What Pharaoh Heard

When we are wronged by someone, it is natural to tell others about it. We want to tell others about how it happened to garner their sympathy and support. Somehow it makes us feel better to know that others are aware of the injustice committed against us. We seek out sympathy and commit a small act of retaliation.

Commentary

Now when the news was heard in Pharaoh's house that Joseph's brothers had come, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. (Genesis 45:16)

Pharaoh was delighted when he heard that Joseph's brothers had come to Egypt. He immediately made provision to bring the entire family to Egypt so they could survive the famine in safety and comfort. He provided wagons for the move. He promised them the best of the land of Egypt.

Pharaoh's warm welcome of Joseph's brothers reveals an important detail about Joseph's time in Egypt. Apparently, the entire time he had been in Egypt, he had never told anyone the story of what his brothers did to him. Pharaoh, at least, had never heard the tale of how Joseph's brother abducted him and sold him. Had he known the story of the villainous deed, he would not have extended the warm welcome.

Joseph loved his brothers and his family so much that he could not bear the thought of having them defamed. He did not want Egyptians saying to one another, "Did you hear about the nasty thing that Joseph's lowlife brothers did to him?" Joseph kept the entire episode to himself. The only thing he ever said about his past was the vague explanation, "I was in fact kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews" (Genesis 40:15). His love for his brothers compelled him to protect their reputation.

Instead of emulating Joseph, who was concerned about protecting the dignity of his loved ones, it seems we do just the opposite. A husband and wife are eating out at a restaurant when the husband drops his cup, spilling his beverage on the table. Embarrassed, the wife rolls her eyes and says to the stranger sitting at the next table, "He is such a klutz." A man is out with his friends when they begin discussing the foils of marriage. All in good fun, the man complains to the guys about his wife's bad habits. Everyone laughs. Why would we sell out the people we love like this? The wife shows more concern for the opinion of a stranger in a restaurant than she does for the dignity of her husband. The husband has higher regard for a few laughs from his buddies than he does for the reputation of his wife.

A woman was having a hard time at the Messianic synagogue she attended in the southern United States. She was involved in a heated conflict with some other members. This went on for some time. Frustrated with her congregation, she told her unbelieving friend about the problems she was having. Eventually the leadership arbitrated the situation. She made peace with the people. Some time later, she invited her unbelieving friend to attend a service. Her friend said, "Are you crazy? After the way you talked about those people and that place, I wouldn't set foot in there."

Joseph never told the Egyptians about the incident with his brothers because it was none of their business. By maintaining discretion, he was protecting the name and reputation of God in Egypt. Had he told his sad story to everyone, the Egyptians would have had cause to say, "If that's how the followers of your God behave, I want nothing to do with Him or your religion."

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Confession

Explaining how we have failed so that God will not be blamed for the consequences.

If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Oppression has lead to anger in my life. The anger turned to bitterness and that, to hatred.

In this situation, a Christian worker, misused his position and wasn’t repentant. I did not handle my anger correctly which resulted in hatred.

Hatred, as Greg explained, turned to darkness within. Although I don’t see the affect, I have to realize that “God’s Word is true, and every man a liar.” Rom. 3:4

The manner in which I learn and process information is by experience. I have to rely on my brother, to identify “blind spots” in my life. In so doing, I will repent, as I have, and begin to do the right thing, which is to love my brother. The process is by my act of praying for him. Once I have experienced this truth, and see the darkness, I will be able to see where I was amiss. In this case, moving from darkness into light. Through the experience, and my learning, I hope to write more.

My cause was right, my response was not. Therefore, the cause became unworthy and darkness.

And reproofs for discipline are the way of life, Pr. 6

First, I want to acknowledge that the Sermon on the Mount is not easy to grasp; perhaps that is why it is seldom studied seriously. It is not just theological difficulties with Reformation Christianity that are the problem; the word pictures themselves are usually difficult. You had mentioned that the issues of salt and light were challenging for the group. I think I may not have understood how difficult much of this is.

The particular issue we talked about is a good example of the difficulty of the wording in Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said that the lamp of the body is the eye. Using a metaphor of a lamp in a house, Jesus points out a mechanism at work in man. "If therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore, the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness." The image is simple at first, but becomes more difficult when we try to understand it. The word "clear" is more literally "without folds". Somehow the way we look at the world around us can result in light filling our body, or can result in great darkness throughout. The consequences of what Jesus described are profound, but we may not understand what a clear eye is.

