Saturday, July 30, 2011

real or just professing repentance

 "I just can't believe it," Malcolm  whispered to me.  I entered his unit at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent just as he received a report from a community corrections officer that reflected most recent violations while he was out for just one week.

This time, I just listened and asked questions.  I wanted him to get out his feelings and responses in a safe place. I listened more.  In the times we met over the past weeks, I don't a recognize repentant spirit.  He isn't doing anything wrong and the people he is doing it with are agreeable.  He has his Bible with him but isn't connecting, yet.  He "says" he is a Christian.  Charles Spurgeon called this kind of man "a professor."

I distribute tracts and sermons by J. C. Ryle.  I am reading an entire sermon on Luke 13:3 and repentance for myself, this weekend.

Repent or Perish

"1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them,“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

On Friday afternoon, 1:45-3:15, I substituted for Mary Ann Morbley as the MRJC "proctor" for the Muslim service.  Since the Muslims only bring one person to their service, we provide a second person so they can have their services.  The service allows for men to actively participate on a sheet laying on the floor and others to observe and ask questions at the conclusion of the service.

I don't do this service often but I am amazed how some of our men, including this particular time, who are actively involved in Bible study and appear to be Christians attend these services.

The eman spoke very carefully about amassing as many good works as possible to balance the bad things before you die and so enter heaven.  I was pleased to hear the actual teaching so I might know how to respond to a Muslim should I get a chance to share and to other men who are confronted with Muslim teachings.


Five marks of true repentance
By J. C. Ryle

True repentance is never alone in the heart of any person. It always has a companion—a blessed companion. It is always accompanied by lively faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wherever faith is, there is repentance; wherever repentance is, there is always faith. I do not decide which comes first—whether repentance comes before faith, or faith before repentance. But I am bold to say that the two graces are never found separate, one from the other.

J. C. Ryle

Five things repentance produces
Knowledge of Sin 
 They discover, to their surprise, that in thinking themselves a “good sort of person,” and a person with a “good heart,” they have been under a huge delusion. They find out that, in reality, they are wicked, and guilty, and corrupt, and evil in God’s sight. Their pride breaks down. Their high thoughts melt away. They see that they are a great sinner. This is the first step in true repentance.

 

Sorrow for sin

The heart of a repentant person is touched with deep remorse because of their past transgressions. They are cut to the heart to think that they have lived so madly and so wickedly. They mourn over time wasted, over talents misspent, over God dishonored, over their own soul being injured. The remembrance of these things is grievous to them. The burden of these things is sometimes almost intolerable. When a person sorrows like this, you have the second step in true repentance.

 Confession of sin 

The tongue of a repentant person is loosed. They feel they must speak to that God against whom they have sinned. Something within them tells them they must cry to God, and pray to God, and talk with God, about the state of their own soul. They must pour out their heart, and acknowledge their iniquities, at the throne of grace.


They carry a heavy burden within them, and they can no longer keep silent. They can keep nothing back. They will not hide anything. They go before God, pleading nothing for themselves, and are willing to say, “I have sinned against heaven and before You—my iniquity is great. God be merciful to me, a sinner!” When a person goes thus to God in confession, you have the third step in true repentance.

 Breaking off from sin

True repentance shows itself in a thorough breaking off from sin. The life of a repentant person is altered. The course of their daily conduct is entirely changed. A new King reigns within their heart. They put off the old man. What God commands they now desire to practice; and what God forbids they now desire to avoid. 

They strive in all ways to keep clear of sin, to fight with sin, to war with sin, to get the victory over sin. They cease to do evil. They learn to do well. They break off sharply from bad ways and bad companions. They labor, however feebly, to live a new life.

 Deep hatred of sin

True repentance shows itself by producing in the heart a settled habit of deep hatred of all sin. The mind of a repentant person becomes a mind habitually holy. They abhor that which is evil, and cleaves to that which is good. They delight in the law of God. They come short of their own desires not infrequently. They find in themselves an evil principle warring against the spirit of God. 

They find themselves cold when they would be hot; backward when they would be forward; heavy when they would be lively in God’s service. They are deeply conscious of their own infirmities. They groan under a sense of indwelling corruption.  

But still, for all that, the general bias of their heart is towards God, and away from evil. They can say with David, “I count all Your precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate every false way” (Psalm. 119:128).

