Lauren is in concert tonight at Oklahoma State University, just in time for her newly recorded cd of all original music. If you are interested in a copy, you can email her at lbhigglywig@msn.com


My schedule for the upcoming week:

4/26/09 FBC Bristow, Oklahoma, preaching
4/29/09 Oakhills Church, San Antonio, Texas, preaching
4/30/09 Perspectives (Missions Training Course), San Antonio, Texas, teaching


A growing concern of my heart (and Deanna's) stems from many of the BJ's Hope Mission Scholarship applications that we receive.

There is a troubling and consistent theme that emerges from students around the country who take the time to fill out their applications to request support. First, we are thankful that they do and thrilled to help.

What is troubling is how few of them can articulate what is important to share with unbelievers, when conveying the Gospel message.

Some of the answers we receive don't even dance with the Truth. They're not even close. I cannot believe that this information is not taught to them.

This does not become a reason to expel their app's, but it is indicative of where the American church culture is in terms of understanding Salvation.

I do realize that for many of them it is their first time to try to share the Gospel, as many of them have never attempted it before (just like most adults).

However, filling out our application is like an open book test without time constraints. No one is looking over their shoulder. They can reference the Word or whoever they need to.

The reality that so few have a clue what to say reveals a deep disconnect with the Truth.

I am glad that students who don't know this still want to come, because we can teach them what they need to know (and share).

What troubles me more is the thought that if these are the ones God is calling, and they are responding, yet ignorant of the key tenets of their faith, then what about the people who fill the buildings every Sunday who never respond to this need?

I don't think we have to look beyond this to understand why the church of our country is impotent (clearly, this does not apply to every church).

We are far more focused on the American Dream than God's vision. Our goals reflect vacation destinations and large ticket purchases to pad our material storehouses... you know, the ones Jesus told us not to have. He taught that our treasures needed to be in heaven. Somehow, that always seems to apply to someone else, but not us.

I am not indicting vacations, I am simply saying that the same family who goes on extravagant vacations will in the next breath say they cannot afford to send their child or themselves on a trip to serve Christ.

Are we really foolish enough to believe we will not have to give an account for this?

The fact that we have lived long full lives and never told anyone about Jesus should be a foreign concept. Instead it is our dirty little domestic secret...except somebody has been telling.

I fear that many of us are about to be spat out of our Savior's mouth. We are vile and materially driven. We cannot articulate what we have never taken the time to learn or teach our children.

If we don't begin to take seriously the call of Christ on our lives, and the plan of the Father in Heaven for us to take His Salvation and discipleship to every ethnicity around the globe (and at home), then what expectation should we have to be a soothing drink in our Savior's mouth?

Body of Christ, it is time to move. It is never too late to turn over a new leaf and finally walk in obedience! What will it take to get us off of the bench and into the game?

It's our call.


dad