the big party in Indonesia

Since I arrived at Plainfield Calvary Baptist last March, the one defining picture I have is the love they have for God's word.  I thought of that love as I saw this video of an Indonesian tribe when they received God's word in their own language, for the first time. 

Dancing, crying, celebration, honor and prayer.

I am a coming closer to that gratitude every day. Today was my son's first day in Awana.  I think I understand a little better about the big party in Indonesia, though they have taught me even more in this short video.

Thanks for your generous prayers and comfort.

As they say in the Kimyal language:

Al weig buna’ ag bulamlange
ab Domba Me ab se,
sig aga meibna’ ab,
gibna’ ab, bebnag ab, migib ab,
unum-unum se ulamla.

“To him who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb, be blessing
and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

Read more here....
http://www.challies.com/christian-living/gods-greatest-gifts

Please show me your glory

What are we missing in LIFE? How do we get there? 

Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” Exodus 33:18

And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.  Exodus 40:35

Show me your Glory
Jaeson Ma



You know I finally realized that
this life boils down to one thing
Its not about me its not about the music
its about the glory
Listen up, Listen up Listen up


Don't waste your life
But Live your life for a purpose that is bigger than yourself
What are you living for?
I'm living for the glory
and glory is not fame, glory not making yourself a name


Glory is sacrificing for others
Its putting other before your self
(thats love)
Its fighting for a cause worth dying for
a  purpose worth living for


true glory is virtue
Its not something you can buy,
Glory is something you earn
Heros are not born
They are made for glory


I'm broken apart somewhere on the road
10,000 dreams with no place to go
If you give me your heart I ll can give you a soul
The depth of your love I'll never know


Glory
Glory ....Give me a sign
Glory ….I'll give you My life


Show me the glory
this is what I pray
Theres gotta be more than what seems that exist
We were born to go higher, born for adventure
dare to dream bigger


because if your don't have a passion worth dying for you have nothing worth living for


don't live for the things of this world
They're passing away
but live for the glory that leads to eternity
Glory is grace perfected


And our greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising, every time we fall


I'm broken apart somewhere on the road
10,000 dreams with no place to go
If you give me your heart I ll give you a soul
The depth of your love I'll never know


Glory ....Give me a sign
Glory ….I'll give you My life


When I wake up in the morning and feel the sun shining down in my face
I feel your glory
When I look into that night and I see the moon and stars shining so bright
I see your glory


Your love is deeper than the oceans
more powerful than the mountains.
Glory


I been waiting my whole life
for this one special moment I got just to be with you….
….to be with you


I been waiting my whole life
for this one special moment I got just to be with you….
….to be with you


I'm broken apart somewhere on the road
10,000 dreams with no place to go
If you give me your heart I can give you a  soul
The depth of your love I'll never know


Glory ....Give me a sign
Glory ….I'll give you My life


Glory give me a sign
       I can't touch your glory, its too much
Glory ….I'll give you My life
      Its all about you, its not about me,
its all about you
its all about your Glory


Yes, let me feel you glory
Show me touch your glory
Show me your glory


this is what I pray
You are my glory
You are my life
You are everything


thank you

You have a calling....an upward calling of God

There comes a time in a man's life when all he has is his faith, not his feeling, not his relationships, nor even his possessions that remind Him of past success.  Sure, I want intimacy with God....but do I demand it?

• Do I require signs for my faith to be sustained?  
• Do I love the Lord enough to strain forward DESPITE the void behind?
• Do I believe in Him enough to smile to Him when all seems lost?
• Is my faith strong enough to care about the lives of others when my life seems to need so much attention?

Later this month the Calvary Baptist teens are going on a trip, and they have been asked by the youth pastor (Brian Hall) to remember this verse as a prerequisite.  It seems to be a prerequisite to so much more.... straining forward to what lies ahead. 

    "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

    Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 3:7-14 ESV)

Click this link to listen...
http://www.divshare.com/download/13461940-cc6

Shine

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5)

A darkness moved in when I dropped my boys off. It was the end of my first overnight custody. A really spectacular weekend was comming to an end.

