Joe Playing Gilbert in Anne of Green Gables @ the Chance Theatre in Anaheim Hills

You can read the story @ the link below the picture

http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/anne-328269-green-gables.html

I DARE you to Watch This

Christian, I DARE you to watch this and not be moved to action!

2 Cor. 5:20 - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

As one famous preacher said, "You're a goer, a sender, or disobedient"

Life is a Vapor

Read all the kind tributes from headlines around the globe. Stand amazed at how he “changed the world” with all his gizmos, gadgets, and genius (is there a person on the planet that could be unaware of iAnything?). Be stunned (again) at how the death of such a young, seemingly vibrant man, takes your breath away.

Then, ask yourself:

If I were to die today, stand before the God of the universe, and He were to ask me, “Why should I let you into My heaven?”…What would I say?

No one but God knows where Steve Jobs is this moment. We cannot, we will not play the judge in this matter. We can hope that Jobs made the correct assessment of Jesus of Nazareth, and like Thomas fell at His feet claiming, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)

Jesus Himself asked His guys about His identity. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record Jesus asking His disciples, “Who do the people say that I am”? They gave Jesus some representative answers. Then Jesus asks, “But…”

This is conjecture, but I’ve always read these words thinking there was a pregnant pause between “But…” and the rest of Jesus’ question. The question that got really personal, really quickly:

“But, who do you say that I am?”

This is the question we all have to answer.

Peter got it right: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt. 16:16).

Jesus didn’t just say, “That’s right!” Jesus said that Peter was blessed, and that He was going to start and build His church through his leadership.

This is the same group Jesus told:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matt. 28:18-20

So church, we’ve got our marching orders from our Sovereign King. There is no wiggle room. There is no “opt out” of these last words of Jesus. If you are a believer in Christ (i.e., you have repented of your sin-filled life, turned to Him, and placed your trust solely and only in His finished work on the cross to pay your sin-debt) you have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and Jesus said:

“you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Life is so fragile, so short, so not under our control (read James 4:13-17).  Tomorrow is no guarantee

Believer, go therefore and make disciples.

Not yet believer, go here to find out what it means to truly trust in Christ:

http://www.focalpointministries.org/share-the-gospel/
 
Or, contact me, I'd love to talk with you. mark.mayers@jesusfilm.org

Joe's Conversion Story

Pastor Jon was thankful Joe "shook off" when he came out of the water at his baptism!

Joe’s Testimony

“A funny thing happened on the way home from the office” just doesn’t fit this context. Stunning. Life-changing. Eternally significant. Those all fit the context of Joe’s drive home from work the evening of August 6th, 2009.

The left turn arrow turned green, so Joe proceeded. Unfortunately, so did the oncoming traffic – on a main, 4-lane boulevard between his job and home! All he saw out the passenger side window were headlights barreling down Antonio Parkway. I’m told this kind of accident is referred to as a “T-bone”. Joe stomped on the gas pedal quickly enough to avoid being hit, seeing the other car screeched to a smoky stop in his rearview mirror. Praise God for His protection in a thousand ways we know not, and those we do recognize!

Shaken, Joe arrived home to a sleeping family. Not able to sleep himself, and not wanting to waken us to share his story, he began to complete the first chapter in the Partners Manual he and I would be discussing the next morning. Joe and I have sought to spend some private time together that Summer, incorporating this one-on-one discipleship program authored by our pastor, Mike. http://www.compasschurch.org/partners/

We sat down for breakfast at Corky’s and ordered a skillet to split. Not even Joe can finish one of those, and I shouldn’t finish this 5-egg, potato-laden, cheese-smothered, heart attack-producing dish. While we were waiting for the food, Joe looked nervous.

“What’s up, dude?”, I asked tenderly, trying to help Joe feel OK sharing with me.

“I don’t know why I’m nervous to talk with you about this, dad”, he reluctantly said, with a sort of embarrassed look.

I assured my son the best I could, “Well, I’m not sure what you’re going to say, but I’d be surprised if I were surprised”, I said in that fatherly kinda tone and demeanor.

“Well, last night…” And Joe went on to tell me the story of the potentially tragic T-bone miss the night before, and how he was studying the first chapter of Partners. [The first chapter in Partners is, “Being Sure of Your Relationship with God”]. Then he told me of a vision-like, semi-dream, he had while the Holy Spirit was performing the miracle of new birth. He said that he was watching himself being snatched from the precipice of hell, when he realized, clearly for the first time what it means to be a true follower of Christ!

Joe told me that “the Great Exchange” has finally made sense. He described the sense of burden taken from his shoulders, to be placed squarely on Christ. Joe described, in some detail, understanding being clothed in His righteousness. He stated that he feels like for the first time in his short life, he’s “all in”! Joe described repentance and faith and second Corinthians five twenty one.

Well, I was surprised! I would have told you, beyond reasonable doubt, that Joe was already a true follower of Jesus. As much as one man can discern the spiritual condition of another, so I thought my son was heaven-bound. He has had several crises of faith in recent years, all of which have produced another humanly discernable degree of maturity. A common occurrence in someone who is committed to following the Lord is to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12), and “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matt. 3:8; Acts 26:20), because “it is God Who is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). Joe’s seemed to display the acts and attitudes, in increasing measure, of a transformed life. But he had not yet placed his trust solely and only in Christ. He had turned away from sin innumerable times, but without the indwelling Holy Spirit, that kind of repentance is of the flesh and doomed to failure.

