3 Types Of Dreamers

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I am no expert on Dreams, but I have them. I am no expert on Dreamers, but I am one.

I have found that there are basically three types of Dreamers: Those who dream of a better past, those who dream of a better present, and those who dream of a better future.

Those who dream of a better past are stuck there, wishing for younger days. They use phrases like: I remember when..., When *this person* was here..., and If we could go back to...

There is nothing wrong with being nostalgic. We can learn much from the past. But living in the past is unhealthy. We will never move forward, we will never accomplish much.

Those who dream of a better present are in my opinion living in a fantasy world. They are seeking to escape the reality called life, and replace it with an unachievable illusion. I wish... begins many of their thoughts. (I wish my house could get a makeover. I wish I would win the lottery. I wish I didn't have to go to work today.)

Don't get me wrong. I am a man of faith. I believe in asking God to change the present reality to fit His purpose. (Lord, heal this man. Lord, provide food.) But I am careful to not be driven by my selfish desires. (Lord, make me rich. Lord, get me bumped up to first-class.)

Those who dream of a better future have the best chance of seeing their dreams fulfilled. They can do things now that shape their outcome.

Dreaming of an exotic vacation? Start saving now. Dreaming of running a marathon? Start with running a mile. Dreaming of owning your own business? Start working on it in your spare time. Dreaming of seeing your children be successful? Begin instilling values into them when they are young.

Future dreams fulfilled are the result of present consistent choices.

Question: What type of dreamer are you? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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I Love My DVR

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Just the other evening I was remarking to my wife the merits of the DVR: To be able to digitally record a television program with the press of a button and have it available for later viewing without the hassle of blank DVDs, videotape (who remembers that experience?), or summer re-runs. And to be able to skip commercials... almost too good to be true!

My wife and I don't have a lot of time to watch TV, but there are a couple of shows that we enjoy together. So we digitally record them with our cable set-top box, and when we can spare a few minutes, we replay the recorded shows. (At last count we have about 50 hours of catching up to do - we may never catch up!)

Some call it TiVo (just like some call a small adhesive bandage a Band-aid: it's a brand name). Some just call it recording a show. Whatever you may call it, my guess is you love it.

Launched to the public in 1999, the Digital Video Recorder offers features such as time-shifting, pausing live TV, instant replay, and dual tuners. Pretty much anything a viewer could ask for is packed into a typical DVR set-top box.

Advertisers don't like the DVR. Viewers can simply race through commercials with a click of the fast-forward button and then get back to the program. (I have become quite adept at moving through a three-minute segment of commercials in about 15 seconds, and then slowing to normal speed just as the program resumes.)

I have written all of the above to ask this question: Has life become like a DVR?

• Do we put off enjoying life until later when we hope to have more time to enjoy it (not appreciating what is happening around us until the weekend or our vacation)?
• Do we "press a button" and push aside the "now" so we might have a "later" (not spending time with our children so we can make more money)?
• Do we skip through the "commercials" in our life thinking they are not valuable (not listening to the people seeking to engage us in conversation)?
• Do we try to replay over and over again the good experiences hoping to forget the bad ones (bragging about our accomplishments while not admitting our mistakes)?

What if we had to live life only as it unfolded, without any promise of the future, without any replay?

You know, I believe that is the way life was meant to be lived: In real-time.

Question: How is your life like a DVR set-top box? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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Is Posting Negative Comments Gossip?

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We've all read them: The service at this restaurant is terrible. This guy in front of me just blew through a red light and cut in front of another car at Starbucks.

Maybe you've posted a similar comment or a tweet: I can't believe that __________ made it to through two rounds with that voice.

Freely we comment, freely we speak. After all, we're given this right: It says so in the First Amendment.

But...

Does the impersonalization of our spectator culture free us to make derogatory comments we wouldn't dare disclose to a person's face?

Are we justified in our impersonal responses because we are far enough removed from the recipients of those comments?

At what point do we get permission to publicly express our opinion about someone or something (speak our mind)?

And then what about the damage we do by leveraging our platform just so we can express our opinion (be heard)?

Isn't this another name for gossip? (Before you respond, think through how you define gossip.)

Are we doing justice to those we speak negatively about by feeling (and fulfilling) the need to express our opinion?

• Is this simply a form of entitlement: I have the right to express my opinion.
• Is this simply a form of selfishness: I didn't get what I wanted, so I'm going to whine about it publicly.
• Is this simply a form of pride: I didn't like it, so there.

(Common denominator: "I")

If I remember my Bible correctly, I believe it says: If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. (Matthew 18:15)

Hmmmm: Not a lot of room for comments, tweets, or feedback.

Question: Do you think public comments are a form of gossip? Share your thoughts below in comments.

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India 2012: Epiblogue

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I've been back in the states for a few days now, and as I reflect back on my ninth mission trip to India, I am flooded with images, memories, and emotions. Allow me to express it this way:

Hanging with the locals...

Kelu and his family: former Muslims facing great danger.

Preaching at Daniel's Church with Jesher as my translator.

Sitting with Punjabi students.