It is perhaps easier to understand what John says in I John 2. "The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes." This great darkness within will be like physical blindness; all aspects of the Christian walk will be like a blind man stumbling over obstacles he cannot see. Hatred of a brother will make progress impossible.

What John said is perhaps a good illustration of the difficult statement of Jesus. The eye is meant to be clear, single, literally without folds. Yet often we have are layers of perception. We want to consider truth at an abstract level, but deal with individuals at another level. We want to hold that God is our Father, but at the same time hate one who is just as much a child of the Father as us. The consequences of this layered perception of reality are overwhelming.

Discipleship is costly: it costs the soul. To make Jesus Lord is to submit to His commandment: love one another as I have loved you. Everything else is only a game, a pretense. Christianity without obedience to this new commandment is role-playing by blind men.

The Sermon on the Mount deals with three areas: outward, inward, and evil; there is a structure in what is taught. One third deals with evil; Jesus concludes this structured teaching with a warning to beware of false prophets. This is a significant aspect of Christianity; appropriately finding a way in this world of sheepskins is challenging. But the particular issue for false prophets, lawlessness, can become the particular point of stumbling for those who oppose them. If we lawlessly hate, we will just as much be false prophets as the ones with nice sheepskins.

How we deal with "posers" is vital; it is not separate from the rest of discipleship. If we fail at it, great darkness will fill us. We need to be able to pray for evil dictators in Africa; we need to be able to pray for evil impostors in America. We are priests not mockers.

Greg

Angry People

There are many black Americans who are angry people. Oppression in the natural man (regardless of race) instills anger.

Oppression, however, is a response to their current situation, not historical events.

Some black Americans have been oppressed in childhood; not by people in past generations but by fathers who have abandoned them; by mothers who have decided that other things were more important than their children; by role models who have violated their sense of security, trust, justice and equity.

A part of black America, an angry part, wants to vent. They have found a cause that appears worthy. That cause is prejudice. Yet, their venting produces more prejudice and alienates.

The worthy cause then becomes unworthy.

Any cause worth pursuing should not produce more of the same.

The reason I write this is because the man who discipled me confronted me about a similar behavior.

Tomorrow: The email

Woman's Role

The role of women in the church has been an area of controversy and contention for many years. When God inspired and Paul scribed the words in Titus, he was instilling the most important task in history (and specifically for our time) for the older women. Sadly, I have seen, for the most part, they abandon these admonitions in pursuit of more gratifying and lauded venue, and the church suffers great loss.

Older women are to teach the younger women (not teach Sunday School, not youth groups, not choir, nor preaching, not working outside the home or anything other than what Paul prescribes): to teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands.

Because this is not seen as an important endeavor, we have ignored this and the body and the home suffer defeat. It is no wonder that the divorce rate in the Christian church mirrors that of the world. Sadly, Dr. Laura Schlesinger, a Jewish talk show host and not someone from our Christian culture, has done the best job seen in her book, The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands. In fact, all that she has written has enveloped these principles commanded by Paul.

We should not write this off but rather take a critical look at the church, ask what the core problems are and you will see the resulting affect. Older women teaching the younger women, who would have thought, that this is more important than any Sunday sermon, more important than any building, any evangelical rally, any physical healing and so on.

The woman loving her husband, loving her children…is more glorious than any other event in the body. It breeds love, security, confidence and strengthens her man to move in ways unimaginable.

The Task of the Young Man

I am often asked by young men about finding their role in the body. Being young, they are full of energy and desire to change the world, overnight.

I am not sure if Titus discussed this with Paul but in his letter, Paul addressed it (in chapter 2).

Of interest, is that Paul gives direction and tasks to four groups, older men, older women, young women and young men.

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance (note there are six areas that Paul encourages them to pursue).

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women (five areas of important ministry).

[Young women are] to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored (seven critical tasks).

Likewise urge the young men to be sensible (one thing to pursue, sensibility).

"There must be more", one might ask. But, there isn't. The sensibility that a young man learns will serve him for a lifetime (see blog on oxen).

What then is "sensible"? The Greek gives it the definition of: to be of sound mind, having sound judgment, temperate and self controlled.

The Proverbs were written for this very purpose; to receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, to bring wisdom to the young man, prudence, knowledge and discretion. Pro. 1:3-4

This should be our ministry to the young men, encourage them to study and meditate on the Proverbs.

Convictions

Basic Commands of Scripture which I have purposed to follow, whatever the cost.

