India 2016: Epiblog

My 2016 mission trip to India is behind me... I must confess that this was the most difficult, yet most rewarding of the 14 trips to India that I have taken.

Why difficult? We traveled into seven different states and conducted 15 medical camps... all in the space of 12 days. In addition, we conducted several worship and revival services, and led a one-day bible conference for pastors and leaders. The total time of the mission trip from boarding the jet in the US to returning to US soil was 16 days, so it is easy to see that our travel and ministry schedule was intense.

Also, we dealt with weather extremes from 110+ degrees combined with drought to 40 degrees combined with rain and mud. Plus, we faced terrorism curfews and a bomb threat on the railroad.

Why rewarding? We were able to see many people come to Christ, we had the privilege of personally speaking into the lives of pastors who are daily laying their lives on the line for the sake of the Kingdom of God. And, God miraculously showed up on several occasions to demonstrate miracles to confirm His Word.

The stories are many, but allow me to share one...

While ministering to Muslims through a medical camp in a large city, I began to engage a young man who had accompanied his aging parents. While they were receiving medical care, I began a conversation with him about his faith and about mine. He was very interested in what I believed, but gave the stock answer, "All religions are the same. We just need to be sincere." I countered with the teachings of Jesus, saying that no one can come to the Father but through Him.

I also asked him if Mohamed came back from the dead after he died. I told him that Jesus did, and in fact Jesus was the only centerpiece of a religion who was raised from the dead. At this point I introduced my young friend to the local pastor we were working with, himself a former Muslim. The local pastor immediately took over where I left off and began to lead the young man to the Christ. I am believing that his parents and sister will also trust in Jesus!

Sunday evening I will have the privilege of sharing a report with my church of the highlights of the trip (how can one tell of the wonders of God in around 30 minutes?). I hope more that than anything else the people don't simply see the slides and hear the stories. Rather, I hope that they catch the heartbeat of God, and how He desires to reach the unreached people of the world.

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India 2016: It's Here!

Very early on Thursday morning (although it will seem more like Wednesday night) I will board a flight in Atlanta, connecting in DC (where I will be joined by my brother-in-law, Dr. Pat Kennedy), and we'll head to India!

Once again we will be conducting crusades, medical camps, and ministry in India, focusing on the unreached villages and peoples. We will hike miles from our vehicles through mountains to reach some of the villages. We will encounter some people who have never seen a white westerner.

Last year we found ourselves at the right place and right time because unprecedented flooding had ravaged our target region, and we were able to provide much needed care and ministry.

We expect "wide doors of effective service to open for us, but know that there will be many adversaries." (I Corinthians 16:9)

An impromptu medical camp among a band of gypsies camped along a river allowed us to minister to and provide care for scores of people who would not have had the opportunity to receive help had we not stopped.

We will partner with local pastors who daily put their life on the line for the Lord, serving alongside of them, encouraging them, and providing resources so their ministries may continue.

A former Muslim "Kelu", whom I have ministered alongside of on six different occasions and whom I call "friend" is having a powerful impact on his city and surrounding region, as he shares the Love of Jesus with the Muslim people!

The weeks leading up to this mission trip have been full of wonder and grace, as I have battled sickness, planed for ministry to continue at my local church in my absence, and sought the Word and Presence of God as I prepare to minister.

I never take for granted my trips to India. I understand that plans can (and usually do) change in a moment. I have witnessed first-hand the dangers of terrorism in the volatile region of Kashmir. I have seen the destructive forces of nature and the effect they can have on villages and even entire regions.

Across the valley from where we conducted one medical camp last year, an entire mountain village of 46 families was wiped away with all life lost because of mudslides and rockslides.

So I go in grace, asking the Lord's protection, favor, and power to cover me. May I be sensitive to the people who are put into my path. May I carry an anointing that only comes from the Power of God. May I walk in His Presence everywhere I go.

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India 2016... The Countdown Continues!

In barely over one week I will be boarding a very-early-morning flight which will begin my 14th ministry trip to India! Here is an example of our ministry:

This morning I received a message from Dhiraj (pictured above helping with medicine distribution), an Indian pastor who serves as my main translator when we travel into the cities and villages in central and northwest India. Over the last three years, Dhiraj has become an invaluable asset to our team with his command of the language and dialects, and his unique insight into the cultures where we minister.

