The Mentors of our life.

Today I got to have a conversation with a long time friend and mentor. A man big in stature and with an equally sized heart. I met him back in 1989 on the Island of St. Croix where my family and I were serving as missionaries. We had just come through hurricane Hugo, I was a new leader, (very wet behind the ears in leadership) and was attending a meeting with pastors from the island in regards to how we could get help for members of their congregations and communities they lived in. I sat not far from this man with a big voice and a laugh that once you heard it you would never forget it.

His name is Busta and he is from the island of Jamaica, he has the spirit of an evangelist and heart of a pastor. Well we struck up a relationship that day that continues to this day and I am so very grateful for the relationship we have had. During the early years of my leadership in ministry on the island he and an other pastor who was originally from the British Virgin Islands were not only friends but mentors in my life. They taught me how to relax,trust Jesus as a leader and as they would say in their patwa "everyting goin be ire" (everything is going to be good) and it normally was. They bought me my first note book computer and believed in me.....they were men that believed in me and stood with me through my many ups and downs....oh I thank God for those men.

In the last few weeks I have renewed my relationship with another pastor from St. Croix whom I had not heard from in years, he and his family are doing well and serving the Lord in Southern Florida....what a blessing to have old relationships be renewed, thanks Max.....

What did you expect?

Friends,
I am writing to you tonight with a heart that is burdened by the state of our nation, 44 years ago my family moved to this nation from Canada, my mom and dad had moved to Canada from post WW II Holland. They came with the clothes on their backs, a dream in their hearts and 2 little girls. (I was born in Canada) They traveled across the broad expanse of Canada in an old train in the middle of a Canadian winter eventually arriving in Saskatchewan where they would settle in and go through the process of learning a new language, culture and world view. Today what my parents went through would be cause for the ACLU to rise up and bring individuals and organizations to court for prejudice, mistreatment and insensitivity. But that was not the case back then and my parents just had to "bite the bullet" and keep going believing that with hard work and strong values they could succeed in this life.

My mother and father were never the "victims" they took a chance and they knew it would be hard but the opportunity was worth the risk,disappointment, hardship and trial. My mom and dad's story can be repeat countless times in this great nation but it seems that the spirit of greatness that is associated with my parents and all those of that same mind and heart is fading quickly. God help us to rekindle the fire that made this nation great; it is not the money, I am sick and tired of people screaming for more money. it is not the leadership.....we voted them in, we should of been more discerning and questioning, it is you and me rising up each day by the grace of God and tackling the day with the determination that we can live our dream and help our off spring to live great and virtuous lives that encourage and enable our fellow citizen to dream and live the dream. We were not promised paradise in this life but we were given the opportunity to live free if we could handle the responsibility of that great gift. God Bless America

God, taking the simple of this world to confound the proud!

I have just listen to an incredible voice from a simple woman from Britian. By the time you read this you will probably of heard it or heard of it. In either case I have been delightfully blessed by a simple woman who has the voice of angel wrapped in the beauty of heaven. Please go to this site and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXX_gMFeWlc

Following Him

Ed

A Few Thoughts From My Son

"I reflect at night who you are, O Lord; therefore I obey your instructions. This is how I spend my life; obeying your commandments"Psalm 119: 55-56

The Fear of the Lord. It's so key. I have slipped many times because I did not know what it truly means. I didn't understand it. We can not fall on our own strength. We are SO weak. We think because of all the "experiences" we had, we are strong. Without the Fear of the Lord we are nothing.

Loving what God loves, hating what God hates. The essence of what the Fear of the Lord is. It's funny how many people don't understand what it is, some have never even heard the term before. Our God is not one to be trifled with. Yes, He is a God of love and mercy, but, His wrath is terrible. How dare we even think about entering into His presence with dirt on our hands and sins in our hearts. How dare we demand things of Him but never praise Him. He is our God. The maker of Heaven and Earth. He isn't some sort of santa clause we can send letters to when we want something. He loves us because He chooses to love us. We are nothing, absolutely nothing. With one thought, we could all be destroyed. Who are we to mess with our God like that.

So before we even think about asking Him for anything. Think about that. We should be on our faces repenting and praising Him for His MERCIES. Because He is worthy of nothing less.

Relationships....How Valuable?

I just received a note from a couple who have moved to a country in the world that is not open to missionary work as we traditionally understand it to be. I have known the husband since he was 10 or 11 years old and the two of them went through some training schools that I was a part of several years ago. Over the years of there service they proved to be consistent, faithful, teachable, kind, and determined, all qualities that are essential for nation changers and people builders.