Dr. Srinivas seeing patients.

A new Believer sharing with a Hindu woman.

Preaching in a small church.

Praying for people at a crusade.

The Himalayas!

Seeking God...

A typical medical camp: people with needs.

Engaging more school children!

India 2012: Day 12

Not because it was our last day of ministry do I say this, but I believe that this day was the most significant for me...

We traveled about 15 km out of Srinigar higher up in the mountains to about 9,000 feet, where we set up our medical camp at a school in the middle of a Muslim village of 1,200 people. The people of this isolated community were shy, innocent, and skeptical as we began our work.

Our doctors saw over 600 patients.

Speaking to a school official, I learned that only the school and a few homes had electricity, that the people rarely ventured far from their homes, and contact with the outside world was minimal. But the people warmed up to our presence, the school children became my friends, and we were able to do some significant groundwork for our local host pastor Kelu, who has a vision to reach this village.


Kelu is a former Muslum who has suffered much persecution including beatings, forceable removal from his house, and multiple other acts of discrimination on himself and his family because of his conversion to Christ. And yet he stands as a visionary light in this dark place.

The team began their journey back to Kazipet that evening, and because I was not catching my first flight to begin my return journey to the US until the next morning, Kelu acted as my host in his home before taking me to my hotel.

I had been to Kelu's house three years ago during my first visit to Srinigar. It's a two room apartment with no furniture where he, his wife, his wife's mother, and his three children live. His oldest son Selmon, has multiple physical and mental needs and requires constant attention.

While I observed the stacked sleeping mats and blankets in the corner, we sat on the floor of the living/dining/bed room and drank tea. Kelu proudly brought out a small bowl that was filled with tiny pictures. He carefully laid them out in a row, and proudly said that these are the ones who had been baptized so far this year, 28 in all.

Then he laid out the pictures of about 15 others whom he told me were "with us" but had yet to be baptized. To be baptized as a believer in Christ in this Muslum region can be a death sentence. And yet Kelu and his wife witness, minister, and faithfully seek to be a light.

His wife asked me what style and color of Indian clothes my wife likes. I told her, and later in the evening they presented me with a gift for her: a Punjabi-style dress in her favorite color.

I was honored and humbled, because they are very poor, they live humbly, and yet their hearts are generous. Facing a difficult life both because of their son's situation and because of the ministry they conduct, they continue to give with joy and consistency.

Yes, today was significant, and truly humbling.

India 2012: Day 11

We had a great medical camp today in an all-Muslim community here in Srinagar, Kashmir. The people were reluctant in coming at first, but as with most of these types of environments, they start slowly but build up steam as the day progresses.

According to the Doctors, we ended up seeing a little over 150 people in this hillside community at the foot of some mountains. My job: simply to interact with the people, learn names, direct them to our different stations, and pray for them as I "laid hands on them" while leading them around.

The Muslim community is a very difficult place to reach with the Gospel. We planted seeds for the local pastor, and we know that over time there will be much fruit.

After a late lunch, the team went shopping (need to bring gifts to my wife), then I had an extended time in the marketplace with the local pastor and one of our doctors, complete with a ride in an auto-rickshaw! Definitely a full day!

Tomorrow is our last day here, and we'll conduct a big medical camp in another un-reached Muslim community. Plus, we have to find a new place to spend the night on Wednesday. More fun!

Thank you again for following and sharing this Blog.

India 2012: Day 10

Today was a day of travel... We just arrived in Srinagar, Kashmir after 13 1/2 hours on the road, crammed in a vehicle, twisting and turning through mountain roads as we approached the Himalayas.


Lodging was scarce and we tried several hotels (remember: think motel 6). This is vacation time up here, and this is a resort city. We have finally found a place that had two rooms available (all of our team are cramming into the two rooms).


I was able to re-connect with our host pastor from here in Srinagar, a former Muslim who pastors a small church in this Muslim dominated region.


I met him three years ago and have been praying for him since then. I was humbled to see the joy in his face as he told me that they have baptized 28 into their church (all former Muslims).


Tomorrow we begin our medical camps and "covert" prayer for the Muslim people we engage.


Thanks for following!

India 2012: Day 9

It appeared that three was the number of the day. Three events: A morning worship where I preached, a medical camp where I prayed, and the crusade meeting where I did both!


At the worship service, we had three speakers: a testimony by one of our team, Pastor Daniel giving a brief exhortation, and myself bringing the main message.


Even the testimony was a contained the number three: The team member who gave her testimony only speaks Telugu, so Pastor Daniel translated into English so our main interpreter (who doesn't speak Telugu) could then translate into Hindi for the people. Seeing the three of them lined up across the stage, each with a microphone, speaking and then waiting was almost comical. But the young lady's testimony was powerful, and many were encouraged by it.


Pastor Daniel spoke a word about God restoring the work of His Kingdom there in India, and then I concluded the meeting with a message on expecting a blessing.


I didn't realize how hot it was (mid-one-hundred-and-teens) until after I was finished speaking and noticed that I was soaking wet with sweat.