One of my favorite pics of Joe doing what he loves

The young lady brought the heart attack skillet to our table, even as my tears welled. “Are you OK?”, was her inquiry. “Everything is just great, thanks.”, was my strained reply, as I took massive delight in seeing a new creation before my very eyes!

Hey, we'd love to hear your story about becoming a Christian.  Do tell!

Refreshment - Proverbs 11:24-25

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Prov. 11:24-25

Lord Jesus, I cannot read these words without lifting my heart and hands toward heaven. I cannot read these three words, “whoever refreshes others,” without thinking of you. For no one refreshes a dry and disconnected heart like you; no one is breathes life into the listless sails of a soul like you; no one is an artesian spring of encouragement like you; no one welcomes our burdens and cares, our weariness and our woes like you. Your mercies are new every morning, and your steadfast love never comes to an end. Great is your faithfulness!

Indeed, no one gives more freely than you, Jesus. You’ll never be charged with withholding any good thing from your people. You’ll never come to poverty through hoarding, because you freely chose the poverty of the cross as a means of making us rich (2 Cor. 8:9). This is the gospel, and nothing is more refreshing than the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation—for this very moment, for this very parched heart.

In the gospel, you’re always calling to us in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37). Jesus, I join my brothers and sisters in coming to you right now with my heart as wide as open as the skies of Montana and as willing to receive as the government is our taxes. I humble myself before you. I own the need that you alone can meet. I am not ashamed to let you know just how much I need to be refreshed by you, Jesus. You love to give, and I love to receive from you… right now.

And as grace runs downhill to the needy, so it flows freely to others. To whom would you send us today—to whom would you send me? Who needs a word of grace, a look of mercy, a hug of hope… or maybe a listening, lingering lunch? Freely we will receive, freely we will give to others. So very Amen we pray, in your most generous and grace-full name.

From Scotty Smith's daily prayer blog:
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2011/09/07/a-prayer-about-giving-and-receiving-gospel-refreshment/

Psalm 24

Joe and I hiked up Mt. Baldy the other day.  I snapped this picture of him @ 10,064 feet - it reminded me of Psalm 24:

Ten Verses Worth Reading, Pondering, Praying, Praising God in:


"The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein,

for he has founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?

And who shall stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to what is false

and does not swear deceitfully.

He will receive blessing from the LORD

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Selah

Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD, strong and mighty,

the LORD, mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O gates!

And lift them up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts,

he is the King of glory!

Selah"

Truth

Pondering some of what the Scripture has to say about the Truth:

3 John 4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 17:17

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Psalm 19:7-9

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

The rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

Colossians 1:5b

Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel…

John 16:7

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Gospelicious!

John Calvin at His Gospel-Saturated Best 


From a stunningly gospelicious preface John Calvin wrote for Pierre Robert Olivétan’s French translation of the New Testament (1534)

“Without the gospel everything is useless and vain; without the gospel we are not Christians; without the gospel all riches is poverty, all wisdom folly before God; strength is weakness, and all the justice of man is under the condemnation of God. But by the knowledge of the gospel we are made children of God, brothers of Jesus Christ, fellow townsmen with the saints, citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, heirs of God with Jesus Christ, by whom the poor are made rich, the weak strong, the fools wise, the sinner justified, the desolate comforted, the doubting sure, and slaves free. It is the power of God for the salvation of all those who believe …” (66)

“It follows that every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in this same Jesus Christ alone. For, he was sold, to buy us back; captive, to deliver us; condemned, to absolve us; he was made a curse for our blessing, sin offering for our righteousness; marred that we may be made fair; he died for our life; so that by him fury is made gentle, wrath appeased, darkness turned into light, fear reassured, despisal despised, debt canceled, labor lightened, sadness made merry, misfortune made fortunate, difficulty easy, disorder ordered, division united, ignominy ennobled, rebellion subjected, intimidation intimidated, ambush uncovered, assaults assailed, force forced back, combat combated, war warred against, vengeance avenged, torment tormented, damnation damned, the abyss sunk into the abyss, hell transfixed, death dead, mortality made immortal. In short, mercy has swallowed up all misery, and goodness all misfortune.

For all these things which were to be the weapons of the devil in his battle against us, and the sting of death to pierce us, are turned for us into exercises which we can turn to our profit. If we are able to boast with the apostle, saying, O hell, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? it is because by the Spirit of Christ promised to the elect, we live no longer, but Christ lives in us; and we are by the same Spirit seated among those who are in heaven, so that for us the world is no more, even while our conversation [life] is in it; but we are content in all things, whether country, place, condition, clothing, meat, and all such things. And we are comforted in tribulation, joyful in sorrow, glorying under vituperation [verbal abuse], abounding in poverty, warmed in our nakedness, patient amongst evils, living in death. This is what we should in short seek in the whole of Scripture: truly to know Jesus Christ, and the infinite riches that are comprised in him and are offered to us by him from God the Father.” (69-70)


http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/08/08/john-calvin-at-his-gospel-saturated-best/

A Prayer for Gospel Snobs and Scribes, Like Me

"And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” "  Mark 7:5-8

Dear Jesus, we tremble at the thought of you speaking these words to us. What could be more sobering and painful than to hear you say, “You talk about me a lot—using multiple Scriptures and well crafted theological language. You’re quick to recognize and correct false teaching, and you’re quite zealous to apply what you know to others. But your heart is far from me.”

