GAZA AND ISRAEL GO AT IT

Over the last few days there's been much media coverage of the attacks that Israel has been launching on Gaza. Hamas and the terrorists that rule that portion of land have been terrorizing the Israelies for decades with rocket launches onto civilian markets and terrorist acts against the nation of Israel and no one cares. No one cries out for the insanity to stop. Oh but let the nation of Israel defend herself, her people and her territory and all of the sudden Israel is a big bully. This world is messed up. Why do we care if terrorists have rights? are defended? are bombed? are weeded out and destroyed? Why do they deserve any rights at all? They are thugs that want to destroy life and freedom? Oh but the world and the liberal thugs that seem to dominate our national thinking believe we must reach out, hold hands, drink Coke-a-Cola together and sing "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing." I'm sick of it, sick of it, sick of it and in case you were wondering, I'm sick of it!

I read on the news that Cynthia McKinney, a former Congresswoman from Georgia, was attempting to deliver humanitarian relief to the poor, defenseless people of Gaza via boat and the Israeli's Army rammed her vessel. What a moron this woman is. She is known for being a moron when she was in the House of Representatives and now her streak of dumbness continues. Here's a little bit of the article...

By CRAIG SCHNEIDER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, December 29, 2008

A boat carrying international peace activists, including former Georgia congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, and medical supplies to the embattled Gaza Strip sailed back into a Lebanese port on Tuesday after being turned back and damaged by the Israeli navy, organizers of the trip said.

The crowds on the docks in the Lebanese port city of Tyre were jubilant and cheering as they welcomed the vessel.

The boat, which set off from Cyprus Monday wanted to make a statement and deliver medical supplies to embattled Gaza. The trip’s organizers said the boat was clearly in international waters, 90 miles off the coast of Gaza, at the time of its close encounter with the Israeli navy.

“Our boat was rammed three times, twice in the front and one on the side,” McKinney told CNN Tuesday morning. “Our mission was a peaceful mission. Our mission was thwarted by the aggressiveness of the Israeli military.”

Yigal Palmor, a spokesman for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, denied there had been any shooting although the two ships had made “physical contact.”

Palmor said there was no response to a radio warning to the Dignity, and the vessel then tried to out-maneuver the Israeli patrol boat, leading to the collision.

Cyprus state radio said the Cypriot government would seek explanations from Israel over the incident.

McKinney called on President-elect Obama to address the Gaza crisis, saying the weapons being used by Israel were supplied by the United States.

McKinney denied that the incident was an accident. “What the Israelis are saying is outright disinformation,” she said. “What happened to us last night was a direct threat to our mission, but not our cause.”

Palmor called those allegations “absurd.”

“There is no intention on the part of the Israeli navy to ram anybody,” Palmor said.

In a press release, the Free Gaza movement stated, “Contrary to international maritime law, the Israelis are actively preventing the Dignity from approaching Gaza or finding safe haven in either Egypt or Lebanon. Instead, the Israeli navy is demanding that the Dignity return to Cyprus — despite the fact that the ship does not carry enough fuel to do so.”

McKinney is a high-profile member of a boatload of activists that set sail Monday from Cyprus to deliver medicine to war-torn Gaza.

McKinney, who ran as the Green Party candidate for president, sees the voyage as a humanitarian mission, said her father, former Georgia state Rep. Billy McKinney.

“Her mother did not want her to go,” he said, referring to concerns at home for her safety. “But I think that certain people have missions in life and you can’t deter them.”

The activists, organized by the Free Gaza Group, said their 66-foot yacht called “SS Dignity” would defy an Israeli blockade of Gaza and ferry 16 activists and three tons of Cypriot-donated supplies. The supplies are intended to help treat the wounded from Israeli bombings against targets in Gaza, in retaliation for rocket fire aimed at civilians in southern Israeli towns.

Israel’s aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip continued for a third day on Monday. By Monday, the death toll rose to 364, with some 1,400 reported wounded, according to Palestinian medical officials.

McKinney had sent an e-mail days ago to friends and supporters saying she intended to go to Gaza, said Hugh Esco, a Decatur resident who ran her presidential campaign Web site.

“She has stood with people all over this planet against oppression,” said Esco.

McKinney said she will petition President-elect Barack Obama to speak out against the attacks on Gaza.

The Free Gaza group has made five deliveries of aid by boat to Gaza since August, defying a blockade imposed by Israel when Hamas won control of the territory in June 2007. Organizers say they are aware they may be stopped this time.

“I don’t know if she’ll get off the boat,” her father said. “I hope she gets back safely.”

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.

