tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15765601617884097182024-03-05T17:03:28.271-07:00Pursuing the Light Unto my PathThis is a weekly blog designed to share experiences, lessons and thoughts as I take the journey into God's new plans for North American missions. Join me as I pursue the Light unto the my Path to the future.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-5111076404893402492017-01-05T10:45:00.001-07:002017-01-05T10:45:50.446-07:00Transformation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Bj6zQKTIXLaa-QCPpeshOzuKp8FPR7e3IRkaSVVZL3E8vGTs2aX-wgvFTava-AikBxz34ah5anexo6kmifCxyaxJpHZ5bJZ2GWSmpNReGN-HNnW462zq9V6PGAdw54SZRtil7F35vUg/s1600/transformation_brand_science.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Bj6zQKTIXLaa-QCPpeshOzuKp8FPR7e3IRkaSVVZL3E8vGTs2aX-wgvFTava-AikBxz34ah5anexo6kmifCxyaxJpHZ5bJZ2GWSmpNReGN-HNnW462zq9V6PGAdw54SZRtil7F35vUg/s320/transformation_brand_science.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is a lot of talk about transformation and changing
lives these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does that mean
and what does it take to make it happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Webster defines transformation as “the act of <span style="color: #2d2f32; mso-bidi-font-family: OpenSans;">changing in character or condition” or “change in
outward form or appearance.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
looking at these two definitions, the world tends to focus on the change that
is outward and visible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But those who
know Christ understand that His transformation happens in the deepest recesses
of the heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d2f32; mso-bidi-font-family: OpenSans;">By
watching how Christ brought about transformation, particularly among the
disciples, we can quickly see that all spiritual transformation takes place in
the arena of relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see this in
two ways – relationship with Christ and the Father, but equally important, relationship
with other believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deep change within
our hearts requires both the work of the Holy Spirit, along with the support of
the Body of Christ that gives mutual care and support.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d2f32; mso-bidi-font-family: OpenSans;">It
is popular today to be a ‘transformational leader’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a buzz term largely coming out of the
business community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it is also the
goal of the spiritual leader, but in a totally different way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As spiritual leaders, we are called to be
under-shepherds of those God entrusts to us with Christ remaining as the Head
Shepherd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our calling is not to bring or
cause transformation, but to work with Christ to create the conditions, support
and care by which He can work freely within people’s lives and hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, it is NOT our job to
transform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is exclusively the work
of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2d2f32; mso-bidi-font-family: OpenSans;">To
see this happen, the leader must accept two realities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is that transformation must be
taking placing in his or her own life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We cannot shepherd others towards spiritual transformation without
abiding in Christ and He in us (John 15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His abiding presence in us creates the context for ongoing, daily
transformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we understand and
embrace this in our own lives, then we can begin to allow Christ to lead us in
how we can support transformation in the lives of others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="color: #2d2f32; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: OpenSans; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
we enter 2017, are you seeking Christ’s abiding presence and daily
transformation in your own life? Who
have you purposefully placed around you that can help this happen? If this is true of your life now, then who
might God be calling you to shepherd this coming year? But remember, as Christ was called to sacrifice
himself for us, are you willing to pay the price so someone else’s life may be
changed?</span><!--EndFragment-->
Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-65373279095350451302016-10-24T09:20:00.001-06:002016-10-24T10:44:01.387-06:00Lonely God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT1JxBDEkz-YN_cmuF3ilj-KEBgv3NL6w_B6L2tXCefM22nlCHHZzDNFZHHD6O99zem29TcY6bk-R87eS9GUHsU0vfvMg7aRSsO8NXhrpUY3SvoUcVpgJV0cMJaZSef1hhRLrTLmXCeA/s1600/public-domain-images-free-stock-photos-high-quality-resolution-downloads-public-domain-archive-6-1000x664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT1JxBDEkz-YN_cmuF3ilj-KEBgv3NL6w_B6L2tXCefM22nlCHHZzDNFZHHD6O99zem29TcY6bk-R87eS9GUHsU0vfvMg7aRSsO8NXhrpUY3SvoUcVpgJV0cMJaZSef1hhRLrTLmXCeA/s400/public-domain-images-free-stock-photos-high-quality-resolution-downloads-public-domain-archive-6-1000x664.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Could
God be lonely?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is somewhat of an
abstract thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often speak of
having a relationship with God or with Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet I would contend that God IS lonely because our relationship time
tends to be relegated to 10 minutes, maybe even a half hour, of us talking to
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seldom do we take the time to have
a true relationship, to sit down with Jesus and ask what is on His heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we know what is making Jesus weep today?</div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-themecolor: text1;">So,
what really keeps us from doing this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, there is the obvious that He is not physically here to sit and have
coffee or tea with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I think there
is something that goes much deeper with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In a word, I suggest the answer could be ‘fear’.</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Sitting and truly listening to God through the
power of the Holy Spirit makes us confront several scriptural realities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is that “His ways are not our