It would be one thing to garner such a rebuke for mimicking the worse Pharisees and the Galatian Judaizers (Gal. 2:11-21)—putting people under the yoke of performance-based spirituality, and failing to acknowledge your work as the sole and sufficient basis for our salvation. But it would be an altogether different thing to be chided for being a gospel snob and scribe. Have mercy on us, Jesus, have mercy on me.

Forgive us when our love for the truth of the gospel and the doctrines of grace is more obvious than our love for you… as impossible as that may seem.

Forgive us when we enjoy exposing legalistic, pragmatic and moralistic teaching more than we crave spending time with you in fellowship and prayer.

Forgive us when we invest great energy in defending the imputation of your righteousness but have very little concern for the impartation of your transforming life.

Forgive us when we are quick to tell people what obedience is not, but fail to demonstrate what the obedience of faith actually is.

Forgive us when we call ourselves “recovering Pharisees” or “recovering legalists,” but in reality, we’re not really recovering from anything.

Forgive us when talk more about “getting the gospel” than we’re actually “gotten” by the gospel.

Forgive us for being just as arrogant about grace theology as we were obnoxious about legalistic theology.

Forgive us when our multiplied uses of the word “gospel” in our conversations does not translated into multiplied evidences of the power of the gospel in our lives.

Forgive us when we don’t use our gospel freedom to serve one another in love, but rather use it to put our consciences to sleep.

Forgive us for creating gospel-fraternities and gospel-posses which taste to outsiders like ingrown tribes or “clubish” elitism.

Forgive us for having a PhD in the indicatives yet only a kindergarten certificate in the imperatives of the gospel.

Forgive us when our passion for the gospel does not translate into a passion for holiness and world evangelism, and caring for widows and orphans.

Lord Jesus, with convicted and humbled hearts, we ask you to change us, by your grace and for your glory. So very Amen, we pray, in your magnificent and merciful name.

Remembering Keith Green

29 years ago today the 28-year-old Christian singer and songwriter Keith Green went to be with the Lord, along with his two young children and another family.

Here’s an hour-long documentary on his life:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/07/28/keith-green/

Here's a Good Visual of Repentance

“Repentance is the vomit of the soul”

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) in Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1450539114/deyorestandre-20

Reposted from Kevin DeYoung, here:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/

A Prayer about Stuff and Contentment

by Pastor Scotty Smith here:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2011/07/11/a-prayer-about-stuff-and-contentment/


"Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven."  Prov. 23:4–5

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."  1 Tim 6:6-8


Loving Father, we continue to live in a difficult economic season. Some of us who thought we’d be retired in a couple of years are now thinking it’s ten, if ever. Some of us have lost jobs, even homes. Some of us are selling stuff and downsizing out of necessity, not choice. Some of our marriages are being stressed to the point of breaking. Some of us are actually being tempted to steal for the first time. Lord, we need wisdom, we need a work of your Spirit, and some of us really do need jobs.

Father, we look to you. Give us the perspective and power of the gospel as we make hard decisions, and reflect on our relationship to money and “stuff.” Free us from an attitude of entitlement and place within us a Spirit of contentment. When did we first assume the right to excess? When did abundance get relabeled as need? Why did we think only first-century disciples of Jesus would ever actually have to pray for daily bread?

In our “iWorld” of new gadgets and cool widgets, help us ponder the fact that over half of the population on the earth exists on three of our American dollars, or less, a day. Free us to share with others from the much or little that we have. Help us to raise our children not to love money as much as we have. Don’t let us grow bitter, shame-filled or fearful.

Father, if we would wear ourselves out for anything, let it be to become rich toward you (Luke 12:20–21)—to have the gospel so penetrate our hearts that we cry out with spontaneous joy, “Who do I have in heaven but you, O Lord, and being with you I desire nothing on the earth . . . You are my portion, sovereign Lord.”

Lord Jesus, you who were immeasurably rich in all things became incomprehensibly poor for us, so that we, who were desperately poor in sin, might be made inconceivably rich in grace. We worship and adore, with humility and gratitude. We thank you for the daily bread of both wheat and the gospel. So very Amen we pray, in your holy and gracious name.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

Jesus in John 12:32

Real, True, Eternal Freedom

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

John 8:36

I read several blogs that are helpful to my soul.  Pastor Scotty Smith posts a daily prayer here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/.

Here is his prayer for July 4th:

Dear Lord Jesus, it’s the morning of the 4th of July, and I’m very thankful to be living in the “land of the free.” But I’m still not as free as you intend, nor as joyful, for that matter. Though you’ve already freed me from trying to earn my salvation by anything I do or am; though you’ve already liberated me from the illusion that I can earn more of God’s love by doing more goodness and less foolishness; though the chains of condemnation have already been obliterated and the fears of death, judgment day, and the future have been sent packing by your perfect love—I’m still not as free as you intend.

