The Greyhound Story - and other tales from Africa

 

The Greyhound Story

 By Jon Arenson (Prepare to be inspired! Jon was in my graduating class in Kenya in 1964.)

Growing up in East Africa I naturally bonded closely with that beautiful part of the world. I had an understanding of some African cultures and spoke two of the local languages I loved the wildlife and knew the names and habits of most animals and birds. I identified myself with Africa. But I was also an American citizen and the time came when I went back to the USA for college. I had attended an American high school in Kenya, so I was somewhat aware of what it meant to be an American, but I still had a lot to learn about the land of my birth.

I enjoyed college. I quickly made friends and was eager to learn about American culture. But I was also proud of my African heritage. I discovered I was a bit of a hybrid able to function in both cultures. The first week at the college I was walking to the dining room with my two roommates. A covey of quail ran across the path in front of us. I casually picked up a stone and threw it at them. To my great surprise, I hit a quail in the head and killed it dead. My American roommates were not surprised. I was from Africa and naturally knew how to kill birds with a rock. I hid my surprise and acted like killing a bird with a rock was a common skill. However, my reputation was made. I was from Africa and everybody knew it. I was proud of my African background and did not make any great effort to hide it. At the same time, I enjoyed learning how to act in America, but I kept my African heritage. I was well on my way to becoming a bicultural person.

Summer vacation came and I needed a job to help pay for my schooling. I passed through Chicago where I stopped in to see a distant cousin. I asked her about jobs and she told me the Greyhound Bus Company was hiring. They were looking for tour guides for their summer excursions around America. Having been raised in Africa, I did not know much about American geography, but the job sounded interesting so I thought I would make an application.

The following morning I took the train downtown to Chicago and approached the massive Greyhound depot. The building was a beehive of activity with people and buses everywhere. I eventually found the tourism office and walked in. I approached a harried-looking man and said, “I am here about the tour guide job.” He leaped up out of his chair and said, “You are late. The bus is loaded and ready to go.”

He thrust a small briefcase into my hands and escorted me out to a standing bus. I climbed up the steps and looked at 31 eager passengers – all awaiting their summer vacation. I turned to the manager and asked, “Where am I going?” He told me I was booked to make a five-day tour around Lake Michigan. He stepped out of the bus and headed back to his office. I picked up the microphone and introduced myself as the tour guide. I informed the people we were now beginning our five-day tour around Lake Michigan. They clapped enthusiastically and I sat down in my seat wondering what I had gotten myself into.

The driver put the bus in gear and we pulled out of the depot and headed south. Meanwhile I opened the briefcase and found a brochure that gave details about the trip around Lake Michigan. It mentioned the various towns and hotels where we would be staying. There was also a detailed map of our route. More importantly there was a guidebook that gave various information about the states of Michigan and Wisconsin. Since I had never been to Michigan or Wisconsin I started reading as fast as I could. It was essential I knew something about the places we were going to visit. At least I had a driver who was raised in America and he would take care of the directions.

After about an hour I noticed we were still heading south on a major freeway. Looking at my map I thought we should be going east, heading for southern Michigan. I walked up to the driver and quietly asked him why we were still heading south. He looked at me strangely and said, “You are the guide. I am new on the job. This is the first time I have ever been out of Chicago.” I immediately realized I had a major problem.

I studied the road map and saw we were definitely on the wrong road. I instructed the driver to get off on the next exit ramp and we turned around and headed north. Now I watched my map like a hawk and we eventually made the correct turn – finding the freeway that headed toward southern Michigan.

By late afternoon we pulled into the small town mentioned in the brochure and found our quaint hotel. I walked to the desk and booked in – fortunately they were expecting all 33 of us. I assigned rooms and the porters grabbed the suitcases. They later presented me with a bill – 50 cents for each bag delivered. I paid them out of a small hoard of cash I found in my Greyhound briefcase. I also discovered a special Greyhound checkbook. When the desk clerk presented me with a bill for $1550 dollars, I wrote out a check for the amount and signed it. As I lay in my nice bed that night, I was content. I had a real job. But could I pull it off?