Maturing

Discovering that the most difficult lessons that we will ever learn are the ones we thought we already knew.

Grumbling (continued)

To grumble is to murmur or begrudge something. To dispute is a debate, argue or reason through, i.e. leaning on how you understand things.

Paul says, “don’t”. The next verse gives his rationale. That you may prove yourself to be…

The importance of the word ‘prove’ is that it isn’t that you do it to prove to people you are a Christian i.e. “a witness” but rather, this is an assayer’s term meaning to become. It is that the circumstance, that you would normally grumble about, is there to cause you to become blameless and innocent…

Paul used this term because he was aware of the assayers work and the result of his efforts. An assayer would take soil and put it in a crucible. Intense heat would be applied. Impurities would rise to the top and be be skimmed off then it would be allowed to cool down. The process would begin again, seven times, until the dross (impurities) had been eliminated and a perfect bar of silver remains. (Psalm 12:6; 66:10)

God's desire is that you become blameless and innocent. He does this through trials.

This verse, re-written, might sound like this: Do all things without grumbling or reasoning through the circumstances so that its result will be that you will become blameless and innocent…

Ponder the act of grumbling and how it affects your relationship with others and with God.

The Hallmark of the Believer: Grumbling

Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world… Philippians 2:14-15

Sadly, next to gossip, grumbling is the most common characteristic of the believer.

As the Rebellion of Korah, grumbling describes one's belief in God. When we grumble, we are saying, “I don’t believe God knows what he is doing. I don’t believe God has his hand in this. I don’t believe all things work together for good”.

The rebellion of Korah was just that, they did not believe that God brought them out of the land of Egypt. They discounted the symbolism and miracles He performed through Moses. They did not trust in the Lord with all their heart but rather leaned on their own understanding. Pr. 3:5

The Rebellion of Korah

Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. Jude 1:11

The way of Cain: Cain’s sin was that he offered a sacrifice, not of blood, but of the (cursed) ground while Able offered a lamb “… and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. Heb. 9:22 b

Cain’s way was the way of iniquity, "doing my own will even though it is something good".

The error of Balaam: Balaam, the prophet, decided to curse God’s people, for the enemy. His error was to seek worldly gain rather than God’s wealth.

The rebellion of Korah: Korah’s rebellion was grumbling against God and what he was doing, to deliver his people.

NO-FAULT FORGIVENESS IS FATAL

The fatal error of http://www.ilanamercer.com/NoFaultForgiveness.htm written by a conservative journalist.

Forgiveness (continued)

Prior to granting forgiveness, it is my belief, that the offending party must do the following: They must take responsibility, be remorseful, and repair or make restitution.

Jesus makes this point in Matthew 18.

"And if your brother sins (KJV-against you), go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. "And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer.

It is not required of you to overlook an offense, rather, go to your brother. In fact, there are consequences to not taking responsibility, being remorseful and repairing. They are to be treated as a Gentile. (Do we do this today?)

Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Now, if your brother repents, you are required to forgive him, an unlimited amount of times. Unity of the body is of utmost importance.

"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a certain king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. "And when he had begun to settle them, there was brought to him one who owed him ten thousand talents. "But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. "The slave therefore falling down, prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will repay you everything.' "And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe.' "So his fellow slave fell down and began to entreat him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.' "He was unwilling however, but went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.

Jesus then gives an illustration of this. A king is settling accounts (If your brother sins, go to him). He couldn’t repay, so he was to be sold as a slave. (This was God’s law). However, the man took proper steps by taking responsibility, showing remorse (falling down, prostrated himself) and promising restitution. And the king, felt compassion and “released and forgave him his debt”. This is what we are required to do, when one follows the steps to seek forgiveness. Note that if the man had not repented and followed the right steps as indicated, he would have been sold, he and his family, to repay the debt. It says nothing about the king forgiving him without the debtor first falling down and prostrating himself.

Jesus then continues as to what will happen if we don’t forgive, when the proper steps are taken as illustrated when the man refused to forgive his debtor: "He was unwilling however, but went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed."

Jesus had a strong rebuke.

"Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you entreated me. 'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, even as I had mercy on you?' "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.

____________________________________________________

In light of this, look at the following verses.

"Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3

"And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him." Luke 17:4

"If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." John 20:23

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ( Confess-homologeo- to speak the same, to agree). I John 1:9

Is A Christian Required To Grant Forgiveness Even Though It Is Not Requested?

