2010 Update #2

Reflections of Praise

Regardless of how smooth or bumpy the road is, God is always praiseworthy! A few years ago during a particularly rough patch, worshiping God through corporate singing seemed to take tremendous effort of the will. God taught me during that period what a “sacrifice of praise” meant. So…one of my praises for this month is that it hasn’t been like that time a few years ago! There have been some challenges – the normal stuff that comes with the rhythm of life – but you know God has been faithful over the years to transform you when what would have discouraged you a few years ago is…well, less discouraging. Don’t want to be in denial and say things don’t bother me, but at least I can say they don’t bother me as much.

I also don’t want to give you the wrong impression of this past month! It’s actually been quite cool to see God start to connect a few dots. Granted, it’s probably more like several connect-the-dot pictures combined to make one big picture, and we’ve only connected a few in each little sub-picture, but it’s looking hopeful for the long (like years-down-the-road long) run. He’s been challenging me to take steps of faith, including a week-long trip to the Bay Area, and as I do He meets me in ways I didn’t expect. It’s difficult to go into detail here without writing a novel, so let me just say…

Please pray this month

• for wisdom about who and how we send internationally this summer: key details need to fall in to place within the next month
• for open doors and favor among the people we will work with as we make plans to test-run a domestic worship mission program
• for relationships (personal and organizational) to grow deep and bear eternal fruit as we take intentional steps to more aggressively develop a strategic partnership network
• for God to open His storehouses of resources (not just material, but relational and spiritual, as well) so we will be well-equipped and unhindered to follow hard after Him through this ministry

Looking Ahead

We just had one of our rare stormy weeks. Only in Southern California would we cancel small groups and other regularly scheduled indoor activities on account of heavy rain, but I enjoyed the extra time I had to sit by the windows with a hot drink and catch up on some reading and studying. I especially love what my nephew used to call “funderstorms”: the louder, the better! (That’s also how I like my music. ) During that week, I used one afternoon to read through the Revelation of John in one sitting. I’ve been wanting to see its big picture presentation of how worship will be for eternity. Just as I was reading chapter 4, there was a bright flash immediately followed by an unusually loud clap of thunder. As much as I appreciate those moments in nature, this one caught me off guard and brought on a split second of fear. What I anticipated would bring me pleasure was also what made me uncomfortable.

For years, the Lord has been reminding (warning?) me a life of faith is not comfortable. For years, I’ve also anticipated Heaven to be more relaxing and less stressful – more comfortable – than it is here, though still very dynamic and active. While that’s probably true, I hadn’t given much thought to what it would be like being in the presence of God. I wouldn’t be surprised if the thunder and lightning coming from His throne is so much more impressive than what I saw this month. And so much more fearful. And so much more exhilarating. That appeals to the thrill-seeker in me.

It was a great reminder (not warning) to not grow weary of my temporary (in an eternal sense) role with WFI. Yes, it seems daunting some times, and the goal is so much bigger than we are. Still, our biggest hopes for what this ministry can accomplish will never be bigger than God, the One for whom we want to accomplish these things.

At once, I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. … From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. … Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who  lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

From Revelation 4 [I encourage you to read the whole chapter!]