Mercy Ship

Today David Berryhill and Nathan Atkinson and myself went out to Mercy Ships in Garden Valley for a tour. We met up with Rick Schultz member of our church who works or is a missionary with Mercy Ships. I was really blown away by all of it. They have a ton of stuff going on that is right here in our back door.

Seeing all these people who are not doctors who have left everything to live on support and work with Mercy Ships messes with my head. Every time I am around folks like this I get real emotional and disturbed spiritually. My analytical, linear mind always ask questions of how, where, if, why and all that. How do they do it. Some how God figures out the details of what is going on in their life. I usually wind up weeping later.

We got to meet Don Stephens who happened to be on the base. Rick said that he is only around about 5 days a month because of his schedule. He gave us a copy of his book and autographed it. He and his wife spent several wonderful minutes with us just sharing and talking. What a gentle humble man.

I respect men like him and Rick. They are some of my heroes.

Party in Heaven

Yesterday was a great day. My baby Sarah came in and woke up Liz. I had already left to come to the church. She was crying and upset. She said she was scared to tell Liz something. Liz finally got it out of her. She had asked Jesus in to her heart. WOO HOO!!!!!! For the last 3 weeks she has been randomly confessing things from 2 years ago. Just really overtaken in sin she admits to everything. This is on her own, no prompting. She had suddenly become aware that she is a sinner. Saturday night I told Liz that Sarah was close to making a decision for Jesus. She did it the next morning.

Yesterday in church none of our high dollar technology worked. A lightening strike shut down our 6 figure gadgets and gizmo's. But despite all of that, God still moved. He is not bound by His own creation. He saved my daughter.

All praises to our God and King.

Race Relations

I was invited to attend the Race Relations Forum here in Tyler. this is a group that gets together on a regular basis to talk about racial issues. I went to my first meeting on Monday. I really would like to see our church not be so white. I hate the fact that Sunday morning is the most segregated hour. I hate that churches are called or referred to as white or black or Hispanic churches.

At this meeting were not just different races but of other religions. There was a Muslim and several people from the Bahia Faith. I struggle with this. I know that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. What about people who are enemies of the cross?

I have really struggled and wrestled with the idea of associating with people from cults. Am I to be salt and light here? Or do I avoid this? I am totally open to racial dialogue and a better understanding between races. I want to see more mixing of races in church. The old stereotypes of avoiding each other on Sunday needs to stop. I know in time it will.

But what about my spending time with members of cults that I have taught against? I am not sure what to think about this. I am open to ideas. If I don't go to these meetings and represent Jesus, who will? Or am I casting pearls before the swine and giving what is holy to the dogs?

Open to ideas......