Praying for President-elect Obama

This week we had the opportunity to cast our vote. Watching the democratic process is truly an amazing part of our country’s DNA.

One of the important passages for any American young person is the first time they join the ranks of the adult world and cast their vote as a responsible citizen. My son Robert voted for the first time this year. I picked him up from school and took him to the polling place, his former elementary school. As we walked into the school he remarked that it was very familiar and yet so different. He commented that it looked smaller than when he was younger. On that day he was not a student but a citizen casting a vote that would determine the next leaders of our nation. I told him what line to get in and checked to make sure he had his voter identification card and his driver’s license. Then I told him that he was on his own. His vote was his to cast as he saw fit. There was a sacred sense in it all.

Our sophisticated system of vote counting did not leave us wondering who would win for very long. That same night, we watched as the winner was declared and the looser graciously conceded. This seamless process of the transition of power is what makes this such an amazing country.

As I watched President-elect Obama and his family take the stage there was this great sense of history. It was in a profound way a triumph of our value that “all men are created equal”. One of the ugliest parts of our nation’s history is the story of racism. There is no way I can as a white man I can ever fully understand the wounds inflicted on those who were the victims of this kind of prejudice. Watching the tears of those who do understand moved me. President-elect Obama summed up this amazing passage when he told of the black woman over 100 years old who had cast her vote for him. She has lived through times when not all people were treated with the equality and respect that all human beings deserve. There were times when a black man could not sit anywhere he wanted on a bus, use any bathroom or be served in any restaurant he might choose. She marveled that she had lived to see the day that she could vote for a black man to be the President of the United States. I pray that the election of President Obama will serve to heal wounds in this nation that have for too long marked us.

It is now my responsibility as a Christ follower and an American citizen to pray for our new President. We are commanded to pray for those in authority. Our leaders succeed better with our prayers. There is this attitude of honor and respectful support that is both cultivated and expressed when we pray for our leaders. One of the great mysteries of being both a Christian and a citizen is this idea that we choose, but that God sovereignly directs that choosing. It is God who puts a man up. It is my privilege to be part of President-elect Obama’s prayer team.

My prayer has been specifically that as the mantle of leadership falls on him that he would in that very lonely place realize that he needs Divine wisdom and guidance. While the President is constantly surrounded with people he is also very much alone. I pray that he will early on look to God for direction and be strengthened supernaturally as he leads. I also pray that God will bless his precious family as they transition into the unique setting of the White House. May God bless President-elect Obama and his family. And may God bless America.

Bruce Wilkinson

LUNCH WITH BRUCE WILKINSON

Last week God set up an unexpected lunch with Bruce Wilkinson. He is the author of the best selling book, THE PRAYER OF JABEZ. This book sold 9 million copies and is estimated to have been read by 30 million people.

I first heard of Bruce Wilkinson while a student attending High Street. He was a guest speaker on Sunday and preached the sermon THE THREE CHAIRS. I can still remember the point of that message many years later. I also remember going through the Bible program, WALK THROUGH THE BIBLE. So you can see that for me it was quite an unexpected gift to be able to spend some 3 hours over lunch with this man.

It all started when he was the guest speaker at the radio stations Pastors Appreciation Lunch at Bass Pro Shop. His message was both thought provoking and compelling and focused on the need for the church to return to and emphasis on small groups and away from the once a week service focus. During his talk he stopped and said that he felt like God wanted him to come back to Springfield to talk further with pastors if there was any interest. He pulled out his calendar and said, I have one date left this month, October 23. If there are any pastors interested let me know. Many pastors indicated that they wanted him to return. When he sat down I felt led to offer to pay for his room if he came back. I took out a business card and quietly approached his table just before we were dismissed. I handed it to him and said that if he would come back, High Street would pay for his room. He whispered to me, "High Street. I remember being there with David Cavin."

We exchanged a few emails mostly with his assistant to arrange accommodations when he decided he was in fact coming. On the 23rd about 90 pastors got together at the Holiday Inn North for what was a 10-11 hour day with him. It was a very interesting and thought provoking day. At the end of the day he graciously handed out copies of his books. The group crowded around him waiting for his to sign a book. I only decided to approach him because Cindy was talking and the room had pretty much emptied. When I asked for the signature his assistant mentioned that High Street had taken care of their rooms. He thanked me, continued to sign and then looked at me and said, "I think we are suppose to talk. Can you talk tomorrow. I feel like we are suppose to spend time together." And so that is how it happened. We met at 11 and for 3 hours it was like having a special time with a mentor. He asked penetrating questions about myself, my family and ministry. At one point he asked if he could go to the church. We did go and he looked around and he prayed for me and the church standing in front of the auditorium. it was a special time.

I left the experience having received some personal instruction and some powerful encouragement. It was a great day. He is a man of faith. He asked God for some very difficult things and is not afraid to move in faith and try to do the impossible. He told me that he felt like God was going to bless High Street and said we would be one of those TURNAROUND CHURCHES. His faith was catching. It was a great and unexpected gift.

Great Missionary Stories

This is mission conference week. One of my favorite weeks of the year. We have missionaries from; India, Costa Rica, Mexico, Sweden, France, and Wales. Today we took them fishing on the lake near the Branson Landing. Some of our group caught some small fish. Others (like me) caught nothing. We did however have a great time getting to know our missionaries.