RON CONTINUES: As we celebrate the birth of Christ and we are focused on towns like Bethlehem, let's remember our friends in Israel. Pray for peace in their land and pray that the Lord will remove the blindness from their eyes and they will see Jesus as the Messiah. Pray for our missionaries that are threatened daily because of their faith in Christ and pray for their courage and protection.

Merry Christmas!

It will be a busy, Christmas-filled week so I would just like to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas!

I will be back in the old blogger saddle sometime next week so please check back then. Until that time keep praying for our missionaries around the globe and remember our John and Jane Trailblazer as they tie up their loose ends here in the USA and prepare for their departure to East Asia.

Be blessed! Rejoice! Honor the Savior King!

In Christ,
Ron

UKRAINE UPDATE/PROFILE

I sent an e-mail to all of our foreign missionaries and asked for specific prayer request for their ministries. So now, I am going to be starting a special series of blogs over the next few days. This series will profile some of our missionaries, their specific prayer requests and the culture of the target area of their service. This series may get interrupted by Christmas week break but I'm starting it nonetheless.

I want to start with Ukraine. Ukraine holds a very dear and special place our hearts. It was the first mission trip ever taken by Pioneer Baptist. It was this very first trip that really led us down the trail of missions in a way that has radically transformed our church body.

When the USSR fell apart before our very eyes the Soviet states were able to declare their own independence from Moscow. Ukraine became a sovereign and independent nation in 1991. Known as an important military position to the USSR and for her fertile growing fields, Ukraine was now ready to move forward without the watchful eyes Mother Russia. I wonder what it must have been like back in those first days of their freedom? What a sense of hope and excitement there must have been. What a sense of expectation the people must have felt. The government today is still struggling however to find its footing. Ukraine is very "western" leaning. This means they want to be more like the US than the old USSR. The leaders in all levels of government however are corrupt. They take money from programs and use it for personal gain and bribes are still a big part of how they do their business...all the way down to the police at the local levels.

The closed doors of Ukraine were blasted open some 17 years ago now and Ukraine has been heavily targeted by the American church. In fact, Ukraine wouldn't necessarily be classified as a "Christian nation" but it's getting there inch by inch. Of all of the former Soviet Republics, Ukraine is the only nation that is now SENDING missionaries to other former Soviet Republics. Ukraine is at a great spot geographically as it is really the link between Asia and Europe. It would be amazing to see what God could do with this position for the sake of the Gospel.

The MacDonald Family arrived in Lutugino Ukraine on July 5, 2005. They have 12 kids (no twins). Five of these children are now proudly serving our country in the United States military with our buddy Ben (lovingly known to Sarah and me as Asher) making #6 sometime next year. Bruce MacDonald is known as "papa" to his kids. He served and has retired from the military and is using his retirement to help fund this mission work in Ukraine. Pia is the strong, spiritual woman that keeps Bruce grounded and the kids growing! They are amazing people to me. Just like our John and Joe Trailblazer they are true spiritual heroes to me. They have given up a life of comfort and American luxury to go to a country where there is no safe drinking water, few working telephone lines, and a spirit of darkness that is almost overwhelming at times. Here's a funny for you. The Eastern Orthodox is obviously very threatened by REAL Christianity coming in on their turf. They teach that the Baptists are cults that eat their children. This of course is told so that people will not listen to what is being preached and taught. Bruce laughs at this and assures people that ALL 12 of his kids are alive and well so there is no need to worry!!! LOL!!!

Bruce and Pia serve in a small village in the eastern part of Ukraine, near the Russian border, called Lutugino. With a population of 19,000 people only about 300 people are Evangelical Christians. The rest of the people are either Eastern Orthodox or have no belief at all. Sad to say but the governments of USSR had imposed an atheistic doctrine of "no God" so there are many generations that believe in absolutely nothing. This belief shows up in the cultural make up as well. There is no value given to human life. Babies that are thought to have defect as detected by an ultrasound are aborted because they aren't perfect. An Eastern Orthodox believer would say that God has cursed the mother by giving a bad baby and that mom would receive much shame should she choose to have the child. Old widowed women can actually be kicked out of their homes and into the freezing cold, literally! Their family takes over all of her possessions and she is forced to find somewhere else to live with or die from exposure to the elements. Yes, there are results from the government's sowing in a Godless belief. It is obvious everywhere you turn.

Alcholism is very high here and it's no wonder. There is a general feeling of sadness in the land. There is a feeling of hopelessness that I can't quiet explain. There is a real sense that all is lost and the future isn't so bright. It's interesting for me to observe year after year that the only people you see smiling in this country are Christians and people that are drunk. The ones that are drunk are trying to find something to MAKE them happy and feel that voided and lifelessness. The Christians have something that gives them joy (the love of Christ) in spite of the lifestyles around them and seem to enjoy the fullness of their life.