Last year, while conducting an impromptu medical camp among a band of gypsies camped along a river, one of the gypsy men brought his wife and his new bride to me, asking for prayer: that the first wife would accept the new wife. The first wife wasn't able to conceive, and the man married a second wife so he could have children. (Imagine the look that must have been on my face!) I immediately turned to Dhiraj and asked him to provide insight on how I should speak and pray. He wisely suggested that I simply ask for harmony in the home, and to bless the family. No more, no less. Dhiraj is a wise man.

The message I received this morning from Dhiraj said that I will be leading a one-day Pastor's and Leader's Conference in his home city located in the Indian state of Maharashtra on Spiritual and Numerical Growth. This is such a privilege for me, as I have been given the awesome responsibility of investing into the lives of leaders who will be shaping their cultures with the Gospel.

I do not take this responsibility lightly. May I speak with passion, conviction, clarity, and compassion. May my heartbeat and spirit, and God's Presence speak louder than my words.

And that will be only one of 16 days in the fast-moving, extremely challenging, yet oh so rewarding ministry in India! Pray for me and my brother-in-law, Dr. Pat Kennedy who will be accompanying the medical team as we go out into unreached villages with medical help, the Gospel, and the love of Jesus.

If you would like to help me with financial support, as I am still needing to cover some expenses, please click the "Donate" button on the top-right of this page, or make checks payable to myself, or to First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe. Thank you!

What Is Your Story?

Everyone has a story. Your story is just as good as mine. And mine is just as good as yours. You see everyone's story is authentic, exclusive, and full of life... Your life.

Some people's stories may seem more exciting than yours. Some people's stories may seem bland compared to others. Some people try to "create" an interesting story for themselves  so they will be memorable.

Some people are great storytellers, spinning elaborate yarns about great adventures in far away places that make what they are telling about come to life. Some people simply tell about what has happened to them, and although it may not enthrall us, it is still a story. And everyone has one.

Everyone has a story, regardless of who they are and where they have been, how they have lived, and who they have met. Sometimes they are real. Sometimes they are imagined. It's these stories that are the basis for books, films, conversations and instruction. Sometimes the telling of stories is the way history is passed from one generation to the next.

Once one of my sons told me to tell him some more of my stories. I received it as a compliment. My life and experiences had found a place in his imagination where as I told the story, he could join me in his mind and live with me in the story.

Another of my sons told me that after hearing all of the stories of my trips to India, he wanted to come with me. And he did. Now he has own stories of India.

What is your story? What has happened in your life? Who have you met? What great adventures have experienced? Remember, everyone has a story.

Perhaps the greatest story you could tell would be about the greatest, life-changing experience or relationship you have ever had. For me it was when I encountered Jesus Christ in my life. Now all of my stories revolve around that one. My wife and children are the other great experiences for me. That's my story.

What is your story?

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Spiritual Revolution

One person can begin a revolution...

I had the privilege of being a youth pastor for over 20 years, and one of the most meaningful events that occurred during during those years happened on a bus.

My students and I were traveling back from a weekend mission trip in Cincinnati. At one point on the road, one of the middle-school students began to share with me her burden for the other members of the youth ministry, that they would experience the Presence and Power of God in their lives.

Pretty strong stuff for a 7th-grader.

After we talked for a bit, I suggested that we pray her burden, asking God to show Himself strong among the other students. Almost as if she was waiting for permission from me, the young middle-school girl immediately proceeded to get down on her knees on the bus floor, right there amid the trash of a teenage bus trip, began to cry out to God for her fellow students.

I joined her there, and as we prayed an unusual phenomenon took place. Without any prompting from me, other students around us began to kneel and pray. Almost like a fire, the Presence of God spread through the bus, and the students were weeping and wailing, crying out to God in repentance, and asking for His forgiveness and His Presence.

At one point I noticed that the bus was pulling off the road, and I found out that even the driver, who was so affected by that powerful move of God, that he couldn’t safely drive anymore and had to stop. We prayed for hours, and when it was all over it was obvious that God had visited us on that bus.

Our students weren't the same after that. His Presence was among us, His power was strong.

A simple burden for the Power and Presence of God can do great things.

What Do You See?

When you view an image, what do you see? Do you see the “focal point” of the image? Do you see the setting?

