circularthoughts

a short trip to Mexico...

We returned yesterday from a week in Mexico. Yes, we went to Mexico, to Monterrey, supposedly one of the most dangerous places in the world because of the drug cartel killings. Well, we didn’t see or even sense any danger. It was nice.

We went so I could teach for Oasis HGM, a partner ministry of Heart of God Ministries, for which I am Mission Director. Oasis HGM trains Latin believers how to be good missionaries. I taught Wednesday afternoon and Thursday on disciple making focused church planting. On Friday I met with each of the current 8 students to hear their stories, to dream with them and see if there was a way I can help them to thrive after they go to the field. I know that I will be visiting some of these students on the mission field in the next year or so.

On Saturday the students graduated. The training program lasts ten months. I was able to share briefly with the students at the graduation ceremony. 

I told them that the book of Acts is probably my favorite book. I talked about how Luke wrote it to his friend Theophilus as a follow up to Luke. I talked about how Acts seems to end fairly abruptly in chapter 28 with Paul in Rome sharing the gospel of the kingdom daily. I said that it was almost as if Luke intended to write more but didn’t have the time.

I then suggested that the book of Acts is still being written. Not literally of course, but through the stories we write as we go out to love others through making disciples of Jesus. I suggested that as they went out they would be writing chapters 4,658 of Acts, or 5,386 and so forth. It was a lot of fun!

Please pray with me as these students finish up their support raising so they can go to the fields of Turkey, China, Mali, Bangladesh and Mozambique to write their chapter of Acts.

Vacation!

We are headed to Arizona tomorrow!  First we are going to the Phoenix area to attend this:

Then we are headed here:

And here:

And here:

I can hardly wait!  My reading list for the trip?

I'll be back in a couple of weeks!

Way to go Dad...

Today, my Dad was named Youth Worker of the Year by the Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice.  Dad is an Intervention Specialist with Health Resources of Arkansas in Heber Springs.  He works with troubled teens and does all he can to get them back on track.  He is 70 years-old and is finishing well.  My Dad is one of my heroes and I am really proud of him.  This is my Dad and Mom soon after he received the award.  We kept it a secret from him for over two weeks and he was really surprised when it was announced that he had won.  It was a great morning...

Merry Christmas...

 

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. (John 1:14, The Message)

 

Peace to you.  Just as the Father sent me, I send you." (John 20:21, The Message)

 

Much has been made of keeping Christ in Christmas.

So...

What is the true meaning of Christmas?

Can it simply be that God came to us?

Or...

Is it possible that there is more to it?

 

God became flesh and blood and lived among us.

He did this because He loved us and was making a way for us to be made right with Him again.

The birth we celebrate at Christmas is an incredible blessing.

It is truly a gift.

In Jesus we have been given much...

 

Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities! (Luke 12:48, The Message)

 

Almost half of the world's population has never heard of Jesus; or if they have, what they know is incomplete.

Jesus came to us.

Are we willing to go to them?

 

As you celebrate the birth of Jesus this year, pause to remember those who have never heard.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what your role is in taking the gift of Jesus to those who have never heard.

 

Take what you have been given and give it to others...

(2 Timothy 2:2)

 

Merry Christmas from Eric, Staci and Grant...

 

Read about our unforgettable Christmas...

November Ministry Update...

Well, 2008 is rapidly slipping away so we thought we would post a small update before we ran out of time.  Why is it that the older we get the faster time seems to go?  Anyway, things are good and we appreciate your prayers and support.  It has been a hard year, but a good year and 2009 is shaping up to be even more exciting.

 

Immanuel Baptist Global Impact Conference

 

We will be participating in Immanuel Baptist Church's Global Impact Conference later this week.  You can go here for a brochure.  The Brown family from Southeast Asia had to cancel so we were more than happy to fill their spot.  I (Eric) will be manning a booth on Wednesday night with Matt and Lori B.  Saturday morning I'll be teaching the Islam 101 class and Saturday afternoon we will be taking the youth to visit a mosque in Little Rock.  Saturday night we will be at the home of the Holt family.  The address is on the brochure.  Sunday morning we will be in one of the adult Sunday School classes.  Also, don't miss Steve Shadrach, who is the Director of the Mobilization Division for the US Center for World Mission, as he will bring the Sunday message.  We would love to see you at some of these events.