I am proud that our church body has been with Bruce and Pia in the field since their first full summer in Ukraine in 2006. It has given us a chance to grow in our missions work and understanding as they grow their mission and ministry. We have been able to testify to the great things that God has done here simply by sharing and partnering with them over these 3 years.

Our first year in the field Neal and I were ejected from a hospital that we were visiting because we were sharing the gospel. The administrator told Pastor Sergei (local pastor of our sister church "Way To Eternal Life Baptist Church) that he was a traitor for helping the Americans and that Ukraine didn't need any other religions. Over the course of the next three years, the MacDonald ministry and Pastor Sergei and Alla didn't give up. PBC even sent enough money for the hospital to buy a shower unit. This has opened the doors wide. Now Pastor Sergei or Bruce or our teams can go inside the hospital whenever we or they want and pray and share the gospel. Sergei has even been able to pray with that same administrator. She isn't a Christian but we're still praying! It's taken 3 years though you say...is it worth it? 100% YES!

Bruce and Pia have been making incredible strides in their work with the youth of the community. Their children are a big part of this effort. Bruce and Pia regularly have the neighborhood kids over to their home for fun, food, and Bible studies. God showed me 2 years ago that He is targeting the young generations of Ukraine so to be careful not to ignore them or their overall importance to HIS plan for this nation.

One of the big goals for the future ministry of On Point For Christ (Bruce and Pia's ministry) is to build a small ministry center beside their house. Bruce and Pia own a small piece of land next door and it already has a foundation. This would be a vital next step in seeing things progress here. This would allow them to have a small church type structure in their neighborhood and allow them to house some of the ministry teams that come to help in the field (both are huge needs!). This project will only cost $25,000 to complete and if I had the money, I'd send it today because it's that needed. Please pray that the sponsoring churches that help Bruce and Pia will use some of their resources to make this happen.

Bruce and Pia have other requests that they are asking you to join with them in prayer over: From Pia,

"We would like you to pray for this area to bear spiritual fruit. We have sown lots of seeds, but see little, if any, results. Many make professions, as you know, but almost no one gets into a church or gets baptized.

Also, pray for our health. Mercy broke her leg last Sunday night by just walking. It's a fracture above her ankle and is on the inside of the bone. Praise the Lord, we got to see the best pediatric bone surgeon in the area. She is in a cast for three to four weeks. already the cast was slipping off and I repositioned it this morning.

Pray also for our trip to the states in the middle of Jan. Pray that my wisdom tooth surgery goes well and that I get to see an ENT about mt throat problems and the pulmonologist,and my GYN about another surgery I put off three and one half years ago. Looks like I have to use my old Primary care doc whose competence I have always doubted. Pray for God's will to be done. I am really not looking forward to this trip. Surgeries and being away from my family for so long are the main reasons.

Pia

So there you have it. I hope it's a satisfactory summary of a little of bit of the life in Ukraine and what the ministry of the MacDonalds is doing. Thanks as always for your faithfulness to pray!

Ron

THE UNEASY FEELING

Yesterday was a strange day. There was a triple shooting in a little town called Barren Springs not too far from here. A man shot his neighbors, a deputy, and then burned a neighbor's house down before sneaking his way into the woods. So far he has alluded the police and remained at-large. The entire county seems to be locked in fear. No one knows where he is or what he's up to but he's desperate and looking for a warm dry place to stay during the nights. Needless to say everyone that's away from the glaring lights of town sleep with one eye open and one ear listening when these types of things come along.

Evil abounds in this world. We get so shocked when it happens right under our noses. Let's face it. Southwest VA is a fairly "safe" feeling place. This kind of violence is rare, but when it happens it really shakes the community. Evil is everywhere and we are not exempt from its terror and its consequences.

When I was a little boy I used to be very very afraid of the dark. It wasn't the dark that scared me so much as what someone could do to us in the dark, like break in our house and kill us. I used to sneak into our living room before going to bed and slide the big chair in front of the door so that no one could get in. I remembering running into a scripture at that time that eventually brought my little boy mind a great deal of comfort and relief. PSALM 27:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? I would read that and it was if God were saying directly to me, "Ron I AM your salvation (that means He saves me from something). PERIOD. Why are you afraid and who should you be afraid of knowing that it is ME, the LORD, who saves you?"

Yes in these times where the world indeed is crazy and where evil abounds we remember and know that the Lord is our strength and shield, an always present help in times of trouble. Neal's blog yesterday was talking about putting on your spiritual armor. We have His Word as the Sword of the Spirit and we are free to apply His Word in every circumstance and every situation.