Often when we look at a picture, we may see differently than what another might see while looking at the same picture. It's all about perception and interpretation.

The same may be true when we look at people. When your see a person walking on the street, what is your conclusion: Traveler? Motorist who ran out of gas? Person in need? Homeless person? Someone who needs help or encouragement?

Assume they are homeless. How then do you see that person? As a nuisance or potential threat? As someone in need? As someone who is one break away from "making it”?

Many times when we see people we quickly draw conclusions and make judgements that may not be accurate because we do not know the facts of the situation.

What if someone comes to your worship service looking “different” from the average attendee? What would your thoughts be? He’s disrespectful to dress that way. She could have “fixed herself up” before coming through the door. How dare they…

The next time you see someone and form an opinion about them, ask yourself why you are interpreting him or her in the way you are. Do you see a problem or potential? Do you see beauty or ugliness? Do you see a bother or a blessing? Is this a problem to solve, or an opportunity to serve?

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The Good Old Days!

I have always wondered when "Back in the day" was. One year ago? Five years ago? Twenty years ago?

And then there's "The Good Old Days!" Again, when were those? Is is a time period from the past? Is it the same for everybody? Did I have to actually live during The Good Old Days time period to claim it?

Memories are good, but often we vaguely remember the past as it really was. Our perceptions dim and are altered based on positive or negative memories, as well as positive or negative current situations. This causes our memories of The Good Old Days to become unbalanced and skewed.

Don't get me wrong: Our past is a good thing to have. It serves the purpose of being a starting point in which to measure the present. The past also gives us "anchor events" by which we use as a reference to compare to the "now" in our lives: Our wedding day, our college graduation, the day we committed our life to Christ. These all serve as life-changing events for us, and we can measure our progress from those "anchor event" to the present.

Constantly longing for the The Good Old Days can create within us a negative attitude on life, and begin to render us ineffective.

• They cause us to live in the past, thus making the present a time we don't take advantage of.
• They cause us to focus on ourselves, and we miss the opportunities to invest in the lives of others.
• They cause us to miss what God is doing in the here and now, and miss the opportunity to get in on what He is doing.

May I encourage us to use our memories of The Good Old Days to serve as reference points for us to move forward from. May I challenge us to live in today, and seek ways in which we can impact others, and expand the Kingdom of God.

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India 2016

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for your continued investment into my life and ministry through prayer and sacrificial giving...

 On April 6th, after a full day of work, I will drive two hours to prepare to board an very-early-morning flight which will begin my 14th ministry trip to India!

The lion-share of the trip will be spent leading a medical team into unreached villages in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Kashmir. We will be conducting 2-3 medical camps daily, and then take a train overnight to the next region to minister there, then a train overnight... You get the picture! It is a grueling schedule, but we continue to find it to be the most effective use of our time.

Last year, we traveled into the state of Himachal Pradesh for the first time, where Christians make up only .03% of the population. A highlight: an impromptu medical camp among a gypsy colony that was camped along a river. We dispensed medicine, shared the Gospel, and prayed for scores of hurting gypsy people.

 A bonus of this travel schedule will be connecting with local pastors whom I have met over the years, including “Abdul”. Abdul is targeting Muslim Imams (pastors) in and around his city, and as of last spring he had led five Imams to faith in Christ!

Our ultimate destination will be the city of Srinagar in northern Kashmir, where we will spend several days ministering in overwhelmingly Muslim areas with barely any Christian influence. A dear pastor, “Kelu”, has been a powerful witness in this Himalayan mountain region, converting many Muslims to Christ.

Last year, our visit to this region that was recovering from historic flooding which destroyed numerous villages was God-ordained. Our medical team’s presence opened many doors for Kelu to continue his witness and increase his influence for the Kingdom of God.

Although the terrorism threat is still very active in this northern region of India, going to where the people have never heard the name Jesus and sharing God's love with them is my heartbeat.

I encourage you to pray for our team as we will be breaking new ground and going into new and unreached areas with the love of Jesus.

If you would like to help me financially with this mission trip, click on the "Donate" button on the top right of this page, or you can send a check to: PO Box 2125, Ft. Oglethorpe, GA 30742.

Thank you...

Efficiency to Excellence!

This week as our Leadership Team at my ministry was concluding our weekly meeting, I prayed these words: Lord, help us to be efficient and effective in everything that we do.