A New Missionary for Every Nation

 

We recently sent out our eighth missionary.  Karin E. is living in Southwestern China.  We are excited to have Karin on our team and we continue to be amazed at how God keeps bringing good quality folks to Every Nation.  Each missionary on our team raises their own support.  My (Eric) role is to provide missionary care and strategic oversight.  It is truly an honor to be able to partner and work with the fine people on our team.  We now have four missionary units in China, one in Bethlehem, one in the Dub@i, one in the M@ldives and one in Uganda (a missionary unit is either a family or a single).  Keep praying for all of our people and for us as we seek to provide the best in both care and leadership.

 

Publishing a book in China

 

Every Nation was given some money earlier this year.  The church that gave the funds requested that it be used for work in China.  We have been praying and waiting on the Lord to lead us in how to spend the funds.  We believe He has done so.  We are in the process of publishing a book that was written by an Indonesian Musl!m who became a follower of Jesus.  This book is the story of his journey.  It is written in a way that would be very comfortable for Musl!ms, meaning it was written using their spiritual terminology.  We are having this book translated into Chinese and hope to get an ISBN so we can sell the book in Islam!c bookstores.  There are more than twenty million Musl!ms in China.  Our hope is that this little book will play a major role in the kingdom of God coming among Chinese Musl!ms.  Please pray with us as we move forward on this project.

 

Update on Jim, Staci's father

 

Jim is doing very well.  His health is back to normal.  He has officially retired and is now spending his days catching up on the many projects around the house that he has wanted to work on.  He drove himself to Wichita recently to visit his brother and is making plans to go on a fishing/camping trip.  Thank you again for your prayers for Jim and our family earlier this year.  We are grateful beyond what we could ever express.

 

Our first holiday season without Brenda

 

Brenda, Staci's mother, loved the holidays.  She loved decorating and making plans and preparing the meals.  Those of you who have lost loved ones know how hard the holidays can be, especially the first time.   Will you be praying for us as we go through these next few weeks?  

 

Seminary update 

 

I am almost finished with my eighth course in the Master of Arts in Global Leadership degree I am pursuing from Fuller Theological Seminary.  I have all A’s so far!  I love this study program and the material is exactly what I need to be studying at this time of my life.  I continue to need help with funding for this.  The fees for the class and books that I am currently taking are on my credit card.  I did not have time to let the need be known because I was traveling to both India and China within a three week period.  The amount needed for this is $1,500.00.  In addition, the next need will come in February.  I will travel to Pasadena for a two-week on campus seminar.  We will cover the basics of two courses during these two weeks.  The required work for these courses will be done over the rest of February through June.  I will need $3,000.00 by early February to cover these two courses.  In addition, I will need approximately $1,500.00 to cover my travel expenses for the two weeks.  Pray with us that God will provide for these needs, as He always does.

 

Raise update

 

You may recall that the Every Nation Board of Directors recently authorized a $500.00 per month raise for us.  This would be our first raise in eight years.  In order for this raise to begin we need to receive monthly commitments for the $500.00.  To date we have received $405.00 in commitments, meaning we are only $95.00 short.  Pray with us that God will prompt those who are to make up this final commitment.

---

Thanks again for your faithful support of our family.  We are so blessed.  As I said above, it has been a hard year, but a good year.  We are excited about the future and continue to covet your prayers.  You have been used by God to help us make it through this year.  Thank you and God bless you.

 

Until ALL Have Heard,

 

Eric, Staci and Grant G.

Every Nation

PO Box 94564

North Little Rock, AR 72190

Eric's email

Staci's email

 

Staci's art

A note from Staci...

So many people have walked down this road with me and my mom and I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.  My mom could not have done it without your kind words and prayer.  I could not have done it without your kind words and prayer - prayers from people I've known all my life and prayers that were said by people I've never met before and don't even know your names. Thank you.

