It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made. I make this prayer a daily discipline and I don't dread it any more. The pruning is about letting go of things that aren't helpful. In fact some are downright hurtful to me or others. I would be less than truthful if I made it sound easy in any way because it wasn't. 

I've been working off a "To Do" list for years and feel lost without one. But lately God seems more interested in the "Stop Doing" list. He's asked me to prune away. I've let some things go that I love doing. Often the hardest choices are not between good and bad but between better and best. I haven't got this down yet but some of the things I'm learning are: I'm complete in Christ, busy isn't better, approval is over-rated, abiding is better than accomplishment, you have to be quiet to hear the whisper of God, striving is a guarantee trouble is coming, and what God doesn't want for me isn't good for me no matter how good it is or how much I like it. I've got a long way to go but at least I'm embracing the process.

The second prayer God had me pray was to invite discipline. As you can imagine I didn't want to pray this prayer any more than I wanted to ask for humility. My solace was that the scripture says in Hebrews that God disciplines everyone that He loves and it is part of how He treats us like a son. So I prayed the prayer out of obedience.

I've learned a few things since I began this prayer. First, discipline doesn't necessarily mean punishment. I made that association in the beginning because that is what my Dad said was coming before he spanked me. And to be sure there are times when discipline feels like punishment. But more often than that discipline is training. We invite discipline so we can learn a skill set much like a gymnast trains with a coach for the Olympics. Just like you wouldn't imagine that a gymnast could train on his/her own and still make it to the world class level you can guess that I need the discipline of the Holy Spirit to be like Jesus. 

Another reason to pray for discipline is that it gives us the strength we need to make good choices. For example, I need the discipline to hold my tongue when I want to complain or judge. I need discipline to wait for God's best instead of rushing into decisions I might make without His counsel. If I am to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit I definitely need discipline.

To be honest I didn't look forward to praying this prayer but now I've come to welcome it. I interpret what God does to discipline me as both loving instruction and important correction. For all the difficult things it brings into my life the good it accomplishes is more than worth it. 

However, since God asked me to pray for humility I’ve learned a few things. First off I’ve learned God doesn’t need a lot of help here when it comes to humbling me. Life will humble you plenty if you live long enough. I can make so many problems for myself, I don’t need lessons. If God just leaves me to my own devices life will quickly humble me. Additionally there are many people very glad for the opportunity to humble me. Oh, and I should mention that we have an enemy of our souls who absolutely loves the opportunity to rub our nose in any mistake. He will gladly heap on shame and make you feel responsible for anything that goes wrong and anyone else’s poor choices. I learned you don’t have to pray for humility. It will find you.

The second thing I learned is that humility is not what I thought it was. Humility is not having a lowly opinion of yourself. At its essence humility is dependence on God. Humility is seeing yourself and your situation clearly and accurately. It is a proper understanding of reality but a determined commitment put God’s will first and to do things God’s way. Humility is the willingness to wait on God’s timing and to give God your surrendered spirit to bring glory to His name.

Humility might mean you are strong and courageous when you feel like playing it safe. If God says go humility says, yes Sir. Humility might be pressing on when it appears that the plan isn’t working because God pointed that way. It is not retaliating when people misunderstand you or misjudge your motives. Sometimes it is not arguing and at other times not having to have your way. Sometimes it is standing up for the principal of the matter or standing with someone who has been unfairly treated. There is nothing mousey about humility. Humility is strength under fire because you know the strength is not your own. If you’ve died to self then humility rewards you with a sense of well done thou good and faithful servant. Humility is far from having a low opinion of yourself—it means you have a high opinion of God.

So I do pray for humility because that means I want to have a greater sense of dependence on God. I want to die to selfishness and I want to live for the will and the glory of God. Moses was humble and he was one of the most effective leaders of all time. And no one modeled humility better than Jesus as described in Philippians 2. If I’m honest I still shudder at times when I pray for humility but I do it because Jesus asked me to do it. And I’m learning it is one of the best things for which I could pray.

I'm going to write a blog about each of the three individually over the course of the next few days so in this blog I simply want to encourage you to pray whatever dangerous prayers God puts in your path. The way it has worked out has been even harder than I might have imagined that day. I'm actually glad I didn't know. But at the same time I wouldn't trade even one lesson. I don't know that the season is over or that it ever really ends but I do know this--I've come to know and experience God at a deeper level than I could imagine. It has been more than worth it.

