Working with these people that are doing such difficult work has been a wonderful experience.  They are working in the midst of overwhelming odds.  The obstacles that they face are beyond belief and yet they take it in stride as if it were completely normal.  Because of their sense of call, they have learned to adapt.  They are able to take the complex and make in ordinary in terms of their daily living.  There are several lessons that we can apply to our lives and be better for it.

1. They have a clear sense of purpose.  They want their life to count.
2. They also have a very clear call to be doing what they are doing.  They are in the work they are in because they believe that God has put them there.  For them, doing what they do is not optional.
3. They have learned not to take themselves too seriously.  I have heard so many stories that blow my mind but as they tell them, you get the idea that the circumstances are no big deal.
4. They live with great flexibility.  If something does not go their way, they take it in stride and immediately formulate another plan.  Most of us panic when we do not get our way.  They have learned to adapt and this has drastically reduced their stress level compared to the rest of us.
5. They stay forcused.  They have a clear understanding of what they are supposed to do and they are not easily distracted.  They refuse to quit.
6. They are not selfish and exhibit a great sense of gratitude.  They flesh out what they believe.  They know that God takes care of them and they are grateful for the things that God does for them.

These are all things that we can and should have in our lives.  It would make a difference in the way we live and it would have a tremendous impact on those around us.

They say that we live in the Bible belt but we are surrounded by people who do not understand what it means to be a follower of Christ.  This experience has been a reminder to me of what we are to be doing where we live.

I am so much looking forward to Sunday and being a part of a great worship service this Sunday at 10:30.  Invite your friends to be with us.

We are only a few days from celebrating our nation’s birthday.  This is such an exciting time of year and it deserves our attention more than ever.  We were founded as one nation under God but we have rejected Him in so many areas.

This day should be a reminder of the values that the founding fathers of our country held dear.  We are rapidly moving in the opposite direction.  The news reminds us daily that we have lost an appreciation for perosnal and corporate moral standards.  We are a nation that was built upon moral absolutes.  Two examples this week make that abundantly clear.

The tragedy of our governor continues to worsen.  This is troubling for two reasons in particular.  He seems to be going in the wrong direction for saving his marriage while using so much religious verbage. Secondly, he continues to talk about his faith while talking of an adulterous affair as a real love story.  That is not morally possible.  What is more troubling is that so much of the public does not seem to understand how absurd this is.

At the same time, our president is openly accelerating his support for homosexuality and in so doing is attacking the concept of marriage and the traditional family.  As a people we do not seem to have the foresight to realize how devestating this can be for our culture.

July 4th is a time for hope for our nation.  We must pray that Americans may once again understand how important it is for us to stand for the values upon which our country was built.  Along with the celebration of our nation’s independence there should be an individual recommitment to stop the slide of our culture and regain the meaning of what it means to be one nation under God.

As we celebrate what has occurred in the past, we must commit ourselves to the future with our focus on the one that has given us this great opportunity to be Americans.

The more time you spend with these missionaries, the more you are impressed with their sense of call in light of the circumstances they have to encounter on a daily basis.

Today I have heard stories of persecution, being forced to leave a country, a family that will have to come home because they have a child that must have special help, and governments moving against Christians.

At the same time I hear stories of people groups that have just baptized their first believer, churches being started, people that have learned a foreign language just to share the gospel, people groups that have been engaged for the first time, national partners that have joined in our efforts.  I could go on and on.

It has also been a reminder to me of the responsibilities that we have at home.  The longer I am here, the more I think about our church and the ministry that we have there.  We must always remember that the light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home.  While this is a great ministry, I am anxious to get home and get back to the work.

Please continue to pray for our team and for me as I preach.  Because of the great need, I feel a great sense of responsibility.  They have been very responsive but I want to share exactly what the Lord wants me to communicate.

I am praying for so many of our people there and I am grateful for those that stand in the gap.