Today, my prayer is simply that this mad man will be stopped and that any additional evil plans will be revealed and stopped. I also ask that the Lord reveal His location to some discerning Christian and that he is captured once and for all. Until that time however, I put my trust and hope in Him!

Have a great day!
Ron

ON THEIR WAY

There is great news to report today. John and Jane Trailblazer will be leaving for East Asia in early January!

Even though their trip to Maryland didn't produce the fruit they were hoping, they did have one additional church here in our town come on board as a monthly supporter. They also added several new contributors from within our church body as well. They still need about $100 a month to be a little more comfortable so they will still be looking for additional contributors for the next few weeks. All of this means that they now have permission to depart and get to work!

I have to say I'm so very proud of our church body. I don't have the exact numbers but a large amount of their support comes from the great missions-minded believers that sit around them each and every week. It's been amazing to see just how much the body has become committed to supporting not just mission trips but now specifically missionaries from our very own congregation! There are many things we tend to waste money on...eating out being one of those big budget busters, but there's no better investment you could ever make than giving directly into the work of the Lord. I know that everyone that has given will be making an ETERNAL difference in the life of someone in a world away. I also know the Lord sits on His throne and enjoys the aroma of sacrifice that rises up from every contributor. The Lord talks about what are unacceptable sacrifices and acts of worship in the Old Testament. It is clear that this is just one type of worship that He seeks....worship from the heart that honors HIM and glorifies or will glorify HIS NAME!

There is much to do before the end of the month so please continue to keep them in prayer times. On behalf of our trailblazers, I'd like to offer a thank you for your decision to be a personal part of their ministry. May the Lord bless you and your family!

COMING TO A WORLD NEAR YOU...

I just read a news article that made me log in and immediately blog my thoughts. Apparently the Wasilla Bible Church in Wasilla Alaska was severly damaged in a fire. This fire was set by an arsonist and caused more than $1 million dollars in damage. Wasilla Bible Church is 1000 members strong and one it's most well-known is non other than Governor Sarah Palin. Gov. Palin apologized to the church to say that if the negative attention from her campaign caused this then she was terribly sorry.

There has been no connection YET as to the motive for the arson or if it was directly linked to Sarah's run for VP. They may never know that in the end. One thing we do know is that Palin's church (an Assemblies of God) supports strong conservative Biblical values. Listen to this from the Washington Post, "Early in Palin's campaign, the church was criticized for promoting in a Sunday bulletin a Love Won Out conference in Anchorage sponsored by Focus on the Family. The conference promised to "help men and women dissatisfied with living homosexually understand that same-sex attractions can be overcome."

Could it be that this church is being targeted because this item was brought out in the nation media and that some free-love, liberal thinking group decided to show them just how loving THEY are? Oh it's very possible. Just last month in California followers of the Mormon belief came under literal attack from the gays and lesbians in that state because they [Mormons] had fought to have the one man/one woman constitutional amendment passed so that marriage would be protected. Now I am of the understanding that the Mormons do not teach the same Jesus that we do, but they do stand for the same conservative values that Christians do. In this I respect their willingness to stand and fight for what is morally and in this case Biblically right.

It's coming closer and closer to us folks. There is a time coming shortly to a world near you when you and I will be laughed at, beaten up, or scorned because of our stand with Christ. He promised it in His Word. Day in and day out the already too small voice of the MORAL MAJORITY (the name lovingly used to refer to us crazy "Evangelical Christians") are being drowned out by the IMMORAL MINORITY...that's a good line right there! The Immoral Minority wants the world to believe that the morals and values of the moral majority are too limiting and not politically correct. For years we ignored this voice and for years we didn't even allow it to be heard. Now, they have found their "voice" in a loud way. Now people are listening. Now they look on in confusion and NOW they start buying their garbage. Now our governments are listening. Now we make laws and judgements from the bench that reflect this new change in heart. GONE are the days of innocence in this great land of ours.

THE STORM IS COMING. The signs are all around us and for me the writing on the wall is very easy to read. We may not be talking about the type of persecution that we hear about in extreme parts of the world, but yes more and more our churches will be burned, yes our kids may be beaten up, or our cars may be keyed. All too soon it will be the voices of the Jesus crowd that will be mocked and ignored and laughed at. What will we do when this time comes? Do we remain a wall flower and stand quietly by or we do continue to cry out with a voice of truth like the prophets in the Bible did? I pray we stand and stand firm with our armor on so that we will overcome the fiery darts of the enemy.

EAST ASIA BOUND?

Many of you know that two of our own Pioneer Trailblazers have been called into full time missions in East Asia. Almost one year ago they were certain that they were going to be leaving the US for their destination and then boom, they hit a God-sized roadblock. After what has been a frustrating and challenging year, it seems they are getting very very close to leaving in January.