As I read the Scriptures and reflect on my relationships, I feel very much like a babe—a neophyte, a raw rookie in so many gospel freedoms. Only the gospel helps us see and own our sin, brokenness and bondage. Only your grace keeps us from going to shame and self-contempt as we do so. Hear my prayers and bring more grace.

Jesus, please free me for loving others as you joyfully and relentlessly love us. There’s no freedom more central and powerful for revealing your glory. Help me return kindness for coldness, pursuit for avoidance; gospel for gossip. I want to be less irritated more often with fewer people. Help me to use fewer words and more listening when talking with others. Please unshackle me from the illusion of control in my relationships and annihilate my commitment to a pain-free heart. To love well is to hurt often.

Jesus, please liberate me from thinking about the next thing, so I can be present in the current moment. Help me make better eye contact and heart connection with others. Please help me to be more intrigued with people that I don’t know and less standoffish around strangers.

Jesus, break even more of the shackles of my insecurities. Empty my closets of all fig-leaf coverings and clothe me in the garments of grace. Liberate me from grave-clothes of shame and feelings of incompetence. Unfetter me from thinking too much about what I’m not by showing me more of you and who I am in you.

Lord Jesus, grant me greater spontaneity, louder laughter, saltier tears, and quicker repentances. Hallelujah… it is for freedom you have set us free. So very Amen I pray, in your most compassionate and powerful name. Amen.

I HATE That This is so Convicting!

Pastor Scotty Smith is the founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN.  His daily blog is a prayer I receive on my newly acquired "smart" phone (as opposed to the "dumb" phone I had in Italy!).  This is today's prayer

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/

A Prayer for Those of Us Easily Annoyed

"Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult."  Prov. 12:16

Jesus, of all the prayer-worthy things I can think of, “annoyance” has never made it onto my supplication list, until now. Through the convicting work of your Spirit, I see and grieve that I’m way too easily annoyed. Free my foolish, fretful, fitful spirit. How can I possibly reveal the beauty of the gospel when I’m showcasing the ugly of my annoyance? Have mercy on me, Lord, and change my arrogant heart.

I’m annoyed by the guy who races me when two lanes are becoming one. I’m annoyed when the bar code reading machines in the self-checkout lanes can’t read my items. I’m annoyed when the gas pump trickles way too slowly. I’m annoyed by waiters who fish for a bigger tip. I’m annoyed by fish that won’t bite. I’m annoyed by humidity when I want to jog. I’m annoyed when I can’t get a wifi signal. I’m annoyed when I take my dogs for a walk and every three steps they stop and sniff.

I’m annoyed by low talkers and loud talkers. I’m annoyed at people easily annoyed. I’m annoyed when there’s not enough milk for a late-night bowl of cereal. I’m annoyed when I have to repeat myself. I’m annoyed at whiners, so much that I start whining. I’m annoyed at people preening in front of mirrors at the YMCA, as though I never peek. I’m annoyed when people use too many and too big of words to say something very simple, as though that’s not me.

I’m annoyed at ever having to wait in line for anything. I’m annoyed by people who turn up the three sub-woofers in their car so loud it vibrates my car at an intersection. I’m annoyed by anything breaking before it should. I’m annoyed at any box that has the words “requires some assembly” written on it. Oh, Jesus, if only those were the only things that annoyed me!

My prayer? Gentle my heart with your kindness and grace. Grant me much quicker repentances. Help me to slow . . . way . . . down. Help me to live in the moment and not simply live to get somewhere on time or get something done. Let me see people with your eyes and respond to them with your heart. There are no ordinary people around me. Everybody matters. Everybody has stories of heartache, foolishness, fear, and longing, just like me. Jesus, thank you that you died for all of my sins, including my “annoyability.” I love being loved by you. I have no greater hope than knowing one day I will love like you love. So very Amen, I pray in your gracious and patient name. Amen.

Evangelism @ 35,000 Feet

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom
Psalm 90:12

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time
Colossians 4:5

The flight from Portland to OC was not full. My usual back-of-the-plane-on-the-aisle seat was screaming, “Nap”! Exhausted, my bobbing eyelids were ready to settle in the down position when I heard, “Are you a good talker?” Stunned into wakefulness, I saw the young woman’s hand stretched out to shake mine.

Admittedly, my first thought was fleshly, as my body really, really didn’t want to exert the effort of conversation.

“Yes, I am”, escaped from my mouth, as more of a question than a statement, as I reached for her hand of greeting. As I stood to allow her to get to her window seat, it was obvious she had been drinking.

“I’m just really nervous and afraid to die. Can you help me? Can you talk to me?”, was her desperate plea. Let’s call this young woman Frieda.

Holy Spirit, please fill me again to do Your bidding in this conversation, was my quick but ardent prayer.

Long story short, our conversation went ‘round and ‘round as we discussed her “goodness”, God’s grace, sin, love, judgment, heaven, hell, etc. No matter how many times I tried to convince Frieda that her “goodness” wasn’t the point – that she needed perfection – she kept coming back to how good she was compared to others she knew. Frieda was also weeping uncontrollably and speaking very loudly, as ethanol took control of her brain.