ways.” (Isaiah 55:9)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if I discover
I’ve been headed in the wrong direction all this time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if like Peter, He challenges my theology
and understanding of what is true?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Secondly, sitting with Jesus suggests that like Peter, He may ask us to
go where we would rather not go (John 15:18).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Both of these realities suggest a much deeper
issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we truly love and trust
God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our minds, we know God is love
as we are told in 1 John 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, without
taking time with Jesus, how do we really know that this is true?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will God ask me things that make me face a
part of me that I don’t wish to face?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Will He tell me to do something that I can’t do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">I am far from being able to listen to Christ
well, but the one thing I have learned is that He is pure love, and the burden
of anything He asks is gentle and light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus will not snuff out a smoldering wick, but rather He will nurture
it into a flame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Isaiah 42:3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is the loving Father who wants the very
best for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Today,
I invite all of us to take time to listen to the mind, the heart and the words
of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us find a time and place
where He can speak to us, where we can hear Him call us His beloved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes time to quiet our hearts, to put
‘life’ aside and to allow Jesus to show us His burden and His yoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Gospel of John, John spends all of
chapter 15 describing the loving relationship where Jesus abides in us and us
in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the place where Jesus
moves into our hearts and He becomes part of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that even today you can find time to
sit quietly - long enough to hear His gentle voice calling you by name.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-32594568411887962182013-05-29T19:21:00.000-06:002013-05-29T20:26:13.694-06:00Sent Like JesusIn John 20:21 Jesus makes the amazing statement: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Do you believe this? Do you see yourself sent like Jesus? For that matter, how was Jesus sent?<br />
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I see four realities in the way the Father sent Jesus that should free us to also be sent like him. Each are simple, yet powerful:<br />
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<i><b>Jesus was sent as an ordinary man</b></i><br />
Gene Peterson in The Message puts it this way, "and He became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." For the first 30 years of Jesus' life, he was just Jesus- the son of Joseph and Mary. You know, the ones who claimed that God made Mary pregnant and then the king tried to kill their baby so they had to hide in Egypt. Yea, <i>that</i> Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Joseph was the carpenter that you went to when you needed a new porch or a new bed. He was the guy everyone in the neighborhood knew. Jesus was sent just like you and me. That is how God sends us with our neighbors knowing our families and us. We are just to be ourselves with our personality, our skills, our quirky ways who have our own unique experience with God. We cannot separate who God made us to be when we are sent, we will bring it with us just as Jesus did.<br />
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<i><b>Jesus was sent by love in grace and truth</b></i><br />
Because the Father loves everyone He created, He sent Jesus. For the same reason and full of the same love, Jesus sends us into a world starved for love. The world searches everywhere to find some offer of love - bad relationships, pornography, homosexuality... the list goes on. We carry the only True love, full of grace and truth. People so badly need grace and acceptance. Christ said He came not to judge, yet His church is often known as a place of judgement. He came to bring truth; not truth that hurts, but truth that sets people free. Christ invites us to engage in the simple act of loving people by offering them grace that they've never known. This along with good truth will set them, the love-starved, free.<br />
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<b><i>Jesus was sent to the lost</i></b><br />
Where did Jesus live? What were the great accusations by religious leaders against Him? He lived in the midst of those in need of the love. He lived with the lost. Where do we live our lives? Do we live as neighbors to the lost? Too often the walls of the church keep us from living where Jesus lived. There are opportunities all around us to meet people hurting for love. All God is asking is that we live like Jesus among those who need us most. Where in your daily circles - work, social, community, super market - are there people that God would like to use you to love? Learn to see His creation through the compassionate eyes of Jesus.<br />
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<b><i>Jesus was sent to make disciples</i></b><br />
A few years back, the question "What would Jesus do?" became a popular slogan. However, the simple answer got lost in the church. Jesus didn't come to make believers or followers, although that first step is important. He came to make obedient disciples. He says "As you go, make disciples". So how are we doing? Do we begin each day with the simple mission statement of Jesus? Today, how can you - an ordinary person - find those in need, love them in grace and truth, <b>and</b> help them become disciples of Christ obeying all He commands?<br />
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Each one of these four simple statements is both powerful, yet simple. Being sent like Jesus asks nothing more than being yourself and obedience to Christ. Today, may you go out like Jesus ...Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-58316833136798270652013-03-09T17:02:00.000-07:002013-03-09T17:02:56.721-07:00Barricades and BulldozersThink back in your life about your teachers. Some were life impacting and will be remembered as the best you ever had, and others were just bad. What made the difference? I asked this of a group of people and the best teachers were known for their passion and knowledge, their genuine care for the students, and the ability to maintain and demand high standards while challenging us to reach them. The bad teachers were the opposite in almost every dimension.<br />
