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posted by James on 10/26/08

The early morning frost blanketed the silent landscape surrounding the Northwoods Conference Center. When the sun began to rise at 7:00, I stepped outside to take in the serenity. It was completely different than a normal Tuesday morning at work in Chicago.

Back in September, when I heard that the Life FOCUS group was going on a  Journey To The Heart in late October, I began to seek the Lord’s will about possibly joining them. The work at Headquarters had been increasingly hectic, and a week set apart to seek the Lord and be rejuvenated in Him seemed a worthwhile opportunity. Brother Michael, Joshua and Matthew Wilkes and several other guys I knew well were part of this FOCUS group and I knew the fellowship would be rich and meaningful. I would also have the opportunity to assist Chad Paine in guiding the Journey.

However, I soon had to die to this desire. I was needed more at Headquarters than I was in Life FOCUS. Getting the permission to go would be difficult, if not selfish. Therefore, I gave my desires to the Lord and waited.

A few days before the FOCUS guys arrived, I found that it would be fine with my Department to be gone for the next week. Apprehensively, I asked Mr. Gothard about it. Surprisingly, he said to plan on it! The next morning, I called the Director of FOCUS and, after telling him I had permission to go, said he could definitely use me. Praise the Lord!
 

I have now been enjoying a week of much needed sleep, study, quiet-time, prayer and recreation. It is refreshing to be with a group of people who willingly share struggles, victories, insights and exhortations. It is amazing to see many deepen their love and commitment to the Lord. I’ve also enjoyed preparing for and leading some of the team meetings which helps me understand more fully what we are studying.

It has been good to come apart into a wilderness place and rest a while and seek the Lord. I could spend the rest of my life just reading, seeking and sharing the character of God as described in His Word. But life must go on and there is much work to be accomplished. By God’s grace, I will continue the Journey and carry the application of abiding in Christ into the daily schedules of the future.

6 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by Donald on 10/23/08

We all know that children have a lot to learn but do you often think of learning from children? The qualities of humility and faith that Jesus highlighted are qualities we must all learn before we can be a part of His kingdom.

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We’ve seen many many students in the past month and a half!
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At the English Village, we’ve established a weekly schedule that can service over 250 Elementary School students a week in addition to the Junior Highers from the host school. Last week was our first full week and it went well. (On Thursday afternoon some of us had energy left over to engage the teachers in a long game of volleyball!)

September 22nd marked our first classes for elementary school students. It was a thrill to stand at the door that day and welcome them in, knowing that we might well be the first foreigners they would ever talk to or see face to face.

2 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by James on 10/9/08

With so many different versions of the Bible in the world today it becomes very important to ask: which Bible can we trust? After all, the Bible is the written Word of God, every Word of God is true, and thus it is the key for understanding doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16). Last week, Robert and I had the opportunity to hear a message by Mr. Les Garrett from Australia. He is an authority on the subject, having studied Bible history for decades and spoken in many countries on almost every continent of the world. His passion for truth was contagious! Here are some points, some of which he covered in his message, that might help in a quest for knowing which Bible to trust.

1. Choose a Bible that is closest to the original Hebrew and Greek. Learning these languages would be the best way to read the Bible, but, obviously, that is not always possible.
2. The translations of today are based either on the “Textus Receptus” (Received Text) or the Revised Text. The Revised Text originated in the Catechetical School of Alexandria which held an “allegorical interpretation of Scripture” (to quote Wikipedia). In contrast, the Received Text was upheld by the School of Antioch who “held a more literal and … typological exegesis.” This was one of many differences between the two major centers of theological study of the ancient world, and a fact that the modern world has largely ignored.
3. Received Text versions include the Wycliffe, Tyndale, Geneva, and Authorized (or KJV) Bibles. Revised versions include the Vatican, Revised Standard Version, The Living Bible, New Living Translation, and New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witness) Bibles. Straddling the fence, or versions attracting less controversy, include the NIV, NAS, and NKJV.
4. The Revised Version of 1881, predecessor of most modern translations today, was published by F.J.A. Hort and B.F. Westcott. They departed from the Textus Receptus, basing their translation on the Alexandrian corruptions of the ancient Vatican and Sinaitic manuscripts. The views of the translators are clearly seen in their attempts to subtly obscure or omit the deity, pre-existence, virgin birth, and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
5. Many important words and often whole verses are missing in Revised Text versions of today. The amount of departures between the 1611 KJV and the 1881 Revised Version was over thirty-six thousand! Close examination and study of the missing portions reveal an astonishing trend toward promoting unitarian, Arianistic, humanistic and nontrinitarian beliefs.

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (II John 1:7-8).

5 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses, Ministry Reports

posted by Robert on 10/2/08

In the midst of a city with escalating immorality and increasing public wickedness, nearly two thousand Christians gathered in San Francisco for a time of open repentance and prayer. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend this prayer rally, which was appropriately named America Return to God.

The powerful message on true repentance, the need for one accord, and the power of crying out was perfect preparation for the time of prayer that followed. Surrounded by a multitude of believers sincerely and fervently lifting up their families, their churches, and their nation, I was reminded of the promise in II Chronicles 7:14:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).

Judgment must begin at the house of God. (See I Peter 4:17.) Do Christians really believe that marriage is one man and one woman for life? We don’t seem to act like it. Our generation is quickly losing its moral compass. This is why it was so encouraging for me to join with so many other believers in repentance and prayer as they stood for truth in a very dark world.

3 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by Donald on 09/18/08

While we’re already into our third week, we’re actually only beginning to “take off” with a full-fledged teaching schedule.
Yesterday and today students from Nan Jung (our host school–pronounced Non Rong) came for a total of seven 45-minute periods and next Monday students from an elementary school will be the first regular outside guests to come through. It promises to be another good year and I’m reminded of Psalm 19:5, a verse that came to mind during a jog earlier this week: “[The rising sun is] as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.” There’s a long flight ahead but the Lord has been our strength giving us cause to rejoice at the beginning of the race as well as afterwards.
Though Austin had only taught the airport classroom a few times before, he enjoyed “taking the stick” for today and conducted four successful flights in the Airport this morning. I’m really looking forward to doing the Market class with him some day. I feel our Fashion Store lesson plan is at last where it ought to be as well. Today I practiced some different things for the peerless Mr. Brown Cafe and of course it brings a particular degree of satisfaction seeing satisfied students walk out of the newly opened branch of Mega International Commercial Bank.
As our small crew flies on into and above the clouds, through day and night over uncharted territory, we rejoice that the Lord has seen fit to bless our efforts so far and we return the credit both to Him and those He is using through their tremendous encouragement and prayers. Thank you all!
Praise the Lord

3 Comments » | posted in Family News, Ministry Reports, The Bright Side