Category Archives: Understanding Our Times

Articles that lend insight or understanding to our times, the day in which we live, usually in comparison to the Biblical or historical perspective, which will aid one in knowing how to live and act wisely in our day. “Like the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times and what Israel should do.” I Chron 12:32

GOD’S NOT DEAD AND NEITHER AM I…Happy Easter!

I’ve been feeling the need and desire to communicate with you, friends old and new, but I’ve had a lot on my plate the last few days. If this title seems a bit dramatic to you, it seems apropos to me for at least three reasons. [1] It’s Easter. He is risen. And as first century Christians used to echo, “He is risen indeed!” Witness an empty tomb and His life giving Spirit empowering millions of believers around the globe, giving Him credit and praise at this very moment. [2] Our home group went to see the movie, “God’s Not Dead,” two weeks ago, and it impacted me a great deal. It was well done, and moved very quickly. I encourage you to go see it, and take a friend or friends, believing or unbelieving. The issues and presentation speak to our times and to all times. [3] I crashed our new plane crash a couple weeks ago Friday. I told some of my friends as I encountered them in the days following, “It started out to be one of the worse days of my life. But if you walk away from a plane crash without a scratch, how can you not say it was one of the best days of your life?”

So I apologize for the drama in the title, but can you see how it might fit?

I always get quiet, introspective, joyful, and mystified during passion week and Easter. Who doesn’t welcome the warm reprieve from winter and new life bursting all about? But the promise of new spiritual life, and freedom from sin is the best of all! That someone Who could do so, paid the price for my sin, and then lives with me to give me power over sin and death–what could be more astounding? What could be more joyful? The God of the second chance? Indeed! The words of the angels to the women who came to the tomb that first Easter morning still echo through the millennia, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” “He is not here. He is risen, just as He said.”

So, what does that mean to you? What does it mean to me? Well I’m very aware, given the events of the last weeks, that I’ve been given a second chance. A chance to live more life on this side of eternity. I should make it count! And I want too.

But more than that, it says that because He’s alive, and I have His power working in me, I can hope to overcome any problem, any set back, any adversity. And you can too, if you know Him and His resurrection power. Hope. Power. Life. That’s what it says, and that is what I wish for you, dear reader and friend. He does too. It was His idea, and He Who paid the price — showing us the way, and raising us to walk in newness of life.

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” doesn’t sound like a cliché to me at the moment. It sounds like the truth. May we all grasp this new life, with the adventure and promise it holds, if He holds us.

An eighty-two year old woman was baptized in our church this morning. New life!

A dentist friend and his sweet wife asked us to their home for lunch today. Before the meal he read this to his guests and family. New life!

A friend down the ally from us and his dear wife asked us and thirteen other neighbors, believers and perhaps unbelievers, to a seder celebrating passover a few days ago. It was a beautiful, delicious, spiritual, and happy experience to retell and remember the 3500 year old story of Abraham’s descendant’s freedom from slavery and friendship with God. Also one that would culminate in the passover Lamb of Calvary, and many new friends worldwide. New life!

I received a blog from a dear friend in east Arkansas this week about passover and what it means to a Christ follower. New life!

And I received an Easter email today from a new and dear friend from Georgia. Please forgive the self-serving nature of this one. But his insights are more inspirational and insightful than my small contribution. New life!

May you come to experience new life in full measure! That’s the real meaning of Easter. And that’s my prayer for you.

Happy Easter!!

Dwayne

PS I intended to tell the story of the plane crash for friends who are interested and haven’t heard. But this writ has reached it’s permitted length. I’ll report on the accident soon.

Cuba for Christ…Who Knew?

Taxis in Havana

I just returned from a week long mission trip to Cuba sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with Rick Bonfim Ministries in support of the Methodist Church of Cuba. We were forty people of all walks and ages – pastors, airline pilots, business people, working and retired, and a special group of 15 University of Georgia students who are part of the UGA Wesley Fellowship Foundation. We conducted seminars at a conference of 840 Cuban missionaries, and split into smaller teams visiting 19 churches around and between Santa Clara and Havana, worshipping and praying for the church members. Cuba is an 1100 km island with 11 million people. God is alive and well in Cuba, where we met missionaries from all over the island; happy, joyful, expectant people thrilled to receive us. We came to be a blessing, but we were the ones blessed, hopefully carrying the fire back to the US. [As reported by Art Druckenmiller]

My Friend Art

I quoted Art, and new and dear friend made on this trip, because I can’t say it better than he did. I’m grateful for his summary, and to know him. In fact I’d have to say I met 39 new and dear friends on this trip. It would seem that we each were invited personally by the Holy Spirit. There was no strife, only camaraderie and fellowship in service to the King. It started out that way, and only got better till we left the island for home.