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Recently, I have been meditating on two statements of Christ that are very contrasting. The first passage is found in Matthew 23:33 &14 where we hear Him say to the religious leaders, "I've had it with you! You're hopeless, you religion scholars, you Pharisees! Frauds! Your lives are roadblocks to God's kingdom. You refuse to enter, and won't let anyone else in either." <i>(The Message)</i><br />
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In stark opposition, to describe His ministry, Christ quotes Isaiah 40:3 & 4 "Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God 's arrival! Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God. Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks." <i>(The Message)</i><br />
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The title of this blog comes from the images of these passages. In one case, spiritual leaders were barricades, blocking the believers ability to get to their destination in Christ. In the other group, they were people who did everything possible to prepare the way and help people get there. They were doing the hard work of the bulldozers leveling the road.<br />
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It is any easy to draw the conclusion that we are clearly bulldozers. But are we really willing to look at our lives, our churches and our practices. When I look at our own mission, I see procedures and policies that 40 years were at the time greatly simplified the preparation and sending of global missionaries. Today, modern transportation, the internet, and global real-time communications has changed our reality. Those same policies that once simplified life, now represent barriers to the sending of a new generation of missionaries called to ministry together with a truly global missionary force.<br />
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Where this becomes so complicated and demands the leading of the Holy Spirit is trying to determine what is a necessary 'high standard' that Christ is calling to, verses a roadblock to the the Gospel, the Kingdom and the future.<br />
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As I journey forward, my desire is to find myself on the side of Christ doing everything possible to make disciples who are so committed and engaged that they themselves form new disciples ultimately resulting in communities of Christians - "little Christs". I want to be remembered as one of the good teachers - passionate, knowledgeable, demanding, and caring, doing everything I can to make others successful in Christ.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-24094858854274662972013-03-02T16:23:00.000-07:002013-03-02T16:23:58.850-07:00Follower, disciple, friendThe term "Follower of Jesus" has become popular in the last number of years. At the highpoint thousands of people followed Jesus to hear his words, receive healing or other forms of blessing. Hillsides were filled with people to see and hear this "prophet" or "rabbi" who was unlike all the others before him.<br />
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Yet, by the time we arrive at the beginning of Acts following the death and resurrection of Christ, this mass of people had dwindled to 120. So, what changed? I see the answer in the difference between followers and disciples. Followers, whether of a football team or popular statesman, tend to determine their level of engagement based upon what they are receiving from being followers. So long as Christ was meeting their basic need for food, healing their illnesses, and responding to their desires, follower-ship was high. But, when that reduced and the need for life transformation increased, the decision to become a true disciple was often a step deemed too costly.<br />
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After 15 years back in America, I find a lot of Jesus Followers in our churches. The criteria for attendance or engagement is often the benefit that can come to us, our children or the family. I find the number of true disciples to often be in the same ratio that Christ experience. So, who or what is a disciple. The origin of the word in Greek education and culture is one who engaged in the life and purposes of the 'master' to whom they were engaged. In the case of the disciples of Christ the model and the charge was pretty clear - to have a living, daily relationship with the Father-God that resulted in seeing, treating and caring for those around us from the eyes of His heart and soul.<br />
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Disciples knew, lived and were passionate about the Great Commandment long before it got that label. They wanted to like Christ, to multiply that into the lives of other so they could share in the same loving relationship. The natural outcome of this passion for multiplication where communities of believers who shared this deep, intimate relationship with the Living God. Today, we calls these communities churches.<br />
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Christ however invited a few into yet a deeper relationship. In John 15, surrounded by those 12 men who had become so close, Christ announces that He no longer calls them slaves, but friends. Friends know what the master is doing.<br />
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As I begin this journey, I have realized that God is asking me to make this last transformation from that of a passionate, committed disciple to that of a friend of Jesus who knows on a daily basis what He is doing. The image that burns within my heart hangs on the wall above my computer in my office. It is the painting of the two disciples of Christ walking with Him on the road to Emmaus. Today, I commit myself publicly to be a friend with Jesus - to talk with Him daily and to learn to do no more or no less than He is asking for that day.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-89281902768334637242013-02-12T14:03:00.000-07:002013-02-12T14:03:05.907-07:00New Beginnings<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2226731430273503" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This blog has had several expressions and several starts and stops. During a recent bout with pneumonia, I had time to step back and really pray and listen about what God might have for me both in the near term and in the longer future. During that time what surfaced was that God is about a new (yet old) thing and I was to play a part in that.