Thursday Bruce Gill took us out for Chicago Pizza with Skyler, Brandon, John Russ and Nick. We got to know the boys and quietly began to destroy myths. We rode home in the Chevy Silverado all three on the bench seat up front. We were just getting started.

Friday we helped with mission work at BIEM where they met and worked and played with about 50 other people. Sean and David literally ran as they worked and had a great time with all the boys.

Saturday Doug McMichael taught them woodworking and the patience of Christ, how to use a band saw and router and actually taught me about being a father, not being task oriented. We also picked up mattresses and bought a Bed. And read from Proverbs 20 and Matt 4 and 5 about being "poor in spirit", so that your light will shine before men.

Sunday it was good to hear the message about God's word shining into our life and a dear note of encouragement reminding me of that transformation in me and in my family that all the pain will produce as we learn to trust Jesus, He is a BIG God. I remain dependent on Him for hope and light.

"Let Jesus be as a lamp in your life, shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in the hearts of your family" (paraphrase of 2 Peter 1:19)

As I introduced my boys to John and Marrissa Sharbaugh and their new son Jackson , I said they were famous.  Marrissa turned and graciously described her life (with Malachi) as a a great opportunity to give honor to God.

Lights shine in dark places, giving hope. I am continuously reminded the dark moments are the chance to give most Glory to God.

SEVEN HEBREW WORDS FOR PRAISE

1. YADAH To worship with the extended hand, absolute surrender... as a young child does to a parent
2. TEHILLAH To sing, to laud, spontaneously
3. BARAK To kneel or to bow 
4. HALAL Shine; hence, to make a show, and thus to be (clamorously) foolish
5. TOWDAH Extension of the hand in adoration or agreement
6. ZAMAR - To sing with instruments 
7. SHABACH - Proclaim with a loud voice, unashamed, a loud adoration, a shout!

I will not forsake you

Yesterday was a day of great battle, and so many have lifted me .....Thank you. This is His message: "I will not forsake you" from all corners of the nation and beyond, from ages long ago and new, from young and old. He is faithful.

At the risk of self promotion, I do want to glorify GOD and His people. In a sense, the courage I have received was not meant for me alone, but also for you in your own battle. Freely we have received, freely we give. This just might be God talking to you:

"Brad- I'm with you."

"...God does not promise that our lives will be free of storms, but He does promise us a place of shelter during the storms." The FULL Serenity Prayer

"...the Scripture that comes to mind is "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed (because He was crushed for us--Isa. 53); we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken (because He was forsaken for us--Matt. 27:46); struck down but not destroyed--always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body" (2 Cor. 4:8-10)..."

"... Persevere and He will make a way, and He will comfort you. You will reap what you are sowing. God Bless. "

"...praying for you Brad."

"Brad, praying for you right now man. "

"I know you are not looking for a return email from anyone that you sent this to because God is your rock and He will sustain you. My heart knows that you are aware of the prayer for you"

"Hello from South Carolina, Brad. Yes, I will join in prayer this morning."

"Be strong in the Grace of God Brad---As you have been."

"Bless your walk"

" **husband** and I lifted special and specific prayers ...."

"I'll be praying for you that God will vindicate himself for your trust in him.
Romans 8:18 - For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. shalom"

"...trust in God to set things right. I love you. **relative** "

"Praying that you have all the spiritual armor God has granted each of us to use for His will."

" **wife** and I are praying for you tomorrow. "

"With God ALL things are possible. I know right now it must be hard to see clearly in all of this. You are in our thoughts and prayers as you battle for what you know is right ..... I don't know what the outcome will be now or down the road but I know HE is faithful. Please know we are praying with love- **Husband and wife**"

"...Thank you for allowing us ***husband and wife** to continue to pray specifically for you and the battle you are in. - In Him alone- "

"I am praying for you brother. Remember what the Bible says. Ask and it will be given to you. Matthew 7-7. Read from Matthew. I believe it will help you. Brad I wish you the best. Good luck and the grace of God is with you, even though you may not see it. The great I AM is on your side."

"...What's mine is yours brother and I really mean that. Please keep me updated and don't hesitate to ask for anything. We are at war and we are soldiers together in this army. Co laborers for Christ. Love you brother."

The same day people in the world asked me "Do you believe that God speaks to you?" How would you answer?