Later as I was reflecting on the meeting, those words came back to me, and I felt that I needed to amend my prayer by also asking God to make us excellent.

Taken separately, each word has its place and purpose in an organization. As each person becomes more efficient in their tasks and responsibilities, the organization functions with streamlined effort and maximum productivity.

But limiting functionality to simply doing things right does not leave room for influence, whether it be in personal relationships, within the community in which an organization is placed, or within the culture that we live.

Instead of doing things right (being efficient), we can consider doing the right thing (being effective). This elevates what we do to a much more purposeful endeavor, moving us beyond simply doing what's expected to doing what's important.

If we want to add that additional dimension to both being efficient and effective, we then seek to be excellent: using the tools, energies, creativity and wisdom that we've been given to make what we do the very best. I am not advocating perfectionism, but rather doing things that exceed expectations, including our own.

So whether we are seeking to be efficient: to make things run smooth and get the job done, or we are seeking to be effective: doing the things that will influence those around us, we can always move to the next level by seeking to be excellent!

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Making Time, Or Just Making Time

I always seem to make time for what is important in my life. As a younger man I watched a lot of sports on TV, because sports was important to me. I hung-out with the students I worked with because the ego-boost they gave me was important to me. 

As I grew older, I realized that because there is only so much time in my day, and I was crowding out things that ought to be important with things that I considered important.

I couldn't do it all. There simply wasn't enough time. I realized that I was inadvertently prioritizing my life, spending the most time on what I considered most important, and spending the least amount of time on what I considered least important.

If looking at your bank statement spending is a good way to judge your priorities, perhaps we ought to also look at our calendars to judge our priorities. Or if we don't schedule everything, keep an hourly log of what we do everyday for a week. (An employer I worked for recommended I do that with my work days, so I could see what activities were the most productive for me.) The results may be surprising.

Once we do an honest evaluation of how we spend our time, here are some questions to ask ourselves:

• What do we need to move up the ladder in time-spent to prove it is a higher priority with us?
• What do we have to move down the ladder in time-spent to prove it is a lower priority with us?
• Is there anything that we need to begin to spend time doing, because it needs to be a priority with us?
• Is there anything we need to eliminate because of its diminished priority to us?

Today,  I spend more and more time with my wife, because she is becoming more and more important to me. I spend time running almost every morning, because my health is important to me. I spend time practicing the piano, because leading worship with excellence is important to me. I spend time alone with God in daily personal worship, because my relationship with God is of utmost importance.

I also spend time in meetings and behind-the-scenes work, because the people I work with and the ministry that I am involved in is important to me. I spend time in India, because the Indian people are important to me. Toward the end of her life, I spent more and more time with my Mom (which involved a four-hour drive, each way to visit her) because my Mom was important to me.

Evaluate, prioritize, make changes. It will require honesty and boldness, but oh so worth it. Lead Well!

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Do You Dream?

Do you dream? I’m not referring to the nocturnal musings that occupy our mind while we sleep. I am referring to thinking beyond our present to what could be…

A dream of a better future. A dream for our children’s and grandchildren’s success. A dream of seeing God do a miraculous work in our lives.

I believe that it is good to dream, to envision our future. Dreams keep us thinking beyond our present so we don’t become complacent. Dreams give us hope.

But just laying back and dreaming won't get things done for us. We need to leverage our dreams. We need to make our dreams work for us.

Dreaming gives us a vision of the future. As we visualize the future, we begin to see what needs to be accomplished, what needs to be put into place to fulfill our dreams.

Our dreams push us. They give us purpose. They motivate us. Our dreams light a fire within our hearts that cause us to pursue those very dreams.

Our dreams constantly compel us to keep going, to not be satisfied with the present. Dreaming reminds us that we were designed to fulfill a greater purpose than we might perceive our current circumstances dictate. 

I believe that God wants us to dream. I believe that He desires that we envision a life not just in the “sweet by and by”, but what the future could hold for us in the here and now.

And I believe that God wants to energize our dreams with His power and infuse our dreams with His life. But the key to releasing His power and life into our dreams is to make sure we are dreaming His dreams for us, and envisioning His future for us.

How do we do that? Simply ask God to give us His dreams. Ask Him to envision the future that He has for us. And then ask Him to make it so. Dream Well!

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