As I ask these questions I am reminded of Jonah. To do something other than what God has called me to do is disobedience and will lead to a nice classroom setting at the bottom of the ocean. If God is in to calling someone else to do my job, then I should never fear personal disobedience, however, all evidence seems to state otherwise. I reckon I better play it safe and do the last thing He told me to do.
In 2009 look for me to be doing the same things; Copying scripture, leading others in T4T and raising up disciples who will be able to lead others to Christ. Jesus tells me we need some African missionaries, His word will accomplish this and I pray I may remain humble to see it.
In His Service,
Kelly
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( 2.9 / 63 )
As we were led by the Lord this past weekend to baptize those who were ready to follow Christ, we evaluated baptism and its meaning.
What does it mean? Is it for church membership? To obtain a certificate? What should be stressed by those who are following Christ? As I prayed through these questions I tried to imagine myself standing before Christ and giving him an explanation of what I was asking of the candidates.
He reminded me of John's baptism and the public confession of those being baptized. He reminded me of the Ethiopian eunuch, the Philippian jailor, and His own baptism. Holiness seemed to be the thought that I was seeing. I wanted the candidates to see their act as something before God, and not anyone else.
This passion for holiness I think was truly picked up. As the candidates confessed their sins, their belief in Christ, and did so without fear I had a glimpse of what the Jordan river might have been like.
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( 2.9 / 47 )It is summer time here in Botswana. That means it is hot and the cool of the evenings is much anticipated. When the sun goes down you just breath a little easier. I miss summer time things right now; county fairs, tractor pulls, the smell of pollinating cornfields, fresh mowed hay, and cow manure. Okay, I suppose that is a bit much, but I am being honest.
Timing is everything in the ministry. Go to fast, and the quality is less, too slow and heresy will abound.
Timing is key to seeing the greatest results. I remember a horse pull I went to several years ago. Persians, Clydesdales, and Belgians, they were all there. Usually it was some old timer who had trained them to work in unison. If he was blessed he hadn't been kicked or stepped on. Those massive animals were just exhilirating. They would back up to the sled little by little, but as soon as the clevus clanged against the hinge pin they were off. Success was inevitable if they were lunging in unison, but if they happened to be out of time it was disastrous. The owner would have to stop them, calm them down, and then get them in time. He would be allowed to rehook if necessary.
In missions we are interested in pulling in the same direction at the same time. The Word of God is the trainer. Pray that national believers will keep in the word so that they are together and pulling in the right direction. I believe God is going to honor his word if we wait for his signal to move forward. Thank you for praying.
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( 3.4 / 70 )I am going to ramble here, but hang with me. I hope this makes sense.
As we look at numbers, which may not be permittent and a poor way to judge ministry, we have about 60 people in Zim copying scripture. In Botswana about 20, I hope. What am I seeing and will this ever lead to new churches?
When I came to Botswana 7 years ago I was disappointed to see the church unable to respond to the AIDS crises, teenage pregnancy and a host of other commitment issues. It reminded me of the divorce rate in American churches. The numbers inside the church and outside the church were too similar to truly say that those in the church were experiencing the abundant life promised by Christ. Many of my colleagues called it an education problem, yet 95% of those in school could tell you how one contracted the HIV virus and how pregnancy occurred. Some believed it was just the toughness of the field, the old cultural beliefs, and not much you could do about it. Even today, some say we are wasting our time in certain areas. Ann and I have chosen to believe that it is a lack of scriptural passion which only Jesus can bring about in the lives of people.
What does Jesus do wih His word when we are studying it, praying it, and most recently, copying it? He brings about a radical change in the heart of people which creates commitment. No other resources created by the church has this ability. Nothing outside of the word of God can alter the depraved nature and make it into the spiritual pursuing character God desires. Only God's word creates, and today we are seeing this creation happen, slowly, but permanently.
It reminds me of the ingredients on a coke bottle. The amounts are never shown, but just the names. However, we do not question the result but drink deep when we are thirsty. The same happens with the word of Christ. Following Jesus through the copying of scripture puts us at his feet. These words are like the ingredients which lead to people becoming fishers of men, church builders, cross bearers, self-sacrificers, and radical witnesses for Jesus himself. He speaks to them and corrects them gently, but the more they partake of His word the more they will conform to the image of his will.
Will this get us to church? Church is made of disciples, we hope. So often I have had people tell me you are striving for too much perfection. You can't expect everyone you baptize into the church to be a true believer. You can't discern people's motives, so you must quit trying. I totally disagree. The reason we do not discern people's motives is we are in too big of a rush. We would rather throw money at the problem, proclaim victory and move on to the next mission field so we can color the map green. We must go slower, and allow Jesus to show us the real result of our ministry efforts. If we would allow him to critique our efforts today we would see more exponential growth from real disciples in the future. I believe disciples, real ones, gather for church and you don't have to look them up. Look at the churches in America who have faithful people who are there every Sunday. If they are absent you know something major is wrong. This has alluded us on the mission field. We need commitment that you can't kill. And if you try, two others grow up from the same root to take their place. The word of God is doing this in people's lives.
People who are copying are coming up with the motives for doing ministry. They are not waiting on Ann and I to give them ideas, they are slowly growing in their passion and I believe it will result in a great harvest. Have you baptized anyone this year? I believe last night the Plumtree Church baptized 19. Baptism is not the only judge of quality missions, second and third generation growth is what we are shooting for. Jesus took three years to build disciples who called themselves church. I am hoping in this next year we continue to see movement forward because the word of God never fails to bring about its desired result.
Here is something to pray about. Where are the African missionaries, theologians, hymn writers, great preachers, devoted saints? Where are they? Why has Africa failed to produce the offspring of spiritual parentage? Could it be we have felt sorry for Africa and cheated them out of the word of God? Sympathy without empowerment before God is equal to racism and discrimination. Please pray that Africa will lead the world to Christ through the distribution of the word of God.
Thanks for letting us walk by faith and not sight.
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( 3.1 / 38 )Still having a monastic disorder of some kind. In three weeks I hope to finish my first manuscript of the Bible. My dad has the New Testament, which I gave him last year as a Christmas gift. The Old Testament is coming around as I finish the book of Job this month.
Why? Many people have suggested to me to photocopy, or type on a computer. Why am I doing this? I want to be surprised by the word of God. I want God every morning to show me something new, something old, and something refreshing. It is awesome to see things I have missed for years. God is proving himself faithful.
I also want others to be surprised as they copy the word of God. Worship is the result of God surprising us. Please get a notebook, copy even the smallest book of the Bible and see what God says. If He shows you something new, get a hunger for his word and he will meet that hunger with food so refreshing. I would almost bet you won't buy another Christian book again. No need too. You have the source in your heart and there is little room for second hand information.
See ya around,
Baptist Monk
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