Of Birds and Nests

As we have begun the search for where we'll live here in South Africa, I have found myself frustrated/discouraged/anxious at various times. Houses to buy are expensive. Houses to rent are small and expensive. I miss my cute, cozy, little house in Grandview! I keep telling myself that God has it under control and that He has a plan. I need to be patient and keep looking to Him. The "nester" in me wants to find my "nest" and get settled. I'd especially like to have a place so that our furniture can go directly in there when it arrives. We've been told the ship will dock on Christmas Day. That's a nice Christmas present. :}

Yesterday morning I was looking out at the deck (we are house-sitting for a friend right now) and saw 2 birds - a male and female. They both had something green in their mouths. I thought at first it was a big leaf, then I looked more closely and saw it was a big green grasshopper.......breakfast! I was struck by the thought that our Heavenly Father was caring and providing for them. I immediately knew He was saying to my heart that He would do the same for me.

"Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself." Psalms 84:3

I'm sure God has a "nest" for us here in our new country!

A Story of Redemption

I want to tell you a short story. It is a story about men who have paid a price for their crimes, and a story of redemption.

They were a rough looking bunch. All of them had multiple tattoos. A tattoo on one man's leg read, "My mother was an angel, my father was a devil, and that's why I am a criminal."

I noticed one inmate had knife scars and bullet wounds across his chest, stomach and back. Another man was lifted out of a wheel chair. A third man told one of our team members after he greeted him, "You are the first person to greet me from outside this prison in the eight years I have been here."

To baptize the men, I knelt on my knees in the children's inflatable swimming pool and they sat in the pool. Scores of their fellow inmates gathered around us as they were baptized one at a time. Several hundred more were in the courtyard, listening to the singing and preaching. Quite a few of those looking on were Muslims.

Greg was baptized, and so was Earl. These two men have led many of their friends to Jesus in the last eight months. They are the leaders of the church in the prison. Bible studies are held daily among the 1600 inmates in maximum security. Regular worship services take place on Sundays, led by Earl and Greg. They are family for each other.

Twenty-four inmates were baptized. When we gave the invitation after the baptizing had finished, three men made commitments to follow Jesus.

It was a good day at the maximum security prison. Jesus was celebrated. The good news story of creation, sin, redemption and fulfillment was told again. And brothers gave witness to their faith in Christ.

The unsung hero in this story is a young woman named Maritza. She is a social worker who has been working in the prison since 1997. Because of her faithfulness and witness, the church in the prison has been established and is growing. It is because of her love for the men, and her fearless courage to move among them in every section of the prison, that their lives are being transformed.

Thank you for praying. It was one of the highlights of my life.

Yours,

Floyd

A New Land and Home

Leaving home, family, friends, your country, your security - I've done it before, but I don't think I can say it becomes "easy" because it's happened before. In the 7 very intense months we had of preparing for our move to South Africa, God's grace was certainly there each step of the way. There was almost a physical under-girding I could feel from the Lord.

On the flight from the U.S. to South Africa, as we were flying across the ocean, I felt an incredible sense of insecurity. It surprised me. It was as if everything known and familiar was gone (I'm sure saying goodbye to our grandkids on the phone didn't help) - and there was a big emptiness of the unknown. This, too, seemed almost physical and very huge.

I was able to immediately start talking to the Lord about it. His presence and comfort was so real and close at 35,000 feet!!! He is such a rock and security. I'm so grateful for His faithfulness.

There's still a lot of "unknown" things, but I know the One who will work them out. I'm sure His grace will be equally abundant on this side of the ocean.

So at age 58 and going thru things I've done before, I'm finding it all new and different......but God is the same. I'm so thankful for that.

Suffering and Sacrifice

The value we place on something is determined by how much we are willing to sacrifice to have it and keep it. If we are willing to give up everything to have something, then it's worth is supreme to us.

In Matthew 13:44 a man was willing to sacrifice everything he had to buy a hidden treasure. The extent of his sacrifice and the depth of his joy displays the worth he put on the treasure.

"The cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise God-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." Dietrich Bonhoeffer (The Cost of Discipleship, Macmillian, p.99)

To take up one's cross and follow Jesus means to join him in all he went through with a resolve to suffer and die so that his supreme worth might be found by others.

Mark 8:34, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take us his cross and follow me."

THE PRIVILEGE OF SUFFERING FOR JESUS

Following Jesus means that we go wherever obedience requires, no matter the cost in sacrifice and suffering. It means following him to the garden in all the Good Friday's of our lives. Suffering is the privilege of every believer, but especially of those who are willing to pay the price of finding the hidden pearl of great price among an unreached people.

"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Philippians 1:29

David Barrett estimates that in 1993  there were 150,000 Christian martyrs. ("Status of Global Mission, 1993" International Bulletin of Missionary Research, 17/1, Jan., 1993, p. 23).

The true sign that a person has died and their life is hidden with Christ in God is their willingness to suffer and make sacrifice for Jesus. The whole point of being crucified with Christ is not that it takes the place of physical suffering and sacrifice, but that it prepares us to take risks, suffer pain, endure abuse, give up rights and even die without despair.

His suffering for us does not mean we are to escape suffering for him. On the contrary, his sacrifice enables us to leave father and mother and houses and lands, for his sake and for the gospel. It would be a great mistake to say that since Christ died for me, I don't need to die for others, or since he suffered for me I don't need to suffer for others.

The reason he died for us is so that we would not have to die for sin, not so that we would not have to suffer or die for others. The call to suffer with Christ is not a call to bear our sins the way he bore them but to love people the way he loved them. Because he died in my place I do not need to cling any longer to the comforts of earth to find my security and significance. I can be content in his love and let things and people go for the sake of making  Christ known.