One of the most controversial questions that I have been asked is, “Am I supposed to forgive a brother even though they are not sorry for their offense”.

In reflecting on this question, one must answer basic questions first, so that their response is not emotional, which often happens with this topic.

• Does God forgive us our sins and trespasses before we are ‘born again’ without us asking?
• If we are to forgive a brother without him being repentant, does God do this for us?
• Does God give the world a ‘blanket forgiveness’ and if so, would that allow all to enter eternal life without a relationship?
• Did Jesus forgive everyone who offended him? Did Paul?
• When did Jesus forgive some without their requesting forgiveness?
• Are their examples of forgiveness in the Word, where no one has asked?
• On the cross, to whom was Jesus referring when He said, “father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing”?
• Why didn’t He forgive them, rather than asking God to do so?
• In the “Lord’s Prayer”, does it imply that we are to forgive all, without their asking? If so, why in the same verse, does it say “Father, forgive us our trespasses”? Isn’t the one praying asking God for forgiveness?

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Anger

Someone finding a personal right that I have not yet yielded to God.

…Because of the angels.

 

In 1 Cor. 11, Paul talks about a woman having a “symbol” of authority on her head “because of the angels”.

In discussing this verse, about women wearing a covering, many denounce the practice and are quick to excuse it stating, “that was only a custom”, “a woman’s hair is her covering” or, “does anyone do that today”?

The point is not to brush off a verse because it may be offensive or untimely but rather to go beyond excusing our current belief and ask, “why did God instruct Paul to pen those words”?

There appears to be something going on in the heavens that are beyond our scope of understanding.

In the book of Job, we see that the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves to God. Satan was among them. Now, Satan is aware of his destiny, which God, pronounced on him in the book of Genesis, yet we see that God has a dialog with him nonetheless. It is as though God is making a point and the point is that God is just and righteous and Lord and that He must continue to demonstrate this to the sons of God, both God’s messengers and the fallen ones.

God asks Satan, “have you considered my servant Job”? This, in my opinion, is a very strange question. Why would God even consider a dialog with Satan? After all, God has won and Satan has lost. We know the final chapters of Revelations.

Our conclusion must then be: there is something going on in the heavens, of which we are unaware. Angels are an audience, we are actors in a play, and God sponsors it.

With that in mind, look again at Paul’s statement “a woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels”. It is as though God wants to show the created beings, that there is an authority structure, which God is demonstrating through His people.

In 1 Cor. 4:9, again Paul points out that the apostles are men “condemned to death, ‘because we have become a spectacle to …angels’”.

Next, in Heb. 13, we are instructed to show hospitality to strangers as we have “entertained angels” without knowing it. Why would it matter that we have entertained angels? What is God trying to prove, through us?

Would this knowledge cause a change in your behavior and your reaction to circumstances, knowing that you are actor, in a heavenly play, sponsored by the Almighty, to make a point, to His glory?

The Gold Wedding Band and How to Scam a Scammer

The end of our Kenya trip brought us to Paris. As we walked along the Seine River, we were stopped by a woman who bent down beside me and picked up a men’s gold wedding band that was at my feet. She handed it to me. I explained that it wasn’t mine and that I didn’t drop it. She said that I must take it, “it is your lucky day”. Again, I refused. She would not take “no” for an answer, so I held it in my closed fist. She then asked for money for food as I had profited from the gold ring. Sensing a scam, I handed her the ring and left.

Some time later, I saw a different woman walk up to a couple, bend over and hand the tourist a gold band, that he apparently dropped. This time, I photographed the transaction. She used the same tactic and explained to the couple that they must have dropped the ring and they must take it, as it was their “lucky day”.

Enjoying psychology, I jumped in, in an attempt to manipulate the scammer, having had some time to think about the scam that was attempted on me.

Remember, she was pawning it off on the unsuspecting victim who was holding the ring.

I walked up and explained to him that it was a ruse to get his money. I asked for the ring and feigned throwing it in the river. The woman went ballistic. At that point, I showed the man that she actually wasn’t trying to give the ring away, but rather cheat him of his money. Otherwise, she would not have been angry that the ring was supposedly in the river.

I handed her the palmed item and she left, yelling “F--- You, sir”. She met up with her partner (who apparently would go to the victim, after the transaction and exchange of money, and pretend that she, in actuality, lost the ring and he must return it to her, or face the consequences).