As I looked into her glazed eyes, I recalled a couple of Scriptures from 1 Cor. 1 and 2:

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Cor. 1:18

and

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2:14

No matter how many times I stuck to the essence of the Gospel:

Substitution - Jesus’ death on the cross satisfies the wrath of God for all those who would place their trust in Him

and

Imputation - Jesus imputes (or, gives) His righteousness to all those who would place their trust in Him…

Frieda kept insisting on her “goodness” as meritorious of heaven.

The things of the Gospel are spiritually discerned, writes the inspired Paul. Unless and until the Holy Spirit enables spiritual discernment, the Gospel is folly. This fact does not release us from trying to persuade (2 Cor. 5:11) for the Gospel.

Finally, near the end of our flight, Frieda asked quite loudly with tears (i.e., so everyone within 5-6 rows could easily hear her), “So, what you’re saying is, if I don’t turn from my current lifestyle and believe/receive that Jesus died for my sins, I’m going to hell?”

“No, Freida, that what Jesus is saying, and he’s God.”

I reviewed these verses with her:

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Peter in Acts 4:12

Please pray with me that Frieda will receive the materials I’ll get to her through a mutual friend (small world), and actually read/view them. Pray also that the Words of God do their soul piercing work (Heb. 4:12).

Also, I WOULD LOVE to hear your stories of personal evangelism! If you have a chance, jot a comment here, or if you prefer privacy, email a story of two to me. I’m certain others would be helped to hear other stories of Christ’s ambassadors making God’s appeal for reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:20).

Pressing on, together for the Gospel,

mark

The Main Thing

An old friend from my days @ The Center for Sports & Wellness @ Mission Hospital posted this image on her Facebook page. I'm not sure what she meant by it, but this image gripped me for the Gospel. The Gospel IS the Main Thing. If we don't get the Gospel, nothing else really matters. The Apostle Paul kept The Main Thing, The Main Thing when he wrote:

"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." 1 Tim. 1:15

Pretty clear. Jesus was born to save sinners. That's you and me.

Lots of folks want to sell the Jesus that will improve your marriage, or make your kids obey, or provide you with health, wealth, and happiness. The line is: "add Jesus to your life and everything will be just fine". The problem with that 'gospel' is

1. Everything is not fine, and



2. An improved life in not the Main Thing

So, what's the Main Thing, Mark? Thanks for asking...

Rather than typing a bunch of statements and Bible verses for you to read here, I'll invite you to click here http://sharetheumbrella.org/ to view and listen to a 4-minute animated "Main Thing" presentation. It's called the Umbrella Analogy, and was created by our pastor @ http://www.compasschurch.org/. Simple. Succinct. Serious.

If any of you ever want to talk about the Main Thing with me, I'm always available. I will speak the truth in love, your job is to decide what you're going to do with The Main Thing.

Get Dressed, Christian!

Being from So. Cal., I'm a casual kinda guy. I prefer shorts, T-shirt, and flip flops to slacks, button downs, and loafers. During our time in Italia, we've noticed that folks here like to dress up a tad. This, of course, means nothing to me, but the girls have enjoyed following this Italian suit (ha!).

So, as I've been studying Paul's letter to the Colossians, this text has struck me. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle says,

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Col. 3:12-17

Turns out, San Paolo likes to use this phrase, "Put on". For example:

"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." Rom 13:12

"For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality." 1 Cor. 15:53

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Gal. 3:27

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Eph. 6:11

I like to recommend to "be filled" before you "put on". Meaning: "...but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." Eph. 5:18-21.

So, I say we all be filled with the Holy Spirit and get dressed with compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, and love so we can:

• Bear with each other


• Forgive each other


• Have Christ's peace


• Be thankful


• Have the Word of God dwell in us richly


• Teach and admonish each other


• Sing songs of thanksgiving to God with each other

So that,

"whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." v. 17

Amen?

Patience

by Leslie

Living in Italy without a car definitely has its perks... One is that I don’t have to spend time looking for parking. It also gives me the opportunity to get a lot of exercise as I walk from place to place. The best part though, is how God uses it to teach me patience… and to go with the flow.

Today was a perfect example of this… Our friend, Jessica, (who the girls helped with the army base junior highers in the fall) lives in Pisa and invited us to come for lunch under her beautiful mimosa tree that is in glorious bloom at the moment.

underneath the mimosa tree

We wanted to get there by 11:30 so we could lunch and then have time to see the ocean before we headed back to Florence. From here to Pisa is supposed to be about a 45 minute drive, but on public transportation it’s about 2 hours (this includes two buses and a train). So, we were going to get on the 9:35 bus to get started.

When we got to the bus I realized I forgot my eye drops (needed for dry eyes). I had 5 minutes to get them… so off I dashed, back to the house. I was home and back by 9:32 and the bus was still at the stop! Or so I thought – the bus that was there wasn’t the same bus!! It was the next bus that wasn’t scheduled to leave for another 20 minutes! And the one carrying my family had left THREE minutes early. Course, now I was sweating in my wool sweater, down coat, and scarf (it was under 40 degrees this morning…) and I was mad that the guy had left early. EARLY!! Really?? In Italy?? Unheard of!