We must not water down the call to suffer nor translate the New Testament call to sacrifice in Western cultural terms, e.g., giving up coffee, a middle-class house, a new car, our hair dryer or curling iron, sports, etc. A few cultural adjustments do not match what Jesus meant when he called us to take up our cross. There is a great danger in making our comfortable lives and the few little things we occasionally give up the standard of sacrifice. Jesus example is the one for us to follow.

Jesus came into the world to die for others. "The son of man must suffer many things." Mk 8:31. Because this was his vocation, suffering also becomes the vocation of those who follow him.  It is implied in his commission, "As the father has sent me, even so I send you." John 20:21  He made it explicit when he said, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." John 15:20

In his two letters Peter makes it clear that the death of Christ is a pattern to be followed by his disciples:

1 Peter 2:21, "For to this have you been called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

We have been called to suffer. It is the vocation of the obedient Follower of Jesus.  Don't make the mistake of saying that Peter's words were addressed to slaves with cruel masters, so it does not apply to us. In 1 Peter 3:8-9 Peter addresses all of us when he says, "Finally, all of you...for to this have you been called..."(See also 1 Peter 4:1,2,12, 5:9). Suffering involves loving those who are outcasts and unloved by society and by the institutional church.

PREPARATION FOR SUFFERING

We are prepared for suffering by being armed with this truth: suffering is the vocation of the obedient follower of Jesus.

Peter prepared the believers in his day for the suffering they were to endure by arming them with this thought: since Christ suffered in the flesh, we should not be surprised that we will also suffer. 1 Peter 4:1-12.

Richard Wurmbrand endured 14 years of imprisonment and torture in Romania between 1948-1964.  Wurmbrand stresses the tremendous need to get spiritually ready to suffer. He says,

"What shall we do about these tortures? Will we be able to bear them? If I do not bear them I put in prison another fifty or sixty men whom I know, because that is what the communists wish from me, to betray those around me. And here comes the great need for the role of preparation for suffering which must start now. It is too difficult to prepare yourself when ...they have put you in prison...

I remember my last confirmation class before I left Romania. I took a group of ten to fifteen boys and girls on a Sunday morning, not to a church, but to the zoo. Before thecage of lions I told them, "Your forefathers in faith were thrown before such wild beasts for their faith. Know that you also will have to suffer. You will not be thrown before lions, but you will have  to do with men who would be much worse than lions. Decide here and now if you wish to pledge allegiance to Christ. They had tears in their eyes when they said, "Yes."

We have to make the preparation now, before we are imprisoned. In prison you lose everything. You are undressed and given a  prisoners suit. No more nice furniture, nice carpets, or nice curtains. You do not have a wife any more and you do not have your children. You do not have your library and you never see a flower. Nothing of what makes life pleasant remains. Nobody resists who has not renounced the pleasures of life beforehand."

"Preparing the Underground Church," in Epiphany Journal,5/4, Summer, 1985, p. 46-48. Quoted by John Piper in Let the Nations Be Glad.

New Testament Prayers

Prayers in the New Testament for the Lost

I Timothy 2:1-4 - For all men, for Kings, those in authority

II Timothy 2:24-26 - For those who oppose the gospel to repent

II Timothy 4:14 - That the Lord would repay Alexander the coppersmith for his works

Matthew 6:10 - God to rule on the earth -everywhere! - a missions prayer

Acts 28:8 - For Publius to be healed

John 17:20 - For unbelievers to come to faith through the disciples

Matthew 6:12 - For those who trespass against us

Matthew 8:2 - The prayer of the leper to be healed

Matthew 8:5 - The supplication of the Roman -- centurion

Matthew 8:28 - For deliverance of the demonic

Matthew 9:27 - Plea for mercy of the two blind men

Matthew 15:22 - The Canaanite woman pleading for mercy

Matthew 17:15 - The demonized boys' father

Matthew 20:30 - Two blind men crying out for mercy

Choosing Your Passions

Last year I was separated from my wife for eight months. I saw her occasionally during that time, but it was for brief interludes and never alone. Sally was caring for my daughter Misha, who was suffering from a muscular disease called fibro-myalgia. We had agreed to try anything that had a remote promise of relief for Misha's extreme pain, so Sally took Misha to medical clinics in Florida and California in search of medical help.

I really can't complain about the long time of separation compared to what my daughter went through, but it had an effect on me. Especially the loneliness. Toward the end of our time of being apart, a work crew was doing renovation on our kitchen. I woke up in the morning to the sound of hammers and saws and went to bed with the smell of dust and varnish. I responded to all this by staying busy- from early morning until late at night. I hated coming home to an empty house.

This pattern of busyness continued when Sally returned. I stayed busy out of habit. I was hooked on the adrenaline of going, rushing, doing, being needed, and making decisions. Meanwhile, I was drying up inside. I hated the sense of spiritual emptiness it produced, and the superficial relationship I had with the Lord, but I subconsciously justified my condition because of my circumstances.

I learned one sure thing during this time: I could cruise along without spending much time with God. I could make do on grace. Later, I found out how bad things had gotten, but at the time I did not see it taking place. A subtle shift in my passions was going on. I wasn't as deeply concerned about the lost, the great commission, studying the word, and pressing into God to discern His will on the important decisions I was making.

The world outside my world seemed further away. I was less interested in loving people when they offended me, and I justified withdrawal from those who I couldn't get along with. I found myself backing away from challenges that previously had been a tremendous source of spiritual motivation to me. I started thinking about dying more, but in the wrong way. I no longer welcomed the opportunity to lay down my life for Jesus.

In short, my passion for Jesus and the things he is passionate about was withering away. The fire was there but not as bright as it used to be. Deception was setting in. Things that I never accepted in my life until that time were now becoming acceptable. Tragically, I did not see it happening. Until it was almost too late, that is.

After Sally and Misha were home for a few months, I decided I needed a few days away to take stock spiritually. I have done this on a regular basis all my life, so it was not a new venture. I knew I needed to get alone with God, but I didn't how bad things had gotten. Like the wise man said, you don't know how sick you are until you get well.

