ECIPLESHIP for Passionate Christ-Followers

It’s humbling to be prayed for by so many of you. I feel the prayers. I know this may be said quite often — what does it mean to feel prayer? Let me explain…

Even though separated from all of you by thousands of miles…literally the volume of planet earth (that’s a lot), there is a bond that connects us in very real and powerful ways. In the last 24 hours, I have experienced God leading me in my preparations for India. My first two messages have come together so beautifully — I’m pumped! I can’t wait to share them with those who will be listening. I know it is a “word from the Lord”. In the midst of my studies, God spoke clearly.

Let me give you the latest example. I awoke this morning at 3:30AM thinking about my teaching and preaching sessions. I finally got up and went to work again. Trying to think how I should “wrap up” message #2 at the Boro Baptist Conference, my wife Susan sends along some VERY encouraging words and a verse she is claiming for the people of India. At the very MOMENT I needed it. It comes from Exodus 15:

“Who else among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is glorious in holiness like you–so awesome in splendor, performing such wonders? You raised up your hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies. With unfailing love you will lead this people whom you have ransomed. You will guide them in your strength to the place where your holiness dwells.”

It couldn’t be more perfect for the thrust of that message.

God is working here, there, and everywhere to accomplish is great and glorious purposes! What a privilege to be a part of what He intends to do here. And you’re a huge part of it too. God bless you, partners!!!

Dan Juhasz led us to a great grill for supper

It’s 9:00PM in Bangkok. It was a good day. I was able to get some good preparation and study time in, enjoyed some great fellowship, feasted on some delicious food, and ended the day with a time of prayer in Mike’s room a few minutes ago. I am excited about our Thursday entry into India. We have some exciting days ahead as we encourage, equip, and entreat our Indian brothers and sisters in a prevailing faith.

It was an experience of meaty proportions!

Hebrews 12:1 states, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” I want to do that, model that, and proclaim it as I walk into India this week.

It’s time to rest. The 13 hour time difference is telling me I’m way overdue for some shut-eye.

My street-side breakfast venue

What do sewage, chicken, freeways, and hunger all have in common? They are all a part of my regular breakfast experience in Bangkok!

Mike Flinchum - my fearless leader!

At 6:30 this morning, I walked down to the sidewalk food stand to pick out a couple pieces of deep fried chicken and some sticky rice for breakfast. Along with that, a wonderful high-octane coffee (they serve it with tea so you can better handle the strength of the coffee — Is this Heaven?), a sewage river only a few feet away, freeways above with city streets below, and you get the idea of how my mornings start each day in Thailand. Halfway through my breakfast, leader Mike joined me. We had fantastic conversation as we talked about family, ministry, theology, missions, and our churches.

My paradise in Bankok from above

I’ve been fed both physical food and spiritual food already. Yes–in the hub-bub of Bangkok, we found our own little paradise where we meet God each day. You can’t beat that!

Today is preparation day. In a couple of days, I will be speaking twice to a crowd of 25,000 in Assam, India. I want to challenge and encourage the believers to give Jesus everything they’ve got. Even today, as I prepare, I want God to clearly speak to me — to give me insight that comes from Him for the Boro people.

My day started great. I have a feeling it’s just going to get better.

Thanks for your prayers, bloggers!!!

There we were — all twelve of us. Pressed between the chaos, buildings, endless traffic and innumerable pedestrians passing by, we met as believers in the belly of Bangkok to worship and encourage one another. A pastor, traveling missionary, two missionaries on site (long-time friends of mine, Steve and Nopaluk Cable), a couple of short-term missionaries from Michigan with two teenage daughters in tow, and some Thai twenty something ladies. In a simple home that doubles as a schoolroom during the week, we worshiped, prayed, shared our lives, and digested biblical truth. Some couldn’t speak a word of Thai (like me) and others not a word of English. And we bonded. And we experienced God.

Something supernatural happens when brothers and sisters gather together. A oneness of the Spirit fuses us together in a common bond with our Heavenly Father and His grand purposes for His believers. As Jesus said, “Where two or more are gathered together, there I am in the midst of them.”

We all experienced that blessing in Bangkok today. Thank you, Lord!

I’ve arrived at my first destination along the way! After 21 hours of travel, I captured about three hours of sleep last night, took a good hot shower this morning, and ate chicken, spicy bread balls, and turbo-charged coffee for breakfast…right on the busy street-side. I feel great.

In just a few minutes, I will be leaving with my leader on this trip, Mike Flinchum, to attend a Sunday morning cell-group. The whole church worships together on Fridays and then meets in small groups on Sunday mornings. Watch out Edinbrook–I’m getting ideas! It should be interesting…

OK church–I plan to worship with all of you on Sunday morning (it will be Sunday evening here). Right now I’m really happy about the live-link, both video and audio, that I can tap into way on the other side of the world. So if you read this, pray not only for me, but for Chris and the worship team as they lead our congregation in worship tomorrow, for Tom Gildow as he preaches up a storm, and for me to be an encouragement to the Bangkok believers.

Stay tuned! The adventure begins!!!

I leave today for India. There two main purposes for my trip:

• To teach, train, and encourage Christians and church leaders in the states of Assam, Arunachal Prudesh, and Nagaland.
• To consider how Edinbrook and other churches might be a link to helping India Christians reach several unreached people groups surrounding them in this part of the world.

I get excited about this last purpose especially. Jesus said, “First this gospel shall be preached to every “ethnic group” (i.e. people group), and then the end shall come.” Jesus wants every person to have an opportunity to receive Him as Lord and Savior! We have the opportunity to be a direct link to the fulfillment of Christ’s promised return.

My trip already has surprises involved. My Saturday flight from Los Angeles to Bangkok was canceled, so I am leaving today (Friday). That’s no big deal, except it was the one day Susan and I had together before I leave. I am presently packed and ready to leave the hotel in LA. Susan’s not taking it too hard, though. She’s sleeping beauty in our pillow bed as I make final preparations to leave. The picture of peace…

Your prayers mean so much to me. So every blogger — every time you think of me, just pray that God will:

• Fill me with wisdom from above
• Fill me with the Spirit to minister to others in power
• Enable me to be the presence of Jesus everywhere I go and to every person I meet.

The blog may be a little sporadic in the days ahead. Hang in there and keep watching. Some great adventures lie ahead!