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I listened, one thing that became clear is that I was to provide an opportunity for others to join me in this journey. I have retitled my blog Pursuing the Light unto my Path. This loose reference to Psalm 119:105 captures three elements of the journey God is inviting me to take.</span></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2226731430273503" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First is that this blog will have to be in pursuit of Him and his purposes. Anything less will allow the world around me to shape the walk with Him. Inherent in the word itself is the sense of deep, singular commitment that demands a disciplined seeking of Christ each day.</span></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2226731430273503" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second element is that of the Light. The future of global missions and the place of the North American Church within it is well beyond my comprehension. God is a work in unprecedented ways today and Christ alone is the Light who can reveal what is needed to be at the center of His work. I know in the days, weeks and months ahead many things will try to block out or obscure the light, so undivided pursuit is demanded.</span></b><br />
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.2226731430273503" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lastly is the concept of the Path. Jesus has invited me and any who would like to come with me on a journey. Diane and I like to hike. As we choose a hike, we often know the destination, but not the trail itself. On those hikes we have encountered all kinds of joys and challenges from coming across a moose to being chased by hawks when we came too close to their nest. In the same way, I know we are headed to a new reality of missions, but where the path will take me is only known of the Father.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My commitment is to write once a week to describe the part of the path for that week. I know that hiking alone is both dangerous and often some of the greatest joys are missed. So I invite as many as wish to come along as we Pursue the Light unto our Path.</span></b>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-27192543140796425702012-10-14T11:50:00.001-06:002012-10-14T11:50:23.824-06:00Off to Romania<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsV5iNZtGFCMmUtAdKYvDmvl1UN6SqivkgfEMqOUFC2W7ve6_l0Mom1kO6dQf1x5Uwg6hYpD54z_e_jX0eW6tXjrX5mrnGlFwyCQY3z-8ixQp5osfDH1D-OKm1D1ft4OuBKrMp0Jf8B1w/s1600/DSCF8056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsV5iNZtGFCMmUtAdKYvDmvl1UN6SqivkgfEMqOUFC2W7ve6_l0Mom1kO6dQf1x5Uwg6hYpD54z_e_jX0eW6tXjrX5mrnGlFwyCQY3z-8ixQp5osfDH1D-OKm1D1ft4OuBKrMp0Jf8B1w/s400/DSCF8056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Currently I sit in the Altanta airport listening to football and awaiting my flight to Amsterdam.</div>
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This trips takes me to Sibiu in Romania. This is an important ministry meeting of the core team of the Future Send project. For those of you who have followed my newsletters, you may remember that OC has committed to looking at the future of missionary sending from the US in light of the deep change in the American culture and Church.</div>
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After about six months of Skype or technology based meetings, it was time to intensify the work via a face-to-face meeting. The purpose of the week is for the seven of us to review our output objectives for the next two years and begin to shape them into specific activities that will take us where we need to go.</div>
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One key commitment of the team is that this process not be simply another 'planning' exercise, but rather that we combine good research, innovation, and listening to the Holy Spirit into a search for the future God has for OC. I invite you to pray with us that God would clearly lead us. In my quiet time this morning, I was studying Galatians 5:16 - "But I say , walk by the Spirit , and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Pray that we might walk closely to Christ by His Spirit this week and therefore avoid the traps of fleshly planning.</div>
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Thank you in advanced for your part through prayer in this important effort.</div>
Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-87397092145098323882011-02-27T08:35:00.004-07:002011-02-27T10:26:16.093-07:00Arrived in Portugal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKd7cm7qStG7N7YfSC3lYHOSvbSoHt-gCFOey4LielO1or9qvh6XqlLknu3MxiZqlloWuA162qs_iqecNXG_qu8-bFi6eMPlaglgbR5wEoYFk5XIZ2NB59ZcEJrW_QN3ZjXR-3uMxX5Q/s1600/Portugal+018.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578421868934909042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKd7cm7qStG7N7YfSC3lYHOSvbSoHt-gCFOey4LielO1or9qvh6XqlLknu3MxiZqlloWuA162qs_iqecNXG_qu8-bFi6eMPlaglgbR5wEoYFk5XIZ2NB59ZcEJrW_QN3ZjXR-3uMxX5Q/s320/Portugal+018.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">just</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">arrived</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">in</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">small</span> costal <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">town</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">outside</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lisbon</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">The</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">meetings</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> Global <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Alliance</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Guidance</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Team</span> are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">winding</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">down,</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">and</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">meetings</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">our</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Area</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Catalysts</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">will</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">begin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomorrow</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">It</span> is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">about</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">year</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">since</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">in</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Worthing</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">England</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">when</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> Global <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Alliance</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">officially</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">created</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">This</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">will</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">have</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">joy</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">reporting</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error">on</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-error">progress</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" class="blsp-spelling-error">over</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_52" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_53" class="blsp-spelling-error">last</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_54" class="blsp-spelling-error">year</span>.</div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-18080855162693948612010-05-29T02:45:00.005-06:002010-05-29T03:34:49.004-06:00Closing<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzdLAuCl51M9zWjd-KqsI_zoRp9cWmMhJPfUkV4UNEr8PRItPcNgMqww9BxZHsN7LZ1rzSnvbVbvDGfGDOZ2Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />Last evening we closed the meetings with a special time of worship to glorify God for what He did during this historic week in the life of OC. The above video is a summary of the last half hour dedicating our 'Rock of Remembrance' and committing ourselves to the global task before us. Please rejoice with us in what God has done.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-79050410424055374242010-05-28T03:31:00.003-06:002010-05-28T03:41:48.808-06:00Great Progress!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mELrB-Gjk7pucfsesx-WFlvU9MMdtBaFO0mnf0fou9dBofNJ_tTodR0Ph9T_2IaPmTtdF67c7WBBH7WB1BSh5Rxm0SvRx0AzceGst87GJdUIqiAS8WJqa8SS7EuEIvkDI21_RLh1Rb0/s1600/DSCF4643.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mELrB-Gjk7pucfsesx-WFlvU9MMdtBaFO0mnf0fou9dBofNJ_tTodR0Ph9T_2IaPmTtdF67c7WBBH7WB1BSh5Rxm0SvRx0AzceGst87GJdUIqiAS8WJqa8SS7EuEIvkDI21_RLh1Rb0/s320/DSCF4643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476251583985512818" border="0" /></a>Hector Pivaral opened worship this morning with one of his songs that spoke about the missionary's heart. It began a wonderful time of worship in song, followed by a very impacting message from Dr. Ronald Geer on the topic of unity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsZPR7X9GXoaq-Q7wZYfyU0ZCpFiDRRTZkzF2M1SX8_YxgTVznTscrXyjrWK67p_VVw9MHQJZg6Gpe5FJv6mbWVRp6_8fRwKlOXPlR7AX5vKiAWinhpg28toqVZhE4HRrP2NsG0Pudyk/s1600/DSCF4646.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsZPR7X9GXoaq-Q7wZYfyU0ZCpFiDRRTZkzF2M1SX8_YxgTVznTscrXyjrWK67p_VVw9MHQJZg6Gpe5FJv6mbWVRp6_8fRwKlOXPlR7AX5vKiAWinhpg28toqVZhE4HRrP2NsG0Pudyk/s320/DSCF4646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476252209299443314" border="0" /></a>We made great progress yesterday on the first discussions concerning the practical issues, most importantly the future role of the Area Directors. Today we will finish these discussions and turn to building an implementation time-line. I invite you to join with us in prayer that God would give wisdom in these significant remaining topics.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-48200939088355853342010-05-27T03:40:00.003-06:002010-05-27T03:46:03.844-06:00Special Thank You to Eric<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFMcdj8PcrJx6oTY_XvD93SoYdZ6zgQalhjdVmKLaC1Y8nu8P7jtmOLS7gQYWG32gt6FfY7hnTFcivq6fnJ4W8_M9ydpv8WYBOp-53-OGDu4aBFoOrnTmWHfDGAsu0vusdcXxMAqLkJU/s1600/DSCF4616.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFMcdj8PcrJx6oTY_XvD93SoYdZ6zgQalhjdVmKLaC1Y8nu8P7jtmOLS7gQYWG32gt6FfY7hnTFcivq6fnJ4W8_M9ydpv8WYBOp-53-OGDu4aBFoOrnTmWHfDGAsu0vusdcXxMAqLkJU/s320/DSCF4616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475882740253951346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A few moments ago Greg, on behalf of all of us, thanked Eric in a special way for his hours of work and gifted facilitation of the Internationalization efforts to date. We all express our deep appreciation and indebtedness to Eric for bringing us to this point.</span>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-69075902502439860722010-05-27T03:29:00.003-06:002010-05-27T03:38:31.303-06:00Day 3 - Relationship Building<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD1ndcdoLQwVR4SZbUkxG1WxclMTIkSTKtp4DkVZ3RIYYSsjJkUEHfYsCDU1to2a2oWfpWCouGC0KTCn81iof3aAYI1hDEyHB7dGF2tezdRNAaq_f01QLVQqfAJ41VxVtkYNEeSZtsk8/s1600/DSCF4604.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD1ndcdoLQwVR4SZbUkxG1WxclMTIkSTKtp4DkVZ3RIYYSsjJkUEHfYsCDU1to2a2oWfpWCouGC0KTCn81iof3aAYI1hDEyHB7dGF2tezdRNAaq_f01QLVQqfAJ41VxVtkYNEeSZtsk8/s320/DSCF4604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475881266204090130" border="0" /></a><br />The third day of our time was dedicated to moving deeper in our relationships with each other. After another special time of worship, we traveled by train to Chichester to visit the cathedral. We had a lunch at a 'Texas steak house' where we celebrated Larry Kraft's birthday together. The day ended with a report from Eric and Ray on the <span style="font-style: italic;">'Becoming Globally Friendly'</span> conference that they had attended. Enjoy the photos.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxhCrRflr41Iit-L3YGkicj_3lQRkCK-_36FpbRa8qwWdDiDD8RUxKgGmbSaPStmTMHgZ5a1kaKGiZDBs3jLQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-78451449791446789302010-05-26T11:18:00.007-06:002010-05-27T03:25:45.686-06:00Welcome to Tony Lee<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">I have had the joy of knowing and working closely with Tony Lee ever since my family moved from Indonesia to Singapore in 1989.<span style=""> </span>Over these past twenty years Tony has served for various periods of time as our OC Singapore Field Director and as a member of the OC Singapore Board.<span style=""> </span>It was as a result of Tony’s encouragement and invaluable assistance that in the early 90’s we were able to successfully send out the initial OC Singapore missionary which helped launch OC ‘s Internationalization efforts.