Now, my interest was piqued. I pondered how I could “scam the scammer” if this happens again (as I found out later from the police, that this is a typical ploy to cheat tourists-must have been the camera around my neck that gave me away).

Sure enough, 20 minutes later, another woman bent down at my feet and held out a gold band and exclaimed that I must have dropped it. I explained that I had not, but again, she insisted I take it. I looked her in the eye and said, someone has lost this valuable item, we must take it to the police. I pocketed the ring and motioned for her to accompany me and make a report.

This response was new to her, and caught her off guard. She said, “no, give it back”, an interesting response from someone who just tried to give it away.

Again, I persisted and began to walk in the opposite direction and motioned for her to come. She retreated because she surely did not want the police involved.

As I distanced myself from her, she yelled and I continued to motion for her to follow.

After several blocks, she was nowhere to be seen and I had the ring.

I did find two officers who explained that this was, in fact, a scam on tourists.

I produced the ring. They laughed.

Isn’t Satan this way. He appeals to our lust with bait but there is a hook at the end. What we think is a treasure, is actually something that depletes our time, money or relationships. (He comes to rob, kill and destroy-Jn 10:10).

The pairs of women have found this to be a lucrative venture, otherwise they would not continue to use the same tactics.

Satan is this way too, his plans work so why should he change.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Pet 5:8

Contentment-realizing that God has already provided everything we need for our present happiness.

The people of the Soweto slums on the outskirts of Nairobi taught me a lesson that I and most others have never learned, how to be content with what God has provided.

Paul says, “for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am”.

You will not find a happier people where I spent the day watching children play in rubble or with anything else they could find.

The parents spend their day rummaging through Nairobi’s city dump, scrounging for plastic bags to resell at the market place, used items and magazines to offer for pennies and food for the family.

America is a country where we lack nothing yet we are dissatisfied and always wanting more.

Contentment and gratitude are sisters. One can tell when someone is content with what God has provided by their constant words of giving thanks.

Thank You For The Glass In My Windows

At Hope Bright Future, one of the children was quick to add this to her prayer. 

Humorous-yes. Did God really need to be thanked for glass in the windows? I never have. I take it for granted. In Kenya, glass in the window means light in an otherwise dark room. It is a means to let the sun in and keep malaria infected mosquitoes out. There are numerous benefits to having windows, but in this society, it is a blessing not afforded everyone.

Gratitude: Telling God and others how they have benefited our life.

I write on the subject of gratitude because I see that we are remiss in our attention to this most important act. I know that when someone is genuinely thankful for something I have provided, and expresses that gratitude, I am quick to continue because of their sincerity. How much more is God quick to respond to our thanks?

Do we make it a habit of thanking God and others for the provisions they have bestowed that benefit our life?

In a recent discussion with friends about prayer, I found that the majority go to great length and detail about their needs and requests to God but rarely give much time to thanksgiving.

It is obvious that we need to turn our prayer time up side down and give God the thanks due Him. And, express to others also, as to how they have benefit our lives. Try this for a week and watch the response.

Hope Bright Future

I have seen the effect of giving in two very different circumstances. In one orphanage, where leaders said the children were all orphans, but they weren’t, we tried to bring hope by providing the necessities of life and beyond: a well for water, generator to power lights and a TV (for a few hours in the evening), new clothing (on several occasions), extra food (a cow or chickens) and candy. The affect was a growing lack of gratitude. As balls, games, toys and clothing were brought on a regular basis, the children became more aggressive, lacked contentment and were competitive, ungrateful and demanding.

The leaders became discontent, too.

Hope Bright Future started a similar project but with true orphans. They were given nothing except essentials and guests were not allowed to bring gifts or any other items. There is no electricity.  

The simplicity demands attention. 

The children were given photos of themselves and they decorated the bare cement walls. They had one soccer ball, three jump ropes and a hula-hoop. While putting up the pictures, they were allowed to play with the roll of tape. It amused them for a long time.

The contrast was blinding. They were happy and content. They shared and were not demanding.

Trying to Americanize a group of Kenyans taught a great lesson.

How much more do we get and then become demanding of God, discontent, aggressive, competitive, ungrateful?

The countenance of these children spoke volumes.

James asks, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?”

The Pot-Bellied Pastor

One would notice if someone was portly in this culture where starvation is rampant. An anomaly is the typical so-called pastor. They are fat. It almost goes without saying here, if a pastor is trim, he is serving the people, if he is fat, the people serve him (financially).