The following day I loaded up my 31 passengers and we headed north. As we drove through miles of farmland and coniferous forests, I occasionally turned on the microphone and told people what they were seeing. The guidebook proved to be useful, and I thought I sounded authoritative. But near noon we came to an unmarked Y in the road, and I could not tell which road to take. The driver stopped while we discussed it and we decided to take the left road. It did not take us long to realize this was not a main road. The road got narrower and soon overhanging trees were brushing the roof of the bus. But our Greyhound bus was a long vehicle, and we found no place to turn around. Then we saw that the road ahead of us went through a small tunnel under a railway track. Would we fit? The driver came to a stop, assessed the situation and then drove slowly into the tunnel. Suddenly there was a screeching sound as the bus wedged itself into the tunnel and we stopped abruptly. We got out to assess the damage. A number of the passengers also got out to help and we discussed what to do next. The driver tried to back the bus out, but it was firmly wedged in the tunnel. A practical passenger (probably an old farmer) suggested we let some air out of the front tires of the bus. We did so and this allowed the driver to back out. The damage to the top of the bus was considerable. All the top running lights were broken. But the bus was still road worthy, so we loaded up and the driver drove backwards down the road for several miles until we found a side road and turned around.

By now the passengers realized we were lost, and they all started to help. At every junction they got out their maps, yelling enthusiastically which route to use. It was a bonding experience. We were all in it together. My instructions informed me we were to spend the night on Mackinaw Island. To get there we needed to reach Mackinaw City and take a boat to the island. The last boat left the dock at 5 pm. It was essential we get there on time or we would not catch the boat. Because of the tunnel incident, we were behind schedule, so we tried to make up time. We arrived in Mackinaw City a little after 5 pm where I saw a pier extending out into the water. Tied up to it was a small tugboat. I stopped the bus and asked the bearded captain if this was the boat to Mackinaw Island. He said it was and indicated he was ready to go. So I motioned for the bus to pull in. All my passengers got to work loading suitcases onto the tugboat. There were few seats, so everyone sat on the gunnels as the tugboat churned out into the vast lake. It was a big adventure for everybody, and I was relieved we had gotten to the boat on time.

But as we pulled out across the bay, I noticed a large white ship moored at another pier. It was a much nicer boat - a real luxury liner. Only with our eventual arrival on Mackinaw Island did I discover that the big ship was the one we were supposed to take. It had been waiting for us. I was in serious trouble with the owner of the big ship since his boat was part of the package tour. But we made it to the island and my passengers were quite pleased with the entire adventure.

Mackinaw Island was beautiful, and my passengers had two days to walk around, shop, buy fudge, and ride in horse drawn carriages. We then returned to the mainland on the proper ship - not nearly as exciting as the tugboat. From here we crossed the Mackinaw Bridge into northern Michigan heading south into Wisconsin.

For the last night we were supposed to stay in a hotel in the town of Sheboygan. I noticed in the brochure that it mentioned a farewell banquet. So I phoned ahead to the hotel and asked them to set up a banquet for the coming evening. I announced to all my passengers (now friends and comrades in adventure) that I had scheduled a banquet and told them to dress up. By that time everyone knew each other well and we had become an amazingly cohesive group. The hotel put on a great banquet (which I paid for with a Greyhound check) and all my new friends came in fancy dress. But what does one do at a banquet in addition to eating rich food? There must be some kind of entertainment. I was the tour guide so I took charge. Naturally I told them exciting stories about growing up in Africa. I also played a couple of simple songs on the piano and I even sang some love songs. My passengers loved it.

The following day as we drove south toward Chicago, I noticed in my briefcase a sheaf of papers – blank evaluation forms with a set of questions asking the passengers what they thought of their trip. There were some pointed questions. “How well was the trip organized? Did the tour guide know his job? Was the tour guide courteous? Would you recommend this trip to other people?” I figured I was dead and this was the end of my tour guide career. But I handed them out to everyone on the bus and they diligently filled them out. When the passengers disembarked at the Chicago terminal, they handed me their completed papers. They also slipped money into my hand. Both my driver and I were astounded by how much they tipped us. Many of them said it was the best and most memorable trip they had ever taken.