<span style=""> </span>Over these past years Tony has consistently been a champion of Internationalization within OC.<span style=""> </span>I am therefore thrilled that Tony has accepted our request for him to serve as the first moderator of the Global Alliance Guidance Team.<span style=""> </span>I am fully confident that Tony will faithfully carry out this strategic responsibility with the same high level of commitment and competence which has consistently characterized his ministry over these past twenty years.<span style=""> </span>I am looking forward to partnering closely with Tony in the months ahead.</p><p style="text-align: right;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Greg Gripentrog</span><br /></p><br /></m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac></m:brkbinsub></m:brkbin></m:mathfont></m:mathpr></w:word11kerningpairs></w:dontvertalignintxbx></w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables></w:dontvertaligncellwithsp></w:splitpgbreakandparamark></w:dontgrowautofit></w:useasianbreakrules></w:wraptextwithpunct></w:snaptogridincell></w:breakwrappedtables></w:compatibility></w:donotpromoteqf></w:validateagainstschemas></w:punctuationkerning></w:trackformatting></w:trackmoves></w:worddocument></xml><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw3XjbSzidxCHme89JhDTfRlkMk6VrdgKNNcuqM_jpOpKdErwmGPGc5FCSyRSVGqMZxtvoaCL6cOr0LVPmPnQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-76058398809936436332010-05-25T09:13:00.004-06:002010-05-25T14:46:28.098-06:00Big Thank You to our International Forum Five<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRQewqyAuqAWhaRyxEnVVepMer7ziMpWvKax6TvXajafe74RD6nyOMsiL5QR4upizMAGQ8UJ_7zHvIS_TKR8hICg1EXoF0fXHwcdS6-8d7RkqWaL9Q6ZMpicpqNlUks4mH_L1OxqHYWE/s1600/DSCF4555.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475227586295830114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRQewqyAuqAWhaRyxEnVVepMer7ziMpWvKax6TvXajafe74RD6nyOMsiL5QR4upizMAGQ8UJ_7zHvIS_TKR8hICg1EXoF0fXHwcdS6-8d7RkqWaL9Q6ZMpicpqNlUks4mH_L1OxqHYWE/s320/DSCF4555.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Between the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">initial</span> Global Alliance meeting last May in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manila</span> and this week's meeting, five people served as a committee to do the ground work to prepare us for the organizational step forward. The forum was led by Eric Smith (US) and included Josue <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Campagna</span> (Brazil), Greg <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gripentrog</span> (US), Craig Kraft (Canada), and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">JoJo</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manzano</span> (Philippines).</div><br /><br />We all want to thank these gentlemen for the hours of service they gave to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">OC</span> in helping the Global Alliance move from a concept to a reality.<br /><div></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-61596468982285157482010-05-25T08:54:00.004-06:002010-05-25T09:12:50.458-06:00First OC Global Alliance Guidance Team<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel9vgIBWzDCIdY1OiO8mfHuK8BYnC8_m68UTaAVtiBFK8BMzriffYbibNGzB715P379SlnQNuuhtcWcr2GEjIRnQYpQId5qUMHhf64Bh7Hc-mK5vUgthsVv-r7XdDDUkW2LpO-3aYqjU/s1600/DSCF4557.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475225489538923442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel9vgIBWzDCIdY1OiO8mfHuK8BYnC8_m68UTaAVtiBFK8BMzriffYbibNGzB715P379SlnQNuuhtcWcr2GEjIRnQYpQId5qUMHhf64Bh7Hc-mK5vUgthsVv-r7XdDDUkW2LpO-3aYqjU/s320/DSCF4557.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Today was an historic day in the life of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">OC</span>. Today the first official steps of organization have been taken. The name of the representative group from the Mobilization Centres is the <em>"Alliance Team."</em> It is comprised of two representatives of each MC. To provide the ongoing communication and coordination of the Global Alliance, it was confirmed that a <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Guidance</span> Team</em> of 5 members from the Alliance Team would be elected to represent the AT between meetings. Your first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Guidance</span> Team is:</div><br /><ul><br /><li>Josue <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Campagna</span> (Brazil)</li><br /><li>Tony Ford (UK)</li><br /><li>Greg <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gripentrog</span> (US)</li><br /><li>Craig Kraft (Canada)</li><br /><li>Tony Lee (Singapore)</li></ul><br /><p>Upon their election, they immediately met and elected the first moderator of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Guidance</span> Team who is Tony Lee.</p><br /><p>Our thanks to each one who has agreed to serve and our prayers are with them.</p>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-64210805412644705792010-05-24T15:08:00.002-06:002010-05-24T15:32:46.717-06:00Interview with Ronald Geer<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwerdRvjcTvJlVdHksoa_Q5ylW6NItTiMHMdv6d5H3VbbLuRtNAApCdmQSFaDXNxCrzJZFEzVQjnpQZy-0s' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />This interview is with Ronald Geer our India Field Director sharing his thoughts on the day and some prayer requests for tomorrow.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-64878495565103058372010-05-24T14:53:00.003-06:002010-05-25T09:38:32.160-06:00Highlights of Day 1<p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxeDGLEfCVdCG6nsiXP-FoNLD6xOJaA2tho7fdyV2Y7Mq9Av56sQ17hq1Yq-NzDYMkPVoAG0hRomnz5lDRlvA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>These are the highlights in photo of the first day's activities.</p>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-66563313317117856392010-05-23T04:51:00.004-06:002010-05-25T14:47:15.352-06:00Becoming Globally FriendlyThe first leg of this trip was a two day conference in Chicago sponsored by Cross-Global Link. The topic of the conference was the issues facing north American missions as we embrace what God is doing in His Church around the world. The summary of the topic was best expressed by move of mission from a 'from the west to the rest' mentality to God's new reality of 'from everywhere to everyone.'<br /><br />Thirty-two missions participated in this largely small group discussion based conference. The two days were challenging, stimulating and in some ways overwhelming for me. The task before us is daunting, yet (as one participant expressed it) God has already done it, we need only follow His leading.