Beautiful Gate

Posted on April 23, 2005 by Dana

“Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. But Peter said, ‘I don’t have any money for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!’ Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did the man’s feet and anklebones were healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.” Acts 3:1-8

I was at another Beautiful Gate this month. In one of the poorest areas of the city of Windhoek, Namibia, a group of faithful Christians continue the work of Peter and John. Early every morning, fifty to sixty children enter a special haven called the Beautiful Gate, where they receive nourishment for the body, mind, and soul. The workers, most of the time, can honestly say, “Silver or gold have we none,” but they give what they have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, they love.

Most of these children have met common tragedy in their young lives; their parents have died of AIDS. Some live in small houses with as many as eighteen people. Most have been given no hope, but the Christians see a different future. This year the Community Hope School was started to give a place for the older children to receive a quality education. Archie and Sofia, both natives of Namibia, are two master teachers instructing these children in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Does God not give us a glimpse of His heart in the story of Peter and John? Wherever we encounter people, can we not look them in the eye with the love of our Savior? Can we not give them what we have in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth? The man at the Temple danced for joy and the people accustomed to him begging were “absolutely astounded.” We saw many children dancing for joy at the Beautiful Gate of Namibia… and we danced with them. A community known for poverty, addiction, and brevity of life rejoices that Jesus cares enough to get involved. May the mighty works of the Beautiful Gate follow God’s children all around the world.

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:16

Posted in missions | Comments Off

faithfulness

Posted on April 16, 2005 by Dana

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Jeremiah wrote these words in the middle of his Lamentations, showing that even in the midst of sorrow and distress we can remember God’s love and faithfulness and be encouraged. “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.” (Psalm 36:5-6)

I wish you could see the African skies of Namibia. We saw rainbows, beautiful clouds, and spectacular sunsets. But the night sky was just as awesome. As I gazed at the stars that cannot be seen in our hemisphere, I recalled God’s word to me one sleepless night in the midst of battling cancer. “I am the One who ordered the universe and set every star in place. And I have created your body; every cell is in My hand.” Such a truth does not mean we will live forever on this earth, but it reminds us of Who is in control. And His love is greater than the heavens… His faithfulness reaches even beyond the African skies. This is who God is… and He cannot change.

I got to share about God’s faithfulness with a small group of missionaries one evening on our trip. After I sat down, the leader of the mission, a native of Namibia, reaffirmed the importance of remembering the character of God. “So many times in the last nine years, I have wanted to quit and take my family back home. It is so hard sometimes to go on. But I always remember the verse the Lord gave us when He sent us here: ‘The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.’”

God wants us to trust Him in all things, even in those areas that some people might think insignificant. My greatest fears while in a foreign country (with good reason I might add) are getting lost and having an accident while driving. I think Jesus, the Master Teacher, keeps giving me opportunities to grow in trust and to overcome fear. The challenge in Namibia was driving on the wrong side of the road. Almost everything is backwards! The driver sits on the wrong side, he shifts gears with the wrong hand, and he must remember that traffic flows the opposite direction. Thankfully, the clutch, brake, and gas pedals were in the same order (or I think I would have died!). Since I am writing this, you know we made it back safely and I thank so many of you for praying. While my confidence grew after driving about a thousand kilometers, I admit my faith is not what it should be. But Paul reminds us to look beyond our own weaknesses to the One who is perfect. “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (II Timothy 2:13)

How do we thank such a faithful One? We can never repay Him, and God does not expect us to. But the Father is pleased as we simply present ourselves to Him, having confidence in who He is and loving the One who first loved us.

“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:3-8

Posted in love | Comments Off

the other side of the world

Posted on March 27, 2005 by Dana

This week I have friends going to Latin America, Asia, and different parts of Europe. My family and thirteen others are flying to Namibia in Southern Africa. When Jesus said, “Go into all the world”, little did the early disciples know how this would be possible. There’s a man named Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth With a Mission, who has preached in every nation on the earth. Can you imagine?

But even with the speed of travel and our incredible means of communication, building the Kingdom is still a daunting task. Rich Mullins wrote this song called THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD:

The other side of the world is not so far away as I thought that it was… and the distance just dissolves into the love.

The New Jerusalem won’t be as easy to build as I hoped it would be… there are many bellies to fill and many hearts to free.

The gates of Hell are not as prone to prevail as I once thought they were. The gates of Hell have been destined to fail… and I see Satan impaled on the Sword of the Word.

Chorus: I see a people who have learned to walk in faith with mercy in their hearts and glory on their faces… and I pray it won’t be long until Your Kingdom comes.

