I learned of bin Laden’s death like many of you. Dallas and I were winding down on that Sunday night when “Breaking News” interrupted programming just before the 10 o’clock hour. I did not become aware of the jubilant celebrations across American until early the next morning. The headline on my computer screamed out....”Osama bin Laden is dead”….while pictures scrolled of Americans dancing in the streets waving flags and singing songs of celebration.
As an American, I felt a sense of pride in our armed forces and their resolve to protect and defend America and the world at large. I feel a sense of resolution that bin Laden’s taunting personal reign of terror is finally over and that his cowardly corpse had been disposed into the sea. In no way can his death make up for the thousands of individual lives and families impacted by his demonic actions on the day that will forever be remembered as 9-11. But in some sense, justice has been served. We are all held accountable for our actions and if one is not committed to live by grace then he or she must eventually experience the consequence of God’s law.
To be perfectly honest, I must say that I am glad that bin Laden’s personal voice for the mandate of hate has been silenced, but I am also reminded of the biblical mandate that must tenor our own response, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not rejoice.” (Proverbs 24:17) As Jesus followers, we are to demonstrate a peculiar way, a radical way that runs contrary to our instinct “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Jesus said that children of the kingdom are to represent a higher moral law.
“You have heard it was said ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’” But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:43-44)
I find it ironic that the Pontiff of Peace, Pope Paul II was beatified on the same day Osama bin Laden was killed. The Vatican’s statement released the Monday after bin Laden’s death reflected the spirit of the ambassador of peace Pope Paul III emulated during his earthly service.
“Osama bin Laden, as we all know, must bear the responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religion for this purpose. In the face of a man’s death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects upon the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and works and hopes so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not hatred.”
I am thankful that Osama bin Laden is gone and can no longer be an inciting voice for evil, but as a Christian, I am working to align my heart with the heart of our Father God who mourns over a wayward son who sowed seeds of hate instead of seeds of peace. Let us pray that others who harbor such hatred and evil in their hearts will come to know Jesus before they unleash more destruction and they too suffer a similar demise. And while you are at it…………….
Pray for Peace!
Rick
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Ash Wednesday and Lent
Ash Wednesday Worship
March 9th, 7:00 PM
Arc
Lenten Message Series
“Walk the Narrow”
Begins March 12-13
Q: What is Ash Wednesday and Lent?
A: Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, which is a forty day season of repentance, self examination and self denial as a preparation for Easter.
Q: Why is Lent 40 days?
A: After his baptism, Jesus spent forty days in the desert fasting, praying and resisting the temptations of the evil one before he began his 3 year ministry journey to the cross and empty tomb. Matthew 4:1-11
Q: Why is it called Ash Wednesday?
A: Actually, Ash Wednesday is its colloquial name. Its official name is the Day of Ashes. It is called Ash Wednesday because, being forty days before Good Friday, it always falls on a Wednesday and it is called Ash Wednesday because on that day at church the faithful have their foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross.
After Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden of Evil, (The Fall, Genesis 3:1-7) God said to them both “for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) Dust and ashes and are often interchanged in biblical practices.
Q: Why do we have our foreheads or hands marked with a cross?
A: In the Bible a mark on the forehead is a symbol of a person's ownership. By having our foreheads marked with the sign of a cross, we are saying that we believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and that we belong to him.
The ashen cross is also a reminder of our baptism and our deliverance from sin. (Rom. 6:3-18) Some protestants prefer the imposition of ashes to be placed on their hands because of Jesus admonition in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:16-18) to be careful of showy acts of repentance.
Q: Where do the ashes used on Ash Wednesday come from?
A: They are made by burning palm fronds which have been saved from the previous year's Palm Sunday, they are then blessed by clergy. Blessed ashes having been used in God's rituals since the time of Moses (Numbers 19:9-10, 17).
Q: What are some biblical examples of people putting dust and ashes on their foreheads?
A: Consider the following verses from the New International Version:
• "That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh, his clothes torn and dust on his head." (1 Samuel 4:12)
• "On the third day a man arrived from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and with dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor." (2 Samuel 1:20
• "Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went." (2 Samuel 13:19)
Invite your friends and family to join us for Ash Wedneseday and the weekends of Lent as together we journey to the cross and the great Celebration of Easter.
I'm praying for you and I ask that you pray for me.
