How much do we have to hate...

I came across this video on a blog and it real rocked me when I watched it.  It is the atheist Penn (of Penn and Teller fame) telling about receiving a Bible from a man.  The line that struck me was when he said, "if you believe someone was going to Hell, how much would you have to hate them to not tell them?"  Wow!

If we really believe what we say we live, then why do we not tell others.  Penn suggest that to not tell them is to hate them.  Messes with our theology on being missional.  Watch and be challenged:

Blessings

On Tuesday I was on the way to the office and was listening to the radio when a song played that stopped me in my tracks.  The song was Blessing by Laura Story.   I found out the song was released in April of this year.  Here is the lyrics:

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching(s) of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise


Starting Sunday I will begin a new message series entitled "WHY".  We will explore the truths of God's Word as it pertains to bad in the world.  I hope you plan on being at Fellowship Church as I believe God is going to heal some past hurts, prepares us for future hurts and help us understand God's grand plan for man.


I can't wait to see you Sunday and until them click here to listen to Laura Story sing Blessings.

Bill, Buster, Gas and God

Now that title probably has some of you wondering what this is about, I can only hope that it will cause you to read the blog in it's entirety as I believe you will be blessed.  No, this is not about people who ate bad food and smell really bad so get over that one.

It all started as we packed up out camper and headed home from Pigeon Forge.  The family and I took the weekend to spend some time together and enjoyed the rain (no really we did enjoy the fact that we just rested although we did get a little wet at times).  We crossed the Smoky Mountain's with ease and entered Franklin, NC, as we did I noticed my gas hand getting close to the 1/4 tank level and mentioned we would need gas.  I even had Tina look up the best gas prices on our route.  We continued on our way.

As you might imagine now some of what this story is about.  As we passed through Franklin, I decided to go on to Dillard for gas about 15 miles further, no problem given just under 1/4 tank of fuel right?  WRONG!  The truck began to sputter like it was out of gas, but the gauge reads as if I have fuel.  I have never had a problem with the gauge before.  The engine shut off and I wiggled like a Nascar driver hoping to suck enough fuel up to get us to the next gas pump.  We coasted probably 3 miles before it completely died.

I sat there wondering what to do next as it was raining very hard at the time.  I decided to walk up the drive way of the home we stopped in front of to ask for help.  This is where the story really begins to make me understand what was happening.  I knocked at the door and no one responded, so like most people I knocked again (not really I just didn't want to get wet walking to get gas).  Anyway I heard some stumbling and a man answered the door.  He told me he was sorry but had just had knee surgery and it took him a few minutes to get to me.

Embarrassed I told him about my dilemma and asked for his assistance.  He said he could help due to his health but offered to call someone for me.  After calling several people and getting the same no answer response he said, "I can't let a fellow camper down when they need help" and began to put his shoes on, to which I objected.  We walked to the door and saw that someone had stopped to help.  I expressed my appreciation and walked down to the truck to see what kind of help I was getting.  There I found Bill talking to Tina through the window and we introduced one another.  Bill offered to take me to Dillard for gas and off we went, while his wife and kids waiting with Tina in another car as they were traveling separate.  Come to find out Bill was raised in Habersham as a boy and we talked about some of his family, he even told me about coming to Christ under the leadership of pastor Billy Burrell.  He had seen me coming up the hill at Dillsboro and had stopped for something in Franklin, passed us broke down and turned around to help.  I was amazed at how God placed someone to help me just when I needed it.

But that is not the story that I want you to know.  I realized after I talked to Buster, the man's house the truck finally quit in front of.  When the truck started to run out of fuel it kept running for several miles to his drive way and I believe it was for a reason.  How do I know?  Well I run out of gas more than the average person and I know my truck.  When I have run out of gas before it just dies and will not restart.  That is why I could not believe I was on empty because it ran for so long before completely dying.  Anyway God had plans for me and that is why my gauge is off this time.

During my time with Buster, before Bill stopped, he told me about his life.  He was recovering from knee replacement a week before.  He had a camper behind his house and I asked did he camp and he said not anymore.  He then told me why.  Buster's wife of many years suddenly began to hurt in her back and upper chest about 8-10 months ago.  He took her to NEGMC and they found she had cancer.  She died 18 days later.  He said, "I just can't imagine camping without her!"  My heart connected with Buster and it broke for his pain.  We had more conversation and I learned in 15 minutes all about Buster a man on the mend.

Bill had taken me back with the fuel and I put it in the truck, it cranked right up and sure enough it was out of gas, go figure.  Bill assured me he would follow me home "as insurance" he told me, I asked for his contact information and we shock hands.  As I turned I saw Buster on the porch of that old house waving, I looked at Bill and said, "You know Bill, God orchestrated this whole event, Buster needed me to stop by his house today".  Bill looked at me really crazy, but I think he got it.