God is greater, closer, wiser, more powerful and more available than I could have imagined. Everything I've lost was a great investment in seeding a stronger faith. I've felt pain turn to resolve. I've learned to wait for incongruities to untangle themselves. I'm not afraid of difficulty and see its value. Like a tasty recipe some things just take time to bake. I've lost in many ways but won in others and I didn't die in the process.

I'll get more specific in the blogs about each of the three but knowing what I know now, if God had said, here's what will happen--I would do it all again to get where I am today. You absolutely can trust God. I've learned that God's goals for my life may be different than my goals. His plan in a particular situation is often more about character development than about "success" (whatever that is). He knows best. He is trustworthy and true. He is faithful. He is loving in ways that amaze me. His grace is sufficient. Life is a great adventure when He is in control and that is the only way I want to live.

We are a results oriented culture and that's not all bad. Pragmatism must be considered because if something is not working we should look long and hard to see if it should be considered. We've all heard the definition of insanity, keep doing what you're doing but hoping for a different result. Understanding outcomes and keeping our eye on the target is a must if we are to accomplish our goals.

There would be little if any disagreement on any of the above statements but they don't tell the whole story. Take the last line for example, we set goals but the reality is that God's agenda may be different than ours. Absolutlely we should measure! But it is possible to measure something and rejoice or be in despair when God has a whole different plan. For example, Job was severly tested when God predicted from the beginning that there would be no gile found in him. During the test if you only measured results it would have appeared, as it did to his friends, that God had forsaken him. It was a test not a sign of failure.

Moses led the people of God across a desert because it was between where he was and the Promised Land. Then during the trek the people rebelled and Moses had to adjust his timeline to the timeline of outliving the consequences that were not his choices. If we measured the results in the desert we could have deamened it a failure. God led them through the desert and Moses was faithful. In fact, if he hadn't interceeded for the people they would have been destroyed. A learning process was underway and there were lessons to pass before they could graduate to the Promised Land.

An example from nature is that there is a time after the planting of seeds but before the plant pops out of the ground where you can't see what is happening. It is beneath the surface. The result from above the soil appears to be null and void. If you dig it up to see you will destroy the progress. You have to be patient and have faith.

I could go on to stories of David, Peter and Paul but you get the idea. Here's the final thought to take with you through the day. Results matter. They do! But even more important than the results is to know the will and voice of God then be faithful to it. Fruit is a better test than results. Fruit might be character growth, fruit might be obedience despite results, fruit might be endurance, whatever else it is fruit is growth in godliness.

A wise minister told me years ago, don't think you're a superstar after Easter Sunday and don't resign in July. Results measured over time are a good indicator of whether you are making progress or not. Be sure you are measuring the right things. And remember, there is more at work than you know at any given time. Faithful obedient endurance in the direction of God's will always bears fruit and in the end fruitfulness is God's truest measurement.

As the scripture says, Keep your eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;[c] then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:2-4

I got up early today. Spent some great time in God's Word and in prayer. I'm working through Beth Moore's Believing God Bible Study. At 8:10 I got on my bike while it was still cool with the goal of riding to Missouri and back on the Indian Creek Trail. It is a 40 mile or so ride. 

I was a little over halfway to Missouri when I came around a corner a little too fast. I was coming down a hill and making a right turn. Another biker was coming directly at me so I hit my brakes. When I did I started sliding on some real fine dirt left on the trail the last time the river washed over it a few days ago. My back tire went out from under me and my right knee hit the pavement. I skidded along picking up skinned places and bruises. More than anything I was disgusted I lost control. I noticed later on the way back that the trail slopes off toward the creek there instead of staying flat or better yet banking with the turn. 

Once I wrecked I knew I needed to get up quickly because the other biker would be right on me. But I wasn't sure I was all in one piece so I wasn't able to jump right up. This is where it gets weird. The first thing I saw when I looked up was a big man standing over me offering me his hand. I wasn't sure I wanted to admit I needed help but I didn't know if I could get up so I reached for him. He was wearing white spandex and was shirtless. He looked sweaty like he had been running. He had long white hair and he was strong like he was a weight-lifter. He helped me up and asked me if I was okay. Other bikers stopped too because the trail was busy today. My seat was sideways, my water bottle was halfway out but my chain was still on so I gingerly mounted my bike and continued my ride. My body worked okay despite being sore.