A man came up to me on the street, introduced himself as a Bishop (the highest rank in the Kenyan protestant church), and immediately proceeded to boast of his 29 churches. I looked at his mid-section and quietly said, “I should have known”. The usual request of such person is how I can assist them financially in their ministry. Needless to say, I turned and walked away.

In watching TI ministry, there is a chasm that separates this from other ministries. They never ask anyone for money. They believe, and rightly so, that if God is promoting a ministry, He will supply what is needed. They also believe that they are to minister to the downtrodden and have aligned themselves with other ministries that have done the same.

Day after day I have observed the staff walk the streets, meeting street children and spending time with them. Their current goal is to assess the needs of young girls, some who are pregnant and living on the streets. The goal is to build a shelter, get them off glue, provide education and job training for the future. I will write more about them later when TI believes it is safe to take photos.

The attached photos are of street children, going through trash or living among the swine. 

When I think of TI, this verse comes to mind.

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Rom. 12:16

A Lesson in Gratitude

Elizabeth has four children of her own and cares for her deceased daughter’s child and other deceased relative’s children.  

The total is nine and they live in a two room “house” that measures 12’ X 24’. There is a twin size bed that occupies ½ of one room (behind sheet) and the other room is for cooking. The children sleep on the dirt floor in sacks made to carry food.

The cooking room is empty with the exception of a fire pit, the common means of cooking. The walls are made of mud packed between sticks and the floors are dried dirt. 

Next to the building is a cho. It is similar to the outhouse of our western culture but it is a mud building with a gunnysack “door”. The difference is, there is no stool, just

 a hole dug in the ground, that one squats over, (again, typical of the culture).

Upon meeting the family, my heart broke and I vowed to pay for a larger building and food supply.

To my surprise, I learned an interesting fact about the family. They are ungrateful. When TI provides for them and seeks better housing, they want more, they are not thankful for what is provided and do not properly care for what they have.

How much so are we like this with our God despite his constant provisions?

Matunda, Kenya

A Matatu is a Toyota van, the old box style, which seats seven. Ours was revamped to seat twelve. Twenty people packed onboard for the several mile journey to Matunda. That was the beginning; other

 modes of transportation were used including boda-boda (bicycle taxi), and a Toyota truck with a camper and seats in the back. It sat about ten but they continued to pack it until every foot was taken. Two people standing, bent over (the roof was only head high when we were seated) with butt in face and one person’s elbow six inches from my eye. I will try to attach a photo when I get to an internet that is faster than the 31 kbps that is typical for the area.

Oh yes, also, a short journey in the back of a pick-up with several of us and grain for a grandmother caring for her grandchildren.

We also walked five miles, in the rain, to visit the grandkids that were in school.

TI assists this grandmother through sponsors of the children. We took the food and some supplies. She was grateful.

Her house consisted of an empty room with the exception of handmade chair, coffee table (for eating) and handmade couch (wood bench with cushion). In the opposite corner were some pots and food. The neighboring building housed the kitchen (a fire pit on the dirt floor) with nothing else and an adjoining animal pen where the grandson (15) has started to breed rabbits to sell.

The land had corn (maize) planted that will supply them for the year. TI is assisting them to become self-sufficient.

In the front yard are the children’s parents; buried years before, only marked by a mound of dirt that separates the area from the rest of the property.

An open well had been abandoned after the parents were buried nearby. They now travel to the river or neighbor’s to retrieve water.

The area is overwhelmingly beautiful. The children, who have absolutely nothing, are happy. Life is simple.

Kitale, Kenya

Kitale, Kenya

After a 48 hour journey, we arrived in Kenya to reside on the compound of Transformed International (TransformedInternational.org) for the next month. The TI ministry is three-fold, caring for orphans, assisting widows with micro businesses and providing a unique experience for interns.

Yesterday, we visited a hospital in Kitale where one of the orphans had been admitted, initially for malaria and pneumonia but later contracted meningitis, from a child with whom he shared a bed. To get a glimpse of this facility, see Amanda’s blog to which I previously referred.

There were many people, young and old, on each bed. There were eight beds in every alcove. It was unclear which were patients and which were family members, so each alcove of eight beds had about 32 people in the area of a common living room.

The orphan was released after ten days but during his admission, he was found to have contracted aids, probably from birth. His parents were deceased and his grandmother was caring for him.