It was during that time of spiritual inventory that I allowed God to speak to me. I asked Him to convict me of anything that was grieving Him, and He did so. I made a simple decision to start fasting again, something I had not done in a long time. I also renewed the discipline of journaling - carrying on a running dialogue with the Lord about the spiritual state of my heart as He saw it. Those two things alone turned me on my ear. literally.

During those times of crying out to God and listening to Him, He began to speak. He led me to focus on my passions, what excited me, what was most important to me, what got me turned on spiritually and emotionally. Out of the wasteland of spiritual dryness and passionless relationship with Jesus, I became desperate to share his heart. I cried out that he would not just renew me, but that he would reveal to me what He is passionate about.

It was about that time that I received a review copy of a newly published book by Inter Varsity Press. The title intrigued me: Six Dangerous Questions. The book was written by a friend, Paul Borthwick, so I was hooked. I wanted to know what the six dangerous questions were that Paul thought we should ask.

That little book and those six questions hit me between the eyes. (Sorry, I am not going to tell you what the questions are - you are going to have to read the book for yourself to find out!) Paul introduced the questions by revisiting the importance of having a consistently Christian worldview that actually affects the way we live. I was struck by the thought that it is possible, indeed it is common, to have evangelical beliefs while guided by a Babylonian heart. We can believe one thing with our head and live another way from our heart. Paul stressed the importance of our core values being consistent with our beliefs.

I jumped off from there in my deliberations and asked myself how it is that people develop core values, or passions, that are inconsistent with their beliefs. Borthwick said something that helped me work through this line of thinking. He said that there are three sources for a world view:

• life experiences

• beliefs

• self-interests

Life experiences can certainly influence a person to live in consistently with their beliefs. For example, if a person does not work through hurtful relationships in the right way, they will withdraw from the one who hurt them, or become bitter. Forgiveness is not optional for a follower of Jesus. And true forgiveness means letting go of the wrong done, to the extent that there is no withdrawal or avoidance going on.

Something I have learned about withdrawals is that it cannot be selective in nature. If you withdraw from a person, you have also withdrawn from the Lord. It may not become obvious, especially if we deceive ourselves by spiritualizing our actions, covering it up with pious platitudes, etc. (For example, "I have forgiven them, I just don't want to be around them, that's all." Or, I've done my part, now it's up to them." Or, "God knows my heart.") The point is: if you withdraw from a person, you have put a wall, and that means you are drawing a line and refusing to cross over it. Further, withdrawal is an act of self-preservation of self-protection. To protect oneself is a spiritual direction in life. It is statement about what is most valuable to you: your own life. It means we have made self-protection a higher value than laying down our lives. The two are incompatible. They are opposing goals, two foundational building blocks of opposing world views. To be a Christian is to take up our cross and follow Jesus, to die to self. And if we have died to self, then that death is to be worked out in every dimension and every relationship of our lives.

Life experiences, especially the hurtful kind can lead to inner vows that determine ones passions: a passion to love, forgive and reach out to others no matter the personal cost, or a passionate commitment to protect, preserve and provide for ones own needs and rights. It is these quiet, sometimes subconscious inner vows that make up one's core values and therefore determined the passions of our heart.

It is sad to see a poor girl scheme to marry a rich man, determined never to live in poverty again. Or a hurt Christian focus their life direction around the vow to never get hurt by another over bearing spiritual leader. Or a workaholic slaving to get ahead in life to prove their worth and significance. These are core values, lived out as passions, sometimes disguised and sometimes defended, but always convictions about how to live life.

What does all this have to do with choosing your passions? Stick with me while I share another conclusion I came to while on my little retreat last year. I startled myself one morning when I heard myself say outloud, "You can choose your passions, McClung. You don't have to be a prisoner of your past choices of the value system of America." You can choose your passions? Where did that thought come from, and what does it mean?

It has been a liberating thought, one that has given me the impetus to analyze my passions as best I can and make some radical choices about how I want to live and what I want to live for. At the heart of my relationship with God is a profound sense of freedom to choose. Not that I have the willpower to carry out my choices, or the motivation even to make them for the right reasons, but there is a deep sense of respect in how God treats me. I have experienced it like a divine courtship, a wooing of the Spirit to respond to the love of Jesus.

More than freedom to chose is the awareness of just how different Jesus really is to everything around me. I made a list recently of the core values of Jesus. Then I made a list of the core values of my own culture, the American way of life I was raised to love, cherish and be willing to defend against against any enemy who would dare to take it away from us.

I concluded that Jesus stood for servanthood, sacrifice, dying to rights, humility, purity, and immense goodness and righteousness. Over and against that is what is most important to Americans: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, comfort, security, tolerance, personal rights, status, power, wealth and fun. There is more, but that is enough to make the comparison. In making this list I was stunned by how deeply my own self-interests and life experiences had shaped my passions and core values.

I was disappointed to conclude that I was more American than Christian in many of my core values!

While reading Borthwicks book I was simultaneously studying the gospel of Luke. I was surprised by a statement Jesus made in Luke 24, in which he stated to the disciples, on two occasions actually, that he was going to summarize the whole of the law of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets for them. His summary was breathtakingly short. In verses 44-47 he says,

"This is what I told you...everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. HE told them, 'This is what is written: the Christ will suffer, and rise again on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness will be preached in his name to all nations..."

Not only is it very short, but incredibly simple. Jesus says that the whole of the Christian life is about two things really: his death and resurrection and making that known to all the nations of the earth.

Is that what my life is all about? Is that the core value that gives impetus and meaning to all the other values that shape my life and passions?

I have decided to choose this to be the passion that is above all other passions, the core of the core. The reason for living the life of Christ. If that is the summary of the whole of the Bible I want it to be the summary of the whole of my life: Jesus and the world.