Being a full-time missionary in the foreign harvest fields is not as easy as one may expect. These guys have to raise enough money each month from believers and churches to cover all expenses while they are there. This process is a bit daunting when you realize that they have to raise around $3500 per month to survive where they are going. On top of that they have to pack and store all of their own personal things, find short-term places to live, and get rid of cars, pets or other items that just can't go with them to the field.

Certainly the life of a missionary is the life filled with sacrifice. I'm thankful for my two friends that have led the way and example in making it all about Christ and nothing about them. I've seen them live in a small metal, one-room shed for several months as they were going through the down-sizing process. They live humble lifestyles that I know are honoring to the Lord and they don't do it for attention or fame, but they do it for the love of Christ; they do it for the lost people in their target area; they do it all out of LOVE!

Americans always want to look to the Michael Jordan's of the world for their heroes but I look to our two trailblazers (who must remain nameless for security reasons). In my mind they are the heroes we should be cheering on loudly as they "go" and as they serve the Lord. Our cheers should come through our checkbooks in the matter of financial support and our cheers should come through our prayer closets as we lay them at the Lord's feet.

John and Jane Trailblazer will be traveling this weekend to another church where they will be speaking and asking for support. I implore you keep them in your prayers as Sunday night from 6 to 8 pm they will be speaking. Ask the Lord to allow them to find favor among the ears that hear and that enough will be given so that they may finally go! After a year of hardly any movement in the fundraising department, in just one month God has released almost $2000 a month from people all along the East Coast that are helping them "go." They are down to a minimum of needing only $150 more per month (that's just 10 people giving $15 per month). If they get this amount it will be the bare minimum they need to go. They will not be able to take taxi's in the city or eat out or have any discretionary income, but at least they can go. The thing about these guys is I know that they don't care if they have to ride a bike or walk if it means that they can simply be in the field doing the Lord's work.

Thanks for your prayers so far in this process and I beg you to continue lifting them up before the Lord over the next two weeks. You may look for continuing updates through this missions blog as information comes available. By the way they are represented graphically on the side of this blog with the red flag. The red flag is there to represent the area known as Eastern Asia and is in no way an indication of the exact location of their ministry.

FROM IKE TO ICE TO CHRIST

Well something interesting has happened in the wonderful world of weather; it has snowed in Galveston/Houston/Beaumont TX. How bizarre to me. Yes just 4 months ago Hurricane Ike was ripping the area to shreds and now it's snowing. It was only 3 months ago I stood in a serving line feeding thousands of hungry people in these areas. Now they are making snow angels!!!! Amazingly enough, Beaumont has received 2 to 3 inches of the white stuff. How about some weather trivia friends. Did you know that the last three times that a hurricane has hit that area that it turned around and snowed that December. It happen in 1989 with TS Allison (snowed in Dec), in 1983 with Hurricane Alica (snowed in December) and now again in 2008. Weather is so neat isn't it. I know I'm a big weather nerd, but that's okay with me. By the way, the NWS has issued a flood watch until 9pm as they expect 2 to 3 inches of rain. Keep your eyes on branches and creeks if you live near one.

I heard something by a Hollywood nit-wit that I want to discuss briefly. In a Today Show Interview, Meryl Streep said it was better to let kids "decide for themselves" when it comes to religion. In other words, "I'm a stinky parent who is too sorry and too lazy to make sure my child has proper spiritual upbringing." Apparently Streep grew up very religious (not sure what type) and so she feels that it really bound her. So here's an idea, don't teach your kids squat and let them decide. Oh yes, whatever would we do without the feens in Hollywood sharing their sharp political insight and their deep understanding of faith? Oh I hasten to think how far behind the rest of the world we would be without their keen knowledge on all things.

If I'm being totally honest here, I will confess that I am scared to death that Katie would grow up and get into such a church "rut" that it will lose it's meaning to her when she's older. Anything we "do" a lot of can get repetitious and meaningless if we aren't careful. I've seen it happen in other peoples lives...they are raised in church and then they totally turn away from it. On the other hand, I've seen people raised in church their entire life like my mom and dad and they continue walking in the ways of the Lord.

The difference here is relationship. If I don't teach Katie the value of having a PERSONAL relationship with Jesus, then she will get in a spiritual rut. It will become about routine and rules instead of relationship. The last place I want my child, especially when she becomes a teen, is to find herself in a spiritual rut.

As parents we are obligated to raise our children with an understanding of Jesus and what His sacrifice on the cross means for our lives. We don't leave it up to them. No, we show them instead. We show them His love by the way we love them. We show them His mercy by the way we show them mercy. We show them His grace by the way we demonstrate grace to them. We show them His heart for the lost by the way we "go" to every corner of the world to share salvation. NO NO NO, we can't leave it up for them to decide. We must show them the way. They do have the free will to accept "the way" or to reject it, but our job as parents is to blaze a trail for our children that shows them a relationship with Christ.