As I read the message my heart was deeply warmed by the story of the first days of their getting settled in, how little sleep they had gotten so far and how some of the challenges they faced were very challenging, but regardless of the challenge the Lord had provided and in His provision He confirmed again their call to this nation.

If my heart had a face, you would of seen a large smile come upon it as I reflected on how proud I was of them and how grateful I am because of the goodness of God that has been demonstrated to them.

It is an amazing privilege to be a part of a missionaries life.....on any given day you may or may not know about their struggles, (most missionaries who are worth there salt, only see the struggles as part of the Journey and only speak of them when asked) but as you communicate with them and pray for them you find your heart warmed and smiling as you think about how far they have come and how much they have sacrificed to take the great message of the gospel to a people in great need. So, for me, they who once were students and I their mentor have now become heroes to their mentor. I am humbled to have been a part of their lives and I wish to honor, bless and pray for them.

Could I share with you a great quote by the great missionary and martyr Jim Elliot

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep
to gain that which he cannot lose"

To my two friends, who once were students, became fellow laborers, and now are my heroes......May the King of Kings guide you and watch over you and give you the grace to be His hands to a the nation He has called you to. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life and your call, thank you for the relationship we have.

Hopeless?

For all of us who tend to listen to the news reports I want to extend a hand of hope to you tonight. I have, like so many of my contempory's, been caught up in the emotional roll-a-coaster ride of the last year in our nation.

What should we do? How does a Christian respond to the issues, characters and general craziness of the day we live in. Well, I found myself feeling greater and greater levels of hopelessness. I am glad to say that I am no longer there because of a quiet little word whispered in my spirit by God this very night. What was that word, "it is all part of the journey, be at peace and follow Me"

I found a real point of blessing also in the following blog by Brother David Wilkerson may it be a blessing to you as you read it.

AT THE END OF THE ROPE?

Are you at the end of the rope? Weary, cast down, about to give up? I challenge you to answer the following questions with a simple yes or no:

-Does the Word of God promise to supply all your needs?
-Did Jesus say he would never leave you, but would be with you to the end?
-Did he say he would keep you from falling and present you faultless before the Father’s throne?
-Did he say that he would supply you with all you need at all times? Did he promise you all the seed you need to spread the gospel?
-Is he more willing to give than you are to receive? Is he greater in you than he that is in the world?
-Are his thoughts toward you good thoughts? Is he a rewarder of those who diligently seek him?
-Is he preparing a place for you in glory? Is he coming in the clouds to gather his people home? Are you going with him when he comes?

Your answer to all of these should be, “Absolutely, yes!”

Now—take inventory. Ask yourself, Do I really believe God is faithful to his word or do I waver in my trust?

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord” (James 1:2-7).

You can lay hold of God’s wisdom, all the wisdom needed to solve life’s problems—if you will believe with no wavering by casting your very life and future on this promise.

God giveth to all men…liberally…wisdom.

A Little Light

The picture I have placed in this installment of 'Ramblings of a Follower' is of Mayor John Cook the mayor of the city of El Paso, Texas where I live.

Yesterday I experience a moment of joy that I want to share with you all. I am on a regular schedule of chaplains and ministers, here in our city, who are asked to do the invocation for our weekly City Council meetings. I arrived at my normal time and waited along with others for the meeting to start. The meeting started late, which is not unusual but yesterday as the mayor came in to the meeting room he was carrying his guitar. The mayor is a fine man and as with all who serve as mayors in cities across our nation he has a difficult job. He is a Christian man and from what I understand his faith is not just cultural which gives me a sense of security and hope in his leadership.

When the meeting should have finally been called to order the mayor picked up his guitar and announced to all that the meeting was going to be a little delayed because....... he hoped that we would all join him in singing some Christmas carols to honor the season. At first I found myself a little embarrassed for him and wondering what would happen and how many would sing. Well the mayor began with the song Noel and sure enough only a few people were singing with him and my embarrassment for him seem to grow stronger with each chord that was played.

But then it struck me, how wonderful this effort by the mayor was. In a day when the onslaught of political corruption seems to be growing in our nation; here was a man, a civic leader, a brother in the Lord, who was willing to be counted, at this time of the year, as a follower and worshiper of Jesus Christ. My heart was warmed and I found myself feeling proud to be identified with the mayor on this occasion. With that heart warming came a boldness within me and I began to sing louder and louder with the mayor.

I have hope for our nation not because we are perfect but because we have a savior name Jesus Christ and countless men and women like my mayor who are willing to bring a little light into the midst of growing darkness. God bless my mayor and all those who serve in my city with sincere hearts and efforts.

Let us pray for those in authority over us....in this we shall find peace.