Before I left that front yard I ran up the yard to Buster's front door.  He was standing there watching the crazy guy who ran out of gas in front of his house.  I told Buster I had thought about him as we went for gas and prayed for him.  He said thank you and I asked if I might pray with him there on his porch, he responded with delight and we prayed together.  I said good bye, returned to the truck and off we went to our home.

Bill called several times along the way to check on us and I am thankful for his generosity.  He told me as we rode for gas, "I don't do this ever, my wife told me not to, but something caused me to turn around!"  I know what it was, it was God working out all the details for me to meet Bill and Buster to get gas.

Starting this Sunday September 11 I will begin a new series called "WHY".  Why does bad things happen and what role do we play in God's master plan.  I hope you make plans to be there every week.

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Haiti Day Three Aug 11

Day Three (Monday)

The work week for Haitians is in full swing as the traffic we experienced was a little bit crazier than our previous outings.  I can say for sure it was not near as bad as my last trip to Haiti.  Today would have us visiting a tent city called Canaan. Just about 2 miles from the Mission House one of our interpreters got sick and had what he defined as a weird feeling, we turned around and returned to the house.  John our guide talked with the interpreter and found out he had talked to a brother who warned him that a voodoo practicer would get him if he continued his work.  Haiti’s type of Christianity includes voodoo.  As in most Creole cultures voodoo witches and doctors are prevalent and the people believe it is real.  As Christ followers we know that there is no force that  can harm us unless God allows it.  Our group gathered around the interpreter and prayed for him, it was a special time and I think it grew our team.   In American we don’t take spiritual warfare seriously, in Haiti Satan is at work all the time.  I Peter tells us Satan is seeking to destroy us and he will use anything it takes.  Following our prayer we began our journey again. We took the road into Port Au Prince and then cut our way through the many little cities along the way to Canaan.  As I noted before the ride is some of the best experiences for the senses.  As you ride along your eyes see hundreds, maybe thousands of people going somewhere.  Along each street their are entrepreneurs selling their wears.  A lady selling spices for the cooking, there was salts, peppers and cumin, each sack opened revealing the scents of their nature.  Next would be a child (maybe 10) selling “lou” or water as we know it in little plastic containers that looked like zip lock bags.  One would bit the end and squeeze the water into your mouth for refreshment.  Down the road a little you might find a chicken shop, where you can buy cooked or fresh chicken for you next meal.  Strangely there is no refrigeration to protect the raw meat from ruining in the 95+ degree heat.    Some carried their stores on their head.  As in many third world countries  this culture has learn to use their heads.  A small hanker-chef like cloth would be wound into a bowl shape, then the item being carried would rest on the flat top,  some used their hands to carry their whatever and others would not.  One man was selling bike parts, another cell phone cigarette chargers, then another fresh vegetables.  Once at Canaan we had prayer and broke up into 2 teams.  Each team would go from home to home praying and sharing with those who lived there.  The particular village we visited was situated with rows and rows of 12x15 one room houses with a small porch on the front and doors on the front and back with two windows.  Silver metal tin covered the roof and hurricane anchors were nailed for protects.  Not insulation, no floor covering, no glass windows (wood panel doors) and no interior walls.  It was surprising to see smiling faces at almost all the homes.  From door to door we would hear new stories and new troubles for us to consider.  There was one lady who had lost her husband, living with three kids and as she washed her clothes (front porch with two big pans) she shared how useless she felt and unneeded.  We talked with her for a while, prayed with her, shared verses with her and hugged her.  Another family invited us in, to sit down and talk, their story intriguing and sad, but their hope in Jesus strong and true.  She even asked if we would come again tomorrow and then the next day.  It was nothing for little children to be running around naked playing as normal children would play, but clothed in America.  We continued to pray with people in their homes and we privileged to see one young man come to Jesus.  As we visited we gave out candy to the children.  It was amazing how fast news travels without wires in a small village when candy is introduced.  Soon we had a large group of children with smiles and excitement wanting candy.  We were glad we could give candy to all the children who asked.  It seemed like we had just arrived with it was time to go.   From Canaan we traveled to the mass burial site in Haiti.  I had been on this ground before and it still seemed to have a saddening affect on me.  It is hard to believe that 250,000 people were buried below my feet and covered with stone.  I can’t help but wonder how many of them knew Jesus and then the thought of how many may have not.  If the Bible is true the gate is narrow and the lose was great.  The horror the thought sickens me as I walk this ground.  The travel home was quitter than normal as I think our team was considering what they had seen.

We would now travel through the most dangerous city in Haiti, City Solie.  This is the place where children have been known to carry guns.  As we drove through I prayed for the people I saw and wondered what must they be thinking.  Our tour would take us through the city and into downtown Port Au Prince.  We visited the Catholic church that was destroyed and then the National Palace which will have to be rebuilt.  More tours and we returned to the Mission House for the evening.

