greetings

Posted on August 13, 2004 by Dana

“The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.” I Corinthians 16:19-21

A greeting is “an expression of kind wishes.” This first week of school, teachers have greeted students, students have greeted one another, and parents have greeted their children as they arrive home. And with a thankful heart, I send my greetings to you.

This summer I was able to greet brothers and sisters on another continent. One of our GAC graduates works with Campus Outreach in Johannesburg, South Africa. On a short layover at the airport, we were able to visit with Kris, a young lady who loves the Lord with all of her heart. If Kris could share one thought after a year in the mission field, I believe she would say, “Grow closer and closer to Jesus! No matter what we do, He is our hope!” How easy it is to think we accomplish things on our own, but Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” If a young missionary has learned this in a foreign land, how much more is it true for me!

In the country of Namibia, I got to greet lovely Christians who have dedicated themselves to serving children, many of whom have lost their parents to the AIDS epidemic that has ravaged much of Africa. If they could share an encouragement, they might remind us of these words of our King: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.”

In Cape Town, I was able to greet my youngest brother, Brian, his wife, Sondra, and their two little boys, Noah and Bryson. What a warm reunion. “How good it is for brothers to dwell in unity!” I also got to see many Congolese refugees that I consider dear friends. I can still feel the hug I received from Mama Marcelle in the cold rain of Cape Town. Being on the opposite side of the equator, it is winter in South Africa, but a warm greeting removes the chill of any season. What joy to fellowship with brothers and sisters who prayed diligently for my recovery four years ago. Though we don’t speak the same language, there is love that goes beyond our differences. These Christians, far from their war-torn homeland, might remind us that this world is not our home. “These people… living by faith… admitted they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they left, they would have had the opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

What blessings we have in Christ! May we have fellowship with Him every day. He gives us reason to live… and He puts life into our greetings.

“I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.” III John 13-14

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end

Posted on May 25, 2004 by Dana

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:7-8)

It is exam time at school. The students know the end is near, but as you know, not all prepare. Though a final test is imminent, some decide not to care about such troublesome things. Unfortunately, such thinking often leads to disastrous results.

The apostle wrote, “The end of all things is near…” and we’re closer than those who read the original letter. Is such a word to be taken seriously? Some decide not to care about such troublesome things, but what about the wise?

“Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” In the days before the end, the pleasures and worries of life will cloud the mind and hinder prayer. “Watch and pray,” Jesus warned. “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt 24:37) “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.” (Luke 21:34)

As Noah had a task to complete before the end of the earth as he knew it, so we have an assignment: “Above all, love each other deeply…” The apostle Paul makes an amazing statement: “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Gal 5:6) Jesus knew the enemy would attack faith and quench love as the end approaches. “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”(Luke 18:8) “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matt 24:12-13)

So here’s my ending encouragement at the close of a school year: Stand firm. Be self-controlled and alert… and pray. Grow in faith… and love all those around you.

Once again, I thank you for the love you’ve shown me and my family. Have a great summer!

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father-son

Posted on May 15, 2004 by Dana

My little friend, Roy, made it back to Paris after a good visit in the United States. His dad called me last week and thanked me again for being kind to his young son on our flight from Europe to Atlanta. His call reminded me of the incredible power within the relationship of a father and son. Roy’s dad would roll out the red carpet for me and my entire family if we ever visited his Florida home.

Not long ago, my son, Taylor, brought a friend to my office to ask a favor. I never give away our camp staff shirts to non-workers, but Taylor’s friend was wise. “Dad, Doug wants one of our camp shirts. Don’t you have a leftover from past summers?” I reached in a drawer, pulled out a shirt, and tossed it to him. “Thanks, Dad,” Taylor said. “Thanks, Coach Davis,” Doug remarked as he walked out of my office with his gift. I’ll tell you the truth, Doug would have never received that shirt had Taylor not interceded.

“Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25) Do you think the Father hears the requests of His Son? If we imperfect fathers treat kindly those who love our imperfect sons, what about the perfect Father and His perfect Son? The one who loves the Son loves the Father… and the one who loves the Son is loved by the Father. (see John 14:13-31) And if we dare approach God’s heart and learn to think the way He does, we’ll realize His Son is all around us.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matt 25: 34-40

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mother-son

Posted on May 9, 2004 by Dana

Many were touched deeply by Mel Gibson’s depiction of the relationship between mother and Son in THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. Who loves like a mother? Who experiences the pain of another like a mother hurts for her child? As Mary endured at the cross and watched her suffering Son, I wonder if the words uttered by Simeon thirty-three years earlier rang in her ears. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Mothers love, mothers hurt, mothers endure, and mothers believe in their sons. Mary told Jesus, “They have no more wine.” Despite His protests, this mother seemed to know what her Son could do. “Do whatever He tells you,” she told the servants and Jesus’ first miracle was performed. How many good things have been done simply because a mother asked?

It was no small thing that Jesus provided a caretaker for His mother before He drew His last breath. Some wonder what influence such a woman had on one of the great authors of the New Testament. I wonder what blessings John received for caring for the mother God chose for His Son.

My mom turned seventy years old today. She has loved me, hurt for me, endured with me, and believed in me. She still rides a bicycle. She still loves her husband and tries to keep him in line. She still loves her children… and how she loves her grandchildren. I pray I never take her for granted… and I pray she knows she is loved.

Happy Mother’s Day.

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:28-29

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free

Posted on April 30, 2004 by Dana

I recently read of a brother in Pakistan who was murdered for his faith. Fifty-year-old Mukhtar Barkat was warned to stop sharing Christ in his Muslim community. But Mukhtar believed it was worth the risk to keep sharing the good news with those who were lost. Early in the morning on January 5, 2004, this pastor was shot and killed. He left behind a wife and six children.

In the article I read, this sentence caught my eye: “Family and friends say he did not fear death.” That’s the way I want to live… “he did not fear death.”

But how does one live in such a way? Where does one receive such courage? What man or woman can overcome the natural fear of death? Jesus promises abundant life and then calls us to bold living. He knows the way of the cross is full of danger, so He admonishes, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” But how does one not fear what kills the body?

The man or woman who realizes what happened at the cross has great advantage. Jesus wants us to grasp what He has given us. “The most dangerous warrior is the one who does not fear death. I have called you to be dangerous warriors in the Kingdom of Light. The gates of Hell will not overcome you. Do not be afraid to obey Me. I took the sting from death and I have given the devil a death blow. Understand what happened at the cross and be free.”

“Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2:14-15

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