But that is easier said than done. And that is why I have decided to consciously, deliberately, by his grace, feed those two core passions. I have decided to fast and meditate on them. I choose them every day. Regularly I ask the Lord to reveal anything that is undermining this focus. I have looked long and hard at all other competing passions and I have chosen to kill them off.

I read books about Jesus and the nations. I have recognized a need for a values conversion in my life. I am focused on becoming a man who lives to make God happy, not vice versa. I have taken a good look at American cultural values and have decided to hate them. Why? Because they are the good life values that eat away at the Christ life. They are passion robbers. They appeal to my flesh. They feed what is selfish and self-preserving in me. They are opposed to the cross life, the life of the disciple of Jesus.

I have taken a good look at Jesus and how he lived his life and decided that is the way for me. If I want something more than Jesus, then what is it? And if I want something less than Jesus, why is it?

I have read and re-read the gospel and the book of Acts and decided to live like Jesus and the disciples. Pure and simple. Jesus is enough. I want to do church like they did it. Get rid of the complications and additions and excuses. Just do it like Jesus and like Paul.

Apostolic Passion

What is Apostolic Passion?

The term "passion" is used to describe everything from romance to hunger pangs. I don't know what it means to you, but for me passion means whatever a person is willing to suffer for. In fact, that's the root meaning of the word. It comes from the Latin paserre, to suffer. It is what you hunger for so intensely that you will sacrifice anything to have it. The word "apostle" means a sent one, a messenger. "Apostolic Passion," therefore, is a deliberate, intentional choice to live for the worship of Jesus in the nations. It has to do with being committed to the point of death to spreading His glory. It's the quality of those who are on fire for Jesus, who dream of the whole earth being covered with the Glory of the Lord.

I know when apostolic passion has died in my heart. It happens when I don't spend my quiet time dreaming of the time when Jesus will be worshipped in languages that aren't yet heard in heaven. I know it's missing from my life when I sing about heaven, but live as if earth is my home. Apostolic passion is dead in my heart when I dream more about sports, toys, places to go and people to see, than I do about the nations worshipping Jesus.

I have lost it, too, when I make decisions based on the danger involved, not the glory God will get. Those who have apostolic passion are planning to go, but willing to stay. You know you have it when you are deeply disappointed that God has not called you to leave your home and get out among those who have never heard His name. If you will not suffer and sacrifice for something, you are not passionate about it. If you say you will do anything for Jesus, but you don't suffer for Him then you aren't really passionate about Him and His purposes on earth.

If you don't have it, how do you go about getting this thing called apostolic passion? Is it like ordering pizza at the door in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed? Is there an 800 number to call? Or better yet, just send us your special gift of $15 or more, and we'll rush you some passion, express delivery, overnight mail. If you're like me, you need help figuring out how to grow this thing called passion. I am motivated by reading how the apostle Paul got it. He chose it.

Paul says in Romans 15 that it is his ambition, his passion, if you will to make Christ known. It began for him with a revelation of Jesus that he nurtured all his adult life. Paul not only encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, he kept on meeting Jesus every day. This revelation of Jesus, and his study of God's purposes, gave birth to Paul's apostolic passion. Knowing Jesus and making Him known consumed the rest of Paul's life. He "gloried in Christ Jesus in his service to God" (Rom 15:17). By comparison, everything else was dung, garbage, stinking refuse. Paul's ambition was born from his understanding that God longed for His Son to be glorified in the nations. It was focused so that the "Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:16).

Human enthusiasm cannot sustain apostolic passion. When God invests His own passion in you the desire to see His name glorified among all people you must build and develop what God has given you. Four things will help:

1. Apostolic Abandonment

Too many people want the fruit of Paul's ministry without paying the price that Paul paid. He died. He died to everything. He died daily. He was crucified with Christ. This strong-willed, opinionated man knew that he must die to self. He knew that in his flesh, he couldn't generate the revelation of Jesus; he couldn't sustain the heart of Christ. So he died. He abandoned his life. He abandoned himself.

We live in a world of competing passions. If we do not die to self and fill our lives with the consuming passion of the worship of God in the nations, we will end up with other passions. It's possible to deceive ourselves into thinking we have Biblical passions when, in reality, all we have done is to baptize the values of our culture and give them Christian names. We will have chosen apostolic passion only when our hearts are filled with God's desire for His Son to be worshipped in the nations.

May I encourage you, dear friend, to give up your life? I challenge you to pray this prayer: "Lord, be ruthless with me in revealing my selfish ambition and my lack of willingness to die to myself."I guarantee that He will answer your prayerand quickly.

2. Apostolic Focus

The greatest enemy of the ambition to see Jesus worshiped in the nations is lack of focus. You can run around expending energy on all sorts of good ministries, and not get one step closer to the nations. I don't have anything against all the projects and ministries out thereGod's people do them, and I don't question their obedience to God. But the Church has an apostolic calling, an apostolic mission. God has called us to the nations. We must focus, or we won't obey.

Focus on what? I believe God wants a people for Himself. Activity without a desire that God have a people for Himself is just activity not missions. You can have evangelism without missions. Short-term ministries are great, as long as they focus on raising up workers to plant churches. You might say, "I'm not called to plant churches." Yes, you are! It's always the will of God to have a people who worship His Son in the nations. You'll never have to worry about making God mad if you try to plant a church. It seems crazy to me that people are under the delusion they need a special calling to save souls, to disciple them, and to get them together to love Jesus. Whatever ministry you are with, you must understand one thing: church planting is not for us, it's for God. We do it so God will have a people to worship Him!

3. Apostolic Praying

A young man in Bible school offered to help David Wilkerson years ago when he was ministering on the streets of New York City. Wilkerson asked him how much time he spent in prayer. The young student estimated about 20 minutes a day. Wilkerson told him, "Go back, young man. Go back for a month and pray two hours a day, every day for 30 days. When you've done that, come back. Come back, and I might consider turning you loose on the streets where there is murder, rape, violence and danger. If I sent you out now on 20 minutes a day, I'd be sending a soldier into battle without any weapons, and you would get killed."