But there I sat, on the 9:50 bus…and this driver didn’t leave until EXACTLY 9:50. On the way down the hill I was listening to praise music, trying not to be anxious about missing the 10:28 train to Pisa. Grace was calling to keep me posted on what platform the train was on, and what car they were in.

The normal 20 minute ride to the transfer spot was taking longer than usual…. And of course, I was on the bus that needed to switch drivers – sitting in the seat near the front, I had to keep myself from huffing loudly as the two drivers exchanged pleasantries. “Lord… maybe I’m going to miss this train because you want me to be alone today…” But, as we pulled to the stop, my next bus was sitting in front of us and I was able to jump on - 10 minutes before my train was to leave… Standing on the swaying bus, I thought that this was just God’s hand, gently teaching me to just “relax”! (How many of you just love to hear someone say, “relax” when you’re all wound up??)

Somehow, the voice of God actually does help me to relax. So many times in this strange and wonderful country, there is just nothing one can do to change a situation… might as well just go with it. Of course, we hit every light on the way to Santa Maria Novella train station and I leapt off the bus with 3 minutes to get to the train. Oh yeah… it was on the farthest track from the bus stop. As I walk-jogged trough the terminal, I was thankful for the freezing temperatures that occupy the place. I boarded the train with just one short minute to spare. Whew!!

So, our little foursome is back together… sitting in our little quad-seat section, facing each other. Mark and Em have assumed their normal train positions of dozing while Grace and I talk quietly. The conductor comes in to check our tickets and when we hand them to him he looks at them for a long time – always a signal that something is not quite right. Then he asks why we have a 20% discount on our tickets… since I wasn’t there when Mark bought the tickets, I have no idea. So, I wake up Mark and he says, “Well, the ticket booth machine gave me the option of a 20% discount and I thought, ‘Sure!’” The Trenitalia guy tells us that the discount is for persons under 25 who have a special card and that we have to pay the difference at the station before we make our return trip. Do I not look under 25??

All Aboard

We arrive on time to Pisa and have a lovely time with Jessica. While the air is quite cool, the sun is shining! I have learned to be thankful for the weather in So. Cal., but that’s another blog!

After lunch Jessica drops Mark and me off at the beach to walk along the water. It’s crowed with other people looking to soak up a little sun on this nice day. We have a general idea of where to catch a bus back to the train station, but don’t know exactly. I only have to ask for directions once and we find the stop. Miraculously, the bus pulls up only a minute after we get there.

When we get to the station we have to exchange those troublesome tickets so we jump in line. We see that we have about 10 minutes til the next train to Florence leaves. We finish our transaction there with only 2 minutes to spare and take off running for track #4. We leap onto the train just as the whistle blows and as we sit down we give each other a victory knuckle bump! Im thinking to myself that except for this morning, the day has gone off without a hitch.

Then the train starts to move…. In the WRONG direction!! We look out the window and see track #4 right across from us and figure out we are going to La Spezia… Well, Mark starts the laugh attack that lasts us almost to the next stop. We decide to get off and take the next train back in the other direction.

the deserted station, in the wrong direction!

The station is completely deserted and in a very sketchy part of town. But we look on the screen and see that a train will be by on track 2L in about 6 minutes. We discuss the fact that our track says #2, but since the station is so tiny we figure we must already be on #2L. We stand there and watch a train (that looks more like a long bus) pull by a track about 100 yards away and wonder what that little train is. Then Mark uses his eagle-eye vision to see that the train just left track 2L…. another laugh attack!! Now I am thanking God for such a wonderful, go-with-the-flow husband. Many men I know of would have been furious.

To put you out of your misery, I will just tell you that we finally arrived BACK in Pisa exactly one hour after we left. The rest of the journey home was, for the most part, seamless. And yours truly has more patience and stamina than I did 24 hours ago.

So much of this Italian journey seems to include God’s hand helping me to trust Him even more in the little things – to not try to put my own agenda before His; to let God be God in my life rather than my feeble attempt to control my own life. I thank Him for today!!

And, I will thank Him when I get back to the USA and get to drive myself around!!

Jesus @ the Gym

by Mark

It killed me to join the gym here in Firenze! In the U.S., 24-Hr. Fitness costs me $49/yr…and I can go to any of hundreds of their gyms across the U.S. as I’m traveling. My Florentine gym, StillNuovo, costs me 50 Euro/mo (which, at today’s exchange rate is $67). Everyone here says it’s a great deal. I disagree, but still joined. Of course, I justified this expense by thinking this is a great ministry opportunity…

The first guy I met was the cleaning guy, Arnold. He has Jesus all over his countenance, as he works at his job as unto the Lord (c.f., Col. 3:23) so I said, “Buon Giorno”. It was the later part of the afternoon, so Arnold replied, “Buona Sera”. (Ooops, wrong greeting Mark! Greetings are day 1, hour 1 of beginning Italian school…Geeesh, what was I thinking?! ). Arnold followed up with, “You are American?”. I was surprised that English came out of a Pilipino dude living in Italy. Turns out Arnold speaks 6 languages – including English – so we have delightful conversations about God’s goodness in our lives. Arnold shares Jesus with the members of the gym regularly, and tells me which ones he’s invited to his church.