My momma has been with Jesus a week today.  Friends have called and come by to check on me and on Eric, Grant and Daddy too.  I am grateful for that.  I've never felt so love and looked after.  They've asked me if I'm alright and how I'm doing.  I have to say that I am, and that the only way that I could be happy and at peace like I am is because of my Savior.  I think I fought the battles over my mom in my heart all before she died.  I would wake up last November in the middle of the night crying out her name.  I was traumatized by her diagnosis.  I would shake sometimes like I was standing in a blizzard and I couldn't stop it no matter how hard I tried. I would get up in the mornings sometimes with anxiety that was so crippling that I couldn't eat so I would at first drink.  Then maybe I could eat something soft.  Sometimes not.  During those days when I couldn't concentrate or think I spent many hours alone with my God.  At night, when momma went to bed, I would cry out, "Please God, melt her cancer away.  Don't let her get any blood clots.  Help her to eat, God.  Keep her strong.  Heal my momma, God.  Please heal my mom."  Sometimes these prayers brought me more anxiety because I was listing her troubles and they would magnify in my mind and frighten me. Then I would just ask Him to heal her and "could I just sit here with you and will you just sit here with me and be my friend, God?"  He would.  I knew it too.  Sometimes I would curl up in a ball real tight and ask Him to squeeze me real hard with His hands around me to make me safe and calm my fears and my sorrow.  Oh, the sorrow!

It started months and months ago when she couldn't go to the store with me and she would write her list out of things she needed.  I have her last handwritten list tucked safely away.  Memories would flood my mind from the present and back to my childhood.  And I would cry.  And Jesus would meet me there again.  And again.  And still again.  During all of this I still had hope.  I never lost hope.  Hope that God would heal her. Hope that He would save her from death.  Hope that He would protect our hearts and minds from despair and depression.  And, you know, He did!

Mom and I had a conversation about a week before she died and she said, "I'm tired but I don't hurt and I'm not depressed or afraid."  I told her that I wasn't depressed either and that God had calmed all my fears and anxiety. And, as I sat across from her in our little living room, she smiled at me.  I knew then no matter what path God would choose for her that the victory had already been won!

She died a week later.  It was one of the sweetest and most painful moments of my life.  My heart was at peace.  I knew hers was too.  I knew that she was safe.  I knew that she was well.  Jesus is sweeter to me more now than He ever has been.  He battled for my heart and for my mind for many months.  I sought Him out on my knees in prayers with hot tears streaming down my face.  He was always there.  I could not bear one moment without Him.

So, thank you again for all the prayers, for the food, for friendship, for kind words, for gifts given in honor of my mom and for traveling this road with us.  I am so grateful to each and every one of you.  I want to write each one of you a thank you note for all these things.  Please forgive me if you don't receive one from me.  I was so weary that I can't remember all the things that were brought and given in love and my heart is burdened now because I can't remember.  I do remember all of your faces and all the words of encouragement.  I will never forget that.

Thank you from me, Eric, Grant, my dad and from my mom too.  She wanted me to thank you.  She asked me to.

"For who I was, was nailed to the cross with Him.  Hallelujah!  What a Savior!"

Brenda S. Peeler - September 9, 1942 - March 11, 2008

Brenda S. Peeler

September 9, 1942 - March 11, 2008

There will be a family visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, March 13, 2008 at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., (501) 758-1170.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, March 14, 2008 at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Avenue, North Little Rock, AR 72120, (501) 683-2259.

Brenda requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Every Nation Ministries General Fund, PO Box 94564, North Little Rock, AR 72190.

I was speaking to Brenda toward the end last night.  I told her to dance with Jesus when she saw him.  She smiled and told me, "I'm a Baptist, I don't dance."

I also asked her to find out some answers to some of those hard questions we ask and find a way to send them down to me.  Again, she smiled and said, "I'll try."

Thanks again for all of your prayers.  We love you and thank God for you.

Eric, for Jim, Staci and Grant

U23D

Took small-boy, Grant, to see U23D today.  He has been asking me to take him since it came out but we have been a bit distracted with his grandmother being in the hospital.  Anyway, I decided that today was the day and we took in the late afternoon showing.  It was us and about 14 other people.  We loved it.

Yahweh

Take these shoes
Click clacking down some dead end street
Take these shoes
And make them fit

Take this shirt
Polyester white trash made in nowhere
Take this shirt
And make it clean, clean

Take this soul
Stranded in some skin and bones
Take this soul
And make it sing

Yahweh,
Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh,
Yahweh
Still I’m waiting for the dawn

Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don’t make a fist

Take this mouth
So quick to criticise
Take this mouth
Give it a kiss

Yahweh,
Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahewh,
Yahweh
Still I’m waiting for the dawn

Still waiting for the dawn,
the sun is coming up
The sun is coming up on the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean

Yahweh,
Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh,
tell me now
Why the dark before the dawn?