You can get into heaven, my friend, without a lot of prayer. You can have a one-minute quiet time every day and God will still love you. But you won't hear a "well done, good and faithful servant" on one-minute conversations with God. And you certainly can't make it on that kind of prayer life in the hard places where Jesus is not known or worshipped. Here's a challenge for you: Read everything Paul says about prayer, then ask yourself, "Am I willing to pray like that?"

Paul said that he prayed "night and day with tears without ceasing with thankfulness in the Spirit constantly boldly for godly sorrow against the evil one."

4. Apostolic Decision-Making

If you live without a vision of the glory of God filling the whole earth, you are in danger of serving your own dreams of greatness, as you wait to do "the next thing" God tells you. There are too many over-fed, under-motivated Christians hiding behind the excuse that God has not spoken to them. They are waiting to hear voices or see dreams all the while living to make money, to provide for their future, to dress well and have fun.

The Apostle Paul was guided by his passions. Acts 20 and 21 tell of his determination to go to Jerusalem despite his own personal anticipation of suffering, the warnings of true prophets, and the intense disapproval of his friends. Why would Paul go against his own intuition let alone the urgings of prophets and weeping entreaties of close friends? He had a revelation of greater priority, of greater motivation: the glory of God.

Apostolic decision-making starts with a passion for God's glory in the nations, then asks: "Where shall I serve you?" Most people do the opposite. They ask the where-and-when questions without a revelation of His glory in the nations. Is it any wonder they never hear God say "go!" They have not cultivated a passion for the passions of God. All kinds of lesser desires can be holding them captive. They might never realize it.

Present your gifts, vocations and talents to the Lord. Press into God. Stay there until you long to go out in His name. Remain there and nurture the longing to see the earth bathed with His praise. Only then will you be able to trust your heart if you hear God say, "stay." Only those who long to broadcast His glory to the nations have the right to stay.

If you have apostolic passion, you are one of the most dangerous people on the planet. The world no longer rules your heart. You are no longer seduced by getting and gaining but devoted to spreading and proclaiming the glory of God in the nations. You live as a pilgrim, unattached to the cares of this world. You are not afraid of loss. You even dare to believe you may be given the privilege of dying to spread His fame on the earth. The Father's passions have become your passions. You find your satisfaction and significance in Him. You believe He is with you always, to the end of life itself. You are sold out to God, and you live for the Lamb. Satan fears you, and the angels applaud you.

Your greatest dream is that His name will be praised in languages never before heard in heaven. Your reward is the look of pure delight you anticipate seeing in His eyes when you lay at His feet and the just reward of His suffering: the worship of the redeemed.

You have apostolic passion!

The Judaizing of Christianity

by Robert I Holmes & Delta Vines

Let us say at the outset that we have a love and respect for Israel. We love the Jews, all Hebrew people and are in no way trying to incite anti-semitism. We have many friends who are fulfilled (completed) Jews, and even some who are still in the traditional way of things. Robert is of Gentile ancestry and Delta is of Jewish ancestry. We have nothing against Jerusalem, or any of the holy sites. We have a deep love for the Jews; and for Jerusalem, and Eretz Israel (the land of Israel), as this is the place Yeshua/Jesus lived, taught, died for our sins, and rose in victory over death.

However, we are drawn to raising the issues in this article because of things taking place in the Body of Christ today. We are addressing Christians, especially leaders: not our Jewish brethren. Any comment made herein is not a reflection of the rightness, or legality of Jewish people observing their Hebraic tradition, or of the Laws of Moses. The following things are for Christians to consider.

The Modern Phenomena

Both our nations (USA and Australia) have prayer movements. In a certain stream of these prayer movements, intercessors are bringing out the seven branched Menorah, the flags of Israel, banners with all sorts of names of God in Hebrew and re-establishing Judaic dancing. Blowing shofars and waiving banners begins innocently enough.

Some Christians have taken their interest in Judaic celebrations further. Some are participating in the Pesach/Passover Sedar. Others are observing all the feasts of Israel again (more on this in a future article). Many are not doing this simply to understand the type (shadow) or significance of such things contained in the Old, or "First" Testament. Indeed, it is largely being done out of "romantic" ignorance, or out of insecurity.

There is one prayer movement we know of, galvanizing thousands of believers to face Jerusalem at certain times of the day from certain parts of the world (as though it were a city being set apart like Islam does with Mecca). They are positioned to pray through the gates of the city, as though this will transform the nation. Prayer should certainly be made for Jerusalem, especially for her peace (Psalm 122); but nowhere in Scripture are we told to pray TOWARD Jerusalem! This is obscene!

We have observed reconstructed models and representations of the Tabernacle of Moses/Temple of Solomon. This is done to explain certain rituals, or to explain deeper prophetic meanings and symbolism for Christianity. Apart from misapplying Scripture  the restoration of the tabernacle refers to the one built by David NOT by Moses, it also leads dangerously toward legalistic adherence to form and ritual once again.

There have been Arks of the Covenant built. The intent may be to honor G-d; however, the Ark was to be regarded carefully. It is of concern to us that these things may be being handled more as trying to be "Jewish" instead of honoring G-d. We do not wish to "tempt" G-d by mishandling these reproductions. For example:

• In 1 Samuel 6 we are told of the plagues of boils and mice in the Philistine cities that housed the Ark for a time.

• Even looking upon some object was forbidden by death. In 1 Samuel 6 we are told of 50, 070 men whom G-d struck down for LOOKING at the Ark! (vs. 19,) Another warning is in Numbers 4:20.

