Forward!

Terry & I are in Canada until Christmas day. We're here, we're there, we seldom sit still - a boring idea anyway. But whether we move geographically or not, we all must progress in our God-given purpose. The saddest thing I've ever seen as we minister in Canadian churches, is the believer who asks us to pray for the the same thing asked for last time we visited. A life that hasn't progressed is a ridiculous waste of potential and is a sign of selfishness. A selfish soul is all about me - what I get out of the deal rather than what I can accomplish that will benefit others.

Progress is not a matter of opportunity, ability or money, but a result of a godly heart attitude. Get up, inspire and equip yourself with the promises of God, make war against contrary circumstances, and move forward from where you are!

We've got a bunch of great Christmas banquets coming up in BC and Alberta, we're going to have a great time inspiring each other with the potential that God has deposited in us through Christ. What rejoicing when we get to run with Him.

Look at this prophetic declaration about Jesus and catch the attitude:

You are fairer than the sons of men;

Grace is poured upon Your lips;

Therefor God has blessed You forever.

Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One,

With Your glory and Your majesty.

And in Your majesty ride prosperously

because of truth and humility and righteousness.

Psalm 45:3-4

How's your ride these days?

Ever notice how everybody around you keeps getting older? Here's a recent shot of our aging A&D World Missions Canada directors talking about where we're going to find some younger men and women to add to our team of directors. Matt & Becky were guests at this annual board meeting but they can't be directors right now because they are busy on the other side of the world. Margaret is running the A&D office out of her house here as well as working full time and raising two boys. That's the trouble with all the good, young leaders - they are busy. It's not that the rest of us feel so old, we are just coming into the prime of our wisdom, but we do sense the urgency to mobilize the next generation. The question is, "Are we capturing the passion of a new generation, and how successfully are we transitioning them into this amazing Kingdom call?"

The underpinnings of a great ministry is it's great leaders, imparting wisdom and spiritual gifts into the next generation so that they may be established. God forbid that we abandon them with no inheritance, forcing them to start again from nothing.

Our A&D World Missions booth at Dominion Conference at the Miracle Channel manned by missionaries Kenn & Donna Haase. You never know if the next 'young' person who comes by the table might be the perfect new leader for some Great Commission opening in Asia.

As Christians we must continually and aggressively  strengthen our Word foundations, I mean we had better get solid, grounded, and motivated by the Word and the Word alone.  A compromised Christian will not reach God's purpose. Evidence in present day Christianity reveals that even if we have 90% of our life on track, that other 10% will surely knock us off track and into oncoming traffic. Sometimes I'm surprised at how many times a day the Holy Spirit prods me toward faith-building Word. I love God's Word and there's nothing I would rather do than share it with you and vice-versa. I'm presently building a video course on the Book of Romans, you can watch it progress on YouTube at vbcithailand.

Otherkingdom

On the delta in Burma or in an apartment in  Pakistan the Kingdom of Christ appears in nearly every corner of the world. I used to be amazed at the penetration of the Kingdom but now days Coke and television have also found their way into the far corners of the world. The battle on the front lines has changed; the world has become more effective in spreading anti-Christ propaganda and persecuting the church. The Taliban has ordered every church in Pakistan to close and Burma's military dictators have done the same. Other than the obvious 'draw closer to God', how should Christians in these places respond? What should they believe for? What is our role as a team of missionaries based in Asia?

Two of my very best friends, Pastor Rich Conte (Philippines) and Pastor Ezekiel Eswaran (Malaysia) sharing curry at the end of a three-day conference at Ezekiel's church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Whenever we eat together, especially something like Indian curry, new levels of covenant relationship are realized. Sharing food becomes and important link in communicating across geographic, cultural and social boundaries. Pastor Rich says that he first trusted me because he saw that I had crossed over into Thai culture like he had crossed into Filipino culture. We are both totally sold out to reaching the people God has called us to, as is Pastor Ezekiel. The first time I went to meet Ezekiel in Malaysia, I stayed with his family in their very small city apartment. Ten years later, his kids still remember sharing their bed with me - they treat me like a father (and call me dad) and I get the impression that they would follow me anywhere. Is there a more effective model of cross-cultural missions? Is this "becoming all things to all men" required of all Christians?