Yesterday was a unique day. I had the privilege of going with a team of people from the Kurdsman Church to a village in a remote area of the mountains in Kurdishstan. We were 50 kilometers from the Iranian border. We took shoes in to give all the kids in the school as well as a story about Jesus booklet. It was so awesome. We gave out over 200 pairs of shoes and stories of Jesus. They were thrilled to receive both the booklet and the shoes. After giving these out we went to the home of one of the leaders and eat lunch. He treated us to a wonderful meal and then we had the privilege of praying for some of the sick children. This was all done in a Muslem village. Jesus is wonderful and gave us an open door of opportunity to minister. We have witnessed a great move of God and believe that this day will impact this village for years to come. Both the village leader and his Uncle are now believers. Rachel, Bob, Joel, Rob, David and myself are very satisfied with what the Lord has done!
Today I woke a little tired and finding myself excited about what we have accomplished. I have enjoyed working with Terry Law and World Compassion Ministries. Terry and Joel do a wonderful job and have a great network of people to help them accomplish God's will for this area of the world. Today another shoe distribution took place and we did not make that event. About 100 kids recieved shoes, bibles, and the story of Jesus. Today was historic in that this is the first time a bible had been printed in a certain dialect of the Kurdish people. The bible in this dialect has never been printed before and today they received it with gladness.
I am in my room readying to leave and I am somewhat sad. God has moved in such a great way and I am glad to be a part of this ministry. Bob Rodgers, Rachel Rodgers, Rob, David, and myself are all glad to have been here these six days. In about three hours we will leave for the airport and begin our long journey home. It will be bitter sweet. I will be glad to see Jaida, Jacob, Joel, Will and my little granddaughter Kylee. But at the same time I will miss my new found friends and this ancient land called Iraq.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Last Few Days
I have been so busy in Iraq that I have forgotten to blog. Let me catch you up on the last couple of days.
On Day four we taught at the Kurdsman's Church in the City of Erbil. They are registered with the Government and we had about 1-200 in attendance. Bob Rogers began the day teaching about the Holy Spirts baptism and I taught on the healing anointing. We broke for lunch and then that evening Phil Nordin taught on healing and we prayed for the sick. It was a great day and the Kurdish people responded to our teaching. While praying for the sick I prayed for a lady who had knee issues and she was immediately made whole and began to jump and run. She had not been able to do this for many years. We had other notable healings that took place.
Then next day (five) we were back at it teaching at the church. Did I mention that every day it has been about 110 plus? Well it has. Thank God we are staying in a nice hotel with air condition. I have been off on my sleep so the days are long and the nights are short. Anyway we I opened the next morning teaching on faith is necessary on having confidence to pursue the promises of God and then Bob Rodgers taught on prayer and fasting. That night we came back and Terry Law ministered on vision. We prayed for the leaders of the church and then the conference ended. It was a great day and the ministry was off the charts.
I am honored to be with these men of God. Rachel Rodgers and David the step son of Terry Law also provided some good teaching and testimony for the Kurdsman to hear.
Tomorrow we will be on the road to distribute some shoes and bags to kids. Can't wait to see what God will do.
On Day four we taught at the Kurdsman's Church in the City of Erbil. They are registered with the Government and we had about 1-200 in attendance. Bob Rogers began the day teaching about the Holy Spirts baptism and I taught on the healing anointing. We broke for lunch and then that evening Phil Nordin taught on healing and we prayed for the sick. It was a great day and the Kurdish people responded to our teaching. While praying for the sick I prayed for a lady who had knee issues and she was immediately made whole and began to jump and run. She had not been able to do this for many years. We had other notable healings that took place.
Then next day (five) we were back at it teaching at the church. Did I mention that every day it has been about 110 plus? Well it has. Thank God we are staying in a nice hotel with air condition. I have been off on my sleep so the days are long and the nights are short. Anyway we I opened the next morning teaching on faith is necessary on having confidence to pursue the promises of God and then Bob Rodgers taught on prayer and fasting. That night we came back and Terry Law ministered on vision. We prayed for the leaders of the church and then the conference ended. It was a great day and the ministry was off the charts.
I am honored to be with these men of God. Rachel Rodgers and David the step son of Terry Law also provided some good teaching and testimony for the Kurdsman to hear.
