Distinction

What do you think about this idea, "We have to keep our (insert your brand of Christianity) traditions or else we will not be different from other religious groups."

In thinking about this comment, what is this person's worldview? (My idea: If people are serving God, loving God, and don't get everything just right... wait, that is all the people of this world who serve and love God. So, I will do my best to relate to them in love, while learning from them and sharing my understanding of the Gospel with them.)

The point is this: We, believers in Jesus, are to be distinct from everyone else, non-believers, on this earth ... but how?

Then he (Moses) said to Him, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?"
_Exodus 33:15-16 (NASB)

This is the most important distinction for us today. God must be in our presence, we must daily seek the presence of God.

Seeking God's presence brings humility into my heart. It helps me to admit my weekness, my sin, my pride, then God is able to heal those broken places so that I can in His confidence love and bless others. Yet, God has placed his confidence in us. He gave us the message of the Gospel. He told us to become like Him. He thinks you and I are able to be like Jesus! I think that is the most ridiculously amazing thing ever. God thinks I can be like Jesus. I have a long way to go, but God says it is so, so it must be so!

God, our Savior, Master, and Friend, we pray that you will lead us into your presence each day. May we search for you, may we know you, may we demand your presence in our lives. We ask you Lord to bring revival to our hearts, to bring a daily hunger and thirst for your Word, for your Spirit. Heal our hurts, bless us with your love, so that we can help others to know you and your love for them. In the name of Jesus - Amen!

Advice on Marriage

Mark and Valinda (Director's Cut) from Chris Johns on Vimeo.

Sacrifice & Honor

God calls all to sacrifice and honor.

Whether we are senior saints, middlers, or preteens we are to become more and more like Jesus. Which means we are increasingly sacrificial. We are called to sacrifice our wants and wishes for others.

So how do we determine who receives greater honor? Jesus taught that the one who sacrifices the most, that is the slave of all, will be the greatest. Does that mean they receive the greatest honor? If so how do we honor them? Or is it God that truly honors them and we just struggle with them?

There are others that receive great and abundant honor...

1 Corinthians 12:22-26:
22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Who is it that "seems" the weakest? Why is "seems" so important? What about that "deem(ing)"?

When one member is honored ... we are all honored! So, does it matter who is honored? We are called to rejoice! We are also called to suffer, but does that mean we murmur about something we don't like? Or does it mean we sacrifice and keep our preference to ourselves?

May God be gracious to us all. May we all learn to sacrifice. May we all put Christ at the forefront, center stage, and follow his lead.

Harmony Outreach

www.HarmonyOutreach.org - a great ministry for special needs orphans, foster care, major surgeries, then adoption. They also assist with the basic needs of many orphanages throughout China.

I randomly met Lisa and 4 of her children at Bite-a-Pitta here in Beijing. We got to talking about how we came to China, ministry, and so much more in a rather brief conversation. Then Jaime and I met with Wayne Barnard, a board member, for dinner at Peter's Tex-Mex to talk about getting involved in the work of Harmony Outreach.

Everything we have heard has been positive. They are well publicized, but the ministry is quite expensive, considering all the surgeries and daily costs. The Bentleys continue to step out on faith as they partner with a number of other orphanages throughout China.

Here are some wonderful video links about the ministry of Harmony Outreach.

John Bentley, a co-founder, talks about their story, ministry, and life in Beijing.
http://www.youtube.com/user/harmonyoutreach

Lisa Misraje Bentley, John's wife and co-founder, talks about Levi.
http://www.lisamisrajebentley.com/index.cfm?pg=doc&id=261

I have committed to raising $480 for Harmony outreach before January 1st. If you are able to help with a few or few hundred dollars, that would be great!
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?cause_id=59784&fundraiser_id=1262&m=a8965384

You can also donate via the Stateside site:
http://www.harmonyoutreach.org/pages/donate-now/