Take this city
A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city
If it be your will

What no man can own,
no man can take
Take this heart
Take this heart
Take this heart
And make it break

Bono

Fantasy dinner party...

Have you ever played the Who would you invite to a fantasy dinner party game?  We were tossing this around yesterday.  What five people would you like to sit down with over a meal?

Here were our rules of engagement:

1.  They can be dead or alive.
2.  They can be fictional or real; for example, you can invite a character from a movie, not the actor who played the part, but the character.
3.  My wife, Staci, is a Koko the gorilla fan, so your guest can be an animal (this rule is where I cave to my wife).
4.  Sometimes we exclude Biblical people because we don't want to feel guilty if we forget to invite Jesus; but today we didn't.
5.  Translation is not an issue.  Somehow, all attendees would speak the same language, after all, this is make believe.

Here is Staci's list:

1.  Koko the gorilla
2.  John Denver
3.  Augustus McCrae, from Lonesome Dove
4.  Tony Hillerman
5.  Pearl S. Buck

Here is Rebekah's list:

1.  My grandfather
2.  John the Baptist
3.  Harriet Beecher Stowe
4.  Daniel, from the Bible
5.  Gandhi

Here is September's list:

1.  My husband's mother, who died before I met him
2.  Robert Redford
3.  Ruth, from the Bible
4.  Anne Shirley, of Green Gables fame
5.  Tasha Tudor

And mine:

1.  Bono
2.  George Mueller
3.  Jesus of Nazareth
4.  Hudson Taylor
5.  Muhammad (because I would love to see how Jesus engages with him)

What about you?

Thoughts on classic rock and discipleship...

I normally have a U2 CD playing in my 1996 Honda Passport with 154,043 miles and fading paint.  Recently, however, I have tuned in our local classic rock station.  I have been enjoying the reminiscent journey through my high school and college years.

Yesterday, my 11-year-old son Grant and I were driving around town to pick up the barbecue and related items we needed for our Super Bowl gathering.  He was a little upset that I didn't have U2 on, but I told him it was my car and I got to choose the music.  When he had his own car, he could choose.  (Don't read any anger in that statement.  It was just one of those matter of fact statements; you know, this is the way it is so accept it.)  He did.

I started calling out the artist and the name of the song, usually within the first few bars.  The more I did this, the more amazed was Grant.  After doing this five or six times, Grant and I had a conversation that went something like this:

Grant:    Dad, you are amazing.
Dad:        I'm glad you finally realized this.
Grant:    How do you know all of this?
Dad:        I grew up listening to this stuff.  It was an important part of my life.
Grant:    But, you aren't missing any of them.
Dad:        I'm glad you are surprised by how vast my knowledge and wisdom are.
Grant:    Dad. (said with that frustrated tone which indicates being annoyed)
Dad:        So you think your dad is pretty smart?  You're surprised to learn that your dad knows something you didn't know he knew?
Grant:    Well, of course. (said with that tone of duh...)
Dad:        So maybe you will remember that over the next few years as I try to guide you through life.  Maybe you will listen, because, just maybe your dad knows what he is talking about.
Grant:    Dad. (said with that same frustrating tone of being annoyed)
Dad:        Jackson Browne, Running on Empty!
Grant:    Ugh!

This morning I read this:

Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

Hear, my son, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of the evil.
Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble.

My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 4

Who is praying for Brenda?

I am sitting on the couch in Brenda's living room, reading emails that many of you have sent to her.  She loves to hear from you and to be reminded that you are praying for her healing.  I read to her every evening the emails we receive that day.

I am going to put together a map that shows the locations of the people who are praying for her healing.  We know we have people praying all over the world, but we aren't sure of all of the locations.  Please let us know your location and please keep sending Brenda the emails.  It is truly a blessing.

Thanks,

 

Eric, for Brenda (my mother-in-law, who has pancreatic cancer)

You can send an email to Brenda here.

My friends are praying...