<br /><br />As I move now into our Globalization meetings, I invite you to pray with me that these topics will not remain theory, but that God would grant His wisdom to put practicality and implementation in place. As we move forward, OC is committed to do so in such a way as to continue its sixty year history of serving the church to fan the flames of the Gospel.Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-33710855321480289442010-05-03T12:21:00.003-06:002010-05-25T14:48:55.424-06:00Part of a Team<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><a style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: left; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em; cssfloat: left" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh21NhrYsHW5TEgyxuEi009kTqEuGP45pPkEHkbryyFDOL6TdGBMBhXuTdvn_CJWe227DnSvvdbAyIZpD6clgNgRnxtFfyIJnyBZh2nWvpvoIB4cYttNFGR_jnGt40r26S6SJZMW3cXGI/s1600/IMG_8381.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh21NhrYsHW5TEgyxuEi009kTqEuGP45pPkEHkbryyFDOL6TdGBMBhXuTdvn_CJWe227DnSvvdbAyIZpD6clgNgRnxtFfyIJnyBZh2nWvpvoIB4cYttNFGR_jnGt40r26S6SJZMW3cXGI/s200/IMG_8381.jpg" width="200" height="150" tt="true" /></a></div><span style="font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;">Virtually no ministry happens along. Each day that I minister here at the US Mobilization Center, I learn more of the reality of what it takes to keep one worker in the Harvest. Similarly, I know that I can't do this ministry without you - our encouragers, prayer parters, supporters and fellow missionaries. This blog is devoted to giving each of you the opportunity to experience major minstry events right along with me. To kick off this site, the first event will be our Internatinalization meeting to be held at the end of this month in Worthing, England. My goal is to post a series of short updates or videos giving impressions, progress and interviews with our participants from around the world. My hope is that through this new technology, you can become more effective partners in prayer and in sharing our ministry.</span>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-65869341161783945522009-06-11T03:23:00.000-06:002013-02-11T09:50:52.242-07:00An urgent invitationThe last couple of days I have been meditating on John 1:41 and 42. In this text, Andrew finds Simon, explains what he has found, and brings him to Jesus. A closer look at the greek text reveals some interesting truths.<br /><br />The first word is the use of the word "first". Different greek texts have different forms of the word that give some subtle perspectives. The most likely fit is that of an urgent connection with his brother. It is the superlative form of 'before', meaning 'before anything else' he went and found his brother. The implication is one of need and desire to share what he has found. Another ending would suggest the Andrew went first implying that John then went to get James. It is appearent from the rest of the text that both brothers went to get their siblings.<br /><br />The second nuance is the selection of the word for found. It carries the meaning of 'searching', something more than a simple 'run and get Simon'. It carries the picture of someone who really wanted to find his brother.<br /><br />The last word of interest is the 'brought' him to Jesus. This word is the one that would be used to lead an animal, pulling it along. Implied could be the idea that there was some resistance on the part of Simon. It clearly wasn't the image of Peter after the road to Emmaus running back to tell the others. It is the image of someone who needed to be brought along.<br /><br />So what does all of this have to do with today's church? I think we need to somehow recapture this urgency in introducing people to Jesus. One thing that I think that ione thing that inhibits people is that we view the Kingdom as a harvest rather than the sowing. We think somehow we need to get people saved. I don't see that in any of the texts. What I see is a call to bring people to Jesus and make the introduction. What if we could see ourselves as people who bring others to a friend? Could we capture this same passion that was experienced by Andrew? How could we see this happen?Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-51101742163543274372009-06-08T02:04:00.000-06:002013-02-11T09:50:52.264-07:00Importance of a Brother<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZfMTKt_kKV3-4T7h1cYCKRGpqTh0OaRz9oBxOZH1vXarn-dhRoVG5PVr6DtBf_ewKC3T_1-eZoqRvmAgZEy4srZzNNN2uTONF8OcGnWKnLbMZFEIirKs4OwAsA0QZau384CUeybe7ao/s1600-h/caravaggio_peter_andrew.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344873763438972498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZfMTKt_kKV3-4T7h1cYCKRGpqTh0OaRz9oBxOZH1vXarn-dhRoVG5PVr6DtBf_ewKC3T_1-eZoqRvmAgZEy4srZzNNN2uTONF8OcGnWKnLbMZFEIirKs4OwAsA0QZau384CUeybe7ao/s320/caravaggio_peter_andrew.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Key to the story of Peter is the role of his brother Andrew. In this post, I would like to look at the steps of Andrew that lead to Peter. It is clear from the John text that Andrew was present for Christ's baptism, but he did not fully understand what had happened. He and John spend the night probably talking about the events of the day and God uses this to prepare their hearts.<br /><br />The next morning they are again with John the Baptist and Christ passes. John points them to Him and they immediately follow Jesus. Jesus hears them behind and asks the question most frequently posed by Christ: "What do you want?" They simple ask where he is staying. As a visitor they know He is likely at an inn where they could serve Him. They spend one night with Jesus and their lives are forever changed. The next morning Andrew knows he has to go find his brother and bring him to Jesus.<br /><br />A couple observations that have been bouncing around in my heart that relate directly to the role of the church. The first one is the question of Jesus. Although He know exactly what they wanted and needed, He began with that simple question. Do I do this in my interaction with those around me? Do I ask them simply what they want? Often this lead to a miracle in the life of the person. What might it look like if our churches simply ask those around us what they wanted and then delivered. We so often begin with our agenda rather than their agenda. What if we became disciplined in begnning with their agenda? It certainly would make the Good News become good news!!