Peace,
Rick
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
7:15 PM Addis Ethiopia
Hello from 75 and mild Ethiopia to cold and iced in St. Matthew family. Remember, though the electric power may be low we have more than enough Holy Spirit power to take care of all our needs.
We had a great day and are about to rush for the airport for a three hour wait and then a 24 hour trip. The next time we have contact will be in weekend worship. I can’t wait! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. We will be looking for ways to give you complete reports on what God did on our church wide journey. You are going to be amazed at the impact you are having.
So stay warm church family and let’s get ready to give God some great praise this weekend! We are a richly blessed people and the best is yet to come.
Peace,
Rick
"I thank my God everytime I think of you." Philippians 1:3
We had a great day and are about to rush for the airport for a three hour wait and then a 24 hour trip. The next time we have contact will be in weekend worship. I can’t wait! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. We will be looking for ways to give you complete reports on what God did on our church wide journey. You are going to be amazed at the impact you are having.
So stay warm church family and let’s get ready to give God some great praise this weekend! We are a richly blessed people and the best is yet to come.
Peace,
Rick
"I thank my God everytime I think of you." Philippians 1:3
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
10:45 PM Addis Ethiopia
I am one proud pastor! I have watched Melissa grow into an even mightier and more effective leader as she spoke with confidence to some of the most infential women in Ethiopia. Claudia took her oratory skills to a whole new level as she taught pastors wives about their spritual giftedness. . Leigh Ann’s servant heart doubled in size as she poured her life into people who simply needed to be cared for and nurtured.
And you, we, the people of St. Matthew are more and more beginning to get it. God has taken your birthday gift to Jesus and multiplied it like the loaves and fishes. No exaggeration, thousands will be fed as pastors and wives take the spiritual food you have provided and feed their own congregations. Basketfuls will be left over to feed the lost who need to know Jesus. Even as Egyptian protesters challenge the status quo, I sense these women and men of God are going to do the same in the Ethiopian church. Get ready for an uprising among these people because they are eager to see the church be who she was intended to be.
I am humbled to be part of church that is literally being used by God to transform his Church to the “ends of the earth.”
Tomorrow , Wednesday will include a half day of training, closing worship, packing, eating and then to the airport to wait for our 11:00 PM outbound flight. We are all hoping and praying that weather allows us to land on time safe and sound on Thursday 2:00 pm CST. By the way, the high today was 75, low was 62.
Though I will miss this beautiful country and the passion of these growing leaders, I am ready to come home. Can’t want to see my beautify bride and walk through the door of my own home! And athen there will be worship with my own Church Family. God is good!!
We are a blessed people and I am a very proud pastor.
I love you all.
Rick
And you, we, the people of St. Matthew are more and more beginning to get it. God has taken your birthday gift to Jesus and multiplied it like the loaves and fishes. No exaggeration, thousands will be fed as pastors and wives take the spiritual food you have provided and feed their own congregations. Basketfuls will be left over to feed the lost who need to know Jesus. Even as Egyptian protesters challenge the status quo, I sense these women and men of God are going to do the same in the Ethiopian church. Get ready for an uprising among these people because they are eager to see the church be who she was intended to be.
I am humbled to be part of church that is literally being used by God to transform his Church to the “ends of the earth.”
Tomorrow , Wednesday will include a half day of training, closing worship, packing, eating and then to the airport to wait for our 11:00 PM outbound flight. We are all hoping and praying that weather allows us to land on time safe and sound on Thursday 2:00 pm CST. By the way, the high today was 75, low was 62.
Though I will miss this beautiful country and the passion of these growing leaders, I am ready to come home. Can’t want to see my beautify bride and walk through the door of my own home! And athen there will be worship with my own Church Family. God is good!!
We are a blessed people and I am a very proud pastor.
I love you all.
Rick
Monday, January 31, 2011
10:45 PM Addis Ethiopia
I was reminded of a very important lesson in a humbling way today. It is the responsibility of the person communicating the Gospel to speak a language that the audience can understand. I had no translator today because all of the pastors present are highly educated and well versed in English. Notice I said well versed in English, not Texan!
Five minutes into the lesson I knew I was in trouble. I might as well been a visitor from Mars. Jokes and stories told in Hawassa that evoked laughter, smiles and enthusiastic head bobs sunk like a lead balloon. The more they looked at me with blank faces the harder I worked which I meant I energized my teaching with passion and a faster pace. The more excited and more enthusiastic I got the more they looked totally lost. Failure! My spirit sunk and I was ready to head for the airport right then.