I kept riding of course because I had a goal. But as I rode off I began wondering, where did that guy come from. He wasn't behind me because I hadn't passed him. When I came around the corner what I saw was the other biker. But this guy got to me before the other biker who was moving pretty fast. The biker was the reason I hit my brakes. So who was this guy and how was he standing right there before the other biker even got to me. I was afraid the other biker would hit me that is why I knew I needed to get up fast but somehow this guy got there first. This is one of the strangest things I've ever experienced. Do angels wear white spandex and run shirtless? There was a bridge and an underpass for the path nearby, I guess he could have been there but if so why didn't I see him because it was directly ahead. Was he in the shadow but if he was how did he get to me so fast? Anyway, I guess I'll never know but I really appreciated his help. Whoever he was and wherever he came from he was God's provision and I'll take it.

When God spoke the world into existence the Hebrew word for "created" means "from nothing". We might say nothing existed before He created it. He spoke the world into being. However when the Bible says that God created Adam and Eve there is a different Hebrew word used. He "created" them from existing matter, from the dust of the earth. I like to think that God was willing to get His hands dirty in creating us. There is something meaningful to me that God shaped us with His hands and then blew His breath in us so we could have a living soul. So it is no surprise that when we die our body, made of the earth, stays here. While our soul, made from that which is eternal, lives forever. 

Here is where it gets good, when God says he creates in us a clean heart, the scriptures use the word for--guess which one--from scratch. Isn't that great? He doesn't use the recycled material of a heart gone wrong. He starts fresh. He creates a new heart from nothing! So when you are forgiven you are not just made new as in renewed--your heart is brand new--as in never soiled! That really encourages me. It makes me appreciate grace and God who gives it more than ever. I hope it does you too!

This thinking started this morning when I had my quiet time. I wondered, is it possible that God has a different goal than I do? What I have in mind is a particular outcome. However, maybe God is more interested in doing a work in me than he is in changing my circumstances? If that is true then the more I am fixated on my result the more frustrated I become with God and stuff I don't think fits my plan. That makes what God wants to do in me take longer.

When I decide to cooperate completely with God and invite Him to do His work in me even the challenging things have purpose. For that reason I chose joy--independent of my circumstances. I can't even find the words to tell you the freedom thinking this way brought me  today. 

Give it a try. Every day you have a choice not based on circumstances, you get to choose your attitude. Chose joy!

I want to share a memory about each of them today. On one of our visits to see my parents while they lived in Oregon my Dad wanted to take us to see a waterfall. He had bought a book about the waterfalls of Oregon and on his day off he and my Mom would go to the ones near their home and hike in to see them. He wanted to share that joy with our young family. My Dad was determined this hike was not going to be boring for our boys. He got them to walk across some downed trees that fell across a ten foot ditch. Of course dead trees have bark that can easily come off and Jeremy ended up slipping off the tree. Somehow he miraculously caught himself before he fell. On the way back Dad said he would lead the two boys to a shortcut. He didn't ask permission from the parents he simply darted off into the woods with Jeremy and Luke in close pursuit. We stayed on the path and when we got to the car Dad and the boys were nowhere in sight. We waited what seemed like an eternity but was probably only twenty minutes. Then we heard their excited voices. They found their way back to the parking lot by smelling the Port-a-Potty. That was a hike we will never forget--the funny thing is, I don't even remember the waterfall.

I have to dig a little deeper for a Megan memory. One of my favorite things to do with Megan was to turn on the music really loud and dance around the living room. She would squeal with delight. Whenever I would stop she would jump up and down in my arms as if to say, keep dancing! She would hung my neck tight and smile like this was the best fun she ever had. One day not too long after she got a mouthful of teeth she bit me really hard on the shoulder. I didn't see it coming so I yelped in pain and suprise. This startled Megan so much, and probably hurt her tender heart, that she began to cry. She was inconsolable! I held her close and let her know that I was all right and that I still loved her. Soon we were dancing again.

It helps to remember. You may or may not have known my Dad or Megan but thanks for your support as we heal and move forward.