Be strong parents! Don't let the world tell you what is good and acceptable for your child. Feed them the bread of life and teach them about the living water and I am confident they will not depart from it! Even if they do for a season walk away, be assured the know the proper way "home" because you have showed them every day of their lives!

SEND THE RAIN

This is the second post since late last night so make sure you scroll down for important news from Africa...

I don't know about you but I find it very difficult to get out of bed in the morning when it's so dark and gloomy outside. It's funny how we all talk about how we'd love to stay in and just sleep part of the day, put on some sweats, and sit back, lounge around and be lazy. First off all I think that is just a dream that we all only WISH we could actually achieve. Who has time to sit around and be lazy? Or sleep in for that matter? Oh no, life is far too hectic for that it seems. I guess that's why that vision we all seem to have on these dreary mornings is so wonderful to dream of.

I'm glad to see the rain. The forecast calls for 1 to 3 inches...yes, we're talking rain, not snow. The entire Southeast US has been stuck in a bad drought for almost 2 years. Lake Linear in Atlanta is some 20 feet below normal. Without some big rains this winter, that area could be looking at some major water issues next summer.

We too are in need of rain and I'm more than happy to have a few dreary days ahead of us...the warm temperatures aren't too bad either. I believe that as much as we are in a physical drought we are also stuck in a spiritual drought. America has allowed her faith and her expectancy to dry up. No longer are her spiritual reservoirs full. No longer does she proudly call on God to guide her and lead her in His ways. No longer are her leaders turning to Him for hope and help. No longer is she proud to say His name from the steps of the White House or our Capitol building. No America has strayed and strayed far. The heavens above us are blue. There's not one cloud in the sky. The spiritual drought has set in and the only thing we do is continue to sit back and scratch our heads and ask, "Where's the spiritual rain...daaahh?"

Our spiritual drought is self-induced but I believe there is hope for a refreshing spiritual rain from heaven if AND ONLY IF we seek HIS face. The lost of this nation are not going to be praying for this. Those that want to take God off of our money, out of pledges, and even further from our schools aren't going to be in prayer of this country. SO WHO IS? Is it the Christians? The same Christians that allowed it to get this way by the unmistakable silence silent, unheard voice of opposition to the wrongs that this nation condones? Is it the same Christians that don't pray or don't fast or don't read? Will they be the ones to pray us out of this drought?

God is looking for a people - Someone that will stand in the gap and pray and intercede for the very soul of this nation. You reading this...yes you...will you be the one to stand in the gap and pray for our dry America? The strongholds over the mind of our nation is strong, but God is stronger. We must rise up together and pull down these strongholds in the NAME Of OUR DELIVERER JESUS. We must pray and we must fast for this country. We can't leave it up to anyone else because anyone else probably won't be doing it.

Yes the skies above America are blue because there are no clouds in the sky. The drought lingers. After years of drought, Elijah was praying and fasting on top of Mount Carmel. Sensing in his spirit that the rain was coming, he sends his servant to check to see if any clouds or rain can be seen coming. Six times the servant goes out and comes back to report nothing. Elijah continues his praying and fasting each time and finally on the 7th trip out to the sea, the servant comes back and says, "I saw a little cloud about the size of a man's hand rising from the sea." The rain then came in abundance!

Only through OUR prayers and OUR fasting will the "rain" come back to our parched nation. This is a call to prayer friends. As we step forward into uncertain times, let us remain certain in our faith, certain in our prayers, and certain in the God who is able to deliver and save!

Ron

AFRICA UPDATE...PRAYER NEEDS

I am copying this report from Rich and Michelle's blog. These are the people we worked with while we were in South Africa. Rich is in Zimbabwe doing a crusade and this is a call to prayer for all of my blog readers to lift him up as you pray throughout the day. God is doing some amazing things in Africa!!!!

FROM IMPACT AFRICA BLOG
A Report from Zimbabwe
I have briefly heard from Rich while in Zim. Communication is tough. They had a great week in Kwe Kwe. Close to 10,000 people showed up each night to the crusade. He said people are so open and appreciative of them being there. Thousands are responding to the salvation message and there have been lots of tangible miracles.

The team is blown away at how receptive people have been and how appreciative the people are. The people are sharing how they have felt so forgotten and cast aside by their government and the outside world yet during such a dark and desperate hour the team has come to them to share hope. It is the first time in a long time they have felt valued or cared for. How precious!!

The team moved across town and will start another week of ministry tonight in this new area.