From time to time, when I am in town, I have the privilege of teaching for a small Chinese congregation in my city.  I have been doing this for a couple of years now and just love it.  These friends are amazing people, who support our ministry and pray with fervency. 

As soon as we learned of my mother-in-law's pancreatic cancer, the following prayer item has consistently been in the weekly worship service bulletin: 

I always bring the worship service bulletin home and show it to Brenda, reminding her that many people are praying.  Of course, she is extremely grateful. 

Brenda and I have had a running joke about the prayer item.  It would typically go something like this:

Eric - Look Brenda, they are still praying for you.
Brenda - Great.  What does it say?
Eric - I'm not sure, let me see.  Hmmm...Well, I can only read three words, you try.
Brenda - Let me see, I can read Eric, and Brenda and Eric.
Eric - Well, looks like we just have to take their word for it.

We would do something like this every time I brought it home.  Yesterday, I asked my friends what it said.  Here is the translation:

Brenda, Eric's mother-in-law, has pancreatic cancer and is receiving chemotherapy.  Please pray for mercy and healing for her from the Lord.  Please also pray that the Lord will strengthen Eric's family in this difficult time.

Thanks friends...

I got a call from Pakistan today...

I was sitting at my desk, writing or reading or working on some ministry accounting or something along those lines.  My cell phone rang and I looked to see who was calling; not that I ever screen my calls.  I could tell from the caller ID that it was in international call.  I answered and was pleasantly surprised.  It was my friend Ibrahim, who is from a region of Pakistan made famous by Led Zeppelin (I'm being a little vague for the search engines because I want to protect my friend's identity).

I met Ibrahim two years ago, almost to the day.  I had taken a small team of relief workers to Pakistan in response to the earthquake of October 8, 2005.   We went to a mountainous village area, where roughly 300 families lived.  Ibrahim is the leader of this area.  He took us around to small villages, showing us the damage and letting us evaluate how we could help.  Our small team of 4 was able to provide 21 temporary shelter kits as well as monthly rations for more than 600 people.  More importantly, we showed our new Muslim friends a Jesus they had never seen.  Ibrahim became a follower of that Jesus on Christmas Day, 2006.

Today, in our broken English and broken Urdu, we were able to communicate, at least a little.  After a bit, another man took the phone and said he would translate.  Ibrahim asked me when I was coming to see him.  I told him I would love to come tomorrow, but that I needed to be home with my family right now because my mother-in-law was sick with cancer.  He told me he would pray for God to bless her and to heal her.

This afternoon, my mother-in-law returned home from her chemotherapy treatment.  I told her Ibrahim had called and relayed our conversation.  She shook her head in utter amazement and wondered at how beautiful it is to know that the village leader on the other side of the world who she prayed for every day would now be praying for her.

That, my friends, is life in the Kingdom of God...

Cancer and the prosperity gospel…

Many of you already know that my mother-in-law, Brenda, was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. What you may not know is that she is already a cancer survivor having overcome uterine cancer several years ago. She also lived through severe blood clots that were so pervasive the doctors were puzzled as to how she was even alive when the clots were discovered. She is a strong woman; full of faith and possessing a positive outlook.

The support and encouragement we have received from our friends and family has been an amazing gift from God. We are truly grateful. Brenda is doing very well. She has received several chemotherapy treatments and has been spared from nausea, pain and hair loss. We continue to ask for healing, believing that God can do it. We will continue to trust, worship and follow God, no matter what he chooses to do.

I have been surprised by the differing forms of advice and encouragement we have received. There does not seem to be a consistent doctrine out there when it comes to praying for and expecting healing. Most people have said they are praying and believing and hoping for healing. For this, we are thankful.

One thing I have noticed in some of the encouragement we have received is a fairly significant leaning toward the health and wealth or prosperity gospel. One person actually told me that the cancer was caused by the sins of bitterness and unforgiveness and if Brenda would only recount her life experiences and forgive everyone who had wronged her she would then be healed. Several have told me that Brenda would never be healed of her cancer if her faith was weak. What Brenda needed was an increase of faith. She just needed to name healing and claim healing. Others have suggested that it is our faith that needs to increase. We simply need to let go and let God. These real examples remind me of the friends of Job; lots of answers, little experience and very little empathy.