<br /><br />The second thought that has been running around is the important role of Andrew and John as believers. While their brothers were not yet believers, they were actively pursuing their relationship with Christ. We too need first to be Christ followers. Their passion for Christ openned the door for others. Am I still deeply in love with Christ as I was at the beginning? Has faith become routine or do I still enjoy being in the presence of the God of surprises? Do I have something in my life that I just need to share with others? I was talking yesterday with a person at our church here in France that was facing a difficult divorse as I left. It was a very painful time. Today, he and his new wife have a very effective and impacting minsitry to singles coming through divorse. He said this to me "God is very much at work, but each time a new person comes I relive my pain." This discussion really make me think to what degree I allow my past expereinces of God's presence and deliverence to impact the lives of others.<br /><br />So how do you respond? What could this kind of church life look like? How can we once again become as passionate as Andrew and John?Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-25931701766557441272009-06-01T16:56:00.000-06:002013-02-11T09:50:52.273-07:00A Man of Peace<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CRSanford%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CRSanford%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CRSanford%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> 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table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There is a concept from the Church Planting Movement whereby one looks for the "the man of peace." This concept comes from the sending of the disciples out two-by-two. When I first learned of it a couple of months past, it fascinated me. In contemplating what was to powerful as to move Peter so deeply, I started with his background.<br /><br /><br /><br />Our first glimpse of his family comes from John 1:19 and following. Here John the Baptist baptizes in the Jordon leading to the baptism of Christ. John is in the crossing town of Bethany (Bethabara) and many of Israel are coming to him. 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</u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:lsdexception> </u3:latentstyles> </xml><![endif]-->It is in this context that we find Andrew and Peter, and John and James in Bethany. Andrew and John had spent enough time that they were now referred to as disciples of John the Baptist.<br /><br /> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><br /> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So, you might ask, what does this have to do with “the man of peace”? As I have spent the last week meditating on these texts, it appears to me that Peter was such a man. He clearly had come with his brother Andrew to see the Baptist, and likely was on some kind of spiritual walk that made him open to the voice of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If this is the beginning of Peter’s story, what might this say to us and our local gatherings? I was reminded recently by one of our missionaries of the importance of targeting our efforts so as to be wise stewards. Could this passage be challenging us to become more attuned to those who are already on a spiritual journey? Could we have much greater impact in people’s lives if we were sensitive to their walk? Do people notice the difference in our lives and come to see, but unlike John the Baptist, we don’t see their searching?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">How have you seen God send into your life people who are looking for God? What might this kind of outreach look like in the day-to-day life of a church? What might attract people on the journey to us? Do we see God’s work in the lives of those around us?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the life of Peter, the answer to these questions had a profound impact upon him, as John the Baptist, Andrew and John all had a part in the life-changing first meeting with Jesus. That story and its implications will be the topic of my next step in my journey.<o:p></o:p></span></p> Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-48980798195123140512009-05-25T17:56:00.000-06:002013-02-11T09:50:52.286-07:00Follow the Leader<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPbToDHfwyc2fnVGxTbfg3SXf9oUh2FNdDg8sGprYTNYczCq8zndcik1XS5lo-jFRnZPVfr7tLNtM88byzOjFwswAaTd9mVvG4veDattEX3jQzlTPmdLu5bq4XZEgtXWFEqjgIYMQgik/s1600-h/Follow+the+Leader.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339918859645420706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPbToDHfwyc2fnVGxTbfg3SXf9oUh2FNdDg8sGprYTNYczCq8zndcik1XS5lo-jFRnZPVfr7tLNtM88byzOjFwswAaTd9mVvG4veDattEX3jQzlTPmdLu5bq4XZEgtXWFEqjgIYMQgik/s320/Follow+the+Leader.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We almost all had the joy of playing 'Follow the Leader' in our childhood. I have to admit that I wasn't that great, because I am way to much of the big picture person to get wrapped up in the details of each command. Well, there is another 'Follow the Leader' question that was much more life changing than this childhood game.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">relationship</span> of the disciples to Christ began with a simple invitation -"Follow me." Theologians have written much about these words as they relate to Rabbinic invitations to learn and the Hebraic tradition. But putting all that aside, I believe it is a truly simple yet profound place to begin. As I begin this journey, these words echoed in my mind. Am I willing to follow Jesus these weeks and months ahead where He will lead? Like Peter, am I willing to put aside my 'nets' - all those things that make me feel at home and valued, and follow Him?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If Jesus met you at your work today and invited you to follow Him, what would you do? Would you put down the pen, put aside the keyboard, put down the tools and simply walk away?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As I process this question, if it had been asked after the disciples had spent a year with Jesus, it might make more sense. But, at the beginning, all they knew was any little interaction they had had with others in learning about Jesus. So what was so compelling about this man that caused them to set life aside for Him? What did they see and experience that would change everything?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Today, I am willing to say "I'll try." Will you join me?</div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1576560161788409718.post-48801222275218962042009-05-24T18:58:00.000-06:002013-02-11T09:50:52.299-07:00Getting startedI begin this walk as we leave for a one month sabbatical. As we travel, enjoy friends and family, and listen to God, this will serve as a short record of my journey. Thanks for taking with walk with me ...Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643255429750559503noreply@blogger.com0