After the passengers left, I was summoned to the tourist office. The manager jumped up and said, “Who are you? We never hired you! You are not trained to be a tour guide!” I had to admit I was not trained, but I pointed out he was the one who thrust me onto the bus and gave me the Greyhound briefcase. He had to admit it was his mistake. He had thought I was somebody else.

I handed him the sheaf of evaluations. He sat down and started reading through them. Then he looked at me for a long time – making up his mind. With a wry smile, he asked me, “What are doing this week? See that bus outside? It is loaded up with 31 passengers, but the tour guide just called in ill. How would you like to lead a seven-day trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota?” I swallowed hard and then nodded. He handed me another Greyhound briefcase and within minutes I was introducing myself to a new set of tourists. Then I got out the guidebook about South Dakota and started reading like crazy.

I worked for Greyhound for the next two summers. I was the guy they sent out when they needed somebody at the last minute. I seldom knew where I was going, but I guided tourists to over 40 states. I learned a lot about America. I also learned to be flexible and always brought my passengers into the decision-making process. It was good training for my eventual life work of leading educational safaris around Africa.

Thank you, Greyhound.

Jon Arensen has published five books, all available on Amazon.  If you think this is an amazing story, you wouldn’t believe his real-life adventures in Africa. I highly recommend all five books.

Where Antelope Reign and Other Stories Out of Africa

Drinking the Wind

The Red Pelican

Chasing the Rain

Lions on the Prowl: Living with Parkinson’s Disease

 

 

Why We Celebrate Easter

We celebrate at this time of year the resurrection of Christ.  Christ’s resurrection was inevitable for at least two reasons.

First, Christ always existed.  He was with the Father from before time began (John 1:1,2).  There never was a time when He wasn’t.  He is eternal.  Furthermore, all things were created by Christ: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him (Col 1:16).  He was the author of life, and the author of life cannot be killed.  How can you kill the One who spoke everything into existence?  Life is stronger than death, and Christ, the author of life, is stronger than the creation, of which Satan is a part.  That which is eternal cannot die, that is the definition of eternal.  Christ, who is alive forever and ever, who is eternal life, who always existed, became man, and then rose to the glorious state which He had before time began.  Acts 2:23 and 24 says, “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.  But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”  What would have been impossible is that Christ did not rise from the dead, since He was both the author of life and life itself.  Death could not hold onto the author of life.

Second, because Christ always existed and because He created all things, He has authority over all things.  As the painter has power over the painting or the author has authority over the book, so Christ has authority over Satan and evil, both created things.  God only gave limited and temporal authority to Satan, and that only to fulfill God’s plan.  Those who sentenced Jesus to die had the authority to crucify Christ, but no authority over what would happen after Jesus’ death – that was determined by “God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.”  Their job was done.  They, unknowingly, only fulfilled what God had foreordained before the beginning of time.  God wanted to demonstrate that Christ is stronger than Satan, life is stronger than death and good is stronger than evil. God, who possesses all knowledge and all authority, raised His Son from the grave.  Satan had limited knowledge and limited authority, but Jesus has unlimited knowledge and authority.  Satan’s knowledge went back only to the beginning of time.  John 3:8 says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”  When Christ was nailed to the cross Satan thought that he had destroyed the author of life, but the Eternally Existent One knew the eternal plan which had existed before time began. The author of life, the eternally existent One, the Alpha and the Omega, the source of everything that is good, the Creator of everything that is, rose from the dead.  It couldn’t have been any other way!

Thank You Frank Martin for this commentary on Easter. 

Tragedy in Burma

 

Some of the atrocities happening in Burma have hit the main-stream news, but the situation is worse than most people think. We did hear from Ca Mvuh this past week and he said he and his family is safe at present. He asked for prayer, but has to becareful in what he says. We have heard that the government has been cutting internet cables to Tachileik where he lives in order to keep conditions away from the Western World. But some pictures have been able to get out. Most of the people have had bad experiences with the army in the past and there are stories of the military destroying

PRAYER REQUESTS

1 Pray that the Thai, Burma and Lao borders will open up.

2. Pray that the recent coup in Burma will not adversely affect Christian work there.

3. Pray that the churches will open up so we can hold meetings.

4. Pray for Meeseeree as he tries to get a small Bible school open in Mechan

5. Pray that the Golden Triangle will get sufficient rain for crops.

Hundreds of villages in some areas with the people hiding in the jungles. Most of the tribal groups which have fought against the government in the past are set to do so again. Thailand is hot and dry—many mountain villages are running out of water. Meeseree reports one decent rain so far but is praying for sufficient rain that he can put crops in this year. He has a training session scheduled for the end of the month in a Red Lahu village near the border with Burma. If he holds his training sessions in villages, the training can accommodate more individuals. He will likely have 30 or 40 individuals attending during day time hours and perhaps a hundred in the evenings.