• Only those from the Tribe of Levi ( i.e. Kohath) were to carry the Ark (1 Chronicles 15:2, Deut 10:8)

Even well intentions were not excused. When David first tried to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, he did not know the laws to be followed. Uzzah was struck dead by G-d when he touched the Ark accidentally in trying to steady it. (2 Samuel 6)

Other activity is downright sickening. There are now Christians actively supporting the idea of adult circumcision as a method of becoming more "Jewish", or having some type of an increased covenant with G-d. [We acknowledge that some adults are circumcised for health reasons, we are not referring to this]. This is not even done in Judaism to an adult convert!

How far do we go brethren? In discussing this matter with Jews (Rabbi's and Hebrew students) and with Christians (both teachers, apostles and prophets) we have discovered almost universal concern over this matter.

Distinguishing Jew and Gentile

There are indeed entire segments of Christian faith, (admittedly off to the side of Orthodox "center" and considered by some to be a sect), who do not even understand the distinction between Jews and Christians. These dear people do not comprehend the difference between the Old and New Testaments (both are the writings of Jews largely), and the Old and New ovenant. They adhere to certain rituals such as consumption of certain food, and avoidance of others; rigid observance of days of rest; slavish adherence to tithe (and the invention of "double tithe") and so forth.

Christians have certainly been grafted into the Jewish root-stock, but we are not required to become "Jews" in any sense. These Christians have not thought about the results of the sacrifice of Yeshua/Jesus on the cross it's perfect, completed, redemption. (While on the cross, Yeshua/Jesus said, "It is finished" John 19:30) That includes the washing away of all our human efforts to EARN salvation. We must not simply put on Judaic rituals or become "born again Jews". The words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 are well put; especially verses 19-20: "For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called".

This distinction was very well addressed by the writer to the Hebrews who notes that:

• The priesthood has changed. We have a new priesthood (of Melchizadek), no longer the old one of Aaron or Levi (Hebrews 7:11,12).

• There is a new and better hope (in Christ) and an abrogation of the old law (of Moses) (vs. 18,19).

• There is a change of Covenant. The old is ineffectual in making us holy; there is a new and better covenant of salvation in Yeshua/Jesus (vs. 22). The old one is obsolete and passing away (Hebrews 8:13).

• The Jews offer worship in a sanctuary that was a type or shadow (it is no longer standing). Followers of Yeshua/Jesus offer worship in the true heavenly sanctuary (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:5 & 9:11).

• Moses had a ministry that contained glory, but Christ has a more excellent ministry (vs. 6) that is based on better promises (vs. 11).

• We enter, not with the imperfect blood of goats, but with the eternal, once and for all sacrifice of perfect Blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:12).

It is our conviction that Christians need to once again clearly understand their position in Christ.

1. On Circumcision

• Jesus said that circumcision was not from Moses but from the Patriarch Abraham (John 7:22). It was a sign of the Old Covenant observed by the Hebrew people. Church leaders said it was not necessary for Gentile Christian believers to observe this (Acts 15).

• Paul said circumcision is only of value if you keep the whole law (Romans 2:25).

2. On Keeping Sabbath

• Jesus walked long distances on Sabbath; His disciples picked grain; He healed the sick and raised the dead, delivered people from demons and preached on the Sabbath. He is Lord of the Sabbath (Mathew 12:8). The day was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). This is also part of Jewish tradition, written in Mekhilta, Ha Tissa: 5 "the Sabbath was given over to man and not man to the Sabbath."

• The writer of Hebrews said that there remained a Sabbath rest in Christ that we should labour earnestly to enter (Hebrews 4). But he also pointed out that many were trying to do this in the flesh, and bringing the weight of the law upon themselves. [We acknowledge the perfect wisdom contained in taking a day off, but repudiate the idea of legalistically/ritually keeping Shabbat or Sunday for Christians]. The truth is that every day is holy in Yeshua/Jesus.

3.  On Keeping Festivals

• The Festivals described by Moses were established for the Jews. God said no Gentile should observe Passover unless he become circumcised, therefore, becoming a Jew (Exodus 12:48). This is not to say the Feasts of the Lord are wrong to acknowledge, as Jesus kept all the festivals, for He was a Jew. (Passover - John 6:4; Tabernacles - John 7:2; Trumpets - John 5:1). These are part of the covenant G-d made with the Jews through Moses.

• Our covenant, however, is one spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah (chapter 31: 32-34) in which G-d promises a better covenant to His People. It is one not of rituals. It is one where His law is in our minds and on our hearts, for we know Him, and He forgives our sins. This was done through Yeshua/Jesus willingly going to the cross in place of our sins. Paul was also clear about not, "Being enslaved again by observing special days, months and seasons" (Galatians 4:10) We may worship on any and every day of the week!

4. On restoring the Tabernacle/Temple

• Consider the efforts to restore a temple in Jerusalem (the temple building, the sacrifices, the priesthood). Some might view this event with excitement. But from a Christian point of view, the sacrifices make a mockery of the cross and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

• Even from a Jewish point of view, consider Ezekiel's Temple (described in chapter 40 and following). A door replaces the veil in the Holy of Holies, in which there are no sacrifices. The Yom Kippur yearly sacrifices for atonement will no longer be made. For Believers, Messianic and other wise, that is confirmation of a final collective sacrifice having already been made by Yeshua/ Jesus.

Conclusion

Christians should love all people of every tribe, nation and tongue. This includes people who speak Hebrew, call themselves Jews and worship ADONAI. They need liberation from the bondage and fear of laws and religious observances (as do very many Christians)! Yeshua/Jesus came first for the Jew and then the Gentile. The first Christians were Jews. The assurance of salvation through grace alone comes only in Yeshua/Jesus.

The Bible specifically promises that in the last days, "When the fullness of the Gentiles has come" that the Jews will be saved (Romans 11:25). We believe in a mighty revival coming to the Jews. But we do not believe that Christians should once again become Jews enslaved to the law. Paul urged Christians not to come back under the law, to avoid submitting ourselves to even one part of the law, having started in the Spirit we should not end in the flesh (Galatians 3:1-3).