Tomorrow we will be on the road to distribute some shoes and bags to kids. Can't wait to see what God will do.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Day Three in Iraq
We have just completed our third day in Iraq. I am so excited about being here and being able to meet the Kurdish people. We ministered tonight in the Charisma Church with a city offical in the meeting who was not a believer. He was muslem and he enjoyed the service. There is no doubt that God is moving in Iraq. Pastor Phil Nordin from Calgary, Canada of New Jubilee Ministries, ministered to the Pastor's and congregation to believe God to do more than they could ever imagine.
We also visited the Old City today. The Citadel, which are the remains of the ancient city, which is 4000 years old was a great site to see. We shopped for a while and saw how life in Erbil takes place. It was a very interesting day and ended on a great note with a meal with all our new found friends. Our only draw back is that Brother Terry is still not feeling well. Well, be blessed and I will let you know about day four.
We also visited the Old City today. The Citadel, which are the remains of the ancient city, which is 4000 years old was a great site to see. We shopped for a while and saw how life in Erbil takes place. It was a very interesting day and ended on a great note with a meal with all our new found friends. Our only draw back is that Brother Terry is still not feeling well. Well, be blessed and I will let you know about day four.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Day Two In Iraq
Well another day has come and gone. We have completed the first shoe and bag give away in a Kurdish village. It was amazing. While there some of the group met 20 US soliders there for the first time on patrol. It was great to see them and they were elated to see our group. We have met many Kurds who have left their Muslim roots for a relationship with Jesus. This is area is so beautiful. Bob Rodgers, his daughter Racheal and myself went about the city yesterday shopping. It was a lot of fun to find that shopping here is a lot like in the States. This is the first country that I have been to, other than Chile and Costa Rica, that had shelves full of food and other items.
Today we are to meet with church leadership, kick off our conference and enjoy the sites of Erbil. Terry Law is suffering with some type of sickness and we do desire your prayers for him. Bob Rodgers, Phil Nordin and myself have just sat down for breakfast and so we will see you later!
Today we are to meet with church leadership, kick off our conference and enjoy the sites of Erbil. Terry Law is suffering with some type of sickness and we do desire your prayers for him. Bob Rodgers, Phil Nordin and myself have just sat down for breakfast and so we will see you later!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Dreams Come True
Well, I am here in a land I have never been before. After about 16 hours of travel I have landed in Amman, Jordan. It is a beautiful city that is heavily populated. I have traveled about 8000 miles to have the opportunity of a lifetime in ministry. We are moving on tomorrow to Iraq. There we will be ministering to Pastors and villages with shoes and bags. I am excited. Two of my heros in ministry are here. They are Terry Law and Bob Rogers. This is truely a wonderful opportunity for me and my church. Thank you to Trinity for empowering me to go and preach the gospel here in Iraq. My great grand mother Sally Moore told me once I would be able to minister in places around the world and I am living out what she prayed out. This is a dream come true and God is the designer of dreams.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Good Leadership
Wow. What a great week of VBS we had last week, here at Trinity Assembly in Algood, TN. It was nothing short of amazing. What made it that way, was the the atmosphere that was created by a group of diligent servants. These servants simply responded to the vision cast by the leadership of the team and gave all they had for five nights.
It began at the conclusion of last years VBS. A survey taken to ask the hard questions about what needed to change and what worked right. Then the leadership team went to work looking for the right curriculum that would be appealing to the kids. Then the recruiting of the lead team by the VBS director and Assistant. Once these people were put into place it was then time to cast the vision and recruit the rest of the team. Plenty of training and vision casting helped give the proper direction for all who were involved. This is classic leadership 101. Now you who are reading this realize it is easier to write about this than to do it, but this is essentially how it happens.
I have heard it said that everything rises and falls on leadership according to John Maxwell. I believe there is truth to that statement. I watched the two principal ladies who worked tirelessly over the last few months to make this VBS happen. They were committed and believed in what they were doing. It became a passion and this passion was seen and heard by all who became a part of this team process. Their leadership was seen and demonstrated, and because of it the program became a great success. They lead, the servants followed, and the kids benefited by receiving the Word of God and the love of these tireless laborers.
It always amazes me to see the process and to know that God has such talented people in His body. To all of you who labored I say thank you! To you Lacy and Jennifer I say way to go! You truly are leaders who are making a difference in the Kingdom of God.
