Going Worldwide

Hello again dear readers and friends. It has been a long time since I posted to my blog. My apologies. This has been a rough year in many ways, but also a good year of breakthroughs. First, a recap of the rough. I was repeatedly ill most of January through the middle of May. This has been a long season of illness, new meds, and dealing with unpleasant side effects. I have been forced to learn that life now consists of good days and bad days. All my life I worked hard to push through difficulties. I've been mostly successful. But this isn't American Ninja Warrior. As I rapidly approach my 70th year on the planet, I'm learning to slow down and readjust to a new normal. Honestly, I don't like it.

Challenges

Challenges

As many of you, family, friends, and acquaintances, have communicated with me during this season, I am keenly aware that I'm not the only one facing what appear to be large obstacles in our personal lives. In addition, there is the state of the world. I am concerned for my friends that are in jeopardy every day in many nations simply for their belief in Jesus. What can I say to them? How can I encourage and pray for them? These are perilous times. I take comfort in the knowledge that God remains in control of the affairs of mankind, nations, and spiritual battles, unregulated by my limited understanding, errant thoughts, wayward feelings, and deep concerns. Those are the challenges. Did I mention breakthroughs? Well, yes. There have been many. I am happy to share one of them.

Breakthroughs

Recently, two dear friends returned to the Philippines to celebrate with their home church family as it observed a big milestone and anniversary. This faithful couple planted several churches in their home country and served as missionaries in other Southeastern nations. The seeds they planted and watered produced a tremendous amount of growth and faith in large numbers of people across the region. The small churches they planted multiplied exponentially by the grace of God, and now there is a large network of churches that have sprung up in many nations. It's amazing to see the large and strong church family tree that grew from those small, original plantings.

Philippine Convention

Going Worldwide

When our efforts are recognized and rewarded, it is a wonderful thing. Maybe you've experienced this or wish you could. It doesn't always work that way in life and we were very happy for our friends. They were able to spend a good deal of precious time with their extended family enjoying the fruit of their labors. Their lives of sacrifice and service in the cause of Christ have helped so many people. Now, their legacy is truly going worldwide!

What Is Church?

What Is Church?

Imagine my surprise when they indicated they would like to take some of my What Is Church? books to present to pastors and leaders during the celebration. I was truly humbled that they thought this would be a good gift for the leaders they helped train and equip to lead the church in the Philippines and elsewhere. I happily provided all the copies they could carry with them, and they distributed them liberally. I pray that God will speak to people through these pages and that His love will be made ever more evident to them. My hope is that will happen not just through the words I shared, but through the testimonies of many lives that have been transformed by the saving grace of Jesus.

Going Worldwide

This has been a great encouragement to me during this season of illness, aging, and reevaluating my expectations. I am blessed that God continues to use my meager gifts and feeble labors to bless and help others find the love of God through the community of faith that exists only in the Church of Jesus Christ.

Restoration

One last update. I am happy to report that, after our entire congregation prayed for me on a recent Sunday morning, I have physically recovered back to where I was at the end of 2024. Thank God for restored health and strength! Thank God for His faithful family that prays and believes not just this once, but on the regular. Thank God for that one courageous friend that boldly challenged me to ask for prayer from our congregation. I'm not good at that. I'm better at praying for others. He left me no choice if I was to be obedient to God. Being more open and asking for help from my friends and family when I am weak is a lesson I am having to learn. In that, and in so many other areas, I am truly blessed. I hope you will be too.

This Is Church - The Family of God

Finally, I want to express my love and friendship to you along with my wish that your journey through this life is likewise marked by love, grace, and peace. If you ever need someone to pray for you, please send me a message. I'm happy to stand with you in the hard places, as others have done for me. As always, thanks for reading. Have a great Summer!