Wherever we are, may the God of peace allow His Good News to touch the hearts of men and women. And may His love and mercy be demonstrated by the people who wear the Savior’s Name.

I hope to write again in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your prayers!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20

Posted in missions | Comments Off

invitation

Posted on March 21, 2005 by Dana

Lately, I’ve had some of the most enjoyable weeks with our son, Taylor. It started with an invitation: “Dad, would you be my partner in a fishing tournament?” I’m not nearly as good a fisherman as he is, but we have had great fun planning strategy and getting ready for the Saturday competition. Though I can’t report that we came close to winning, I have, once again, noticed God’s willingness to be involved in every aspect of our lives.

I could almost write a book about the many times God has revealed Himself to my children while fishing, and I am convinced it is because they simply ask. “Lord, will You help us?” The Father in Heaven relishes these invitations just as much as us earthly fathers do! And while He may not choose to let us catch the biggest fish every day, He has His ways of answering.

About ten years ago such an answer came as we reached the end of a grueling day of unsuccessful fishing. Eight-year-old Taylor finally determined the problem and stated, “We haven’t prayed!” I said, “You’re right, Taylor, why don’t you pray.” “Lord, will You help us catch a fish? We haven’t caught one all day.” Within a few minutes, this simple prayer was answered, but it was not the way Taylor had planned. His six-year-old sister, Kinsey, pulled in a good-sized catfish. To make matters worse, as her grandfather helped Kinsey bait her hook again, Taylor discovered, to his great dismay, that she had taken the last worm. Realizing sibling difficulty mounting, I quickly borrowed some of Solomon’s wisdom and cut the poor worm in two, giving half to Taylor and half to Kinsey. As Taylor walked to the pond, he asked with a pitiful voice, “Dad, why can’t I catch a fish?” For some reason, a Bible story came to mind. “Remember when Peter couldn’t catch anything one day? Jesus told him to fish out in the deep.” Immediately, Taylor replied, “You mean to tell me, if I cast out in the middle I will catch a fish?” I quickly wondered if I had given a wrong reply; we never caught fish in the middle of that pond! “Uh, Taylor, I’m not sure…” But it was too late. As half a worm flew out to the middle of the pond, a little voice yelled, “If Jesus said it… it has to be true!” I kid you not, within three seconds he was reeling in a big catfish.

After Taylor proudly carried the fish to us and pulled the hook out of its mouth, I noticed him retrieve a tiny piece of that half of a worm. As he took off running back to the pond, I yelled, “What are you doing? We’re ready to go!” Taylor shouted back, “But Peter didn’t catch just one!” Within a minute, the little fisherman was reeling in his second catch of the day.

As we thank the Lord for His great love, may our ears be open to His invitation. A long time ago, some fishermen heard these words and were never the same.

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matt 3:18-19

Posted in stories | Comments Off

important things

Posted on March 13, 2005 by Dana

Someone asked me to call their friend who had just been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. As I talked to a dear man and his wife, who are facing a great battle, I remembered all the questions, confusion, and fear that accompanies this disease. “Friend”, he told me over the phone, “I have to tell you, we’re just a little scared.”

At the doctor’s office this week, I saw the father of one of my old students. He has been fighting leukemia. The chemotherapy knocked out the leukemia but brought another cancer that has attacked his bone marrow. He is on his way to Texas for a bone marrow transplant and will be away from home for a minimum of four months. “I would appreciate your prayers”, he humbly requested.

I talked to another friend this week whose sixteen year old son is approaching the end of treatment for leukemia. This family loves God and testifies of His faithfulness through the storm. The son is a courageous young man.

At a tennis match this week, I saw one of my old players who is now in his mid twenties. He is fighting lymphoma with a great attitude. He told me he is closer to God than he has ever been.

Though going through intense trials, these people all have a perspective that is very focused. All that is unimportant or distracting has been cut away and clear priorities are in view. Four years ago, when I first started working again, I realized with amazement all the trivial things we worry about. It seemed that everyone was running ninety miles an hour and going no where. “Lord, I’ll never get in the rat race again,” I claimed. Now, despite my good intentions, I find myself running ninety miles an hour, worrying about things that aren’t that important.

I’m not sure how to avoid the pace of our society, but one thing I know: we cannot neglect the things that are important. I must pray for Buck, Don, David, and Shaun. I must love my wife, Susan, my three precious children, and Terry and John. People are important… “Lord, help me to love.” No matter how busy I am, if a friend is in need, I must find the way to serve him. And most importantly, I must walk with the Lord. He is our God, a mighty Fortress. He is our Shepherd and faithful Friend.

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands – yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:1,12,16,17

Posted in struggle | Comments Off