It began at the conclusion of last years VBS. A survey taken to ask the hard questions about what needed to change and what worked right. Then the leadership team went to work looking for the right curriculum that would be appealing to the kids. Then the recruiting of the lead team by the VBS director and Assistant. Once these people were put into place it was then time to cast the vision and recruit the rest of the team. Plenty of training and vision casting helped give the proper direction for all who were involved. This is classic leadership 101. Now you who are reading this realize it is easier to write about this than to do it, but this is essentially how it happens.
I have heard it said that everything rises and falls on leadership according to John Maxwell. I believe there is truth to that statement. I watched the two principal ladies who worked tirelessly over the last few months to make this VBS happen. They were committed and believed in what they were doing. It became a passion and this passion was seen and heard by all who became a part of this team process. Their leadership was seen and demonstrated, and because of it the program became a great success. They lead, the servants followed, and the kids benefited by receiving the Word of God and the love of these tireless laborers.
It always amazes me to see the process and to know that God has such talented people in His body. To all of you who labored I say thank you! To you Lacy and Jennifer I say way to go! You truly are leaders who are making a difference in the Kingdom of God.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Laying Your Life Down
I have been giving a lot of thought lately to the term laying your life down. I am not sure I fully understand what it is that God wants from me and other Christians. I know that he is not wanting robots but servants who willingly choose to follow Him and His will with no rebellion in them. It seems that the church has not quite caught on to this concept or maybe it is just me.
It is easy to read in scripture about the young rich ruler, who was asked to go and sell all that he had, then give to the poor. He could not obey that command and follow because his will continued to trust in earthly treasures. He was not able to die to self by selling all the goods he had. He was not willing to lay down his life or his will to take on Jesus' life or will because he had not put his trust in
God's provision. As long as man's will is greater in his life than God's will, the man will not have his trust in God. The one thing I have found to be true is that the life of a man is found in his will. So also is the life of God. His life is found in His will. When we say we love God with all our heart, mind, emotions, and strength but do not do His will, we deceive ourselves. Paul said in I Corinthians 15:31 that he died daily to his will that God's will might live in him. In verse 36 of that same chapter he says that unless what is sown dies it cannot live. We think that we have sown our lives in God but the truth is this: When we still allow our wills to live we have not died. Therefore there can be no increase in our potential with God.
John 12:24-26 gives us insight into this truth. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it cannot produce much grain. The potential lies in the seed and, unless the seed dies, the potential cannot be reached. God honors those who do this very principal of sowing, dying, and then great harvest. I have found out that denying self simply means saying yes to what God wants and no to the temptations that desire me to go my way with my will. Simply put, every time I say no to temptation I am dying to self and the potential of my seed with God is growing.
I am tired of religious junk. We live in the days of harvest and we will never harvest unless we first die to self and then get about the Father's will. What are your thoughts on this subject? What is dying to self and how have you done this monumental task so that your life is maximized?
It is easy to read in scripture about the young rich ruler, who was asked to go and sell all that he had, then give to the poor. He could not obey that command and follow because his will continued to trust in earthly treasures. He was not able to die to self by selling all the goods he had. He was not willing to lay down his life or his will to take on Jesus' life or will because he had not put his trust in
God's provision. As long as man's will is greater in his life than God's will, the man will not have his trust in God. The one thing I have found to be true is that the life of a man is found in his will. So also is the life of God. His life is found in His will. When we say we love God with all our heart, mind, emotions, and strength but do not do His will, we deceive ourselves. Paul said in I Corinthians 15:31 that he died daily to his will that God's will might live in him. In verse 36 of that same chapter he says that unless what is sown dies it cannot live. We think that we have sown our lives in God but the truth is this: When we still allow our wills to live we have not died. Therefore there can be no increase in our potential with God.
John 12:24-26 gives us insight into this truth. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it cannot produce much grain. The potential lies in the seed and, unless the seed dies, the potential cannot be reached. God honors those who do this very principal of sowing, dying, and then great harvest. I have found out that denying self simply means saying yes to what God wants and no to the temptations that desire me to go my way with my will. Simply put, every time I say no to temptation I am dying to self and the potential of my seed with God is growing.
I am tired of religious junk. We live in the days of harvest and we will never harvest unless we first die to self and then get about the Father's will. What are your thoughts on this subject? What is dying to self and how have you done this monumental task so that your life is maximized?
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