Gary

I've been trying to find someone serving this kind of meat for the dreams God's given for years. To change metaphors, I often feel like I"m speaking Spanish in attempting to create a reproducing movement in a city and nation. Now here is a team of people speaking advanced Spanish. But I understand it and it gives me handles, illustrations and talking points for communicating what can happen as we help people find their way back to God.

From there we seek to connect them into groups that reproduce and reach their neighborhoods. They bring transformation in the community by being the hands and feet of Christ. When there are several groups in a community they have the nucleus for a new campus. Lives are changed, families are healed, communities are transformed and eventually we reach a city together. That's the dream and today God is feeding that dream, speaking Spanish to me and helping me understand He is in it.

My story really begins in the 70's. A time where alcohol, drugs and sex where key tools of Satan and becoming a norm for our society. I was one of those. Many a morning I would awake not knowing what I did the night before, not knowing how I even got home. As I look back on this time, I know God was with me every night I drank or used drugs. Only through God's hands did I not die a horrible death in an auto accident, or even kill someone else. Truly proof that God is with everyone, no matter what they are doing. I did mentally hurt a lot of people during this time with my destructive ways.

Finally in the 80's I was able to stop my destructive ways, unfortunately, I did this with out God in my life. Not having God caused me to fall back into my old ways and this time it once again hurt someone who I loved deeply. It was 14 years ago when my wife was pregnant with our son. I left her, all alone, pregnant and giving birth to our son on her own. But it was during this time that God proved who He is to me. How He is true to his word about his love, forgiveness, mercy and the power of prayer. It was one day during this time that Jesus came knocking at my heart. I know now that many times during my life he had been knocking, but this time for some reason I answered that knock. It was a few years later I found our why.

During this time one day, my wife stopped you at church and asked you to pray with her about me. As I look back on that, wow, why would she want to pray for me. I had left her, alone with child and yet she asked you to pray with her for me. Unbelievable, but that is our God, he can take what we know as impossible and make it possible. I am not sure if it was the next day or not, but I know soon after you both prayed for me, Jesus knocked at my heart and I answered. Why, because of my wife's forgiveness and love and for your dedication to serve our God. God saw the faith in you both and well, let's just say he slapped the back of my head and woke me up. Soon after this I wrote to my wife asking for forgiveness and to my amazement, she forgave me and took me back into her life. Today, I am happier, more peaceful, better than I have ever been. Our marriage is strong as God is the center of our marriage.

As I look back on my life I realized, God had always been with me, I just did not see him. How many times did He save my life? How many times does He save anyone like me from physical death. Anyone I talk to that has an addiction, I always ask them, how long can you walk that line between death and living. God is saving you from our destructive ways for some reason, wake up and accept his salvation before it is too late.

The greatest gift I learned from all of this is God's forgiveness and the power of prayer. My wife taught me what true forgiveness is through Christ. I now know why she forgave me, because Christ forgave me. Her love for Christ has taken me from death to life. Her forgiveness through Christ saved our marriage. And her and your love showed me the power of prayer. The faithful prayer of a Christian is more powerful than anything our minds can imagine. I now take prayer as the corner stone of my relationship with God and urge everyone to see my story and learn of the power of God's love, mercy and forgiveness.

For those that have been hurt you can release that burden to Christ, like my wife did, and be free. For those that have done the hurting, like me, you can be released from the bondage by Christ and forgiveness through His Blood on the Cross.

Blessings
Rick Keaton

The whole experience was powerful. I can't describe the emotion I felt when I held the whip, handled the crown of thorns, picked up the nails, laid my regrets at the foot of the cross, put a crown on my head and looked in the mirror, threw my crown at the base of the throne, stood at the well of living water. It took me almost five minutes to stop crying once I left. They were tears of joy and gratitude. I'm ready for Easter now!

Pass this on to your friends and invite them to come with you to Indian Creek for Easter. We ask the questions, What is your impossible? and What if you didn't have to do it alone? The service is an awesome celebration of the resurrection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZPBxxfTJng&feature=channel

The service times are 9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the Olathe campus and 10:30 a.m. on the Garder campus.

Impossible is Nothing!

In Olathe it was the largest Spring Fest ever, 1400, and the best one. Way to go kidzAlive!, Journey and Live Out teams for leading the way! The extra effort to get the flyers out to so many schools and ministries really paid off. The planning and organization was solid and I especially liked the way we put people first.