Our team took a break for lunch, and then we began the medical camp. Again: three doctors seeing the crowd of people that had gathered in the field where we are holding the nightly crusade. We are in the north part of India where Christianity is not tolerated as much, so the following paragraph is a big encouragement.


At one point I was moved to pray for one of the patients so I told the doctor to ask for permission for me to pray for her (she was a Hindu woman, and I wasn't seeking to offend or push her). She was told by our doctor that I was there to pray for people, and if she was willing we would agree together that God would touch her in the Name of Jesus.


She allowed me to pray for her, and soon others were lining up for prayer, each wanting to be well, pain-free, or spiritually made whole.


This evening, we held the last of our crusade meetings here in Jammu. Another 2,000+ attended in our open-air field that sits in the middle of the apartment-houses.


Pastor Daniel and I both brought the word, and then at the altar call the front was again filled as many came giving their lives to Christ.


We also prayed for the sick, and saw many miracles. I prayed for a small child in her father's arms who had a fever for several days. I actually felt her body cooling as I prayed that God would heal her of this!


Another person I prayed for was a teenage boy who was deaf and mute. His father stood with him, and I prayed for the boy's ears to open and his mouth to speak. Within 30 seconds he was saying over and over, "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!"


What a great way to end our Crusade in Jammu! Tomorrow we begin a three-hour journey by car to Srinagar in the Himalayan Mountains, where we'll conduct three days of medical camps in an almost all-Muslim region.


The adventure continues!

India 2012: Day 8

Huge! Those who know me personally know that I use that word a lot, but not without justification. That is how I describe this evening's crusade service...Huge!

When our team arrived to the outdoor meeting site, the crowd was big, and the worship was already progressing. We took our seats in the front (the Indian people are very big into honoring guests), joined in with the singing, and then were introduced.

One of the members of our team again shared a testimony (we lost power during that - hello India!), and then the microphone was turned over to me. Through an interpreter, I shared a new message that I felt the Lord had given me just a few days before, that was specifically for this night, to this people.

I finished by telling a story of a rich Indian Hindu man whom I met on one of my previous trips here. After spending two days and much conversation with him, this man had given his heart to Christ. It was a perfect story to illustrate how Hindu people can give their lives to Christ.

About 100 people responded to the call to give their lives to Christ! Some were alcoholics, some were young men & women, all were wanting to follow Jesus. We prayed individually for each person at the end of the service. It was a great night!

Tomorrow we have a large medical camp, and then the last night of the crusade here in Jammu.

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India 2012: Day 7

Picture temperatures in the hundred-and-teens, a dry and dusty field in the center of a government school, and the students sitting on the ground listening to their teachers. That's where we held our two combined medical camps in our last day in Punjab.

Our doctors saw just under 200 patients, and they still kept coming and coming. We had to turn people away because of a commitment to hold a worship service in the community of 1,500 where we held the camp.

The teachers allowed me to interact with the students in the school, grades 1-10. It was a unique experience, learning Punjabi words, and sharing English translations for Punjabi words. I even read from an English reader to the class of 10th graders a story they had been studying so they could hear how English speaking people pronounce our language.

Then I was treated to watch a game of volleyball among some gifted young 20's men. I was asked several times to play, but I didn't want to jeopardize the fragile American-Punjabi relationship I had build with the players in our conversations by embarrassing myself. I begged-off, saying it was too hot for me to play.

Tomorrow we are up early to leave for Jammu City (100 km away), then conduct a medical camp, followed by a big two-night crusade where over 2,000 will attend each night. I have spoken at this event twice before, and it is a great opportunity for harvest.

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India 2012: Day 6

After a looooong train ride we stepped onto the platform just before noon in the city of Pathanket, Punjab. With no time to waste, we were met by the local host Pastor and loaded our luggage onto the top of the rented vehicle and climbed (crammed - 9 people in a vehicle designed for 7) into the car.

A quick stop at our hotel for the next two nights (think Motel 6 rather than Marriott), a shower (Yes!!! It had been 48 hours since my last one), then we crammed again into the vehicle to go to the local Pastor's house for a big Indian meal. After that we began our medical camp. Our team of three doctors saw over 180 people.

My job was to pray for people, and simply help out where needed. Many people, with many needs.

After a short break, we began a worship service where one of our team shared a testimony, and Pastor Daniel and I shared the preaching. Then of course we had a time of prayer for those who requested it. After returning to the hotel and showering, I finally got into bed at 12:30 am.

The highlight for me this day was I had the opportunity to "mentor" the youth worship team from the local church as they prepared to lead in the service. I was able to encourage the team as they played/sang, and they allowed me to offer some "tweaks" that gave them an entire new sound which they received graciously.

They returned the favor by asking me to sit in on guitar during the worship service. So I played Punjabi praise & worship, not having a clue what I was playing. I simply watched the keyboardists hands for chord changes, and the drummer for breaks and dynamics. I was in heaven!

Today (it's Friday morning as I write) we will be conducting two different medical camps out in some villages, and then we'll minister this evening in a worship service at one of those places.

This is why I came to India. There is no other place I'd rather be right now.