I didn’t understand what was going on and then it hit me. The same material in Hawasssa worked because I had a translator who used a vernacular and images the audience could understand. In a sense, the translator acted as the Holy Spirit clarifying what I said so the listeners could understand this guy teaching in a foreign tongue, Texan. Eureka! It is my responsibility to speak the language of the listener.
One of the greatest challenges of the church today, is doing church in such a way that the unchurched, the lost and those turned off religion can understand the message of Jesus. Many American denominations are struggling because we are not working hard enough to communicate in a medium that the unchurched can grasp. It is not that they are disinterested, each of us are created with a need for God. It is just that we are not connecting.
Please join me in listening for the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us how to not only better communicate with one another, but to those who need Christ. It is an exciting challenge and one worth pursuing because it is right on with our purpose and mission. We don’t have to go to Ethiopia to do the Lord’s work. There are hundreds of people living around each of us who need a Savior and a church family.
After the break, I slowed down my delivery and teaching style. The content was exactly the same; what changed was my language and my means of communicating. Instead of using jokes I told real life stories about being a pastor, husband and a dad. I repeated lesson points over and over again in different ways. The end result was smiles, enthusiastic head bobbing, claps, laughter and most of all an understanding that the Holy Spirit used to change lives. By the end of the day, no one wanted to leave because they were learning so much. Humbling.
God left the perfection of heaven to live among a sinful people to help us understand how much He loved us. He spoke a language everyone can understand. He allowed someone he loved very much to die for our sins. That is a language all human beings can understand, love, death, loss.
How far are we willing to go to communicate the message God taught on the cross through his Son? And in case you forgot the message was and is….”I love you.”
Keep sending Dallas and me your prayer emails. We are taking seriously the opportunity to pray for you and your families.
Eager to see you this weekend in worship!
"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."
I Corinthians 9:22
Rick
Five minutes into the lesson I knew I was in trouble. I might as well been a visitor from Mars. Jokes and stories told in Hawassa that evoked laughter, smiles and enthusiastic head bobs sunk like a lead balloon. The more they looked at me with blank faces the harder I worked which I meant I energized my teaching with passion and a faster pace. The more excited and more enthusiastic I got the more they looked totally lost. Failure! My spirit sunk and I was ready to head for the airport right then.
I didn’t understand what was going on and then it hit me. The same material in Hawasssa worked because I had a translator who used a vernacular and images the audience could understand. In a sense, the translator acted as the Holy Spirit clarifying what I said so the listeners could understand this guy teaching in a foreign tongue, Texan. Eureka! It is my responsibility to speak the language of the listener.
One of the greatest challenges of the church today, is doing church in such a way that the unchurched, the lost and those turned off religion can understand the message of Jesus. Many American denominations are struggling because we are not working hard enough to communicate in a medium that the unchurched can grasp. It is not that they are disinterested, each of us are created with a need for God. It is just that we are not connecting.
Please join me in listening for the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us how to not only better communicate with one another, but to those who need Christ. It is an exciting challenge and one worth pursuing because it is right on with our purpose and mission. We don’t have to go to Ethiopia to do the Lord’s work. There are hundreds of people living around each of us who need a Savior and a church family.
After the break, I slowed down my delivery and teaching style. The content was exactly the same; what changed was my language and my means of communicating. Instead of using jokes I told real life stories about being a pastor, husband and a dad. I repeated lesson points over and over again in different ways. The end result was smiles, enthusiastic head bobbing, claps, laughter and most of all an understanding that the Holy Spirit used to change lives. By the end of the day, no one wanted to leave because they were learning so much. Humbling.
God left the perfection of heaven to live among a sinful people to help us understand how much He loved us. He spoke a language everyone can understand. He allowed someone he loved very much to die for our sins. That is a language all human beings can understand, love, death, loss.
How far are we willing to go to communicate the message God taught on the cross through his Son? And in case you forgot the message was and is….”I love you.”
Keep sending Dallas and me your prayer emails. We are taking seriously the opportunity to pray for you and your families.
Eager to see you this weekend in worship!
"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."