In Gardner there were over 200 present for Spring Fest and the excitement was high. Gardner got to have their egg hunt outside because they did their hunt after the morning service today. The 3,000 door hangers they passed out yesterday created a lot of interest not only in the Egg Hunt but also in the worship service.

Ministry really is a tag team effort. Many of you invited friends. Once you got them here the volunteers were ready. The send off with a Palm branch and an invitation to Sunday services gives the Sunday teams like First Impressions, worship, Café, Speaking and Prayer teams a chance to let God work through them.

We do what we do so people will find their way back to God. What happened today opens the door for what happens next. Pray with me that we allow the Holy Spirit to use us to transform lives until all KC knows. Give God a chance to work in you!

Keep praying, keep inviting, Easter’s coming!

P.S. I even had a chance to hold my grandson Landon and to see Jeremy and Jesi. That is always a highlight to any day!

During this trip to China, we visited many churches. I lost count of exactly how many. One was 134 years old and had been founded by Swiss missionaries. Alongside the original stone structure was a brand new building with clean white walls and large airy spaces. Some were partially built and the people were trusting God for the funds to complete. I saw a field of grass that a congregation dreamed of building a church on one day. Over a shared snack of mangos and bananas we looked at blueprints. We walked up to a church dedication to the sound of drums and cymbals. In another church, I sat at the back of an older building, sweating while lazy fans turned above me. The hard, straight-backed wood pews were packed.
China is ready to grow. There’s no shortage of enthusiasm, vision or workers. Gary says ‘China is the engine and we’re the fuel.” The good news is that fuel is cheap there. The average pastor in China lives on $600 a year. Two dollars a day. I probably spend that much on coffee. As Jan likes to say, “it takes so little to make a big difference.” I was thinking of our money and China’s human resources and the potential of that partnership.
I might have lost count of the number of churches, but I’ll never forget one pastor’s face, her eyes filled with tears, as a member of our group put $200 Chinese Yen in her hand. That’s only $25 US and yet it made a big difference in her life.

During this trip to China, we visited many churches. I lost count of exactly how many. One was 134 years old and had been founded by Swiss missionaries. Alongside the original stone structure was a brand new building with clean white walls and large airy spaces. Some were partially built and the people were trusting God for the funds to complete. I saw a field of grass that a congregation dreamed of building a church on one day. Over a shared snack of mangos and bananas we looked at blueprints. We walked up to a church dedication to the sound of drums and cymbals. In another church, I sat at the back of an older building, sweating while lazy fans turned above me. The hard, straight-backed wood pews were packed.

China is ready to grow. There’s no shortage of enthusiasm, vision or workers. Gary says ‘China is the engine and we’re the fuel.” The good news is that fuel is cheap there. The average pastor in China lives on $600 a year. Two dollars a day. I probably spend that much on coffee. As Jan likes to say, “it takes so little to make a big difference.” I was thinking of our money and China’s human resources and the potential of that partnership.

I might have lost count of the number of churches, but I’ll never forget one pastor’s face, her eyes filled with tears, as a member of our group put $200 Chinese Yen in her hand. That’s only $25 US and yet it made a big difference in her life.

Thanks Tim for your investment in the Jesus mission in China

Take 3 today to allow awe to produce wonder and worship at just how BIG our God is. And to think that He also cares about our smallest need--incredible! "The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows His handiwork." Psalm 19:1. Praise God!

The difference is subtle but profound. To pray that God reveals His presence, His will or better yet His purposes in a situation reminds us He is always here. He’s never left us. We are never abandoned and never alone. We know that is the truth because Jesus said so (John 14:16). The beautiful thing is that He is so willing to reveal Himself.

He wants to reveal His glory. He wants to reveal His truth. He wants to reveal His presence. He wants to reveal His power. The truth is—He is does but we don’t always recognize it. He is always at work ahead of us whether or not we know it. That’s why when we pray, “reveal Yourself” or “reveal Your glory” or “reveal your purposes” we are aligning ourselves with Who He is and what He is already doing.

Lately I’ve been praying in many situations, “Lord, reveal Your glory here.” He is here. He is working. He is sovereign. He is purposeful. He is ahead of me. He is ahead of the enemy. He is everything we need.