Monday, July 18, 2011

Transition from Fort Macleod to Kent

From FM to home, now
Our FSM missions trip to Fort Macleod was a higher spiritual mountain than I ever realized for me.  We saw the Lord work mightily in us, first. Then He worked through us.  The Lord ministered to us. The host church and youth in FM ministered to us. The many hosts at the Alliance Church were humble servants.  I enjoyed several heart talks with Pastor Ralph. 

Jeff Jacobsen asked or reflected on what the short and long-term results will look like at the Alliance Church.  We are praying with them.  

I am praying with Pastor Ralph, Gerri-Jo and for all the youth there--Cheyenne, Ty, Sam, Gillian, and so many more. Cheyenne became part of our team and I really missed her on the trip home and even on Sunday.  

Or, my commitment is to pray and I am asking the Lord to give me the strength to do it otherwise I will have only great intentions like in so many other areas and it will slip into a back burner experience.

I have a whole other set of faith prayers.  What will the results look like in my own life and then with our Faith Student Missions group at our home Faith Church?  The idea we are focusing on with our youth now in transition is follow-through on Mission 51.  We are home, now.  I am home.  I head right back down to the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, today, recharged to see what the Lord has for me there.

One scene stays in my mind as we drove away from FM.  The area where we shared testimonies in Centennial Park was quiet and empty.  Who might use the model we employed there after we leave?  Will we be able to do the same kind of ministry at Lake Meridian?  What will our student outreach become here?  What real growth and change will we see with our own youth with their peers in church and at their high school missions settings?

Right at Faith Church, we began our own Mega Sports Camp VBS, last night, with our volunteer training and walk-through.  We already have 300 pre-registered.  I am praying for the Lord's increase.  We may even need more help from volunteers over and above the amazing team that gathered with Angie Swanson, last night.

The theme for me is very timely, "Go the distance," from 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
Go the distance!
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

So, the faithful work continues and right with our youth.  One very caring mother shared with me about her son's journey.  I had been thinking and praying for him, even on the trip to Alberta.  I asked the Lord, why wasn't he with us?  What's goin' on with him?  I started to find out, Sunday night.  I was in tears within my heart.  That was very good.

It's not about all those other kids in Canada where we just leftI am praying with them, too. The Lord is working out His glorious purposes in my own life and with us, right here.  We are His servants where He has us planted right here.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Friday testimonies in the park

Alliance Church
Our teams finished VBS ministries at the Anglican and Alliance Churches, Friday.  The Anglican team helped with snacks, games, and encouragement.  There ended up being 16 students most of the week.  

The Alliance VBS started from scratch Sunday and we started with 7 and finished with 32.

We will be reuniting with the Pincher Creek team and beginning our trek back to Kent beginning Saturday morning. 

VBS in two churches
Our Anglican VBS team was Dawna Mitchell, Jordan Kelly, Nathan Ruter, and Camden Hartliep.  I was proud of our team because they were away from their peers and they served with a joyful spirit.  Each of them jumped right in with the kids through every part of the program with everything they were asked to do.  This VBS was run by most senior adults who really care about kids and expressed genuine appreciation for our kids.  The theme was, "Jungle adventure."  They were faithful to lead the kids right out of the box.

The Alliance VBS was based on a "Gospel Journey" theme with Mikayla Kagle and Jeff Jacobsen taking the lead.  Our youth team was equally awesome and was blessed by several Fort Macleod teens who jumped right in to support the work. Our kids canvassed the community throughout te week to support the Alliance VBS and the evening Centennial Park outreach and after-party back at the church.

Roles at Alliance VBS:
Tabitha Lovell and Sarah Blair: crafts, skits, song motions
Christine Benner: teaching, support Mikayla, crafts, song motions
Derek Allen and Austin Sisley: teaching
Brandon Haynes: games
Luke Jacobsen: led music with guitar
Beck Denney: skits

The themes were:
God created us to be with Him.  Genesis 1:27  Creation story
Our sins separate us from God.  Romans 3:10-11 Cain and Abel story
Sins cannot be removed by good deeds.  Ephesians 2:8-9 
Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again, 1 Cor. 15:3-4   Resurrection
Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life
     and
Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever.  John 3:16 Nicodemus and Jesus story

Rodeo clean-up
Our kids picked rocks, moved dirt, cut back plants, painted, mowed, cleaned and swept in the pavilion, and picked up garbage Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at the Midnight Stadium rodeo grounds.  Today, a group served at a church family home to do clean-up.