I have never been a fan of the health and wealth or prosperity gospel. Why is it only the preachers who seem to be prospering? How do we reconcile the message of prosperity with the call to take up one's cross? I just don't see it.

Some of the most popular health and wealth ministries have recently been asked to provide detailed financial reports to the Senate Finance Committee. It will be interesting to see what comes out of this review, which has been fueled by stories like this. The previous link also has a good history of how this doctrine of prosperity is a fairly recent development.

I firmly believe the name it and claim it, health and wealth, prosperity gospel is not really the gospel at all. This teaching places way too much emphasis on what we do. It is as if God is some magician up in the sky waiting on us to get the formula right so he can come through and bless us. This is not biblical; it is hocus-pocus.

I do not see anything in the gospels that consistently teaches that healing or blessing or the miraculous is dependent on our level of faith. I see someone asking for more faith (Mark 9:24). I see a man being healed because of the faith of his friends (Mark 2:5). I see a humble begging, not an arrogant demand (Matthew 20:29-34; Luke 5:12). I see healing to prove a point, where there is no discussion of the level of faith of the person being healed (Luke 6:6-11). I see healing in spite of a lifetime of disappointment (John 5:1-17). I see the miraculous in the presence of doubt (John 11:38-44). I see great faith (Matthew 15:28). In other words, I see God doing what only he can do in many different situations. To suggest that God only works when our faith is strong is proof-texting at its best, or worst, depending on how you look at it.

God can not be manipulated. We can not conjure up enough of anything to convince him to love us more than he already does. To suggest that it is our sin that keeps God from working in our life is ridiculous, for in our sin he first loved us (Romans 5:8). To suggest that it is our lack of faith or weak faith that keeps God from working in our life is dangerous, arrogant and judgmental. The unspoken message that these types of encouragement sends is not one of grace and love. Instead, it is a message of doubt, discouragement and hopelessness, and this is not good news at all.

My hope is to always be like the friends of the paralytic, as found in Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26. May we consistently take each other to Jesus, in love, hope and compassion.

Merry Christmas

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.
(John 1:14, The Message)

What would it be like if Jesus moved in next door?
Would anything change?
Would your neighborhood ever be the same?

I have been asking that question of myself this week.
As I have thought about this,
Jesus has reminded me that he has moved into my neighborhood,
because he lives in me.

I already knew this, of course,
but my prayer is that I will understand this on a much deeper level.

I pray that I will constantly remember that as I walk through life,
Jesus is present, no matter what neighborhood I happen to be in.

Merry Christmas from Eric, Staci and Grant...

An unforgettable Christmas...

It was December 24, 2001.  We had attended a Christmas Eve candlelight service and were sitting down for the evening with my wife's parents.  We were at their home, which was just two doors down from ours.

It had been a hard but wonderful year.  I had quit my banking job of almost fifteen years that January.  We had stepped out in faith to start the ministry journey that we are still on.  We had gone through all of our savings and were completely broke.  God had been so good, and had provided in so many ways, but Christmas had come and we truly did not know how we were going to make our January bills.

One of our neighbors knocked on my in-law's door.  She told us she was worried because someone had been in and out of our driveway and up to the door several times.  She thought I should go down and check.

As I walked up to the front door I noticed a brown, lunch-size paper bag on the front porch.  I bent down, picked it up and looked inside.  My jaw dropped.  I couldn't believe it.  It was filled with cash.

I took the bag back to my in-law's house and we began to count.  The bag had $5,000.00 in it, all $20.00 bills.  Unbelievable.  Someone had anonymously left $5,000.00 on our front porch!

That someone had written on the bag: Merry Christmas - God will bless you for your faithfulness!

To this day we do not know who left this gift.  We still have the bag and when things get tight financially we pull the bag out as a reminder of God's faithfulness.  That Christmas was truly unforgettable.

For all of you who have been on this journey with us, and those who are just now joining us, we want to say thanks.  We are truly grateful for your love and friendship.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours...

Eric, Staci and Grant

There goes the neighborhood...

Several of us went Christmas caroling in the neighborhood last night.  Our friends Bruce and September organized the outing.  What fun we had.  This is our third year to do this and last night was the best time so far.  I think our neighbors, those we know and those we don't, seemed to enjoy our singing.  I know we had fun.  I heard one of our neighbors say that she had never had carolers pay her a visit before.  It was a great way for us to kick off the Christmas weekend.

