Well, we're here!

We arrived in country this morning at about 5:00 a.m. (midnight back home). The beggars at the airport were like flies, literally grabbing your bags out of your hands and even trying to steal your stuff. It was "interesting" to say the least.

Get this--our flight from Nashville to Atlanta only allowed 45 minutes to switch gates...which sounded so simple until we did it. Anyway, when we got to our gate at about 10 minutes 'til takeoff, evidently they had given our seats away. Because when we scanned our boarding passes, new ones printed out...and Becca and I got bumped up to first class from Atlanta to Dakar! Can you believe that?!? What a blessing!

Getting back to the story, though, when we arrived in-country our bodies were saying it was bedtime but the sun was up by the time we got to the hotel. We did get to rest and shower just a bit before lunch, but we're some kind of tired. I don't think I'll have trouble sleeping tonight.

The guys (Pastor Tim Edwards, Missionary Jason Lee, and I) went out to a village this afternoon in order to seek permission to bring the whole group later on this week to share stories from the Bible. They were very gracious and beautiful people. By the way, hospitality is incredibly huge here. To have a guest come to your village is an honor, so they seek to honor you in return. The village chief disappeared for a few minutes and returned with BEER for all of us! Fortunately, our translator was able to explain that we weren't drinkers and, so, we drank Fanta Orange instead...except for the village chief. He went ahead and drank his beer.

Becca and I are chilling until supper in about 40 minutes. Pray that God will give us insight and rapport as we work in a very different, unfamiliar place. The culture and language (primarily Wolof) are nothing like other places I've been.

Hopefully I'll have some pictures tomorrow!

Please PRAY for Becca and Me

As many of you know, Becca and I leave for Senegal, West Africa, today for a mission trip. We're going to be working among villages that are yet still unreached with the gospel. The people group that we're seeking to share Christ with is the Sereer people, whose primary religion is folk Islam. That means that there are strong elements of their traditional religion (animistic and anscestral practices) mixed in with Islam. And their traditional religious practices are greater barriers in full acceptance of the gospel than is Islam. So we've got our work cut out for us, but God's power is greater than any earthly or demonic stronghold!

Pray for traveling mercies and physical protection...but, most of all, pray that God's will be done! His sovereign hand is at work and we are but His vessels. The evangelism of this mission trip will look different than in other places I've worked...slower...more relationship-building...building bridges. We're going to share the message of God through "Storying," which is a technique of witnessing through intentional Bible stories. We're also going to seek opportunities to pray for the people "in the name of Jesus Christ."

So join us on this journey...we need you! I'm going to seek to post updates and photos as the trip unfolds, so "y'all come back now, y'hear?"

Excerpt from this Morning's Message...

...Last Sunday I preached the first part of a two-part message on “Homelife Security,” a play on the words, “Homeland Security.” The Department of Homeland Security, as you know, came into existence after 9/11 because then-President Bush wanted to keep something like that from ever happening again on American soil. He pulled together more than 100 of the federal government’s agencies and unified them under the one goal of protecting the homeland.

There are parallels for us today as we give consideration to the Family. American homelife is under attack, and we have to take measures toward “Homelife Security.” Among the many responsibilities of our Department of Homeland Security, two correspond with the Family (at least the way that I see it)—protecting our nation’s infrastructure…and guarding our nation’s borders.

Last Sunday I preached on the first; today I’m preaching on the second. “Homelife Security: Guarding our Borders.” We’re reading from Exodus 20:14--"You shall not commit adultery"...

Hope to see you in church today!

How Long Before You Feel “Antsy”?

About a month ago (May 28), USA Today reported in one of their “Snapshots” the findings of a 2009 survey by Qwest Communications in which respondents were asked how long they could last before feeling “antsy” about checking E-mail, instant messaging, or other social networking sites. Of those surveyed, 47% said they couldn’t last more than an hour…46% said they could only make it one day…and the remaining 7% said they could probably go a week without checking in.

Now, I understand this sensation…I really do. The first thing I do when I get into the office is check my E-mail. Facebook has connected me to more than 700 of my friends (thus far)…and I enjoy receiving correspondence from them. I don’t IM but I know its appeal. The same could be said about cell phone use, although that wasn’t part of the survey.

But I’m wondering how long we could last before feeling “antsy” about checking to see what fresh word God has for us in His Word. How intentional are we about reading, studying, and meditating upon our Bibles?

I received an E-mail some time back that seems appropriate to this discussion:

Cell phone vs. Bible

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive “text” messages?
What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
What if we gave it to our kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don’t have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!

See you tomorrow!

Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson Dead

I'm sure you've heard by now that both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson died yesterday. My generation especially feels the loss as they were pop icons in the 70s and 80s.

But did you see the footage or pictures of fans gathered outside the hospital where Michael Jackson was pronounced dead…some crying and screaming uncontrollably? I couldn't help but think, "Something is wrong with this picture."

Don't get me wrong...I'm not making light of anyone's death. I would never do that. But I can’t help but grieve that people’s worlds could be so devastated because a musician dies.

Michael Jackson’s family and closest friends devastated? Certainly. But some run-of-the-mill music fan who still secretly dances in his bedroom with “Thriller” playing in the background? Not so much.

Michael Jackson named himself the “King of Pop”…was even married at one time to the daughter of Elvis Presley, proclaimed as the “King of Rock-and-Roll.” But I cannot remain silent about what’s on my mind today! Revelation 17:14 and 19:16 say that Jesus is the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” There is none before Him or beside Him…He’s in a peer group of one! And although Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, He rose again to give us victory over death through eternal life!

Our hopes do not reside in this world...we're to be in the world but not of the world. But those of this world need the hope of heaven found only through Jesus Christ. My heart goes out to the families and friends walking "through the valley of the shadow of death" right now...but I'm reminded once again of our high calling to make Christ known in our world.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,

Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;

Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,

Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,

Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;

Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;

Back to the narrow way patiently win them;

Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,

Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Thanks for reading...

Is Technology My Friend or Foe?!?

First of all, let me apologize for dropping off the planet last fall (blog-wise). The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some" (1 Cor. 9:22). But I've got to confess to you...I'm not sure that he was thinking about blogging and trying to maintain a presence on three social networking sites (facebook, MySpace, and ShoutLife) when he wrote those words! ;-)

In all seriousness, as the Nationwide commercial says, "Life comes at you fast." I just haven't felt that I had the time to blog as I had intended. Whether that's the fault of my schedule or my priorities, I'm not sure. But my goal at this moment is to reignite my blog and to be more intentional and regular in my entries.

I hope you'll forgive my digital absence.

One of the reasons I want to get back to blogging is that my daughter Becca and I are leaving next week for Senegal, West Africa...and I want you to join us on the journey (at least virtually). We covet your prayers as we travel to this nation held by folk Islam (Islam mixed with traditional animistic and anscestral practices). We will be seeking opportunities to enter villages where we can share relevant Bible stories and pray for people in the name of Jesus Christ. Our hope is to open some doors and build some bridges that will provide future mission opportunities.

Between now and when we leave on Monday, you can pray that God will give us clarity of thought in our preparations and packing. Until next time, "Jerejef" (Thank You in the Wolof language)...