A HEAVY HEART

Last night I learned that a dear childhood friend was diagnosed with cancer. I have never known a cancer diagnosis NOT be a hard thing to hear, however this is particularly difficult because GiGi is 37 years young. She is a wife and also "mommy" to a darling toddler.

Ge Gee and her family live in Texas and I don't get there very often so I don't see her much, but every time we are able to spend time together, though brief, it is like we talked only yesterday; You just never lose those childhood connections. I am crying out to the Lord for her and I covet your prayers for GiGi and her family.

There is NOTHING too hard for the Lord and we will believe HIM for healing.

G'night

NEW YEAR NEW YOU - PRAY IN FAITH II

Praying for a spiritual awakening in China, this year.

A little background:

Today L and I joined C and his classmates on a field trip to a local Chinese restaurant. We were there to celebrate the Chinese New Year. It was fun and the children were really pumped, they have looked forward to this for a while. The food was average but being in the company of curious and very verbal 4 and 5 olds was just priceless. Some were turned off by the “ugly orange” sauce on perfectly good "chicken nuggets" while others openly shared their disdain for “yun-nions in the rice,” that's onions in the rice. And then there was the group who just wanted to celebrate their ability to find new and unintended uses for chopsticks. It was so much fun!

As for the chopsticks, C and I wanted so badly to get it right …



Here, C and Dad posed after a successful attempt (1 of 100) at picking up a nice chunk of chicken. They felt like true Olympians.



Since China was on my palette and my mind I was moved to say a prayer for that country today. Somehow I knew that China was NOT a country that embraced Christianity. However, I did a little research this afternoon and was surprised by the specifics. Here are a few of the things I learned:

¹ China has a population of approximately 1.4 Billion. The current number of Christians (though said to be increasing rapidly) ranges from 70 million to 130 million, representing a mere 5-9% of the total population. The disparity in the numbers (70m versus 130m) is driven by fear. Many Christians in China are not open about their faith and practice it underground due to a persistent attitude of intolerance.

² The Chinese government is officially atheist. However, China is often characterized by pluralism – having many different religions. Buddhism is the largest organized religion.

³ The Chinese government limits the amount of churches in Beijing and other cities forcing many Christians to meet in house churches, which gives them the advantage of being away from the glare of the Communist Party. However, they still must register with police, avoid neighborly confrontation (which can be loosely defined) and keep their congregation size low (the maximum is 25) – only then are they tolerated - "grudgingly." Still others make the choice to be completely “underground” and risk arrest to practice their faith.

⁴ China caps the number of Bibles that can be printed each year

Learning all this was enough to get me pleading God’s promises on behalf of my sisters and brothers in Christ, in the Peoples Republic of China, who even through trial seek to serve the True and Living God.

Heavenly Father, I pray for the people of China. Though the numbers of those who believe in the way, the truth and the life is growing there, let this New Year bring greater acceptance of you, Lord. I pray a special prayer from my sisters and brothers in Christ who are not able to worship you openly and risk persecution for professing their faith. Place a hedge of protection around these sisters and brothers so that no weapons formed against them prosper. Father, I know you are the same yesterday, today and forever. You changed the hearts of Kings in Babylon so that the temple could be rebuilt in Jerusalem. You changed the heart of Saul, who murdered those who preached the WAY and you in your almighty power can change the hearts of men in China so that you are exalted among ALL nations and in ALL the earth. I ask this in the name of your darling son Jesus, Amen.

Please pray for Christians in China.

One additional note: This was a VERY exciting trip for C. His classroom is very diverse he has classmates from almost every corner of the globe (one from Turkey, one from Puerto Rico, one from China and one from Pakistan) He wondered aloud a few weeks ago, if his friends went to church to learn about Jesus, he informed me that he was “getting ready to ask ‘em.” He also loves to travel. I have never seen one kid get more excited about going to the airport or seeing a plane! I talked to him about one day traveling to tell others about Jesus and his eyes lit up. I think I see mission trips in our future. I just know God is going to use him in a mighty way!!!

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

For the first time in at least 4 1/2 years, I attended a birthday celebration that did NOT include Chuck E. Cheese, Bouncy Houses or little people "hopped up" on sugar. This celebration was far more subdued, but no less meaningful and fun for me; Today our church turned 80 years old. Happy Birthday Elizabeth Baptist!

We viewed a From Then to Now, style short film looking at the church history from its humble beginnings with only three members up through today at 11,000 members strong. The majority of that growth occurring under the leadership of our current Pastor, Craig L. Oliver, Sr. It has been an amazing journey. As was today's theme - "A Journey of Faith."

The most moving parts of the short film were the personal testimonies of members who shared their experiences of total spiritual transformation since joining Elizabeth. I wrote about my own spiritual makeover in this post. The leadership at this great church has made spiritual authenticity their charge, literally.

Pastor Oliver is a visionary (to say the least) who believes deeply in the church's mission "To lovingly lead the lost into a relationship with Jesus Christ and develop mature believers." His journey alone - Youth Minister to Mega Church Leader and profound spiritual motivator/encourager - is evidence of the pure power of God's favor. So, in the spirit of continued advancement towards our church & personal goals, L and I will be participating with the entire church body in the following activities Pastor "O" outlined today:

¹ Read the Bible In A Year [starting today] "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4, KJV)

² Internal Spiritual Audit [A Sermon & Study Series]

³ [A Personal] Journey of Faith [A Sermon & Study Series]

I look forward to growing alongside this awesome family of faith in which God has placed us. HE has answered my fervent prayers.