The border with Laos remains closed. Pray that it will open so training for those in Laos can be resumed.

Beyond a Broken Hallelujah ...

This is an amazing rendition of the word Hallelujah.

Highly recommended.

https://youtu.be/-j3NZEdHQaI

How to Wildly Flirt and Stay Deeply in Love

How to Wildly Flirt & Stay Deeply in Love: A Guide for all the Old Lovers (& for all who want to someday be the Old Lovers)

This is a wonderful essay from one of our favorite writers, Anne vosKamp. She is considered to be one of the top 100 female writers in North America. 

Amazing thoughts. Wonderful photos. Deep Love. Completely relevant. 

https://annvoskamp.com/2021/02/how-to-wildly-flirt-stay-deeply-in-love-a-guide-for-all-the-old-lovers-for-all-who-want-to-someday-be-the-old-lovers/

Great love in Action in Mexico

 Greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life for his friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:13-14

My Valentine’s Day! Let me introduce you to Izadoro, my homeless man on the street. Every night I would hear him whaling, he reminded me of the demoniac at the Gadarenes~ and I would pray. I took every opportunity to speak with him, to let him know I am praying for him, above comprehension he just whaled on~ But the Holy Spirit is moving!!! JESUS, Son of David have mercy on this broken man!!! A week ago, other neighbors, who have known him for years, came to me and said Iz is injured! His foot looks like it went through a meat grinder. They had called for an ambulance but they never came, over two hours waiting. So I called for an ambulance, as a foreigner with bumbling Spanglish, and push came to shove! But Izadoro would not go with them. I told him I wanted to help him, his foot needed attention.

My friends with me appealed to no avail. We prayed for a way to help him. Three days later, somehow he walked up the hill to my house and was outside my gate! Hallelujah!!! I was not alone, Ponce, Manuel, Angie, & I all rallied to his aide. Foot washing has taken on a deeper meaning. Ponce rose to the occasion, went home and got some clean clothes; he helped Iz wash up so we could take him to the doctor. I got out my hair scissor! He looks like a new man in the making! We all had breakfast with my students, who all knew Iz as the crazy man on the street. 

This was a life lesson in action. Now Iz is not only the demoniac at the Gadarenes, he now is the man bleeding and dying on the Jericho road~ We prayed over him that JESUS would give him peace and trust us to take care of him. That he would co-operate with getting the help he so desperately needed. We are claiming a miracle healing, for Iz, body, soul, & spirit. Off we went and he co-operated all the way, to Ponce’s Doctor, my friend the Lab Tech, to Carl’s Jr for lunch to wait out the lab results to entering him into a Rehab that called me!!! The Director, Geraldo who I know from years ago when I ministered at his rehab, offered his help and 4 months free rehab!!!!

It is a miracle in the making, Iz went willingly into the Rehab and is doing well detoxing. His foot is being attended by their doctor, he is concerned Iz could lose his foot. BUT GOD…. Is rich in mercy! Join the prayer team for this man’s deliverance & healing for the glory of GOD!!

From Jeri Labelle's Prayer Letter. Thanks, Jeri, for another great insight into the power of the Holy Spirit to motivate Christians to bring light into dark corners. 