Park outreach
Tonight, we hosted about 20 FM youth who enjoyed volleyball, frisbee, and steal the flag, and just hangin'.  Then, we had testimonies from our team--Luke Jacobsen, Austin Sisley, Nathan Ruter, and Chris DellickerEach of our kids spoke during the nightly sessions about tehir struggles, journeys, and how they are looking at where tehy are at with Jesus.  

Pastor Ralph from the Alliance Church pulled me aside after the time at Centennial Park to share that two messages, one on Monday and another tonight, revealed deep struggles that led some to strongly consider suicide.  A particular FM adult was profoundly touched by what each shared. 

Then, there was the last youth from our team to share in Nathan Ruter.  Nathan shared with amazing clarity and force that brought me to tears.  He shared about being deeply impacted by alcoholism in a very close female person in his life. He was wounded and betrayed.  The Lord brought him face-to-face with 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 as he experienced and gave the love of Jesus toward the special one and others all around him.

The way of love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-2

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Sharing the greatest news ever

I was blessed to share the gospel good news with Sally and Tim, both 15 year-old Fort Macleod students who are connected with our youth at our evening outreaches at Centennial Park and are staying for our after-parties at the Alliance Church.

I woke about 6:10 this Thursday morning and was sitting in a fellowship area when Sally came down the stairs. I didn't know why I was just sitting there except to wake up and enjoy the quiet of the morning.  We introduced ourselves and began to talk.

                                      Sally
Sally attends a Mormon stake house in town but immediately said she didn't believe, "I shouldn't be forced to have babies to fill heaven and especially if my husband turned out to be an evil man."  Later, she asked, "Won't my good works get me to heaven?"

There are two stake houses in Fort Macleod, population 3,600, that serve four LDS services with 2,000 for the surrounding area.

Astounding!  This was a Divine Appointment.  I began to pray and asked if she would like to read some Bible verses with me.  I collected two NIV Bibles and I had her read with me through Romans 1:16-17, 3:10-11 and 21-24, 4:4-5, 5:6-8, 6:23, 8:1, 10:11-13 and 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

Several times the issue of good works is addressed within those verses.  She was on the brink of tears throughout our precious time together.  

She understood and received the truth and clearly embraced the Good News for her life.  She made some kind of decision for Christ at 13. Her parents were very angry as they attend the FM stake house. She cannot read a Bible at home nor attend a Christian church, now. Sally's response was very genuine.  I am entrusting Sally's care to our Great God, the Lord of the harvest. 


I had her start a personal letter to God about where she has been and where she stands, right now.  She shared she finished it and was rejoicing amazed when she reread it later in the day.  Sally shared throughout the day with several of our youth group, Pastor Aaron, and the FM youth about the step she took to receive Christ.  I am just jumping up and down in astounding joy!


                                            Tim
I enjoyed a real outstanding conversation with Tim's step-mom earlier this week and we saw each other at breakfast, this morning.  Tim also comes to Centennial Park and our after parties.  He is very friendly and agreed to come apart tonight and share with me on a park bench. Tim is warm and has a friendly, inviting smile.

When Tim appeared at the park this evening, Jeff Jacobsen and I prayed for our outreach and my heart to speak with Tim.  He shared very openly about his family and his dad's very recent threatening stroke that was very similar to my own dad's situation in 1980. 

Prayerfully, I addressed the issue of faith and addictions which he shared earlier in the week with our large group.  He listened carefully as we read Romans 4:20-24, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and John 1:12-13. 

He stumbled over believing God would forgive his sins and knowing he will continue to sin regularly.  I talked about life and faith being a long journey.  The Lord Jesus is faithful to catch him and hold him safely throughout life.  We left it with 1 John 5:11-12.  The Lord impressed on me He Himself is working around Tim and I should leave him with, "he who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son does not have life."

I shared, "Every man, woman, boy and girl either has the Son or does not have the Son, Tim.  It doesn't appear you have the Son so you don't have life.  That can change, right now. You don't need me to make that decision.  You can surrender to Jesus and receive Him."  

