A Quechua mother and child


Here is my upcoming schedule:

October 1 WMU Parkview BC, Tulsa, Ok
October 6, 8, 9 State Fair Chaplain, Tulsa, Ok
October 16-17 DiscipleNow FBC Bristow, Ok
October 18 Belview Baptist Church, Tulsa, Ok
October 23 Ok Baptist Academy, Enid Ok
November 6-8 iGo Missions Conference, Ridgeway BC, Sapulpa, Ok
November 29th Ridgeway BC, Sapulpa, Ok
December 1-9 Set-up trip to Venezuela
2010
February 3 Wed night service (unconfirmed)
February 3-5 Spiritual Emphasis Week, Indian Rocks Christian School, Tampa, Fla
February 5-7 Disciple Now, FBC Marion, Arkansas
February 16-18 Chapel/Missions training for Dallas Christian College, Dallas, Tx
February Missions Sunday in Pflugerville, Tx (date unconfirmed)
March 13-20 Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Mission trip


We've had the privilege of spending the last few days with our nephew and his wife. They just completed their missions training through the International Mission Board, and are heading off to Language School on October 22nd. Ultimately, they will land in Panama, to work in Urban ministry.

They are anxious to get to work! It has been such an encouragement to spend time listening to what they have learned, and watch their passion overflow.

Often, believers in our country treat and view missionaries as "super-Christians."

Missionaries will tell you, this is a myth. Missionaries are believers walking in the obedience God has called them to. They seek to live everyday the way the Word implores us to. According to Scripture, that makes them... Christians.

Elevation to "super" status comes from a body, largely believing themselves incapable of doing likewise. One excuse after another are submitted as evidence of their own inability. In short, they often believe what the enemy tells them about who they are, rather than what the Word of God teaches.

To be a missionary, one must follow the Lord in obedience, and speak Truth in conversations with those He brings into your path, regardless of where you are.

How incredibly refreshing to hear my nephew articulate that the primary issue emphasized in training, is the need to daily, spend time with Jesus!

I confess, I took for granted the idea that those who surrendered to missions, were already doing so. Most of us believe this.

Regardless of how many actually arrive doing so, it is the primary life-line of every believer, and must be emphasized to all, regardless of where each of us are, individually, in our walk.

Those of us who fail to routinely spend intimate time with the Lord, drift from Him, His call on our lives, and increasingly struggle with worldly issues. Those who remain close, are aware of His subtle movements in life, and are more available to be an extension of His impact on those around us.

The awesome thing is, if we fall into the latter category, He is always seeking to draw us towards Him. We can become intimate again, by submitting our desires to Him, and turning back into His presence. He loves, receives, and forgives! But we do need to talk to Him.

We can't draw closer to those we don't interact with, or invest in. Some of us act like we can. I promise, it doesn't work.

One decision at a time to be obedient to Christ, draws us closer to Him and makes a difference in our own lives and then the lives of others.

A good friend of mines says, "a changed life changes lives." It's true!

Now, on to letting the joy of the Lord, overwhelm the disappointments of life... that reflects Jesus... and that is where He wants me to be!

dad