Haiti- Cross Network Relief

Mobilizing tradesmen abundant in time, with men and woman abundant in resources.

What if we really were the hands and feet of Christ?

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:37-40

With America's economy down, there are many in the construction field that are looking for work, on unemployment, or simply don't have enough work. What if we (as the body) came together as a the network that we are and began putting teams together of skilled tradesmen: carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, laborers, draftsmen, welders, machinists; and began strategically sending them down to Haiti in teams to rebuild what has fallen?

What if we could send down a team to build small water purification plants in different parts of the island to begin purifying and pumping clean water to the people?

What if we could send pastors, to minister to families who have lost or are missing loved ones. Pastors to preach God's love, arrange funerals and begin the process of starting over again.

In order for something as BIG as this to happen, it would take the financial and emotional support of those who are not unemployed, and have something to give. All of us have something to give. The financial side would not only include the travels and lodging of those going to Haiti, but the support of their families back home.

Just a proposal.

Words can't explain!

Stone of Remembrance

This was a gift from my family. I love it.

Launch Out into the Deep

Luke 5:4 "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

The Latin phrase for Jesus' words, "Launch out into the deep" is Duc In Altum. I have this inscribed on the inside of the Navy ring to remind me that God often calls us to engage Him in situations where He, and only He, could bring about results. We often give God credit for our victories in very normal situations. Now, don't misinterpret what I'm saying. I believe we should thank God for every good things that comes our way, for He is the Giver of ALL good things (James 1:17.) But God also shows His strength on our behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9) when we obey His voice and follow Him into the "Deep waters."

Let me backtrack a bit and give a little more explanation of the significance of this situation and the cultural backdrop. Simon was a fisherman, Jesus wasn't. Simon fished the Sea of Galilee, and every seasoned fisherman knows that you fish the Sea of Galilee at night and in the shallow water. Not in the daylight, and not in the deep water. Why? Because that's not where the fish are. Pretty simple, really. So when Jesus finishes teaching the multitudes from Simon's boat, He tells him to push his boat out into the deep water and put his nets down. Simon's reservation is totally understandable, but he obeyed. The story goes on to tell us that his nets caught such a large amount of fish that his nets began to break and he had to call to other boats to come to his assistance to bring in such a massive load of fish.

Some members of the underground house church movement in China came to visit America, and when they returned home they were asked what they thought of the American church. They said they were amazed at all the great things American churches can do without God. Now I don't believe that everything we do is without the aid of God, for He surely replenishes our strength when we are weak and gives us the vision to engage the task. But I do agree that we tend to reserve our obedience to the familiar and comfortable areas. That way if we fail, it isn't a big fail; and if we succeed, we can take part of the credit with God. Sad. The Chinese church has nothing to lose, for if caught they are severely punished. I've heard stories of baptisms in the middle of winter, where they are least likely to be caught by the authorities, where they have to cut large chunks of ice off the top of the river in order to get in- but miraculously the water is warm to their skin! That- can only be GOD!

There are times when God will call us to engage Him in circumstances where the results are completely up to Him; unnatural and improbable, sometimes absolutely impossible. But these are the times when HE gets all the glory, for there is no humanly possible way we could have produces such results on our own!

I guess the bottom line is this: I believe that God is big. I believe that Jesus is alive. I believe His Spirit has been given to me to guide and convict me, showing me the deep mind of God (1 Cor 2:9-12). In light of these things, I suppose I want my puny little existence on this earth to scream His very real presence and love and power. I cannot do that by engaging Him in disbelief, but rather anticipating in faith Him to move in supernatural, otherwise unexplainable ways; this way ALL glory goes to Him alone.

Lord, I beg You, call me to "Launch Out into the Deep!"

Ready for Either

A Roman coin was once found with the picture of an ox on it; the ox was facing two things -- an altar and a plough; and the inscription read: "Ready for either". The ox had to be ready either for the supreme moment of sacrifice on the altar or the long labor of the plough on the farm. There is no one cup for the Christian living. To drink the cup simply means to follow Christ wherever he may lead, and to be like him in any situation life may bring.

This is the reason for naming my blog. When I first believed, almost 6 years ago, I read about this coin in a book, and I have had the thought before me ever since. When God awakened me, He didn't awaken me to live without purpose, absent of direction, biding my time until death; but instead to push forward with all my strength toward the finish line. I love this analogy because an ox has two destinations in his life: to be sacrificed and eaten or to pull the plow and work the ground. This should and must be the mindset of every follower of Jesus- work tirelessly until the day He calls us to lay it all down.

In the end of Luke 9, Jesus, speaking of the enormous cost of discipleship, says, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

As followers, we need to put our hand to the plow. We need to work the ground so the seed can die and find new life and bear much fruit. If we are unable to do this, well, Jesus' words above should be enough.