His journey continues.  I may see him Friday evening.


                             Family time with FM youth
Jeff Jacobsen and I hosted four FM youth this afternoon and encouraged them with their own awesome youth group and their personal spiritual journeys.  Tonight, Judy, one of the four, came in at the after-party and prayed with Mikayla about taking huge steps in her commitment to Jesus.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Family time with our FM team

The entire team enjoyed building each other up at our family time this afternoon in the sanctuary of the Alliance Church as part of our Faith Student Ministries mission in Fort Macleod.

Pastor Aaron gathered our team after lunch to communicate what we are seeing the Lord do through each of our team and then to connect with one another about needs we are sensing.  As this is Wednesday, it is the middle of the week so we want to keep focused as we seek to finish faithfully.

Here are reflections on each of our team members:
Austin: sensitive to others, growing as he teaches the Bible stories
Derek: willing to stick with projects, listener to peers, searching
Brandon: servant leader in painting at Rodeo Midnight Stadium, growing
Luke: enjoys having awesome fun, sensitive, smiling, leads music
Nathan: kids just love him, jumps right in at Anglican Church, all-star
Camden: "Mr. Awesome" with boys in soccer at Anglican Church, all-star
Dawna: Growing great heart for children, leading games at Anglican Church, all-star
Jordan: Runs out to talk with community teens, joyful, kids love her, all-star
Sarah: listener, doing skits with Becky and Tabitha, coming out in Christ
Christine: dependable, servant-leader whenever asked, relates well to all
Tabitha: ear to relationships and group, loves skits, cares deeply
Becky: bubbly, enthusiastic, loves everyone, connects with community teens
Mikayla: servant leader at VBS, connects with girls, genuinely sensitive to all
Jeff: faithful and active prayer warrior, currency manager at VBS, connecting with teens
Fuego: supports PA in anything he needs, cares about every member of our team
Pastor Aaron: reminds us we are dead to self and watching God do amazing things

Expanding work in Fort Macleod

We saw the Lord bring 14 to the Alliance VBS in the morning and 20 youth at our evening Centennial Park outreach Tuesday, both more than doubling our numbers from Monday, in our Faith Student Ministries missions trip in Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek, Alberta.

At the park, Dawna Mitchell and Tabitha Lovell gave their testimonies after awesome "steal the flag" and "ultimate frisbee" battles among the youth.

It was amazing to have 14 return to the church tonight for our after-party and prayer time at the Alliance Church.  We opened with worship songs and then discussed questions about genuine faith amidst real doubts and broken circumstances. Several asked real questions they are struggling with. 

How can I know God is real?
Why should I trust trhe Bible?
What can I do with my addictions?
Why should I trust Him when I am hurting because...?
Is God in control of the bad things? 

PA tried to answer their questions the best he could.  Once, a young lady asked a question and took off to take a phone call.  Where did she go?  I thought she had a question.  Maybe another one needed to think through the answer and hear what PA or somebody else said.

The Pincher Creek team is running full-speed, as well.  Friends may follow their progress on our blog.

As these days are unfolding here, I am keeping up with and our Youthmark Roadgrip devotional.  Today, we focused on Romans 12.  We are experiencing great things from the Lord yet I can choose to be so self-focused.  That could be minutes after I witnessed Him do awesome things.

He would have me daily, moment by moment, give myself to Him as a living sacrifice.  Romans12:11 says, "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." 

I spent the day reminding myself, meditating on a fervent spirit to serve Him with joy and gladness. 

Again, we spent the afternoon cleaning and painting at the Fort Macleod Rodeo Grounds.  I worked with Brandon Haynes, Becky Denney, Dawna Mitchell, and Sarah Blair to paint the riding shoots red inside the pavilion.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Packed Monday in Fort Macleod

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Fort Macleod--Today, we watched Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada after he ate lunch at an Italian restaurant and his body guards came over to the Igloo ice cream restaurant.  His party got in their SUVs and were in and out of town.

I enjoyed an awesome sharing time with Pastor Ralph Light from the Alliance Church, this morning.  Ralph and his congregation are feeding us three awesome meals and even snacks a day.  Some of the youth are faithfully joining us for many of our activities.