A young woman kept calling out to us after we arrived. She had given birth to a child after seven months gestation. She asked us to pray for him as she had seen the team days before pray for children when they visited. The baby, the size of a small football, was writhing in an isolet, stuck in the corner of a room full of people. No one was attending to him. He had no nurse, no monitors, no special aids to keep him alive while he grew, just a band aid on his heal, where blood was taken, flapping open with each jerk of his foot. His fate was grim.

The strong odor of urine permeated the air. Faces were somber. The usual Kenya smiles were missing. Many children lay on beds, staring at nothing, expressionless.

Pagan Christianity?

One of the most important books of this era is Pagan Christianity? by Viola and Barna.

I recommend everyone read it. It will rock your world.

Faith

When asked if he needed financial assistance in caring for his orphanage, he replied, "...I do not feel at liberty to speak about the state of our funds.  The primary object of this ministry is to lead those who are weak in faith to see that there is reality in dealing with God alone."

The Autobiography of George Muller March 26, 1840

The Fear of the Lord

The continual awareness that God is watching and weighing every one of my thoughts, words, actions and attitudes.

What is the measure of a man?

I recently spoke with a friend who attempted to restore an errant
brother, who began using controlled substances and pursuing divorce.

He first went to his brother, with no results.

In light of Matthew 18, he attempted to garner a friend or other member of the brother's church, but they made excuses to keep from getting involved.

It reminded me of the king, in Matthew 22, who had a wedding feast for his son.  When servants were sent to gather the guests, they went their way, one to his farm and another to his business.
It is interesting that many young men enjoy movies such as Gladiator and Braveheart.  They identify with the hero and visualize or act out fantasies of valor and bouts of manliness.

We've all seen the email "forwards" with imagined stories of terrorists bursting into a church and threatening to shoot those who won't deny Christ.  The sender makes it clear that they would proclaim the Savior even in the face of death.  But the reality is they shrink in fear at the thought of confronting a brother. They see themselves as the hero in stories of great and noble conquests - - but can't manage to meet the basic requirements of a Godly man.  

Confrontation is difficult.  It is costly.  It is time consuming.
Seldom do THOSE stories of valor get retold.  There is hurt and remorse involved.

It most often makes the confronter look bad - - especially in the eyes of those who lack the fortitude to do likewise (or follow the Biblical command).

But, it is the true measure of a man, a man of God.

Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are
spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one
looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Gal. 6:1

Deference

Limiting our freedom in order not to offend the personal taste of those we are serving.

PTSD and the child

The other day, I watched a fascinating show called "Hog Genius", National Geographic, on the Discovery Channel.

Scientists found that Swine are closely related to humans in many ways and that the brain and their reactions to stimuli are similar to humans. That being said, they used pigs to test learning and responses to stress.

They found that the animal can problem solve better than dogs or primates however, when stress is introduced, they were unable to cope or solve problems.

This was illustrated by placing it in a large tub of water with a platform submerged, just out of sight. The pig would swim around the tub for a short time, bump into the platform and be able to climb to safety. Ten minutes later, it was reintroduced into the tub and immediately swam to the platform, showing that learning took place.

A stressed animal, however, panicked when introduced to the water and swam without purpose. It was then drawn to the platform by the scientist in order to teach it where to swim, to safety. Ten minutes later, the stressed pig was reintroduced into the tub. He panicked and failed to find the platform.

Scientists referred to this as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the means they used to produce this stress in the pig was, of all things, to wean him from his mother prematurely. As a result, it was unable to cope with normal life stressors having been taken from the basic nurturing that an animal needs.

If the findings are accurate in this well funded study, what affect does removing a child from his mother and placing him in daycare have on a child?

O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me.

Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.

O Israel, hope in the Lord From this time forth and forever. Ps. 131

Bring Forth Fruit

Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea, and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? "Therefore bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance; Matt. 3:5-8

In these verses, there is an interesting point that John makes. Many were coming from all around the area and being baptized. The Pharisees and Sadducees were also but they are rebuked by John because they did not bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance. What was the fruit in keeping with their repentance?

I have heard that it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22) or works that were evidence of repentance. It is, rather, confession. Those in the district were coming out and were being baptized as they confessed their sins. The Pharisees and Sadducees came too but were stopped short. John said to bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance. That did not mean that they had to leave and then come back after they changed or brought evidence of change. It only meant that they needed to confess their sins, at that exact moment, which they were unwilling to do.

Repent is to rethink and agree on, i.e., “I agree that this is in violation of a holy God.” Confession is to verbalize that agreement - - the “fruit” of repentance..

Pride keeps us from confessing.