The Methodist Bishop of Cuba addressed our group one morning and excitedly told us they have 400 churches, but 1000 new church plants! This fact was underscored by our mission that Art described above. 840 missionaries (We might call them church planters.) had traveled from all over the island, some for 11 hours or more and were camping at a large church campground with a big auditorium. There our teachers taught them the Word in four or five groups each morning, with translators, followed by ministry times where we prayed for them without translators as they hurriedly lined up expectantly for the prayer.

Missionaries at Camp Canaan

By the tens and hundreds they came forward. Prayer times were sometimes as long as the teaching times it seemed. It was humbling to minister to people who were more familiar perhaps and intimate with the Holy Spirit than many of us were. But everyone of us did minister, in obedience and faith, faith that God would hear and act on our prayers. There were many signs He did, indeed. 🙂

Group Ministry Time

During the first four days, I’d say we went to bed at midnight and were up at six, eating breakfast at a hotel in Santa Clara where we stayed, and spending the rest of the day at the camp, except for a 2-3 hour much needed, after-noon break at the hotel, followed by getting back on the vans and heading to 19 different local churches in the evenings.

Toward the end of our time we returned to Havana, and ministered one night in churches there. In Havana the pace slowed as we had Bible studies, and worship times ourselves, for personal spiritual renewal and times with the Lord.

On Walking Tour Havana

We spent one afternoon as tourists taking a walking tour of Havana, and ended up going to a beach about twenty minutes away for relaxation and enjoying the island.

The Cuban people were warm and friendly. We fell in love with their warmth, humility, and charm. The family of God is the family of God wherever you find them. They were a treasure to us, and hopefully we were a refreshment to them.

A Little Cuban Beach Time

I feel blessed of the Lord to have made the trip and to know them, along with our team; both of which I will treasure for eternity.

My look was limited to the Methodist Church on the island, but this move of God is being poured out in many of the churches, as reported in “Operation World,” 7th Edition 2010, showing about 15% of the population “Evangelicals” or “Charismatics,” with a growth rate of 4% annually.

Colorful Adventure!

The Cuban Church’s motto I’m told is, “Cuba for Christ in Ten Years!” May it be so. Pray for the church in Cuba and go if you get the chance! Following the Lord is a continual adventure!

[Photos!]

Give Thanks with Knowledge of the Holy

A cold, rainy, sleeting Monday morning, and I sit by the fire reading Tozer’s, “The Knowledge of the Holy,” Chapter 6, “THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF GOD.”

Powerful insight and powerfully true…

I was struck by the truth of it, as it raised my eyes to the hills, to my Help, the LORD, the Creator of heaven and earth. And it pointed out vividly to me some truth espoused in my recent book, and truth revealed to me as I’ve journaled the last two years, about God and about our times.

Thank You Father for your very present help and closeness to those who seek You and Your ways. You certainly are “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Help us to seek. Help us to find. Help us to live while we do. You are what we need.

“for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:28)

Perhaps it’s time to pause for some Thanksgiving. I am. I encourage you to do so as well.

Enjoy the national holiday! Enjoy your friends and family. Enjoy the air you breath, and everything good in your life. He’s given them all to you.

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17)

I just finished a blog article I entitled “America Bless God.” And I recall David, the sweet poet of Israel, the warrior king of Israel, and the “man after God’s own heart” prayed like this:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;” (Psalm 103:1–2)

You choose! You always do.

Matt Redman’s famous, beautiful song also comes to mind, “Ten Thousand Reasons.”

His grace to you all, and Happy Thanksgiving!

“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”” (Acts 17:26–31)[Bolding my own.]

I leave you with that excerpt from one of the most famous sermons in history, Paul the Apostle to the men of Athens, in a day of spiritual blindness, perhaps like our day.

Choose life. Choose wisely. Choose thanksgiving. Choose to see God as He Is, not what we’ve perhaps imagined Him to be. He’s adorable. Choose thanksgiving and adoration, today. By our seeking, and His revelation, may He grant us “THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY.”

[Photos by Mark B., neighbor and friend, Europe 2013]

America Bless God

My Father and My Son on my Birthday 2013… Lot's to be thankful for….

My Father and My Son on my Birthday 2013… Thank You Father of Good Gifts

In dark times with many challenges our forefathers paused to give thanks to God for his help and goodness, from their hearts. That’s good advice for us today. Let’s pause privately to do so where we are, and then in families and corporately wherever we can.

The roots of Thanksgiving as celebrated in the United States were recently spelled out to me beautifully by one of my best friends and spiritual mentors Charles Angel. You can read his article here.

Some historical insights he brings to light will warm your heart and refresh your mind as to God’s help in America’s rise to greatness, greatness we have enjoyed and enjoy today. Reflect and give thanks!