All of the kids have been astounding.

On this Monday, we started our Alliance VBS with seven kids run by our Mikayla and our students.  I took Dawna, Jordan, Nate, and Camden over to the Anglican Church to support their VBS. I was super, super proud of them! At the Alliance Church, we are praying for a huge breakthrough from the community that would build up God's Kingdom and the Alliance Church.  The Anglicans can support a maximum of 36 kids.

We picked rocks  on this grandstand area
After lunch, we went immediately to the FM rodeo grounds for clean-up all around the facility inside and out.  We went to the Igloo right after returning from the rodeo.

After dinner, we rejoiced to have eight high schoolers from the community join us for games, pop and chips, testimonies from 6:30 to 8:30 and then an after-party with them at the Alliance Church until 10 pm.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Beginning in Fort Macleod

Crowsnest Pass, Canadian Rockies
There isn't a photo that does justice to the glory of God in His creation as we drove into the Canadian Rockies on our Faith Student Ministries mission trip to Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod, Alberta on Saturday.

Our teams are settled now, 11 in PC and 18 in FM, ready to begin VBS and contact with youth in both towns on Monday.

We traveled to Spokane Friday night and stayed in a beautiful family home of he Sundin family.  Our kids were amazed by God's goodness to us through their amazing hospitality. 

Our travel time seemed significantly longer from Spokane to our Alberta destination Saturday morning.  Despite that, we were all stunned as we drove through the Canadian Rockies in southwestern Alberta.  

Our kids have been awesome.  The FM Alliance Church youth and overall body greeted us with genuine warmth.  Today, we attended church, prayer walked with some of the FM youth, and prepared for our newly-planned VBS.
Please pray for:
1. Our intercession around brokenness in FM.
2. Continued enthusiasm to engage with the youth.
3. VBS and outreach to community youth.
4. My gentleness in serving with our FM team.
5. Our hearts to abide in the word and to pray for what He is doing all around us here.


Friday, July 1, 2011

Together now to Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek

Our Acts study
This coming Thursday night and Friday morning, I will be participating in our Faith Baptist Church Together youth missions trip to Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, from July 9-15.

This missions trip is organized through Youthmark.  Several months ago, a group of about 30 adult leaders and students attended a training with several other area churches led by Brian Aaby, Youthmark founder, at Lake Retreat in Ravensdale.  

Fort Macleod team
Leaders:  Youth Pastor Aaron Bauer, Chris Dellicker, Mikayla Kagle, Jeff Jacobsen, and me.


Students:  Derek Allen, Camden Hartliep, Nathan Ruter, Luke Jacobsen, Brandon Haynes, Austin Sisley, Christine Benner, Kristina Neff, Jordan Kelly, Tabitha Lovell, Dawna Mitchell,  Sarah Blair, Becky Denney


Pincher Creek team
Leaders: Youth Pastor Aaron Bauer, Assistant Youth Pastor Topher Lindstrom, Justin Blair, Michele Denney, Christie Brakke


Students: Abbey Swanson, Lanh Watkins, Katherine McDonald, Sarah Jo Jones, Tiegan Heald, Kristen Haynes, Billy Denney, Will Amodie


Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod
We worked through "Anywhere,"  a Bible study in Acts to prepare us for this trip. We've focused on the themes during our Sunday morning Sunday School classes.

I've been mediating and praying through Ephesians 3:14-21 for each of us and this missions trip.







14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

We are preparing by praying and developing our testimonies. Sharing a testimony is a gospel conversation with listening and questions led by the Holy Spirit.

                         Our basic itinerary
                                  Travel 
 
Gather at Faith Baptist Church Thursday night
Leave very early Friday morning from Faith Baptist Church
Travel information: 619 miles on I-90 east through northern Idaho and into southwest Alberta and east to Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod

--11 hours, 13 minutes actual driving time to PC and then FM
Arrive Friday night with dinner at FM Alliance Church
Return after breakfast Friday, July 15

                                         Schedule during the week 
  • Sunday morning: Music and introductions in worship services
  • Monday-Friday, 9-noon, Serve in Daily VBS in FM and PC churches
  • Afternoons: Paint rodeo grounds in FM and other project
  • Evenings: Outreach to community and fellowship with host church youth--this is where we all share gospel conversation-testimonies.