Please continue to pray for the safety and well being of the group there ministering. Rich said the electricity is out at least 4-6 hours a day yet they have food to eat and have lots of bottled water so are glad for those things.

Please continue to pray for open and receptive hearts during ministry this week. Unfortunately we can’t change the political situation or feed the entire crowd yet we can love on them and share with them the One who loves them the most. Encouragement seems to be going a long way.

Please pray there would be restoration to this nation….such a travesty what is happening to these precious people. Thousands are flocking to South Africa for safe haven. The town of Musina (closest border city) is ill prepared for so many people…..pray there would be a quick solution within the country of Zim to end such unnecessary suffering.

Thank you for praying!!

Christmas on The Hill

We put up our tree this past weekend. This year we opted for the pre-lit fake that we've had. Sarah wanted to go with the red and gold theme and then incorporate some of the ornaments that her mom made. I have to say it turned out absolutely beautiful. Sarah even picked out the perfect complimenting wrapping paper.

I have to say it's nice to not to have to worry about stuff like that now. As a single dad for so many long years I found it easy to get wrapped up in trying to take care of absolutely everything, even down to the details of wrapping paper and ornaments. I'm so thankful God has given me a wife who has a great eye for that kind of stuff and takes some of the load away!

We turn on the tree lights at night and the room fills with sparkles and reflections from the ornaments. It's peaceful. It's magical. It's wonderful. How nice to sit there in the living room with Sarah and Katie and just take in the sights of Christmas together.

It makes me think back to what the first Christmas on Gibson Hill must have been like. I can only imagine my grandaddy and granny going out into the woods to cut down the perfect cedar tree. I can see them there in there new living room putting up their first tree in their new house and adding the bulbs and all of the other frills. Now many years and many generations later we sit in the same spots and feel that same wonderful Christmas feeling inside. We think the same happy thought about our families. We worry about the gifts we can and can't get. It's all the same, just the names and faces aren't different.

Long after we've gone from the hill, hopefully our kids or their kids will also enjoy that wonder and awe of Christmas perched on top of the hill overlooking the world. The only thing that will forever remain the same is the fact that we celebrate Christmas for the sole purpose of celebrating Christ being born.

Emmanuel means "God with us." He has indeed come and He does indeed live. He really is the gift that keeps on giving. For those that don't know Him, He is the gift of salvation, forever forgiving them of their sins. For those that are hungry, he is gift of the bread of life. For those that are hopeless, He is the gift of hope and sercurity and peace.

He is God with us. He is not distant and unavailable. He is here for us now. Celebrate the gift of Christ that you have received and share that gift with others so that they may also know what it's like to truly celebrate the reality of Christmas.

Friday's Thoughts

Another Friday is here! I'm sorry that I haven't been blogging as much this week. After pouring out all of my thoughts on South Africa, I find myself with writer's block. There's much I could say about many different subjects, but I'm just feeling it for some reason.

It has been a good week for me however. I have managed to find a schedule and routine for me. As most of you know, I enjoy a good bit of structure and "normalcy." With all of my travels to Texas and Africa and trying to recover from each one, I found myself way off of my routines and patterns. Maybe that's good? Then again, maybe it's not?

This week I've changed my office hours so that I'm here Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. I stay at home on Tuesday and Thrusdays so that I can work on my schooling. I have to say it has made me feel really really good on the inside to start over with this schedule and feel like I'm accomoplishing the things I need to accomplish. When I come in on Mondays I get the message from Sunday's service edited and recorded and then copied onto the CDs for the congregations. I also clean up my music stuff from the service and sort through mail and e-mails. Then I begin my preparation for the following Sunday by evaluating what we will need to do musically. I have to start early because we practice on Wednesday evenings so we need a plan in place by then. It's a great way to get the week started actually.

School went great this week. I'm so excited to be able to say that because most weeks it hasn't gone well at all. I've actually completed several lectures and learned a great deal in the process. I have been studying the book of Exodus and the life of Moses. It's very interesting to "see" beyond the story that you read and get more insight into God's plans and purposes. The way these classes are laid out, and the materials used, are very intimidating. I think I've finally figured out what I'm doing and how to study this stuff in a way that helps me actually learn it instead of memorize it only to forget it later.

My goal is to get on track going into the new year before all of the chaos of mission-trip planning begins again in full swing later in January. There's much to do and plan for next year and I want to be at the top of my game. God has been using our church body in some exciting ways and I pray that He will continue to allow us to join Him in His plans and works.

Please keep me in your prayers as I work of finding this new normal and pray too that God will give me ears to hear His plans for our music and missions for 2009.

Next week, I will be profiling some of missionaries and their ministries. I will also be giving you some specifics on what we should be praying over them for.

Have a great weekend!