“As Thanksgiving approaches, which begins the Christmas season celebration, I think it remains relevant to remember those who braved a sixty-six day arduous voyage on the Mayflower to establish Plymouth in 1620 and set up the foundations for the God-given right of freedom for this Nation’s future generations. These Pilgrims chose to stand for the truth without compromise and for the hope that they and their posterity could experience liberty under God. It cost them everything to lay the groundwork of the most prosperous and free nation in history.

Their significant document, The Mayflower Compact, placed in the hands of the people the right to create laws and constitutions under God’s direction. This document became a basis for more than eighty colonial charters and covenants that laid the foundation for America’s Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It set the direction for this Nation, reading in part:

“…having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith...”

Then about 150 years later…

…That congressional resolution was delivered to President George Washington, who issued the first federal Thanksgiving proclamation, declaring in part:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor. . . . Now, therefore, I do appoint Thursday, the 26th day of November 1789 . . . that we may all unite to render unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection.”

Then about 70 years later…

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving proclamation setting aside the last Thursday of that November. Despite the difficult circumstances, Lincoln called Americans to prayer with an air of positive optimism and genuine thankfulness, noting:

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God. . . . No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, Who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”

So, in light of the above-noted statements and deeds that laid out the course of action and standards for America, what say you regarding how this great Republic is measuring up in 2013? Is Almighty God glorified by the actions of this nation? Is the Christian faith being advanced by the administrative, legislative and judicial branches of government at the federal, state and local levels? Is the Church significantly influencing secular society? To say that there seem to be a few “chinks in the armor’s integrity” would certainly be an understatement!

However, if we only look at the results of mankind’s efforts to meet the lofty goals set by our founders, despair will set in and thankfulness will diminish. Maybe our wise founding fathers knew that erosion along the way would be caused by our old sin nature, which cannot be redeemed by man’s laws, rules and regulations. To keep hope alive, it appears that their primary reasoning for the establishment of Thanksgiving was to redirect mankind’s focus away from individual circumstances and toward the Creator of heaven and earth.

Let us remember Him, now as then, and offer a prayer of heart-felt thanksgiving.

Burning Bustle or Stop Drop And Roll

Dad in my brother Gene’s Jeep with Mr. Peabody

Curious title? Bustle is public enemy number one for me at the moment. It’s endemic of our times, so I predict it may be your enemy too — an enemy to peace, to hearing from the Lord, to spiritual growth, and to spiritual well being.

We run so fast these days. Aided by technology and affluence, we run so fast that we’re chronically exhausted, and our pace of activity has blinded us to our pitiful states. So we go on, from one activity frantically to the next until we fall exhausted in our beds, only to arise when able to begin the ritual again. Sound familiar?

Checking on the cows

Peaceful Day with Dad and Brother

I’ve fallen behind of late, reporting on the book, and spending quality time in spiritual pursuits, that means practicing the disciplines. One of my life axioms often quoted to my friends is, “It’s better to live life than to record it.” And it is, but living at a burnout pace is the ditch on the other side of the road.

This morning while reading and journaling, I was reminded of something my good friend Charles tells me quite often, “You need to slow down to the speed of life.

The next thing I found myself writing in my journal was, “Stop, Drop, and Roll!” Do you recognize the phrase and where it comes from? It’s what you’re supposed to remember to do if you ever find yourself or your clothing on fire! It’s not the intuitive or natural thing to do, but it will starve the fire of oxygen, putting it out, saving your skin and your life.

Do you see the spiritual analogy? I did this morning when I wrote it. I’ve been far too busy, on fire with activity. So I stopped, dropped, and rolled spiritually in my study and kitchen. I read the Word. I journaled. I meditated. I listened for insights and revelations. I quieted myself. Comically I saw myself lying there, smoke rising from my tattered clothing, relieved the flames were extinguished, listening intently in silence for the voice I’ve been missing because of the bustle. Enjoying the quiet, the peace, the rest, and the promise of hearing something from the Spirit of worth or of joy.

At times like this I am well aware of the bankruptcy of the bustled life. I’m also grateful for some intervention to help me off the hamster wheel of our twenty-first century existence, and the opportunity to set some habits or spiritual disciplines to guard against these fires in the future, to guard against bustle, to foster living at the speed of life.

Life is such a gift. Let’s live it as designed and intended, for our good and enjoyment, as well as those we love. And to befriend the King.

Lord make us aware. Lord help us to exercise our free wills, and choose habits and actions that foster a slower pace more conducive to hearing, seeing, and enjoying our spiritual lives and Your Presence. Amen.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

“I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;” (Revelation 18:4)

A Friend of the King

David and His Mighty Men