Those wanting to participate in the robes, sacrifices, letter of the law would be saddened to know what they are doing is akin to Replacement Theology. This may seem to bring the Jews and Christians closer - but the effect it is having is just the opposite. To observe these things out of respect for the Jews, and to learn more from them, is one thing. To bring yourself under is another.

From God's point of view, there are no longer Jews or Gentiles, (Galatians 3:28); neither Scythian nor Greek (Colossians 3:11). Therefore, every effort must be made to bring people out from religious captivity, into the freedom of Grace. Out from bondage to legal observance, into the wonderful light of the cross. Out from creed, culture and tribe into the family of God.

Saints we need to press into Jesus, moving away from the law into a life of grace. We are promised life in Him, not death under the law. We have freedom to express our worship in many and various ways, not restricted by the Law of Moses. In Jesus every day is holy, every person is holy, every place is holy. Let us remain in the freedom purchased for us by the precious blood of Jesus, and not be caught up in the Judaizing of Christianity.

The Blessing of Grandkids

We've just spent a delightful week with our grandchildren - Kezia, age 4 1/2 and Luke, age 3. To have 2 darling kids running towards you with arms open wide yelling "Grandma! I missed you." - how can you not love that? They are both so cute and winsome, bright, eager to learn, funny, and huggable. We are getting ready to say goodbye, and I'm sure there will be some tears all around.......South Africa is a long ways away!!

I can't help but think what a gift and miracle these 2 little ones are. The doctors said Misha could never have children after her long illness - and then Kezia came along. We rejoiced in her life. Then, when Luke was born and we almost lost him and Misha, we and the doctors knew it was a miracle that they survived and that they didn't have any permanent brain damage. The doctors have said that their story will go in medical books because it's never happened before. Many of you prayed, for which we are eternally grateful.

I have only to look at these 2 beautiful faces to have worship and gratitude well up in my heart. God has been so good to us! I've thanked the Lord repeatedly these last days for the miracle of these lives.

Vision Casting

Guidelines for sharing your vision with others.

1. Make sure it is clear in your own mind:

Why, how, who will do this, results expected.

2. Share it with change agents first.

Win over the key decision makers before you go public.

3. Tell your vision passionately

If you are not excited and convinced and committed, will others be?

4. Paint a compelling picture with words.

Stir the hearts and minds of people to mobilize them to work together.  Vision precedes reality. God uses visionaries to stir people to action by creating a picture in their minds of what can happen.

5. Share your vision consistently.

Changing from one vision to another creates confusion and lack of credibility. Trust is lost.

6. Proclaim your vision as widely as possible.

The vision should be given visibility.  Cast it on TV, radio, from the pulpit, in newsletters, via video, on audio tape. CD, etc. Use slogans, banners and brochures. Drive it home to your staff, board, friends, family, leaders, and supporters.

7. Share your vision painstakingly.

Sharing vision takes time, effort, sacrifice. It requires planning and effort, with continuity and repetition. It must gain trust through consistency and perseverance. It must be perceived as more than a pipe dream.  It takes ruthless determination, unswerving dedication, relentless tenacity, and honest evaluation.

Trusting Jesus in Nepal

Below is a very encouraging story from one of our team leaders in Nepal. It is a fascinating insight into how God has led him to tell the story of God and his love through an art medium called "Thankas."

Pasang is an older woman who comes from the same village as Dolma. For years she has had questions that the Buddhist lamas have not been able to answer concerning life and religion. These unanswered questions caused her to want to search in other places to find the truth. At one point in her life she heard about followers of Jezus but she didn't know anything about it. Although she had wanted to find out more, her husband and her family were very much opposed to that, even threatening her if she would pursue it further. So she continued to live a life of unfulfillment. Wondering if she would ever find answers.

Six months ago Pasang's husband died. Because she never had children and no longer had a husband, she was told by friends and relatives that she should go live in a Buddhist monastery. But not wanting to do that, she said, "Why should I go there? I still have my hands. I can work." She then decided to start a small restaurant and began looking for a place to begin again. On one visit to Boudha someone told her about a place where there was an empty room that she could use to start her business. So three weeks ago she moved into our neighborhood and opened her restaurant.

Right away, Dolma recognized her and began to talk to her about all the amazing things that God has been doing in her own life. Dolma shared about the peace and love that she now experiences in God, and the joy that has transformed her life. When Pasang shared her own story and told Dolma of the restlessness that she has had, Dolma said, "God brought you here so that you could find Him." Pasang responded immediately with the desire to learn about Jezus. She is so hungry to know more that she comes to our house every day and also spends much time listening to Dolma share her own testimony of the transforming power of the God of love.

"Thankas" are the name of the Buddhist art form that is used to tell the story of Buddha. We have commissioned about 30 Thankas to be done to tell the story of the Bible. The Thankas have had a very deep and profound impact on Pasang and all those who see them. As she has seen and heard the stories of God's creation, the fall of man, the tower of Babel and others she has finally gotten answers to questions that have been haunting her for years. She says that the stories on the Thankas are so clear that she knows that she is hearing the truth for the first time in her life. She said, "Why has no one shown our people these Thankas before? They are so true and right. All our Sherpa people need to see these. They need to know the truth." Right now, as I am writing this, Pasang is in our kitchen using one of the Thankas to tell another young Sherpa girl, Chimi, one of the B'ble stories that she just heard yesterday.

God at work in Maximum Security Prison

I ministered to two guys in the maxium sercurity prison in South Africa. I have been asked by the guys if I would baptize them shortly after Sally and I arrive in South Africa!!