Ron

HERE AM I...I MAY GO????!!!

When God calls your name, what is your response? Everyone responds differently. In looking at the Bible we see two men who handled the call to do the Lord's work in completely differently ways.

In Exodus 3:1-10 Moses is out tending to his sheep in the desert he encounters the burning bush. God calls to him from the center of the bush and Moses answers "Here Am I." By verse 10 God has told Moses that He [God] is going to use him [Moses] to lead the children of Israel out of captivity. Moses hears this and the excuses begin immediately. He said:
1) I have no ability
2) I have no message
3) I have no authority
4) I have no eloquence
5) I have no inclination

So here's God SPEAKING to Moses DIRECTLY through a BUSH THAT IS ON FIRE and Moses stands there and babbles on about why he can't, he just possibly couldn't.

When God calls to you, whether it's a simple task to participate with Him in or a larger, more complex sounding task, what is the response from YOU? Is it to offer up excuses like Moses? Do you doubt yourself to the point that you say back to God, "I can't. I just can't right now."

All of the things Moses said he didn't have he in fact did. The Bible says this about those things that we may use as an excuse when God calls us to join Him in His activities

1) ABILITY - Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2) A MESSAGE - 1Co 15:3 - For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

3) AUTHORITY - Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

4) ELOQUENCE - 1Co 2:1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

5) INCLINATION - Php 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

In Isaiah 6, Isaiah "sees" the Lord sitting on the throne and the seraphims are worshipping Him and Isaiah talks about being undone before the Lord. The Lord then asks, ""Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Isaiah does the opposite of Moses...Isaiah declares, "Here Am I, send me!" No excuses, no whining, no fretting over how he could or couldn't do the task. He takes his stand and says send me.

When God speaks to you, will you offer a plate of useless and faithless excuses or will you jump to the occasion and say, "Yes I will." God may be calling you to work on the church property or maybe He's asking you to go to Ukraine, South Africa, Alaska or some other place. Will you allow yourself to be used or to be useless?

WHAT'S IN A NAME!?

One thing we learned in South Africa was the importance of a man or woman's name. As they would introduce themselves they would often say, "My name is.... and it means...." It was a little surprising actually at just how many people used that exact phrase when introducing themselves.

While we were there one of our translators, Acts (interesting name for a Christian translator right?) RENAMED some of our American team members based on what he said he saw in us. Wendy was renamed Encouragement (can't say the word in Zulu but that's what it means). Alison's new name meant Joy. Leslie's was Powerful. Acts gave John the "Christian name" of John the Baptist. And Acts said he would rename me Paul because of how assertive and out front I was in presenting the gospel.

My chin dropped...PAUL? Me? I have to say it was an amazing compliment for me to receive. In my mind I've never seen myself as assertive in my faith, but in South Africa I really had a different mindset. Instead of being apprehensive about sharing, I was excited. When giving a mini-message of salvation in front of the kids at the disabled center, I felt the Holy Spirit not the spirit of fear. When singing "One Way Jesus" to the top of my lungs on the ball field and the kids chanted and sang it back, I knew that the Lord was being glorified and praised in this tribe and in this land. I was someone besides myself it seemed. Wow. I still can't get over that someone would see me as Paul-like in my approach to the gospel.

I ask this question though...What's in a name? How much is our name is linked to our personal identity? Or is it linked at all? Why did God see it necessary to change Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah? What about Saul's name to Paul or Jacob's name to Israel? The Africans put such emphasis on it that it's made me step back and evaluate baby names we are considering. Do we choose a name that means something that will ultimately define our child? Kaitlyn's name means "pure" and if you know anything about Kaitlyn you'd probably agree that the definition really sums her up well. Sarah's name means "Princess" and I won't even touch that one! My name means "Mighty Counselor/Ruler". I like all of those meanings for my family. I want our newest addition to have a great strong name as well.

Picking a baby name is hard enough as it is. Now we are struggling with this new aspect of the name's meaning. Maybe I'm over thinking it too much? I can't get the boy that I met on the playground who told me his name was "Blessed" or the young man at the restaurant that Derrina led to the Lord who's Africa name meant "Give Thanks To God." Oh yes, you may read this and think that I am indeed over thinking this and that it's really just small stuff to worry about. For us in this moment, however, it's a big decision and a huge choice.

What's in a name? Does your name define you? I know a few of you that read this blog so for fun I've put your name's definition below....enjoy!

Kevin...handsome from birth
Chris...follower of Christ
Neal....champion
Margaret...pearl
Paige...Attendant
Brad...broad clearing in the wood
Lydia...a maiden!

You can check out more name meanings on the web at ...http://www.babyhold.com/list/American_Baby_Names/Brad/details/