Richie from Wales told me how he was 24 years old when he really heard the gospel and got saved. It took 24 years and he lived in the United States. He described how he felt like life was going no where, with no purpose and was not sure what was wrong. He and his wife went to church and they were so impressed with the hospitality of the other young couples. They soon became regular attenders and even got involved by going on visitation. One night he was visiting with his pastor, Dennis Jennings (now Pastor of Cherry St. Baptist in Springfield) and listened to him share the gospel with the person they were visiting. They left and Richie told Dennis that he did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and was saved that night.

Paul Dedeyan from France described how as a Frenchman in the US Air Force he ended up in Texas. His friends asked him if was interested in going on a blind date. Being from France, he was not familiar with that term. He thought that meant going out with a blind girl. He said that he agreed and was told he would have to go meet her parents first. When he went to her house and met her parents she came out and he was thinking that she got around so well for a blind girl. She really wasn't blind. She later became his wife.

Sam Thomas from India told us tonight that he and his evangelistic team went to a new area to hold an open air meeting. They got all set up and since rainy season begins in June and it was only April they did not worry about rain. Just before their meeting as everyone was assembled, without a cloud in the sky it rained and did so for an hour and a half. By the time the rain quit every one had gone. Disappointed they went home that night. The next day they learned that they were in the area where there were some militant religious groups that had planned an attack on them during the meeting. The rain stopped not only their meeting but also this attack. God's protection is real and so necessary.

We exchanged funny stories about cross cultural moments and had a great time at the Schaffitzels for Tony's amazing ribs and Gaye's spectacular home made rolls. It was a good time. I look forward to more stories as the conference continues.

Cindy and I sat and watched the news today. The stock market has dropped and money has evaporated like the wind. Cindy mentioned how glad she was that we choose to give to missions even sacrificing investment opportunities to do so. She pointed out that money in the stock market had gone away but our investment in missions is something that endures throughout eternity.

The "Non-Athlete Athlete"

My son Robert recently put together, what is now one of my favorite videos. He is actually a much better athlete than he gives himself credit for. Hope you enjoy it. I actually make a cameo appearance towards the end. The truth is I was reading his script. I truly LOVE going to his games. Go Hornets! 

iTrain30

Reading for Day 30
September 30

Col. 4:16-18
Psalm 25:1-15
Prov. 6:6-11

Psalm 25:4 Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.

I think this is a great summary prayer. My desire truly is for God to show me the right path. This would be true for me personally including, shat I think, who I am and what I do. This would be true as I live out the different roles of my life; husband, father, son, brother, friend, pastor. To see a prayer like this in scripture assures me that God does show the right path and the right road to those who are seeking.

I pray that this 30 days of devotion will not end here. The reason for this exercise was to establish the personal discipline of a daily quiet time. Thank you for coming along this journey with me.

iTrain30

Reading for Day 29
September 29

Col. 4:7-15
Psalm 24:1-10
Prov. 6:1-5

Paul closes out the book of Colossians by mentioning 9 fellow workers by name. Paul is not shy about the love he has for these people. He sends Tychicus to find out about them. He describes Tychicus as a beloved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow servant. He then goes on to mention Onesimus and describes him as a faithful and beloved brother. He goes on to talk about the others and how there is this interconnected concern that is expressed not only in letters but through constant prayers for each other. Paul values people and relationships.

This passage reminds me that the people God has put around me are important and I should not take this blessing for granted. The greatest fellowship we have is with those who join us in serving the Lord. God is so good to surround me with great people. I truly love them and thank God for the great fellowship we enjoy.

God often brings people to my mind for prayer. Emails are a great way for me to pray for special requests. Our prayers for each other really do make a difference.

Well we have almost made to the end of our iTrain exercise. I have very much enjoyed this. I hope this has helped to establish your more firmly in your discipline of daily personal devotion. It has helped me stay on track personally. Your comments have been great to read. I don’t know that I have ever been a part of a personal devotion group like this before. I loved it. Thanks for coming along on this journey. I will miss this when we are done.

Reading for Day 30
September 30

Col. 4:16-18
Psalm 25:1-15
Prov. 6:6-11

iTrain30

Reading for Day 28
September 28

Col. 4:1-6
Psalm 23:1-6
Prov. 5:22-23

There is something amazing about Psalm 23. The idea of having God shepherd us is very securing. His promise is to provide all we need, green pastures and calm waters. He renews strength and leads us down right paths. The darkest valleys of life may scare us but He promises to walk with us. He will tap us with his staff to correct and guide us. There is great comfort from the rod’s constant nudging because it means my Shepherd is still with me. I can deal with the conflict of enemies and find peace in the middle of it all to sit down to a banquet. He blesses me to the point that my cup runs over. And surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Now that brings me a great sense of security when I face the uncertainty of the future. How great is it to have a God who is this involved in my life. A God who cares enough to do all this for me. This Psalm is surely one that deserves to be memorized. That way it can go with me everywhere.

Reading for Day 29
September 29

Col. 4:7-15
Psalm 24:1-10
Prov. 6:1-5