Luca is by far the fittest looking guy in the place. He looks like a really fast runner, but his upper body is ripped too. His English is better than most, so last week I ask him if he competes in races. “Yes, this Sunday I will race 21km in Scandici.” Luca looks to be around 40-ish, so I’m thinking he’s shooting for 1:30 to 1:45-ish. “What kinda time are you hoping for?”, thinking even though I don’t look as fit as him, I could probably kick his butt! “I would like 1 Hour 17 minuti…how do you say seventeen?”. Jaw on the floor, I said, “Just like that, Luca, seventeen…you got it…how old are you?”. “I am not old. I have 44 years”. I wished Luca well on his race, fully expecting he would report back with a time closer to 1:30.

I saw Luca yesterday and asked if he ran his 1:17. “No, I run 1:16, but only 10th spot…you say spot?”. Once again, not quite speechless, I muster the wind to respond, “No, we say place…10th place in English. Wow, Luca that’s really great!” “Oh, thanks you. The first five, um, places were African”, as we chuckled together, knowing how Africans dominate distance running these days.

BTW, the 44-year old Luca raced at 5:46/mile pace for all you math majors…

Into the locker room strolls Xavier. He is mid-40’s, effeminate, and dresses the part. Seriously, dancer’s booty shorts, a spaghetti strapped tank top, all on a hairy Italian guy with flowing blonde hair…c’mon, dude, there are women and children here!

Xavier’s English is excellent and wants to speak to me while lifting weights. On a previous occasion Xavier asked about my work…then faith…then wanted to talk about the 70’s musical Jesus Christ Superstar. I think that was his way of getting into my world…

But yesterday, in the locker room, just after I congratulated Luca on his stellar half marathon, Xavier blurts out in perfect English, “So, what about Jesus?”

I love this gym…mosquitoes and all!

“Well Xavier, I’m not sure where to begin, or what your interest is”. We were interrupted by a flurry of Italian speak, and so ended that particular conversation. Xavier was off to the shower and I was off to the bike, thinking to myself, “What the…?”

Last anecdote from another day in the life of this gym rat. An American man, I now know as Robin, walks into the gym wearing a Pepperdine University sweatshirt looking confused. Being the helpful guy I am, I asked, “Are you really from Pepperdine in Malibu, CA?” “Yes, I am”, he responded curious as to why I would take an interest in him. We exchanged pleasantries about what we are each doing in Firenze. Turns out Robin and his wife Cindy are here teaching the Study Abroad students from Pepperdine this semester. It wasn’t long before Robin invited us to come share with all their students about our work with Maddalena. Pretty sure this is going to be both informative and a Gospel opportunity.

OK, one more…this is hilarious.

I take the cycle spin class on Tuesday and Friday. There are usually 4 or 5 middle-aged women, one old guy, the 30-something female teacher, and me. It’s fun, but she barks her instructions in Italian, so I’m always just a bit behind in following her lead. If you know me, you know I sweat a small pond beneath the bike after an hour’s effort. I think the teacher appreciates the effort, and wants to try to speak English occasionally to encourage me to ‘feel part of the class’.

Quick language side note: The terms bellisimo and bellisima literally mean ‘beautiful’ and are used in a variety of contexts depending on the ‘gender’ of the word it modifies. The words are used in contexts that we would normally not say beautiful. For example, Italians speak of a ‘beautiful pizza’ or ask about what ‘beautiful thing’ you did today. We would say, ‘that was a great pizza’ or ‘what did you do today’?

So, in wanting to speak English and encourage me in my effort (and to come back to class!), the teacher literally shouts out, “Mark, you are beautiful!” instead of “Good work Mark!”

Awkward!

Would you pray with me that I have Gospel opportunities with Luca, Xavier, the students from Pepperdine, and the spin class?

Maddalena Update!

by Leslie

“We sleep in a crypt!!” This is one of Mark’s favorite things to tell people about our house. Most will look at him with skepticism in their eyes, while a few obviously think it’s really cool that we do. In fact, our bedroom is mostly underground and has some walls that are over 2,000 years old. It’s a room you might see on a tour of a museum… complete with rock arches and walls. Mark is certain that these walls contain dead men’s bones… To me, it’s kind of cozy – it’s warm, and dark, and quiet… all things I like when I'm sleeping!! I guess that is what perspective is all about, right?

People often ask me, “How’s Italy?” And I know they really want to know, but I never quite know how to answer that question. If you are reading this blog, then you REALLY want to know how Italy is, so you can read on for the latest. But I think mostly, I am formulating a perspective on Italy that won't be fully developed until I get home and have the birds-eye view. So, that will be in a different post.

OK, so what’s the latest??

We are planning a distribution of Maddalena for March 8, 2011. This is International Women’s Day, which is celebrated world-wide, just not so much in the US. Here it is called “Festa Della Donna” or “Party of the Woman”. I love that in Italy, they make everything a party!! So, we decided to celebrate women here by giving them the Maddalena DVD in order for them to see, hear, and know the love of Christ. Since the film demonstrates how much Jesus cares for women, we thought it to be a perfect holiday to share it.