'Adieu, Adieu, My Brother' John Calvin and the Five Martyrs of Lyons

 

‘Adieu, Adieu, My Brother’

John Calvin and the Five Martyrs of Lyons

Article by 

Derek W.H. Thomas

Pastor, Columbia, South Carolina

That in leaving this world we do not go away at a venture, you know not only from the certainty you have that there is a heavenly life, but also from being assured of the free adoption of our God, you go there as to your inheritance. That God should have appointed you his Son’s martyrs is a token to you of super-abounding grace. (John Calvin: Tracts and Letters, 5:406)

John Calvin wrote these words in May of 1553 to five young French students facing imminent death at the hands of the French executioner. More than a year earlier, in April, 1552, the five young men left Lausanne, Switzerland, having completed their theological studies. Before returning to their native country of France, they spent a few days in Geneva, possibly with John Calvin. Their names were Martial Alba, Bernard Seguin, Charles Faure, Pierre Navihères, and Pierre Escrivain.

They were fully aware of the dangers of returning to France, given the fury of the French king’s hostility toward Protestants. Calvin himself had left France in a hurry, never to return. On the way to Lyons, they stopped at Bourg de Colognes, where a stranger joined them on their journey. Upon arrival at their destination, the stranger invited them to visit him. It was a trap. The five were arrested and imprisoned.

Prayers and a Letter

As soon as news of the arrest came to Geneva, Calvin and others sent letters of commendation and began to work on a legal defense. In the first of several letters to the men, dated June 10, 1552, Calvin urges them to remain strong and faithful and reassures them of his prayers and that of the entire community in Geneva.

“Keep this sentence in mind, that he who dwells in you is stronger than the world.”

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Interestingly, he also takes up two theological issues that the five men had raised: the first on the issue of celibacy, and the second concerning the nature of the resurrection body. It is fascinating that Calvin wrote all the letters in French (rather than in Latin, which these students would have understood). Perhaps he wished others in France with less education to read these letters and profit from them. He closed the letter by praying that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit and that they would know peace, joy, and contentment in their suffering.

Meanwhile, the men appealed to the parliament in Paris. From June, 1552, to March, 1553, they were moved to Paris and taken from one dungeon to another. All this time, the authorities in the Swiss city of Berne attempted to intervene on their behalf. Finally, on March 1, 1553, they were transferred back to Lyons and received word that they were to be executed.

Worthy to Be Witnesses

News of their imminent execution was carried to Lausanne and Geneva by a pious merchant named John Liner. Calvin had written to him earlier, in August of 1552, commending him for the dangerous work he had done in visiting the five prisoners. Calvin’s letter is one of thankfulness for Liner’s courage, but it also urges him, even at the cost of his own life, if need be, to continue in this ministry. He wrote to Liner,

As for the dangers which they set before you, I have no fear of their coming to pass, for the good brethren for whom you have done so much, feel themselves so indebted to you, that were they at liberty, far from being cowardly enough to betray you, they would expose themselves to death for your sake. (Tracts and Letters, 5:359)

On March 15, 1553, two weeks after the prisoners’ return to Lyons and the news of their fate, Calvin wrote to them, saying that he and others were continuing to exercise what influence they had on their behalf. He went on to write,

It cannot be but that you feel some twinges of frailty; yet, be confident that he whose service you are upon will so rule in your hearts by his Holy Spirit, that his grace shall overcome all temptations. If he has promised to strengthen with patience those who suffer chastisement for their sins, how much less will he be found wanting to those who maintain his quarrel — those whom he employs on so worthy a mission as being witnesses for his truth! You must therefore keep this sentence in mind, that he who dwells in you is stronger than the world. (5:392)

Three weeks later, on March 28, Calvin wrote a hasty letter from Lausanne to two merchants in Lyons, Christopher and Thomas Zollicoffre, to solicit their financial and political input and to see if they could help the Bernese in their attempt to change the mind of the king, Henry II.

No Blood Spent in Vain

At the beginning of May, 1533, the five wrote to thank the Bernese for their attempts to intercede on their behalf. The tone is somber:

Since, then, that he is pleased that our blood should soon be shed for the confession of his holy name, we reckon ourselves far happier than if we were set at liberty, for he is true and all-powerful, he will strengthen us, and will not permit us to be tormented beyond our strength; and after we have suffered awhile, he will receive us into his heavenly kingdom, and will bestow upon us eternal rest with himself. (5:404n2)

Calvin wrote again on May 15. It is clear that all attempts to change the king’s mind have failed. “God has stopped the way,” Calvin tells the prisoners. He goes on,