Another one of the men we met in the prison, Sebastian, has had severe health problems. This note from Maritsa (a social worker who ministers in the prison) explans more:

"The guys are doing really well on the spiritual side, but both Sebastian and Earl are not so well physically. Sebastian's a-plastic anemia has flared up again with his platelet levels being dangerously low. This means he’s back onto all the medication again to try and prevent him needing to be hospitalized and given a blood transfusion. It sounds like stress could also trigger the levels dropping so that's probably what happened since his parents and sister all started up their drinking and shouting habits again the last few weeks. It was really disturbing him (and he had to take care of some responsibilities re his sister's baby that they were neglecting) greatly and he actually went to stay at an aunt's house for a couple of nights to get away. Last weekend his condition got worse to the point that he lost consciousness for a while and had to be taken to hospital overnight to be stabilized, so now it seems everyone got such a fright they're sober again since then.”

Lebanon, Mozambique & South Africa

There are two things burdening my heart. The first is the war raging between Israel and the Hezbollah. I am grieved and angry at the fighting, but not enough to be silent or do nothing. Martin Luther King Jr., said

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."

We are making plans to send All Nations teams to Beirut the day the bombing ceases. Please pray for mature, experienced people to join the team. We have tried to get a team in earlier, but so far it hasn't worked.

The second thing on my heart is the work All Nations is doing in Mozambique with HIV babies. There are two new editions to the family, Anina & Ricardo. Anina is 3 years old and was abandoned by her mother and found wandering around her village crying and looking for food. Ricardo is 6 months old but extremely small, his mother died of AIDS and he is also infected. Both have made great progress since coming to the baby house and are getting the love and nutrition they need. Please pray for Pieter and Rika and their two helpers as they hold these babies, love them, feed them, and as they strive to plant a church in the neighborhood around the baby house.

On a personal note, Sally and I leave Kansas City in two days time to drive across the States to visit family and friends, and to speak in churches. Please pray for our visa application to the South Africa government to be approved, and for permanent housing once we arrive in Africa. We leave the States Oct. 24th for South Africa.

Adopt A People Group

What is a people group?

A people group is a significantly large ethnic or sociological grouping of individuals who perceive themselves to have a common affinity for one another. For evangelistic purposes, it is the largest group within which the gospel can spread as a church-planting movement without encountering barriers of understanding or acceptance. Although there are other types of people groupings, in the context of this program, the word people refers to ethnolinguistic people groups.

What makes a people group unreached?

Also known as hidden or neglected peoples, these groups have no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize their people without requiring outside (cross cultural) assistance.

When is a people reached?

A group is considered reached if it has a viable, indigenous, self-reproducing church movement in its midst. This includes strong churches, led in their own language, actively evangelizing their own people and planting daughter churches.

Why Are Church Planting Movements Key For Reaching Unreached People Groups?

One of the primary strategies in reaching unreached people groups is to launch church planting movements. A church planting movement is movement of rapidly multiplying small, indigenous house churches. Church planting movements are dependent on a model of church planting that encourages small, simple, easily reproducible churches that are not dependent on buildings, paid leaders or formal educational requirements for leaders to serve.

What does it mean to adopt an unreached people group?

To "adopt" means to focus on one particular people which has had little or no access to the gospel. This approach to mission involves five activities which may be included in an adoption, but your church* may emphasize or eliminate certain ones based on your desire, gifting and ability. These five are: deciding to adopt, prayer to find the right people group, research, partnering with the right network/agency, and church planting.

Why is adopting a people group an effective, Biblical way to reach the world?

Adopting a people group is biblical because it is patterned after God, who is calling and adopting sons and daughters from every tribe, tongue and nation, "He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will" (Eph 1:5). When we adopt a people, we are His agents or ambassadors. Adoption is effective because it makes sure that every group has a group of Christians praying for and reaching out to them. Adopting a people is a "doable" piece of the Great Commission, where each church, large and small, can play a part.

- Adapted and Edited by Floyd McClung

21st Century Christian Trends

• Persecution and martyrdom of Christians will sharply increase as non-christian religious forces are threatened by the mass conversion of unreached peoples to Christ. Nationalistic Islamic and Hindu political parties such as the Taliban and BJP/RSS will continue to experience popularity as their leaders react to American foreign policy and the success of church planting movements and Christian aid workers.

• The local church is reclaiming the initiative as the main sending force in global missions. Movements of local churches networks will arise across denominational lines. They will play a major role in mobilizing, training, placing and caring for workers on the field.

• The 21st Century will see an increase in clashes between major civilizations. Samuel Huntington identifies those civilizations as Western, Orthodox, Chinese, Latin American, Islamic, Hindu, Japanese, and African. This factor makes it vitally important to train and send out missionaries who have both an adequate understanding of the civilization they work in, but also the character necessary to withstand opposition as they plant churches and give aid to the poor.

• Global sending will replace the 20th century paradigm of First to Third World mobilization. Globalization will be facilitated by the ascendancy of the local church as a missions force in Africa, South America and Asia. This will be aided by communication technology, and easy access to international travel. English will continue to be the international language of communication.

• The role of the Holy Spirit will continue to be a major theological perspective in the 21st century church, along with the growing awareness of God

Prayer Request and a Testimony

I am writing to ask you to pray for the international leadership team of All Nations. We are meeting for six days, starting tomorrow morning, June 17th. We need God's wisdom, his grace and sensitivity to hear his voice. Thank you!

I received this very amazing news this morning about a radical Muslim man name Earl who came to Christ when I preached in a high security prison in South Africa in February:

"Earl would very much like to write to you. He's got your name, as well as Sally and your children, in his journal with the list of people that he prays for every day... I continue to stand amazed at the absolute change in him and his complete dedication/devotion to Jesus no matter what! One of his biggest frustrations at the moment is the fact that he doesn't see the people around him in the body of Christ living towards/with one another like the Word teaches, and he cannot comprehend why this is while the Word is so clear and we obviously just need to do exactly what the Word teaches!! And only almost four months old in the Lord..."

Please pray for Earl. He was the leader of a large, violent gang in the prison. He is having a major impact for Jesus!

Yours for his glory in all nations,

Floyd McClung