Last week I was in Rome to meet with our Agape Italia staff teams there. I came away very encouraged by their ideas and plans for how to use the film in their ministries.

the Colosseum in Roma

So far there are plans being made to:

• show Maddalena in a movie theatre


• give Maddalena as gifts to college students who will be invited to a jazz club


• give Maddalena to pastors of several churches who will show it to their congregations and use it as a tool to explain the Gospel to their friends


• give Maddalena away on the college campus along with Agape Italia contact information


• use Maddalena in an English club for language practice
  
  

Additionally, I am working with a team in Bologna who wants to do a large campus distribution of Maddalena on March 8th. They are also researching how to be able to show it in a women’s prison there!

We are also in the process of getting the film on television here in Italy.

As you can imagine, there is a lot of work to go into planning and executing these kinds of outreaches. Please be praying for all of the teams who have been given these creative ideas.

In all of it, my daily prayer is that my focus be an eternal one. The spiritual battle is fierce here and so often my flesh wants to bail out. I want to be true to the calling to which we have been called. I want to see possibilities rather than obstacles. I want to live moment by moment in the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to see lives changed here in Italy. Lord, give me Your perspective!

Wow, What a GREAT Weekend!

by Leslie

A Wonderful day Frolicking in the snow a couple weeks ago!

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Jesus in Matthew 6:24

I have been thinking about this verse a lot in light of living here in Italy. The thing is, we all know that no matter where we live, each day has its own trials. And, if we look for them, each day has its own blessings too. I am thankful to live in a place so unfamiliar that I get up each day knowing that I will be faced with brand new trials and adventures – like walking in the rain, but always looking for a rainbow.

So, I arise each morning wondering what will happen. Something always happens. Yesterday was no different as my precious husband decided that he wanted to unclog the drain of the sink in our bathroom. It drains… but slowly. I was thinking that I see a lot of Drain-O products when I go to the store, and have wondered if this was because Italians don’t break out a wrench to unclog pipes…. But, Mark likes to go after the real problem, so off he went to the bathroom. About 30 minutes later he came upstairs with two coins in his hand (both bigger than quarters – later we determined that one was an Italian Lira and one was a Dutch Mark!) and declared that he found what was clogging the drain. This was pretty amusing since neither has been used as currency since 2002.

In Mark’s other hand was a piece of broken pipe. And “PING” there it was…our trial for the day! See, getting a piece of pipe here isn’t like it would be at home. In the USA, on a Saturday afternoon, you would hop into your car and zip over to Home Depot and get your replacement pipe. Then, you zip home and put it on and everyone could brush their teeth in the usual fashion that night.

Well, Mark walked out the door to our little hardware store (Utilita) here in town – which we love, by the way! But they didn’t have the part, and told Hubby where he might find it down in the city. Mark left for the bus stop with a look of determination on his face that would shame a Spartan… he WOULD conquer this problem! I won’t drag this out, but… the other store was closed, and there would be nothing open until Monday (tomorrow) so the sink drain is still in pieces. I only accidentally turned on the faucet once… so far!!

Today (Sunday) was a rainbow day. My sweet Italian friend, Laura, invited me to her son’s basketball game. I became a fan of basketball last year when our (U.S.) high school team went to CIF playoffs, so I am kind of missing it this year. The boys who were playing are all freshmen in high school and in Italy they play year-round club, so I knew they would be pretty good. Turns out I wasn’t disappointed. Aside from the cheering being all in Italian, I could have been in America. They played the same way… and the gym smelled just like they do in the U.S.! The best part was that afterwards the girls and I were invited to lunch with a few of the families from the team.

I love any opportunity to interact here. Our lives touching Italians lives in hopes of shedding some light in a dark place gives us courage to go on. So, it was pranza (lunch) for 11 people. I met two women who were very warm and kind. The one sitting next to me was talking and gesturing so much that I (seriously!!) almost got stabbed by her knife several times.

The Italian speaking was quick and lively… I understood only some of it, but they tried to include me. The food was amazing making me think that we should always bring locals when we eat out. A giant plate of spaghetti was in front of me as they all spoke together… I was working hard at eating without cutting it. And I was trying to finish, but the pile of pasta wasn’t getting much smaller. Looking at that plate and being so full made me laugh to myself as I was trying to ingest foreign words into my over-full head!

The most hilarious moment came when the waitress brought out some mushrooms on a yellow toast-ish looking thing. When I asked what the rectangular wedge was, they told me very clearly, in English, that it was “mice”, as a big piece was placed on my plate. I asked again and was given the same response… after I took a bite (I know!). I said, “You do realize that ‘mice’ is the plural of ‘mouse’?” At this, they roared with laughter at their mistake…. I too was laughing, of course. It was actually corn…or “maise”, which was delicious. I love the Italian sense of humor and their way of making you feel comfortable. What a lovely rainbow day we had!

Hope you're having a great weekend too!

Love,
us all

Speaking of the Blog...

Both Emily and Grace are now blogging here:

http://em-caughtinbetween.blogspot.com/ Em

http://compared-to-what.tumblr.com/ Grace

Enjoy their musings!

Preach the Gospel Everyday...to Yourself!

“The Gospel isn’t the ABCs of the Christian life…

...it’s the A-Z of the Christian life!”

Tim Keller, Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Been so good to have Joe visit the last few days!