I Corinthians 9:22
Rick
Sunday, January 30, 2011
10:20 PM, January 30, Addis
(Saturday and Sunday postings were both done this evening because internet service just regained)
Today was a long, hard day. Most of it was spent on the road, 4 hours of which was a bone shaking, teeth clacking, brain rattling drive. It was all worth it because we got to enjoy two hours of worship with our friends in Gunchire. We couldn’t understand a single word that came out of their mouths but we understood every word that poured forth from their heart. When we stood side by side worship and received communion, our common belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord was cemented. Back home, a two worship time would have felt like forever, here it went by in a flash.
Melissa had a great meeting with the Mayor of Gunchire and the head of the Women’s Ministry last Friday afternoon. Conversations are progressing on the library that will be constructed with your birthday gift to Jesus. We are excited to hear that land has been reserved for the library in the center of town and on the path most students take on their way to school. A dialogue has started with a local organization that can help stock and maintain the library.
The coordinator of the Women’s Ministry happily reported that more and more women are claiming ownership over their bodies and not practicing the self mutilating tribal customs of their clans. Melissa has also planted a seed that may lead to us teaching them the art of canning. Much of the harvest from their crops spoils because their means of preservation is little. We hope they will embrace the canning concept and it will spread across the whole nation. You talk about making an impact!
The women’s and pastor’s training resumes tomorrow in Addis, Monday January 31, with a different group of pastor’s and their wives. We are praying that the Holy Spirit will again move in powerful ways for the 2 ½ day event. Every single one of us are physically exhausted but we are spiritually super charged. This trip has reminded me of a very important formula, work hard, prepare well and then depend on God for the rest. The depending on God part is what has enabled us to keep going when we didn’t think we could move another step. It is has also given us incredible energy and clarity of thought just when we needed it. Praise be to God!
We have slept in four different beds in four nights so though we are walking on air because of our great experience, we will all be ready to see the front door of our own homes and the smiling faces of our families on Thursday afternoon.
I woke up this morning at four to pray for the Saturday night celebration and paused to do the same at the appropriate hour for the Sunday morning celebrations. Please keep praying for us even as we pray for you.
Peace,
Rick
Today was a long, hard day. Most of it was spent on the road, 4 hours of which was a bone shaking, teeth clacking, brain rattling drive. It was all worth it because we got to enjoy two hours of worship with our friends in Gunchire. We couldn’t understand a single word that came out of their mouths but we understood every word that poured forth from their heart. When we stood side by side worship and received communion, our common belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord was cemented. Back home, a two worship time would have felt like forever, here it went by in a flash.
Melissa had a great meeting with the Mayor of Gunchire and the head of the Women’s Ministry last Friday afternoon. Conversations are progressing on the library that will be constructed with your birthday gift to Jesus. We are excited to hear that land has been reserved for the library in the center of town and on the path most students take on their way to school. A dialogue has started with a local organization that can help stock and maintain the library.
The coordinator of the Women’s Ministry happily reported that more and more women are claiming ownership over their bodies and not practicing the self mutilating tribal customs of their clans. Melissa has also planted a seed that may lead to us teaching them the art of canning. Much of the harvest from their crops spoils because their means of preservation is little. We hope they will embrace the canning concept and it will spread across the whole nation. You talk about making an impact!
The women’s and pastor’s training resumes tomorrow in Addis, Monday January 31, with a different group of pastor’s and their wives. We are praying that the Holy Spirit will again move in powerful ways for the 2 ½ day event. Every single one of us are physically exhausted but we are spiritually super charged. This trip has reminded me of a very important formula, work hard, prepare well and then depend on God for the rest. The depending on God part is what has enabled us to keep going when we didn’t think we could move another step. It is has also given us incredible energy and clarity of thought just when we needed it. Praise be to God!
We have slept in four different beds in four nights so though we are walking on air because of our great experience, we will all be ready to see the front door of our own homes and the smiling faces of our families on Thursday afternoon.
I woke up this morning at four to pray for the Saturday night celebration and paused to do the same at the appropriate hour for the Sunday morning celebrations. Please keep praying for us even as we pray for you.
Peace,
Rick
11:10 January 29, 2011 Walisoo, Ethiopia
Today has been our only day off. After a short scenic two hour drive, we have spent the day recovering from the torrid pace of the last six days. I used this afternoon to dig into the Word for our next Spiritual Warfare message and to reflect upon all the people in my life who make me look better than I really am.