Happy Anniversary...

Twenty years ago today they let us get married.  What were they thinking?  We were so young.  I promise we are the same age even though it looks like I married a teenager.  Staci, I love you more today than I did yesterday, than I did the day before that... Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday...

Today is my son's 11th birthday.  This picture was taken in Chengdu.  This Tibetan monk was walking down the street so Grant walked up to him and gave him a hug; unprompted and pure Jesus.  Son, I am so proud of you and I love you.  Dad

Happy Birthday my love...

Today is the 13th anniversary of my wife's 29th birthday.  Here she is in China, holding a red panda. 

You are the love of my life.  No others need apply...

I love you and thank God for you.  I hope this day is full of blessings...

jeg

Fast food on hold...

My friend Kris posted today that he is going to give up fast food.  What a great idea.  I've thought about it but haven't had the guts.  Kris, I think I'm going to give it a try. 

I love fast food.  I love cheeseburgers.  I love french fries.  I love anything greasy and bad for you.  I'm 42, I weigh too much and I have a family history of heart disease.

I need to keep myself in a position to travel around the world five or six times per year.  Fast food doesn't help.  In fact, it hurts.

So, those of you who know me and love me and see me on a regular basis, as of December 1, I'm going to give it a try.  Pray for me...

Until ALL Have Heard,

jeg

The road less traveled…

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.  1 Corinthians 13:11

These two guys began the road to manhood this weekend.  Caleb, on the left, turned 9 in September.  Grant will turn 11 in December.  Caleb's dad, Hatley, and I took them out for their first of several "manhood" weekends.  What a blessing.

Our goal was to initiate the process of teaching our boys what it means to be a godly man.  We talked about some of the traps they will face over the next few years.  We challenged them to decide now how they will respond when faced with temptations and peer pressures.  We even talked about sex; well a little. 

We went through the first couple of sessions in FamilyLife's Passport2Purity.  I've never been a big fan of "programmed" discipleship, but…  Passport2Purity seems to be a well thought out way to walk your kids through this difficult time of transition.  I would recommend it.  We also used sections of pages 134-135 in The Usborne Book of Knowledge to help illustrate the differences in the bodies of boys and girls.

Caleb and Grant made a commitment to be missionaries instead of a mission during their next stage of life.  We laughed together and had some great conversations.  When the sex topic came up there were several "deer in the headlight" moments.  I think they were afraid we were going to draw pictures or something.

Dads, if you haven't done this with your boys do it. 

We also played a little tag football.  For those of you who know us, our family is not the most athletically gifted.  We basically put sports in the same category of having a lobotomy.  So, we got trashed, 28-14.  I did find out how bad out of shape I am.  I am so sore.  Anyone have any ibuprofen?

 

the apple doesn't fall far...

This is one of our friends in China and my 10-year old son. This lady's family gave us their Chinese surname and we have a standing invitation for a meal every time we visit China. Her oldest daughter was the first person I led to the Lord in China, almost seven years ago. Her second daughter worked with me as a translator on another trip last year. We have been praying for the mother and father to follow Jesus ever since we met them.

This year we went to their flat for another delicious meal. The father had to go back to work after we finished. Neither of the two daughters could be there.  We had a friend go as our translator.

I asked the mother where she stood on following Jesus. She said she was interested, but still had many unanswered questions. I asked her if she would like to hear Grant, our 10-year old, explain why he followed Jesus. She said she would love that.

Grant found a pen and some paper. He began to draw the bridge analogy, explaining the details as he went. Grant explained how our sin has separated us from God.  He drew a canyon with mankind on one side and God on the other.  The canyon represents our sin.  He explained how God loved us so much that he made a way for our relationship with him to be restored.  He then drew a bridge spanning the gap between us and God; the bridge being the cross of Jesus covering our sin. 

Our friend translated every step of the way. The mother would ask questions and Grant would answer, with very little prompting from me. As he finished his explanation, she began to shake her head in agreement. She said that he made it so simple that she now understood.

She accepted Jesus into her life and began her walk in the Kingdom of God. I was so proud. My son had been used by the Holy Spirit to draw our friend into the Kingdom. How could it get any better?

