathers Day; speaking to those experts who see the crisis of the Church today being men are largely uninvolved in the Lord’s work.  In their opinion it is essential that we “revisit our programs” in order to make Church more “man-oriented.”  An example he used was just how we approach a relationship with Jesus Christ.  “Think about it,” he said, “if I went to another man in our church and said ‘I want to have a personal relationship with you.’  I would expect to get punched in the nose.”  I, myself know several manly men in my church, that certainly would do that if I approached them in such a manner as this.  Yet we ask this question in almost every single church service in what I would say nearly every church in America:  “Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?” 

Most men I know (especially those outside of the church) have enough relationships.  Men typically AVOID relationships.  I know I have, I still do.  I’m an introverted person myself so it takes a lot for me to get started into new friendships and relationships.  So why would we ask questions like this to men?  Meanwhile, the church is filling up with women by droves.  Women are looking for that special, dynamic relationship that’s missing in their lives.

Here’s a thoughtful question:  Why aren’t we talking to men like men expect to be talked too?  Why aren’t we doing as Christ did?  Instead of asking questions about relationships with Christ, why aren’t we commanding men to follow Christ?  Jesus Christ minced no words with his disciples when he invited them to follow him.  He said two words, “follow me.”  We’ve grown so accustomed to passing out invitations to “personal relationships” instead of challenging men and giving them SOMETHING TO DO!

Whether the guy on TBN realized it or not, he gave me the PERFECT opening for this Discipleship Blog.  Men, I have one statement for you:  “Follow me.”  I challenge you, “follow me.”  Yes, if you know me, you will see my flaws.  It’s alright, I make mistakes….follow me.  There is absolutely no reason I should go on this trek of my life alone.  I am completely sold out to Jesus, I want to follow him with every fiber of myself and Jesus Christ was one of the manliest men I know.  I don’t care what paintings you’ve seen, Jesus Christ HAD to be manly to do all he did.  I refuse to be acknowledged by the rest of the world as Homer Simpson, Tim Allen, or the dad off ‘Family Guy’!  I AM A MAN!  And I will follow a man, the only man who deserves my utmost attention.  Men, follow me!  Tally HO!  ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH!  Jesus Christ is waiting for men, an army of men who are completely and obliviously sold out to Him, so we can spread the gospel to the four corner’s of the world.  I cannot and will not do it alone if someone rises to this challenge with me.  I’m praying for you men.