Now, at this present hour, necessity itself exhorts you more than ever to turn your whole mind heavenward. . . . But it appears as though God would use your blood to sign his truth, there is nothing better for you to prepare yourselves to that end, beseeching him so to subdue you to his good pleasure, that nothing may hinder you from following whithersoever he shall call. For you know, my brothers, that it behooves us to be thus mortified, in order to be offered to him in sacrifice. . . . Even so, my brothers, be confident that you shall be strengthened, according to your need, by the Spirit of our Lord Jesus, so that you shall not faint under the load of temptations, however heavy it be, any more than he did who won so glorious a victory, that in the midst of our miseries it is an unfailing pledge of our triumph. Since it pleases him to employ you to the death in maintaining his quarrel, he will strengthen your hands in the fight, and will not suffer a single drop of your blood to be spent in vain. (5:405)

Calvin signed the letter, “your humble brother.”

‘Adieu, My Brother’

Since the letter was written on the 15th, it is unclear whether the men ever saw it. The next day, the 16th, they were told to get ready for their death. A stake was made at the Place des Terreaux. As they made their way, they cited texts of Scripture to each other and sang psalms.

The two youngest mounted the stake first. Last to climb onto the stake was the oldest of the five, Martial, having spent some time on his knees in prayer before ascending. He asked a favor, “that I might kiss my brethren before I die” (5:405n2). The favor was granted. The four already bound, Martial walked around the stake and kissed each in turn and said, “Adieu, adieu, my brother.” In French, adieu is not a final goodbye, but one that fully anticipates a meeting again soon. The account continues,

The fire was kindled; the voice of the five confessors was heard, still exhorting one another in the midst of the flames: Courage, my brothers; courage. . . . These were the last audible words of these five champions and martyrs of the Lord. (5:405n2)

Life Through Death

Calvin always included suffering as an integral part of the Christian life. Two years earlier, in January, 1551, Calvin published his commentary on 1 Peter (dedicated to the English Protestant king, Edward VI, then only 13 years old) in which he wrote, “The cross has been the way to victory, and death a passage to life” (Hebrews and I and II Peter, 240).

“He will strengthen your hands in the fight, and will not suffer a single drop of your blood to be spent in vain.”

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Every Christian is called to make sacrifices for Christ. We are to “take up a cross,” Jesus said (Matthew 10:38). The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary estimates that up to 100,000 Christians are killed every year for their faith. Our sacrifices may not cost us our lives, and for that we should be thankful. But remembering the sufferings of our brothers and sisters may help us to stop complaining about the difficulty of our own journey and instead view it as an honor and a privilege to suffer. As the hymn says, “It is the way the Master went; should not the servant tread it still?”

As the oldest of the five prisoners said “Adieu” to his brothers, he was in effect giving expression to the confidence that they would see each other on the other side. All Christians can have this confidence. Life may be brutally taken from us in this world, but this world is not our home. Heaven is — and ultimately the new heaven and new earth. The five prisoners of Lyons passed into the glory of Jesus’s bodily presence, and one day, we will meet them and hear their story firsthand.

Derek W.H. Thomas (PhD, University of Wales/Lampeter) is senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, chancellor’s professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, and teaching fellow with Ligonier Ministries. He is married to Rosemary, and they have two adult children and two grandchildren

From https://www.desiringgod.org/

A powerful Prayer - in the Kansas Senate

Several years ago: 

this interesting prayer was given in Kansas, USA, at the opening session of their Senate.

It seems prayer still upsets some people.

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities,

but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.

We know Your Word says: "Woe to those who call evil good", but that is exactly what we have done.

* We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

* We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.

* We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.

* We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.

* We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

* We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

* We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

* We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

* We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.

* We have abused power and called it politics.

* We have embezzled public funds and called it essential expenses.

* We have institutionalised bribery and called it sweets of office.

* We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

*We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

* We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh GOD, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!"

The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.

In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls

responding negatively.  

The church is now receiving international requests for copies of

this prayer from India, Africa, and Korea.

With the LORD'S help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and WHOLEHEARTEDLY become our desire so that we again can be

called "ONE NATION UNDER GOD."