The apple doesn't fall far...

 

for to such belongs the kingdom of God...

I have been reading Jonah and the Worm to my ten-year old son.  As I was reading him the first chapter he stopped me to ask a question.  He asked me if I had ever heard God speak.

I told him that I had heard God many times through the Scriptures and through people and even music.  He told me that he knew that, but asked if I had ever heard God's voice?

"Do you mean with my ears?" I asked.

"Yes dad, with your ears!"

So how does one answer that question? 

I told him that I had never heard the voice of God with my ears. 

There was a long pause. 

I then suggested that one possible reason why I had not heard the voice of God with my ears was because I had never asked God to speak to me in that way.

He seemed to accept that and I continued to read.

When I finished the chapter he looked at me and asked why I had never asked God to speak to me so I could hear him with my ears. 

I thought I had dodged the question but he was not satisfied.

Deep down I knew that the reason I had not asked God to speak to me in that way was because I really did not expect God to do it.  I had a faith issue. 

I told him I was not sure.  I then asked my son if he had ever heard the voice of God with his ears.  He told me that he had not.

So, we decided to ask God together and did so right then.  We asked God to speak to us so that we could hear him with our ears.

This morning I asked my son if he had heard the voice of God with his ears yet.  He said he had not.  He asked me how long I thought it would take for him to hear God like this.  I told him that I did not know but that we should continue to ask until it happened. 

He looked at me and said, "Of course."

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.  But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."  And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.  Mark 10:13-16

What a treasure...

Hiking six miles in three hours just to make it to the shelter before dark...

Ouch.

Eating a late dinner of ramen noodles, beef jerky and trail mix...

Not bad.

Not being able to get a fire started and having to eat a dessert of unroasted marshmallows...

Oh well.

Realizing that a tick is crawling up your arm just as you try to go to sleep...

Hate ticks.

Not being able to sleep because it feels like ticks are crawling all over your body...

Miserable.

Jumping out of your skin because you startled a wild turkey next to the trail...

Amazing.

Hearing your ten year old son tell you that you are his best friend...

What a treasure...

"Why, daddy, why?"

I realized he was crying.  We were watching the first installment of the Indiana Jones trilogy when I began to hear sobs coming from our son's room.

To tell you the truth, I was a little put out.  I had just got him into bed and really wanted to watch the movie, never mind the fact that I have seen it dozens of times.  But the sobs persisted.

I got up and went into his room.

"What's wrong?" I said.

"I'm so sad."  was the reply.

Come to find out, our little ten year-old had begun to pray for his list of lost people as he does every night after he goes to bed.  We pray together each night, but I learned last night that he prays again after I leave.  Anyway, as he made his way down his list he "accidentally" mentioned our former neighbor Bill.  I say former neighbor because Bill passed away about a year ago.  As our son thought about Bill and what must be presumed to be Bill's final destination, he was overwhelmed.  He could not take it.  This is what was behind the sobs.

"Why, daddy, why?"  was his question.  "Why does Bill have to be there forever?" 

Wow!  Talk about an incredible wake up call.  I had been so focused on the things of the world and my son was crying his heart out over the lost.

We began to talk about how God is just and holy and how all men are separated from Him at birth due to our sin nature.  Our son knows these things, but I think they are beginning to go a little deeper in his heart.  I told him that it was more than Bill that we should be sad about.  I told him that thousands of people die every day and that many of these have never even heard the name of Jesus.  I told him that this is why I do what I do.  This is why I go to tell those who have never heard.  When he heard me say thousands the tears flowed even harder.

We hugged on him and did our best to comfort him.  At the same time, we did not want to tell him that it is OK and to stop crying.   We finally got him calmed down a little and he went back to bed.  I think he sobbed himself to sleep last night.

This morning he walked into my office and sat in my lap.  I told him I was proud of him and that I had seen the heart of God in him last night.  I told him that God grieved for the lost even more than he did last night, and I reminded him that we play a role in alleviating God's grief as we go and tell.

He looked at me and said, "Everyone should go and tell, shouldn't they daddy?"

I smiled and said, "Yes, son, they should."

He jumped off of my lap and went off to start his day.  Oh to have child like faith like that.  Father, make it so!

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."  Matthew 5:7

Until ALL Have Heard,

EG