Determination

Realizing that my present struggles are essential for future achievement.

Prayer Target

In the last blog, we mentioned one weapon of defense, the sword of the Spirit. Also, that there was a seventh part of the Armor of God.

You probably weren’t told of another weapon available to you, thus you have been fighting Satan with only part of the arsenal available to you, and, often defeated.

The next verse, Eph 6:18, gives the second weapon, “all prayer” and it tells what it is.

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf”.

When you get tempted to sin, the natural reaction is to grab on and hold on tight for the fight. You “white knuckle it”. You wait for the battle to end and it most often ends in defeat. Then Satan grabs that “handle of guilt” on your back and tells you that you are not worthy of the Kingdom or that you aren’t a believer and reminds you that your “righteousness is as filthy rags”. Then the depression and guilt sets in and you feel worthless and ineffective as a Christian.

The principle of “all prayer” gives you a new weapon to defeat the enemy.

The technique is simple. We all know someone who is a struggling Believer. Choose someone who you know, that if they got their life right with God, they would be a dynamic Christian, effective for the faith. Don’t pick someone that you are intimate with (there is a reason for this) and only pick one person and keep them as your Prayer Target.

Now, when you are tempted, use this temptation as a signal from God to pray for this person, for their walk with God, for their moral purity, for their time with God and their spiritual growth. As you do, you no longer fear the power of the temptation as it comes but rather you welcome it as a reminder from God to pray for your Prayer Target.

When you are tempted to sin, immediately think of your Prayer Target and begin to pray for them, then thank God for the temptation because it reminded you to pray for that person. The power of the temptation immediately loses its grip on you. Satan’s plan was thwarted. He wanted you to fall, not pray for someone.

Using this principle, you have changed a curse into a blessing. Several things will happen. First, Satan will back off on the temptation, as he does not want you to pray for this person, he wants you to fall. Second, the person will start to have a closer walk with God. Third, you will be prompted to contact them to inquire as to how they are growing, as to their faith. This will cause the two of you to be bonded in a deep friendship.

The hindrances are forgetting to use the principle, stopping because it is work or not realizing that it is a blessing when you are tempted. If you become thankful when you are tempted, you can look forward to the temptation as it is a reminder to pray.

The Armor of God

In Ephesians 6, Paul writes about the armor of God. We often misuse this text to motivate believers in other ways than what is stated in the verses. The admonishment is to simply resist and stand against Satan. We have all heard sermons and teachings using this text. We have heard the six pieces of armor. I will list them and a brief description of their purpose.

· Gird your loins with truth-the loins were described as the “seat of emotions". The writer encourages us to gird, wrap up for action, our emotions as Satan’s first line of attack is in that area. Our emotions are tossed about and we begin to doubt God and His Word. When our emotions tell us one thing, we need to counter them with the truth of a matter.

· The breastplate of righteousness-this piece covers the heart. Satan shoots arrows of doubt and deception and thoughts of guilt. We need to cover the heart with the righteousness that we stand in, reminding ourselves that our “righteousness is as filthy rags” but He is now our righteousness.

· Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace-we often use this verse as a motivator to witness but it actually is another admonition to “stand firm”, not to go out and witness. The verse in the original language is related to putting on shoes with cleats. The cleats cause us to “dig in” when we are hit by the enemy. This is to insure that we remain upright when we stand on the slippery slopes of the evil one. The “gospel of peace” is the good news that we are at peace with God. This is another of the enemy’s tactics, to make you feel ill at ease with Him.

· Take up the shield of faith-its purpose is to extinguish the all the flaming missiles of the evil one. Satan’s goal is to get to the heart, as mentioned above. This is a second layer of defense.

· The helmet of salvation-Satan wants you to believe that you are not saved. If that doesn’t work, then he will hope that at least, you will doubt the stability of your place in Christ. One of the greatest stumbling blocks in the Christian's life is the belief that he can lose his salvation. If you do, Satan wins. The helmet protects your thoughts when you start thinking that you are not saved or you can lose your salvation. These thoughts create an uneasiness in the believer and an insecurity as to his position in Christ.

· The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Jesus used this when He was tempted in the wilderness.

There they are, the six. But wait, the Bible has a theme running from Genesis to Revelations. Six is an incomplete number. Seven is the number of perfection. To be a complete list, one that is  perfect, it must have seven principles of standing firm. Where is the seventh?

Life Message

Sharing with others how God is using my weakness to conform me to the image of His Son.