"Has Covid been a blessing to your church? Yes ...

 "Has Covid-19 been a blessing to you this year? What does Spiritual Prosperity mean to you?"

These were two of four penetrating questions following part of our study of the Old Testament book of Haggai. As I listened to the evaluations given by more than 20 persons, I came away amazed by the work of the Holy Spirit in our congregation, which is located in the Toronto area. Here are some of the answers (I wish I could share all the answers from an amazing evening that began to sound like revival. Here are some of the quotes, shortened because of limited space.)

- These are uncomfortable questions because they force us to think deeply about life, blessings, and joy.

-I'm at peace during Covid-19. I've been helping many people, mostly shut-ins, get food. Never have I worried about God's provision and care. This has been a joyful year for me.

-Blessings within a church have to start with what happens to individuals. If each of us is blessed, or growing in the Lord, this will have a spill-over effect in the congregation. 

-I've been blessed. Peace and the filling of the Holy Spirit is an actual reality, even when I spend most days in my home. My walk with the Lord is one of a peaceful heart. 

-Never have I been in a fellowship where we have had so much prayer. Our fellowship has developed prayer times with earnest intercession. I don't hear, "God, just bless so and so." No, we have an in-depth consideration of individuals based on close relationships. We pray for the needs they or family members are experiencing. We don't merely list names in the church bulletin. Disciplined and careful consideration of the weakest ones in our midst has become almost a day-by-day experience.

-Covid is causing us to express what's really in our hearts. Just as the people in Haggai's day had sort of forgotten about the needs of God's work at the temple, I think our lives have become sort of complacent in the past few years. 

-In answering this question, I've heard the following words to describe us right now: peace, focus, no fear, contentment, worship, love, lots of music in the home, Kingdom of God, character-building, body of Christ, change of attitude and anticipation for our community. We value the women who are prayer warriors. Also, those who speak words of wisdom on our Zoom calls. Then we have some who are really engaged with our community, with the homeless, those needing food, those with special needs, and shut-ins. Thanks to those who keep the Zoom controls going so we can all participate.

-I've heard several people talking about learning to be more generous, not so much "interested in what I can get out of things for myself in life." We've been asked about Spiritual Prosperity this evening. To me, real Prosperity isn't measured in getting a bigger house, a better car, or nicer clothes. It's learning to use the word "we" more than "I." It's seeing how much we can give away. Our efforts to raise food for the local food bank are one example. Another is the community drive to send useful things like clothes, tools, household items to Columbia through the container that Latin American Mission is filling up. 

Why Write about Slavery? (Third of Five Posts about Writing.)

 

Slavery has always existed. How unfortunate! It is mentioned throughout the Bible. Social domination over others always brings out the worst in human nature. The Exodus shows God leading a nation out of dreadful captivity. We rejoice in God’s freedom every time we remember the Lord’s Supper, Communion. Slavery to sin is just as old as physical servitude.

 

Slavery is addressed throughout the New Testament. Seeds of social change are found within the Gospel. Philemon, a short book tells of a slave, Onesimus, who returns to his master. New relationships are established. Today, new forms of slavery are spreading across the world.

 

The topic of slavery appears in each of my seven volumes on the Seven Churches. Two of my favorite characters appear in each novel. Arpoxa is born a cripple. In the first volume, she is married to Ateas. He broke a leg in an accident while digging a well. They are Scythians, raised in what is now Ukraine. The scene in which they are freed at a slave auction and stay together as a family still moves me. I have been through that passage dozens of times. It’s a compelling insight into the word “redemption.” Arpoxa’s final statement at the end of the seventh novel, An Act of Grace: A Chronicle of Ephesus, is possibly the central assertion of the entire saga.

 

I write about slavery because I care so much about freedom, personal dignity, and respect for my fellow human beings. God loves Jews and non-Jews, rich and poor, slaves and free. Writing about slavery gives insight into the worst of human nature. Freedom gives glimpses of glory.

Slavery is still growing in our world. Underage boys working illegally, teenage girls being sold by their parents, trafficked women throughout the world, and humans being exchanged for money: all this is an abomination. All of this is transpiring in our world today. 

 

The question for the third blog in this series: “Why write about persecution?”