Haiti Day two August 11

Haiti Day Two

This morning starts as most days in Haiti with one exception, it’s Sunday, The Lord’s Day.  In Haiti there are many churches and many attend them.  Our team got up and dressed, loaded up the truck and off to church we went.  It is about a 15 minute ride to the church.  As we drove out of the compound and into the main roads we saw several families who had dress for church (Sunday best) and were walking.  To the best of my knowledge they would walk out to the main road (some miles) and catch a tap tap (Haitian taxi, an asian truck with a cattle bed all decorated up), then they would arrive at their church.  As we traveled up the main road a we encountered a large crowd along the side of the road and when we got closer we realized it was a funeral.  The streets were filled with people dressed for church walking to their places of worship.  My mind wondered how we in American would react to walking to church.  Further up the road we arrived at the church, it was packed.  We greeted and were greeted and then an usher took us to the front of the church and sat us as guest of honor.  As we entered the building I could tell we were fixin to have church.  The Spirit of the Lord was there and as the pre-service music played I watched as family after family filed in with smiles on their faces and they were dress in their best.  They were ready for worship and hearing the Word of God.  Amazingly the church was outfitted with all the equipment we have, the instruments were up to date, the sound system was kicking and their video projector shared the latest news and songs for all the see.  Promptly at 9:30 the choir director stood at the podium and he music changed.  The staff and elders all marched in from the back and it was on.  I expressed to our group later that even though I could not understand the words they were singing, I worshipped with them.  Some of the song were familiar tunes and I sang along in their language, it was uplifting to Jesus.  I was greatly blessed on this day to share in Communion with the church as it does every first Sunday.  It was very orderly and worshipful.  At this point we were about an hour and 10 minutes in and I thought the service was ending, but it was just beginning.  More music announcements, and welcome then the message.  Pastor Judes  preached from I Peter 1 a message entitled How to remain clean in an unclean world.  It was amazing and convicting.  I can see why this church in Haiti is growing.  Following church we were greeted by the congregation.  Pastor Judes was a very humble man and I felt blessed to be in the presence of a saint of God.  Pastor Judes wife is still in the states following a 3 month kidnapping, pray for her as she recovers.  We left the church and go changed and headed to a restaurant called Hot Fresh.  We all ordered and in Haitian fashion it too about 2.5 hours for us to eat lunch.  The food was ok but the conversations were priceless.  Our next journey took the team to the lookout point of Haiti.  From the top of the mountain you can over look the entire city of Port Au Prince.  Visually you see where the earthquake impacted the city and then you see seas of blue tarps everywhere.  This is my second trip to the point and my mind drifts back to the same thing, In Matthew Jesus was standing on a hillside and the Bible tells us that He looked on this with compassion, helpless, hurting and like sheep without a shepherd.  Haiti for me is that, a hurting nation flailing helplessly in red tape of government bureaucracy and international influence that keeps it from being a successful country.  The decent from the lookout point was interesting as we had planned to pick up Domino’s pizza for supper and had a little trouble finding it.  It did allow for us time to tour some of Port Au Prince and see several roads multiple times, but fun none the less.  Our day would end with the team sharing thoughts from their day.  Ready for day three.

Haiti Day One Aug 2011

Haiti day one.

We flew out this morning at 7:00 from ATL.  Leaving the church at 3:00 am was awful, even when we prayed Jesus was in bed and didn’t hear us (just kidding for those of you who can’t get it).  Our flight to Miami was uneventful.  It was fun to watch Kim McConnell and Nathan Lee fly for the first time.  But I think in the end they both really enjoyed flying.  The landing in Miami was crazy.  At first everyone thought we were on the ground and them we hit and bounced about five times and then stayed on the ground for the taxi.  We hit the ground and within 15 minutes we were boarding for Haiti.  Probably the fastest turn around every from me.  Once in the air you could tell that the low pressure system formally known as Emily was in the air, pretty bumpy but not all that bad.  Definitely not the worst turbulence I have ever experienced.  We did get to fly with two famous people going to Haiti.  Sean Penn and Tao Cruz?  They said something about a movie star and a rapper, both which I have no idea, guess I should have been impressed.  We found our way to the Guest House, I have to say the traffic was not bad at all.  I did see a woman begging at the same corner on the ride in, in fact you can see her picture at the church on the Haiti wall, she is looking in the back of the truck.  I told her it was great to see her and we went on.  Got our stuff in the house and ate a sandwich.  Soon we would be on our way to the Children’s Home.  There I found familiar friends in the children I had love on before.  This time I could see the growth in the children, even got to hold the two boys we picked up in City Solie who were near death.  They both had put on a lot of weight and looked great.  It was a little concerning that the children all seemed to have some type of colds.  Sniffles and low fevers, by the time we left some seemed to feel better.  We road back to the guest house and had a wonderful dinner.  Macorroni and cheese with bacon, french fries and tacos.  The lemonade was amazing.  Looking forward to an even better day tomorrow.  Thank you for your prayers.