Lord, reveal Yourself!

I am conscious today of the reality that it is very possible to pray without communing with God, to sing without really worshipping, to serve without being refueled by love as we serve. In other words we can have the form of Christianity without the reality. I refuse to live there.

I want to see Christ revealed in my life in ever-increasing ways. I’ve been a follower of Christ for many years but it is repulsive to me to go through the motions. I want to experience the reality of Christ so powerfully that every day is a new adventure with Him. I want to see His miraculous provision in my daily life. I want to obey so passionately that it is apparent that the kingdom of God has come to earth.

There are too many idols and not enough crosses. That’s the thought that went through my mind as I toured Lantau Island outside of Hong Kong. There is a huge Buddha on the island and the shops around there are full of his image. In addition there are shrines to ancestors in abundance. But I didn’t see one cross or church on the whole island.

That got me thinking about the U.S. We may not have as many images but we certainly have idols. We may have more crosses and churches but that doesn’t mean that we have what the cross represents and that is surrender.

I strongly believe we have what we need in resources to care for the planet in every way, physically, emotionally, relationally and spiritually yet there is a huge disparity in the way the resources are distributed. We don’t have a resource problem as much as we have an allocation problem.

God trusts us to be his stewards of the resources. We are the managers not the owners. God told me very clearly that I’m not to go through life as a consumer but as a man on a mission to serve my Savior and do His will. I’m going to give myself to that knowing that it means displacing idols in my life and determining to carry His cross.

Have you ever lost a child? I’ve had a child die. My daughter Megan died when she was 21 months old. That loss affected my wife, Belinda, and me in ways I can’t describe. I’ll put it this way. We will never forget what it was like to love her and we will never love her less. We are forever marked by that loss. There is an ache in our souls. But we aren’t crippled because we are loved by a Father who willingly gave up His only Son so His children could live eternally with Him. He understands and we understand what drives Him.

His love is a searching love for those still living without the knowledge of His love. He has loved and lost (His loss was our salvation and because He is eternal, the loss wasn’t final). He is determined to reach as many of His children as possible. I told you about our new brother that chose Christ on this trip. I wish I could tell you his name but that’s not the point. The point is that God put him exactly where he could hear of His love and then He left the choice to him. This way it is true love.

On the plan I was seated next to a young lady who is also seeking. We had 14 hours to pass. I started praying soon after being seated. I didn’t force any conversation. I let it go wherever it went and just trusted the love of the Father to be revealed. Before long she asked me what I teach and I had the chance to share the bridge illustration. It is a pictorial story of how God makes a way we can become right with the Father through Jesus. I don’t know what she will do with the story but that’s how He loves. He will keep drawing her and she will get to keep owning her own choices.

Have you ever lost a child in a park, or a public place? How did you feel? Do you feel that way for those around you who haven’t yet found their way back to the Father? Why not? What will you do about it?

He also reminded me that He loves every person I see as much as He loves me. I’m not here as a consumer. I’m here as an obedient son sent to do my Father’s will.

Last night I experienced a lot of spiritual warfare. It is not surprising. There was a sweet victory after a time of struggle. I told Kristen about it in the morning and she described it in a very accurate way. Ask me about it personally when I get back and I will tell you. Thanks so much for praying for us all the way through to the end. The enemy loves kick backs and if he can get some in he will. I’m glad that we serve the One, True, Living God and that we are covered by the sacrifice of Jesus. It is a joy to do His will even if we suffer for Him.

Here's one thing I can share. Steve Igarta who was our apprentice leader on this trip had prostate surgery just three weeks before coming. He overdid it in Hong Kong on the first day and he had problems all along the way. He was a trooper and inspired all of us with his tough resolve. He had to go to a hospital or clinic three times but every time God provided just what he needed. The last two nights held an emergency room visit for him. He is on a plane now headed home to CA so please pray he will have God's providence for this trip.

Another way that God showed up was in the creation of this team. I don't know that I've ever served with a team that was so clearly put together by God. We are like a body that has all the parts in place and each one is playing the role God determined ahead of time that they would play. His preparation is so apparent. Kristen is doing a super job leading us.

We'll be headed home soon so pray us home. We love you and miss you!

