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I was disappointed last week when I logged into the system I use for scheduling groups of people into groups for my prayer time.  The system had a notice telling me the developer were no longer going to support this software and I needed to move my data out of there.  It was a bummer, because I use that system to purposefully pray for over 500 people.  Now what am I going to do?

Choosing to See God

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

 This week has been filled with all kinds of activities on a personal front that have produced significant highs and lows throughout each day.  Sunday service was Spirit Filled and people were experienced God's presence all morning (high).  That night, significant Spiritual Battles took place in various homes (including mine) and up at the church building, leaving several of the church leaders physically hurting and exhausted (low).  I traveled to Anderson University with my daughter for an interview where she was accepted to College (high) then we went upstairs to the Financial Aid office (low).  I had time to begin communicating with people again that I'm praying for them (high), then logged onto the software I use for this only to find it is being discontinued and I need to find a replacement now (low).  You get the idea.

His Body in Action

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NLT)

This summer, we've been challenged by God to see His Body as being bigger than just Life Bridge Christian Church here in Valparaiso.  He's reminded us that His Church is living and active all over our city, county, state, country, and world.  He's stretched us to recognize His followers by their love, unity, and the fruit of their spirit.  He told us we will not be in His Kingdom simply by calling Him "Lord, Lord."

Eleven

I only have one God sighting this week, but it lasted all week long.  It still lingers in my head and continues to drive my 16+ hour days and ministry to each person I encounter.  It has to do with the number eleven.

Last week, as we were finishing our outreach at the Porter County Fair, I received a call from an old friend who used to attend Life Bridge before moving away years ago.  He was asking for a favor.  "A good friend of mine just lost his 11 month old little girl to leukemia.  They don't go to church or have a pastor.  Would you be willing to do the funeral?"  How could I say no?  The funeral was set for Monday morning at 11am.  I prayed and prayed during my preparation for this funeral, not knowing what to say.  I trusted that God would provide.

Then Traci told me about a text that she received.  "Brianna wants to be baptized!"  Brianna is an 11 year old girl who spends the summer here with her mom.  Her summer was coming to an end this week.  Before leaving to go home to her dad's house, she wanted to be baptized this week...on Monday.

The number eleven seemed strangely popping up all over the place: 11 months old, 11 o'clock, 11 years old.  It took my mind to another significant time when the number eleven was important: eleven apostles.  Don't get me wrong.  I know that Jesus chose twelve apostles, but one of them ended up betraying him for money.  Judas wasn't really a follower of Jesus.  He was a follower of self.  It cost him his life and, most probably, his eternity.  The other eleven, though, remained faithful.  They wavered, but repented of those sins.  They held on to their faith in Christ all the way to the end of their lives.  They will spend eternity together with Him.

It was then that I knew what to say.  I knew what Monday was to be all about.  It was a day to celebrate life.  Family and friends at the funeral heard about life, were encouraged to hear that their little girl was enjoying life with Him, and were encouraged to join her in walking with Him.  They heard that they can get together with her again at the "family reunion" someday if they will turn to God through Jesus Christ and accept life everlasting.

I went home, changed clothes, and went to the lake to baptize Brianna.  Once again, we celebrated life.  "Why do you want to be baptized?" I asked her.  "To wash my sins away and receive the Holy Ghost," she answered.  We talked some more.  She understood what it meant to receive life everlasting and the power to live life to the fullest today.  We went into the water and her mom and I baptized her together.  We celebrated life.

As the evening progressed and we continued with tasks like cleaning up after the Porter County Fair, planning the next sermon series, coordinating activities with the team, it all had a different perspective for me.  I saw God working in and through those activities a little more.  I saw people working together to bring life to the world around us.  I saw God at work.

The rest of the week has been filled with long hours, many phone calls, texts, and emails.  None of it has worn me out.  I find myself energized by Him - desiring to reach people for Him and bring them new life.  I don't want to be like the one who turned away from Him, betrayed Him, and then chose death.  No, I will be like the eleven: choosing to follow Christ, turn back to him when I fall, and spending all my time living the abundant life.