If there is anything good about my life, it is because I have won the lottery more than once when it comes to healthy community. I am blessed with an unconditionally loving family, an incredible church family, a loyal and trustworthy staff and numerous friends, three men in particular who I know have my back 24/7. And then there is the team I have the privilege of serving with here in Ethiopia.
They are doing an incredible job for the Lord. You can be proud of how you are being represented in this land that is hungry to grow in Christ. Each of them are giving God their very best and the Holy Spirit is using their gifts to change lives. I am amazed at their high level commitment to God and the purpose he has placed before us.
Read on and enjoy some of their mission trip reflections.
“Ethiopian Women love chocolate! I know I have said this before…. God’s people are the same from Texas to Ethiopia. The Women’s Conference was an amazing Holy Spirit movement. We discussed topics such as discovering our Unique God personality, finding the God passion that burns in your very soul, and the importance of women and children programs in the local church. When we left Awassa, I grieved for the personal connections that were formed in just 3 days, but I am looking forward to loving the next group of women we will be training next week in Addis . Women were empowered to be who God made them to be and it was AWESOME!!” Claudia
‘To witness such a movement of God in the women in our conference was so humbling. I am so blessed to have been part of this conference.” Leigh Ann
“’Praise the Lord, O my soul,
I will praise the Lord all of my life
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live’
Psalm 146
I have not stopped praising God since we arrived in Ethiopia. The spirit has been moving in such powerful and unexpected ways. The women’s conference last week in Awassa was more than I can put into words. It was amazing to see to how the spirit was moving in the hearts of the women who attended. Listening to their personal stories of faith and boldness was moving and encouraging to all. It’s hard to really understand the sacrifices some of them have made to follow Jesus….I thank God for the freedoms that we have in our country.
God continues to move in powerful ways in Gunchire. Everyone is town is very excited about their new library. The teachers and students are especially happy….they now will have a better chance to pass their exams and attend the University. We hope construction will begin in mid February and will most likely be completed in July. Hamid, the mayor of Gunchire says thank you to everyone at St. Matthew for your continued support and also presented us with an award for Outstanding Achievement. This has never been presented to anyone from outside of their community. Looking forward to being home and sharing more stories about how God is moving in this beautiful place.”
Mimi
If there is anything good about my life, it is because I have won the lottery more than once when it comes to healthy community. I am blessed with an unconditionally loving family, an incredible church family, a loyal and trustworthy staff and numerous friends, three men in particular who I know have my back 24/7. And then there is the team I have the privilege of serving with here in Ethiopia.
They are doing an incredible job for the Lord. You can be proud of how you are being represented in this land that is hungry to grow in Christ. Each of them are giving God their very best and the Holy Spirit is using their gifts to change lives. I am amazed at their high level commitment to God and the purpose he has placed before us.
Read on and enjoy some of their mission trip reflections.
“Ethiopian Women love chocolate! I know I have said this before…. God’s people are the same from Texas to Ethiopia. The Women’s Conference was an amazing Holy Spirit movement. We discussed topics such as discovering our Unique God personality, finding the God passion that burns in your very soul, and the importance of women and children programs in the local church. When we left Awassa, I grieved for the personal connections that were formed in just 3 days, but I am looking forward to loving the next group of women we will be training next week in Addis . Women were empowered to be who God made them to be and it was AWESOME!!” Claudia
‘To witness such a movement of God in the women in our conference was so humbling. I am so blessed to have been part of this conference.” Leigh Ann
“’Praise the Lord, O my soul,
I will praise the Lord all of my life
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live’
Psalm 146
I have not stopped praising God since we arrived in Ethiopia. The spirit has been moving in such powerful and unexpected ways. The women’s conference last week in Awassa was more than I can put into words. It was amazing to see to how the spirit was moving in the hearts of the women who attended. Listening to their personal stories of faith and boldness was moving and encouraging to all. It’s hard to really understand the sacrifices some of them have made to follow Jesus….I thank God for the freedoms that we have in our country.
God continues to move in powerful ways in Gunchire. Everyone is town is very excited about their new library. The teachers and students are especially happy….they now will have a better chance to pass their exams and attend the University. We hope construction will begin in mid February and will most likely be completed in July. Hamid, the mayor of Gunchire says thank you to everyone at St. Matthew for your continued support and also presented us with an award for Outstanding Achievement. This has never been presented to anyone from outside of their community. Looking forward to being home and sharing more stories about how God is moving in this beautiful place.”
Mimi
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