Here’s the rest of the story.  After I wrote you I felt led one morning to write some thoughts and scriptures for him to study on the van. I started with God’s love and then went through why we need forgiveness, what Jesus did for us on the cross, how to receive his offer of grace and what happens when we receive His Holy Spirit. I wrote it in outline form and put the supporting scriptures then gave it to him in an Indian Creek Journal. I said I would be glad to talk about any of that but that would be his choice.

Later the same day he talked to one of the young men on the team that was his age and Dan walked him through the whole page with illustrations and explanations from his own life. I asked him later in the day if it was all right to give him the gift and he said yes, it was good.

Before he went to be he talked to each of the other two translators about their experiences as followers of Christ. He asked many questions. They had good conversation late into the evening. The next day on the van he leaned over to me and said now I believe. I don’t know what to do.

We were stopping at a service station at that moment so I said, let’s go for a walk. I explained how to pray to invite Jesus to forgive you and lead your life and invited him to pray. He wanted to pray so we did. The joy of Jesus was all over his face. He looked like a new person. I went over the difference between faith and feelings and gave him scriptures for assurance and then we boarded the van. I asked him if he wanted to share his decision with the team. He did and there was great celebration! No doubt there was a celebration in heaven too. And now I hope there is a celebration in wherever you are as you read.

Here’s the rest of the story.  After I wrote you I felt led one morning to write some thoughts and scriptures for him to study on the van. I started with God’s love and then went through why we need forgiveness, what Jesus did for us on the cross, how to receive his offer of grace and what happens when we receive His Holy Spirit. I wrote it in outline form and put the supporting scriptures then gave it to him in an Indian Creek Journal. I said I would be glad to talk about any of that but that would be his choice.

Later the same day he talked to one of the young men on the team that was his age and Dan walked him through the whole page with illustrations and explanations from his own life. I asked him later in the day if it was all right to give him the gift and he said yes, it was good.

Before he went to be he talked to each of the other two translators about their experiences as followers of Christ. He asked many questions. They had good conversation late into the evening. The next day on the van he leaned over to me and said now I believe. I don’t know what to do.

We were stopping at a service station at that moment so I said, let’s go for a walk. I explained how to pray to invite Jesus to forgive you and lead your life and invited him to pray. He wanted to pray so we did. The joy of Jesus was all over his face. He looked like a new person. I went over the difference between faith and feelings and gave him scriptures for assurance and then we boarded the van. I asked him if he wanted to share his decision with the team. He did and there was great celebration! No doubt there was a celebration in heaven too. And now I hope there is a celebration in wherever you are as you read.

I was thinking about this today as I reflected on the mission trip. There are so many things happening that are good and I’m seeing them from my point of view. This is my trip and it is about me getting my needs met, right? I know better but often that is the way I’m feeling before I think it through.

And then it hit me. Regardless of what I think or you think about what is happening in our story the reality is that we are NOT the main character. The main character in every story is Jesus—but we don’t always recognize that. There are periods of time where we don’t see Him at all. That doesn’t mean that He isn’t there. It just means that we don’t perceive where or how He is working. Another problem is that even when we see Him we don’t realize it’s not about me!

Every story is really His story. History is His story. We come in and out of the grander story like actors who have a bit part. We mustn’t get confused that the story is about us or it doesn’t make sense. Realizing it is really His story and we have a small part to play brings many things, formerly confusing, into clarity.

Thinking about my story in this way causes me to interpret life more accurately. I think to look for Him everywhere. I remember to keep Him in the center—well, I try anyway. Thinking this thought this morning was like tumblers falling into place. It was exactly the orientation I needed.

This year I met my translator and he told me, are you ready for this, that he is the boyfriend of the previous translator.  I couldn’t believe it! That was two years ago! This is a new team! I was in a completely different part of the country!

As we sat and talked today I found it surreal that I was sitting next to the very person I’d prayed to come to Christ. I assumed he had chosen to follow Christ. I asked him to tell me the story and he said he is in the process of deciding. We had a great talk about Jesus, the Bible, faith and the things that only God can give—peace and purpose. I invited him to pray but he said he needs more time. He is reading the New Testament and has started attending church.

Can you believe this? Only God! What are the odds? I can hardly wait to see the rest of the story unfold. Will you pray with me for my new friend to know the love of Jesus personally? Thanks for your prayers so far—obviously they are working.